IELTS Academic Words: Phrases #2

Extremely popular at the moment.

"In the late 1990s, Tamagotchi virtual pets were all the rage; almost every kid wanted one."

Clothing that is relaxed and comfortable, not formal.

"Fridays at the office are laid-back, as the company has a casual dress policy, so you'll see most employees wearing jeans and t-shirts."

Buying things to show off wealth or social status.

"During the lavish party, the billionaire's conspicuous consumption was evident in the excessive array of gourmet foods and the fleet of luxury cars parked outside."

A well-known fashion brand.

"She saved for months to buy a dress from her favorite designer label for the gala."

The act of using goods and services for individual or household purposes.

"During the economic downturn, families saw a decrease in personal consumption as they had to cut back on non-essential spending."

The habitual way one uses their money.

"By analyzing consumers' spending patterns, companies can tailor their marketing strategies to target specific demographics more effectively."

The most recent style or practice that is popular.

"Wearing vintage clothes has become the latest trend among high school students."

Clothing that is typical of a particular culture or time period.

"During the festival, many participants wore their traditional dress to celebrate their heritage and culture."

Cause more problems than benefits.

"By watering the plants too much, we feared that we might do more harm than good, causing root rot instead of growth."

Think about something for a longer time than necessary.

"It's not healthy to dwell on the mistakes of the past; instead, we should learn from them and move forward."

A serious shortfall in the availability of energy resources.

"The 1970s witnessed a severe energy crisis that led to long lines at gas stations and prompted governments to invest in alternative energy sources."

Obtain a deep understanding of something.

"By analyzing the survey results, we were able to gain insight into the needs and preferences of our customer base."

Food produced from organisms that have been altered through genetic engineering.

"Many consumers have concerns about the long-term health effects of genetically modified food."