IELTS Vocabulary Topic: History
archaeologist – someone who studies the buildings, graves, tools, and other objects of people who lived in the past
era – a period of time known for particular events or developments
excavate – to remove earth from a place in order to find old objects buried there
the Middle Ages – a period in European history, between about AD 1000 and AD 1500, when the power of kings, people of high rank, and the Christian Church was strong
millennium – a period of 1,000 years
pioneer – a person who is one of the first people to do something
timeline – a line showing the order in which events happened
chronological – in order of time from the earliest to the latest
consecutive – following each other continuously.
imminent – (esp. of something unpleasant) likely to happen very soon
middle-aged – in middle age; too careful and not showing the enthusiasm, energy, or style of someone young
nostalgic – feeling happy and also slightly sad when you think about things that happened in the past
prior – coming before in time, order, or importance
time–consuming – taking a lot of time to do or complete
erode – to rub or be rubbed away gradually
inter – to bury a dead body
predate – to have existed or happened before another thing
span – extend over; to exist or continue for a particular length of time
in time – early enough
lose track of time – to be unaware of what time it is
on time – at the correct time or the time that was arranged
take so long – to spend a lot of time to do something
at the right time – at the proper time, at the right moment
formerly – in the past
Stonehenge – a circle of very large stones built in ancient times in southern England
pole – a long, thin stick of wood or metal, often used standing straight up in the ground to support things
ice age – a time in the past when the temperature was very cold
frenzy – a state or period of uncontrolled excitement
awe – a feeling of great respect, usually mixed with fear or surprise
sketch something out – to give some details about something
posthole – a hole dug in the ground to hold a fence post.
post – a vertical stick or pole stuck into the ground, usually to support something or show a position
ditch – a narrow channel dug at the side of a road or field, to hold or carry away water.
carve – to cut out
chalk – a type of soft white rock
pasture – land covered with grass or similar plants suitable for animals, such as cows and sheep, to eat:
henge – a prehistoric circle of large stones or wooden objects
astronomy – the scientific study of the universe
infer – to form an opinion or decide that something is true from the information you have
nevertheless – despite what has just been said or referred to
hunter–gatherer – a member of a society that lives by hunting and collecting wild food, rather than by farming
wear away – to become thin and disappear after repeated use or rubbing
the arrival of something – the time when a new idea, product etc is first used or discovered
antiquated – old-fashioned or unsuitable for modern society
consecutive – events, numbers, etc. follow one after another without an interruption
engrossed – absorbed
plait – to join three or more pieces of hair
bride – a woman who is about to get married
obsess – to think about something or someone all the time
skull – the bone of your head
oral diseases – diseases of the mouth
by no means – not at all
plague – to cause pain or difficulty to someone or something over a period of time
acupuncture – a treatment for pain and illness in which special needles are put into the skin at particular positions
therapeutic – having a healing effect
undertake – to do or begin to do something
forefront – the most important or leading position
treatise – a formal piece of writing that deals with a particular subject
IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions
In some countries, buildings of historical value are being demolished to give way to modern buildings.
Do you think that it is better to preserve the old historical outlook of buildings, or it is better to incorporate only new styles of architecture? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this situation.
Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.