Phrases & Expressions

To work out what an unfamiliar word means by using the surrounding sentences and situation.

• Dictionaries are not allowed in the IELTS exam, so you have to guess the meaning from context when you meet an unfamiliar word.
• Good readers guess the meaning of new words from context instead of stopping every few lines to look them up.

To get into someone else's computer system or account without permission, breaking the law.

• Criminals hacked into the hospital's computer system and demanded money to unlock patient records.
• Someone hacked into my email account and sent strange messages to all my contacts.

To feel a very strong desire for something, especially a particular food or drink.

• Cutting out sugar is hard at first, because you may have a craving for sweets for several weeks.
• After a month of healthy eating, I suddenly had a craving for chocolate cake.

To like something or someone a lot, often because you have known or enjoyed them for a long time.

• My grandfather has a fondness for old jazz records and plays them every Sunday morning.
• Having grown up by the coast, she has always had a fondness for seafood and long walks on the beach.

To have a lot of appointments or social plans already arranged.

• I'd love to meet up, but I have a full diary this week – how about next Tuesday?
• Our head of department has a full diary of meetings, so it can take weeks to get an appointment with her.

To try doing something, especially something you have not done before.

• I'd never played golf before, but my friends finally persuaded me to have a go at it.
• Even if you are not sure of the answer, have a go at every question, because wrong answers lose no marks.

To work together well with someone, communicating and cooperating easily.

• Doctors and nurses need to have a good working relationship if patients are to receive the best care.
• The new head teacher has a good working relationship with parents, which has made the school much more welcoming.

To have a large amount of work to do in a particular period.

• Junior doctors often have a heavy workload and very little time to rest between shifts.
• Students who have a heavy workload in their final year should plan their study time carefully.

To think that someone is very good, capable or admirable.

• Her colleagues have a high opinion of her, so she was the obvious choice to lead the project.
• Most students had a very high opinion of their physics teacher, who made difficult ideas easy to follow.

To have had a particular illness or problem in the past, sometimes more than once.

• Anyone who has a history of heart disease should talk to a doctor before starting a new exercise programme.
• The patient had a long history of breathing problems, so the nurses checked on her every hour.