B2 Vocabulary Practice
240 IELTS-style questions. Choose a category or mix all.
Choose a category
What this tests
- → Words in context — choose the right word for a sentence
- → Collocations — natural word pairs used in IELTS
- → Phrasal verbs — common verbs + particle combinations
- → Academic vocabulary — formal word choices for writing/reading
B2 Vocabulary — what you need to know
B2 vocabulary practice focuses on the four areas that IELTS General Training tests under Lexical Resource: words in context (choosing the precise word that fits the meaning), collocations (common word pairings like “make a decision” or “raise awareness”), phrasal verbs (two-word verbs like “carry out” or “put off”), and academic vocabulary (formal register words used in workplace and general-interest texts).
At Band 5.5, you need to recognise and use common vocabulary accurately, demonstrate some collocation awareness, and avoid consistent misuse of frequent words. You do not need a wide range of rare or specialist vocabulary — precise use of everyday vocabulary at B2 level is enough to meet the UK settlement threshold.
B2 vocabulary — frequently asked questions
What vocabulary do I need for B2 English?
B2 vocabulary covers academic and formal words used in context, collocations (e.g. "make a decision", "raise awareness"), phrasal verbs (e.g. "put off", "carry out") and topic-specific vocabulary across workplace, environment and society topics. CEFR B2 corresponds to around 4,000–6,000 active word families.
Are collocations important for B2 IELTS?
Yes. IELTS tests collocation awareness directly — choosing the right verb-noun or adjective-noun combination (e.g. "raise awareness" not "rise awareness"). This is one of the areas that separates B2 from B1 candidates and is directly assessed under Lexical Resource in IELTS writing and speaking.
What phrasal verbs appear at B2 level?
Common B2 phrasal verbs include: put off (postpone), carry out (perform), bring up (mention), take on (accept responsibility), look into (investigate), set up (establish), and give up (stop). IELTS tests these in reading comprehension and writing contexts at Band 5.5.
How is vocabulary scored in IELTS?
IELTS examiners assess Lexical Resource: range of vocabulary, precision of word choice, and correct use of collocations and phrasal verbs. Band 5.5 requires accurate use of common vocabulary with some paraphrase, basic collocation awareness, and a mix of simple and complex vocabulary.
How many vocabulary questions should I practise before the real B2 test?
Aim to work through at least 120 practice questions across all categories — words in context, collocations and phrasal verbs — before your exam. Scoring consistently above 80% in these categories puts you well above the Band 5.5 Lexical Resource threshold.
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