vocabulary for government essay

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Vocabulary for Government Topic

Below is a list of vocabulary relating to the topic of “Government”. This word list will help refresh your memory and also expand your range to learn new words. Although the topic of politics doesn’t appear in IELTS, questions relating to general government policies do appear frequently in both IELTS Writing and IELTS Speaking.

On this page, you will find:

• Synonyms and Types of Government
• Useful Government Vocabulary
• IELTS Speaking Questions & Model Answers
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Questions

1. Word Forms:

• government (n)
• to govern (vb)
• governmental (adj)

Common Errors 

There are two common errors when using the word “government”.

• “n” – don’t forget the spelling – goverNment.
• For example:
• Wrong = Many people think government should improve the infrastructure in rural areas.
• Correct = Many people think the government should improve the infrastructure in rural areas.

2. Synonyms & Types of Government

Below is a useful word list for synonyms. However, please note that is fine to repeat the word “government” in your essay even for high band score candidates.

• the political system
• the administration
• the central government
• the local government
• the authorities
• the people in authority
• the leadership
• those in power

Note, as with all synonyms, they cannot all be used in the same context in the same way. They do differ.

Types of Government and Governing

Below are words relating to types of government and the way countries are run.

• republic = a country with no monarch and has an elected leader, usually a president
• democracy = the government is elected by the people, each person has a single vote
• autonomy = a self-governing country or region
• dictatorship = a country ruled by one person who has not been elected and uses force to keep control
• totalitarian state = a country with only one political power and people are forced to do what the government tells them
• regime = an authoritarian government
• capitalist = a free-market country
• communist = a political and economic system with a classless society where business, factories, farms etc are publicly owned
• monarchy = a country has a king or queen – in traditional monarchies, the monarch has absolute power but in a a constitutional monarchy (such as the UK), there is a democratic government, and the monarch is largely symbolic and politically neutral
• anarchy = a situation where there is no government
• constitutional government = a government which is limited in its power by a constitution
• coalition government = with no direct winner after elections, a government can be formed in which two or more parties cooperate

3. Useful Government Vocabulary

Within a Government

• politicians = people who hold an office within politics
• branches of government- legislative, executive and judicial
• executive branch = this is the part of the government which carries out the law
• legislative branch = this part of the government makes the laws and raises money to run the government
• judicial branch = this part of the government decides laws and settles disputes
• state government = a local government within a particular region or area of a country
• enforcement agencies = bodies within a government which can enforce the law, for example, the police
• political party = a group of people with similar political aims that hopes to have a member elected to government
• diplomats = people who represent their country in communication with other countries

 Useful Government Vocabulary

• to pass a law / to enable a law / to bring in a new law = to have a law accepted
• to abide by a law = to follow a law without breaking it
• to elect = to choose
• to have political influence / political power = the extent of a group’s or person’s ability to change the way political decisions are made
• a citizen = a person living within a country
• election = the process of voting for someone to come into power or into a role
• laws = rules for governing a country
• liberty = freedom
• maintain order = providing organisation and safety for the people of a country
• rights = freedoms which are protected and should be guaranteed
• taxes = money paid by citizens to run and maintain a country
• raise / lower taxes – to increase or decrease the money paid by citizens to the government
• budget = money that is allocated to spend in a particular area
• to increase the budget on X = to give more money to X
• note that the word “defence” can also be spelled as “defense” in American English
• policies = action proposed by an organisation
• charismatic = a characteristic that attracts and appeals to other people – many successful politicians are charismatic
• long term / short term goals
•  to be proactive = doing something rather than just waiting for something to happen

Citizen’s Actions

• campaign for something
• demonstrations
• to be involved in protests
• organise a petition
• speak at public meetings
• put up posters
• organise a public meeting
• write to politicians

4. Government Topic Questions for IELTS Speaking 

IELTS Speaking doesn’t have one single topic called “the Government”. But most topics in IELTS Speaking, do contain questions that relate to how official organisations, such as the government, can improve aspects of life. Below are some examples of questions with model answers. Most of these questions are more likely to appear in Speaking part 3 which deals with broader issues.

• Q) What is the role of a government?
• A) A government is responsible to decide how a country is run and for managing how it is run. It rules and governs a body of people to make sure that those people abide by laws.
• Q) Do you think the government should be responsible for public health?
• A) While the government should be proactive in opening more exercises facilities for the public and to raise awareness of public health, I think it is ultimately the role of the individual to improve their own health.
• Q) Do you think the government should pay to support the Arts?
• A) Yes, in a way. I think the government should definitely provide some support for the Arts as a way to promote our cultural heritage. For example, local people can learn about their own culture from watching the dramatic arts and also from paintings and sculptures. This is also a huge draw for visiting tourists who wish to experience local culture. However, I do think that artists also need to be responsible for ensuring their own income and not just rely on the government.
• Q) What do you think the government could do to protect natural beauty spots in your country?
• A) Well, I suppose one of the key things that those in power could do is to establish stricter laws to ensure people treat places of natural beauty with respect. For example, littering is a huge problem in my country and this needs to be taken more seriously. Another thing is for the government to spend more money on conservation as well as raising awareness among the local population of the importance of these places.

5. IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Questions Samples

• Many people think people should pay for their education, while others think the government should fund all education. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Some people believe the government should be responsible for the homeless and that society is not responsible. Do you agree?
• Do you think artists should have the right to express any opinion through their work or do you think the government should censor their work?
• Do you think the government should focus on supporting science or the Arts?
• Do you think the government should be solely responsible for public safety or do you think individuals should also be held responsible for their own safety?
• Some people believe that the government should spend more money on protecting wildlife. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some people think that the government is wasting essential funds on space research and that these funds would be better allocated to health care. To what extend do you agree?

Tip: Don’t suggest in your essay that the government could introduce a particular law if there is already one in place. If you know a law is already in place, then you can suggest that the law serves harsher punishments and give examples of that. Try to keep your essay real. Think your ideas through and be sincere in your essay for a high score.

 Recommended

• More Government Essay Questions
• 100 IELTS Essay Questions
• ALL IELTS SPEAKING LESSONS & TIPS
• ALL IELTS WRITING TASK 2 LESSONS & TIPS
• ALL IELTS VOCABULARY LESSONS

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IELTS Vocabulary – Government/Politics

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Questions about government and politics are very common on all sections of the IELTS and you will often be asked what you think governments should do about certain situations, or what are the impacts of government actions. This page contains words and phrases that will help make your IELTS answers sound more professional and concise. There are some activities for you to IELTS practice with some real questions.

Table of Contents

• Government/Politics Vocabulary
• Government/Politics Activity
• Government/Politics Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Collocations
• Government/Politics Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Collocations Activity

1. General Government/Politics Vocabulary

• Adhere to – To act as required according to a rule, promise, or belief
• Austerity – The condition of living without comfort or unnecessary purchases
• Budget – The amount of money available for a specific purpose
• To campaign – To work in an organised way towards a political goal such as an election
• Corruption – Dishonest conduct or use of power. Often involves bribery
• Fiscal deficit – The disparity between how much the government spends and how much it earns
• Democracy – A political system where the population can vote for elected representatives
• Evasive – Avoiding commitment to an answer by responding indirectly
• Funding – The money available for a specific purpose
• Impeach – To charge the holder of office with misconduct
• Left-wing – The liberal and socialist arm of politics
• Legislation – A set of laws suggested by a government and made official by a parliament
• Lobbying/Lobbyists – To seek to influence politicians, public officials, or issues / The people that seek to influence
• Mandate – The authority to carry out a course of action. For example, a candidate voted into office is given a mandate by the voters
• Party – A formally constituted collection of politicians that contest elections
• Populism/Populist – A political approach that is aimed at pleasing ordinary working people, and helping them in a struggle against the elite
• Reform – To make changes to something such as institutions, systems, and policies
• Right-wing – The arm of politics that supports conservatism, capitalism, and traditional ideas
• Think-tank – A group of experts providing analysis or opinion on economic or political issues
• Trustworthy – Can be relied on as truthful and dependable
• Transparent – Done in a non-secretive and clear way

2. General Government/Politics Vocabulary Activity

3. government/politics idioms, phrasal verbs, and collocations.

• A stopgap – A temporary way of dealing with a problem
• Allocate resources to – Distribute resources to a particular area/project. Resources usually refer to money or people.
• Central government – The political authority that governs an entire country
• Come into force – When policies begin to be implemented as laws
• Commit political suicide – When a politician loses support from the public because of extremely unpopular policies or ideas
• Come down on – Criticise or punish severely
• Crack down – Take severe measures against something such as knife crime, burglary etc…
• Elect a government – When the public vote for a government to hold authority and govern
• Go back on – To break a promise or change a decision
• Government body – Any branch, office, or organisation that forms part of the government
• Hard-liner – Politicians who support strict, and rigid ideas
• Local government – The political authority that has control over a city/region
• Perform a U-turn – A change of plan or political policy from what was previously stated
• Pursue/Follow a policy – To show support for a particular policy
• Run for office – To be a candidate in an election
• Shape policy – To be involved in the development and design of political policies
• Stand down – To resign from a post or withdraw from a political campaign
• Stand for – To support or accept particular values or principles
• To impose spending cuts – To reduce the amount the government spends on public services like police/hospitals/roads etc…
• To raise taxation on – To increase tax on a specific item, for example, fuel, tobacco, alcohol etc…
• Topple/Bring down a government – To remove a political party from power
• Windfall tax – A extra tax that is designed to tax excessive amounts of profit

4. Government/Politics Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Collocations Activity

For more practice, Visit IELTS vocabulary for money .

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Glossary of political terms

activist (noun): someone who actively tries to achieve social or political change, most often by joining an activist group – Even before she joined Greenpeace, Liz was an environmental activist.

advocate (verb): to publicly support something like a policy or plan – Does your party advocate stronger regulation of social media?

ally (noun): countries that have agreed to help each other, especially in a war, are allies – In 2011 the USA persuaded allies like the UK, France and Canada to join them in attacking Libya.

alliance (noun): a formal agreement between two or more countries or political parties to work together in certain ways – NATO is a military alliance that around 30 European and North American countries have joined.

anarchism (noun): the belief that local co-operatives freely established and run by the people they serve work better than centralized governments run by powerful elites and politicians – Kurdish anarchism was developed by Abdullah Öcalan, and he was inspired by Murray Bookchin.

(the) Anglosphere (noun): the UK and countries the UK colonized such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – English is the main language used throughout the Anglosphere.

austerity (noun): a policy of cutting government spending to reduce public debt, with cuts to welfare, health and education often being significant – Is austerity a better way of reducing public debt than raising taxes?

authoritarian (adjective): of governments that demand absolute obedience and will use violence, unjust laws, surveillance, etc to destroy opposition – Authoritarian governments will do anything to stay in power.

autocracy (noun): a country or government that is controlled by a single person – Which of the countries on the Korean peninsula is an autocracy?

autonomous (adjective): able to govern oneself without outside control – Three of our country's regions are autonomous, but the rest are controlled by the central government.

backbencher (noun): a Member of Parliament who isn't a government minister or an opposition leader – The education minister lost his portfolio and became a backbencher again. (also "backbench MP")

bailout (noun): money given to a company, country or an organisation that's in financial trouble – Should governments give bailouts to failing private companies?

ballot (noun): a vote to find out what people think about something – Before going on strike, we held a secret ballot to make sure our members supported it.

battleground state (noun): a state that doesn't always elect the same party's candidate – We spent most of our election campaign in three battleground states. (also "swing state")

bureaucracy (noun): a hierarchy of officials who administer an organisation or a government department – I hate dealing with government bureaucracies.

benefits (noun): welfare payments such as sickness benefits and unemployment benefits – I was out of work, but at least I could get unemployment benefits.

biased (adjective): unfairly favouring or judging someone or something because of personal preference or prejudice – Political parties were biased against women and wouldn't let them run for office.

bill (noun): a document outlining a proposed new law that will be voted on by elected representatives – Do you think the new environmental protection bill will be passed? (also "legislation", "legislative proposal")

bipartisan (adjective): involving two political parties or both sides of a political division – Defence budget increases usually get bipartisan support.

budget (noun): a government's stated projection on income and spending, most often over the coming year – Couldn't the government balance the budget by spending less on weapons and other military stuff?

cabinet (noun): a group of government members who have important jobs like running ministries – The prime minister will announce the new cabinet next week.

candidate (noun): someone who's competing for votes in an election – How many candidates are running in next month's election?

capitalism (noun): an economic system based on privately-owned businesses that have to make a profit to survive – If capitalism isn't regulated, the need to make a profit can lead to mistreatment of workers, consumers and the environment.

caucus (noun): a group of politicians with similar aims or interests – A bipartisan congressional caucus aims to boost trade with China.

citizen (noun): a person with the legal right to live in and be part of a country – If you're a UK citizen you can get a British passport.

civil rights (noun): rights to equal treatment and equal opportunities regardless of one's race, gender, sexual preference, religion, etc – Have you heard Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream civil rights speech?

(the) civil service (noun): government departments and the people who work for them – My father began his career in the civil service before shifting to journalism. (also "the Civil Service")

civil war (noun): a war between different groups or regions in the same country – In the American Civil War, southern states fought for the right to buy and sell people and use them as slaves.

coalition (noun): a government made up of two or more political parties who agree to work together – Will your party join the governing coalition or the opposition?

colonization (noun): the act of invading and settling on lands that don't belong to you – For us indigenous Australians, colonization was the worst thing that ever happened to us. (also "to colonize" (verb) and "colonial" (adjective))

communism (noun): a political system in which a central government makes economic plans and fairly distributes wealth created by workers who produce goods and services – Communism can work in small communities, but it can become authoritarian when used to govern an entire country.

Congress (US noun): the body elected to govern the US at the federal level, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate – Congress has approved a bill that legalizes same-sex marriage.

conservative (adjective): believing in traditional ideas and values rather than progressive ideas and social change – Aren't right-wing parties more conservative than left-wing parties?

constitution (noun): a document that states the principles and rules that a country's system of government is based on – Human rights are protected in our country's constitution.

constituent (noun): a person who lives and votes in a particular constituency – Before the election, our candidate got to know many of her constituents.

consumerism (noun): the belief that buying material things makes people happy - Is Western-style consumerism the way of the future?

corporate (adjective): relating to big companies and corporations – The corporate sector uses advertising to sell its products to consumers.

corporation (noun): a large company – Corporations have to sell more and more products in order to make bigger and bigger profits.

corrupt (adjective): related to corruption – Since the 2021 coup, corrupt army generals have stolen billions of dollars.

corruption (noun): the dishonest or illegal use of power or authority, usually for money or gifts – How much money does our country lose to corruption every year?

coup d’état or coup (noun): the illegal and often violent overthrow of government, usually by military officers – The coup was carried out by a bunch of greedy, power-hungry generals.

deficit (noun): the amount by which money earned or received is less than the amount spent or owed in a particular period of time – If a government spends 3 trillion dollars and its income is only 2 trillion, its budget deficit is 1 trillion dollars.

demagogue (noun): a political leader who arouses emotions like fear, greed, anger and prejudice to get people's support – The world's most dangerous leaders are fascist demagogues like Hitler and Mussolini.

democracy (noun): a political system in which people choose their own governments by voting in free and fair elections – Some countries are true democracies, but those with rigged elections are fake democracies. (also "democratic" (adjective))

(the) Democratic Party (US noun): one of the two main political parties in the US – The Democratic Party is more likely to adopt progressive policies than the Republican Party. (also "the Democrats")

democratic socialism (noun): a left-wing political philosophy that combines democracy with a highly-regulated market economy, state-run essential services and a state-financed welfare system – Unlike communism, democratic socialism can't produce a one-party state.

depression (noun): the period in a capitalist economic cycle when many banks and companies fail, production falls, unemployment increases and many workers fall into poverty – Even little kids went to bed hungry during the depression. (see also "recession")

dictatorship (noun): an authoritarian government that uses force to hold onto power – At first he was a democratically-elected demagogue, but then he banned elections and established a dictatorship. (Note: a "dictator" (noun) is the person who controls a dictatorship)

diplomacy (noun): the managing of relations between countries – Why aren't we using diplomacy instead of threats of war to resolve our disagreements? (Note: a "diplomat" (noun) is someone who works in the field of diplomacy)

disinformation (noun): deliberately false information that's used to deceive or wrongly persuade people – The USA used disinformation to persuade other countries to join its illegal 2003 invasion of Iraq. (Note: "misinformation" has a similar meaning)

domestic terrorist (noun): someone who violently attacks people or places in their own country for political reasons – SWAT teams in heavy armour used military weapons to arrest a group of domestic terrorists. (also "homegrown terrorist")

draconian (adjective): extremely strict and severe (esp of a law or punishment) – Draconian drug laws meant kids spent years in jail for possessing a little marijuana, and their lives were ruined.

election (noun): a democratic process in which people vote for politicians to represent them in a government – Who are you voting for in the election?

election campaign (collocation): a series of events and advertisements in the run-up to an election that try to persuade people to vote for a particular politician or party – How much will the party spend on the election campaign?

electoral college (US noun): a small group of unelected people in each US state who elect the president and vice-president even though a nation-wide vote has just taken place – In 2016 the electoral college gave Donald Trump the presidency even though he'd lost the popular vote.

empire (noun): all the countries, colonies, overseas lands, etc that a powerful country controls after invading or occupying them – Many countries including Canada, Australia, South Africa, Kenya and Jamaica were claimed by the British empire after being invaded.

endorse (verb): to openly express support for someone or something – The electoral board can't endorse any of the candidates before an election.

equal rights (collocation): the idea that people of all kinds should have the same access to things like education, medical care, police protection, justice, etc – Prisoners, drug users and disabled people still don't have equal rights. (also "civil rights")

(the) establishment (noun): the most powerful and privileged group in a country, most of whom support conservative parties and policies – In British politics, the Tories are seen as the party of the establishment. (also "the Establishment")

exploit (verb): to treat someone or something badly in order to get some benefit for yourself – Workers are still being exploited in these factories. (also "exploitation" (noun))

(the) far left (noun): people of the left who believe radical or extreme forms of social, economic and political change are needed – Some on the far left still believe in taking the revolution to the streets. (also "the hard left")

(the) far right (noun): people of the right with extremely conservative views, some of whom have racist and fascist beliefs of the sort found in Nazi Germany – These days the far right is mostly just a bunch of boys who dress up like fascists in order to shock their parents. (also "the hard right")

fascism (noun): an extreme right-wing dictatorial political system based on racial purity and the violent hatred of racial and other minorities – Fascism is a vile political system that we must stamp out forever.

feminism (noun): a movement for social change that aims to rid society of beliefs and traditions that stop women from having the same rights, powers and opportunities as men – In many countries, feminism is still seen as a threat to traditional male dominance.

federal (adjective): of a central government in a federation, as opposed to governments of individual states – The US federal government is made of up the legislative branch which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate, the executive branch which includes the President and Vice President, and the judicial branch which includes the Supreme Court and other federal courts.

federation (noun): a country made up of several states that have united under a central or federal government – Many of the world's biggest countries are federations, including Russia and the USA.

fiscal (adjective): related to public finances, including the collection of taxes and the spending of government money – The federal government's fiscal policy caused a number of economic problems.

foreign relations (collocation): a country's dealings with other countries, including establishing friendly relationships, negotiating trade deals, arranging scientific and cultural exchanges, etc – Our diplomats are improving foreign relations right across Asia. (also "foreign affairs" and "international relations")

foreign aid (noun): assistance or help given by one country to another, including economic aid, development projects, disaster relief, etc – How much money does your country spend on foreign aid every year?

foreign policy (noun): how a country plans to further its national interests when dealing with other countries and regions – Our foreign policy mustn't damage our relations with our neighbours.

fundraising (noun): trying to get people to give money to a charity or an organization – Lots of people give money to the Greens at their fundraising dinners.

geopolitics (noun): the study of how a country or region fits into the global network of political and economic alliances and rivalries – The main struggle in geopolitics now is between the West and countries the West doesn't trust, like China and Russia.

government (noun): those who govern a country, state or region and make decisions about laws, taxes, budgets, welfare funding, etc – Why does the government spend so much on foreign aid?

head of state (noun): a country's official leader, such as a republic's president or a monarchy's king or queen – The UK's head of state is the king, with the prime minister being the head of government.

(the) House of Representatives (noun): the name of the lower house in certain parliaments like the US Congress and the Parliament of Australia – Is the House of Representatives as powerful as the Senate?

human rights (noun): the rights we all have to be treated fairly and without cruelty or injustice – The arrest and jailing of peaceful protesters is a clear violation of their human rights. (See also "civil rights" and "women's rights")

ideology (noun): a system of beliefs, goals and ethics that form the basis of an economy, a society, a political party, etc – Anti-capitalist ideologies claim that capitalism exploits workers, creates inequality, and puts profits above human and environmental health. (also "ideological" (adjective))

inclusive (adjective): wanting to include people of all kinds, especially those previously excluded from mainstream society – Ireland is much more inclusive these days. (also "inclusivity" (noun))

incumbent (noun): someone holding an official position at a certain time – Most incumbents are elected for a second term.

independent (noun): an elected representative who isn't a member of a political party – More independents were elected this time than ever before.

indigenous governance (collocation): forms of social organization, law and diplomacy that indigenous peoples practiced, many of which were lost after colonization – Luckily some forms of indigenous governance are still passed on by the elders.

inflation (noun): rising prices – The government's doing whatever it can to reduce inflation. (also "inflationary' (adjective))

issue (noun): an important topic that people are discussing, debating or having disputes about – Climate change is an issue that all parties have to have a policy on.

insurrection (noun): a violent attempt to take power from a government – The people who planned the insurrection were arrested and sentenced to death. (also "uprising")

(the) judiciary (noun): the judges and court officials that run trials and issue punishments in a particular country – If the judiciary were independent, would they be jailing peaceful protesters? (also "judicial" (adjective))

junta (noun): a military government that has taken power by force – The junta killed thousands of protesters after staging their coup.

justice (noun): the fair treatment of people of all kinds – Children seem to have a natural sense of justice.

labour (noun): work, especially manual work – Who decides how much our labour is worth? (Note: used in many collocations like "labour law", "labour costs", "forced labour", "child labour", etc.)

(the) Labour Party (noun): the more left-wing of the UK's two main political parties – The Labour Party has always claimed to be the party of the workers. (Note: The equivalent party in Australia is the differently-spelled "Labor Party")

landslide (noun): an election victory in which the winning party wins by a very big margin – Our party has won in a landslide!

law and order (phrase): a situation in which laws and the police are obeyed by nearly everyone – Political parties often promise to improve law and order when campaigning.

leader (noun): a person with enough power, status or charisma to become the head of a country, an organisation, a gang, etc. – Was the leader of your country democratically elected, and did they take power by force?

(the) Leader of the Opposition (noun): the leader of the parties that didn't have enough seats in parliament to form the government – The Leader of the Opposition accused the Prime Minister of being corrupt. (also "minority leader")

left-wing (adjective): believing that power and wealth should be shared fairly and that services like health care and education should be free – Most countries in South America have left-wing governments at the moment. (also "of the left", "leftist", "progressive" and "liberal")

legislation (noun): a law or a set of laws – New legislation on the clearing of forests was passed in parliament today. (also "to legislate" (verb) and "legislative" (adjective))

legislative agenda (noun): new laws that a party or politician promises to introduce – The government's tertiary education bill was part of its legislative agenda.

liberal (US adjective): supporting the fair sharing of power and wealth and strong protection of human rights, civil liberties and freedom of speech – My grandfather has become more liberal the older he gets. (also "progressive")

liberal democracy (noun): a democratic, market-based political system in which human rights, civil liberties and basic freedoms are constitutionally-protected – India, Brazil, Japan and South Africa are among the many countries now seeing themselves as liberal democracies. (Note: don't confuse with the idea of "social democracy" in which capitalism gradually shifts towards socialism)

libertarian (adjective): believing that personal freedom should only be subject to minimal government control – My uncle says he's libertarian, but he does exactly what he's expected to do.

lobby (verb): to try to get a politician or government to do something for you, such as change a regulation that harms your business – If we elect someone, shouldn't they put our interests ahead of the companies that lobby them? (also "lobbyist" (noun))

lower class (noun): the social class that poor people with low status belong to – Lower-class people are looked down on by just about everyone. (also "the lower classes" and "working class")

lower house (noun): another name for the House of Representatives (US) or the House of Commons (UK) – How many parties won seats in the lower house in last year's election? (Note: the opposite of "upper house")

mainstream (adjective): considered normal due to widespread acceptance in society – Why don't mainstream media like CNN and the BBC fact-check government claims?

market economy (noun): an economy in which the forces of supply and demand determine prices and wages – We have a market economy, but the government adjusts prices and wages as necessary. (also "free market economy")

meritocracy (noun): a system in which a person's talents and achievements determine their position, income and status instead of their social class, race or gender – It's fairer than it was fifty years ago, but it still isn't a true meritocracy.

middle class (noun): the social class between the lower classes and the upper classes – I'm glad I was born into the middle class.

midterms (short for "midterm elections") (US noun): the election of a certain number of seats around halfway through the term of office of a president or government – The Democrats could lose their Senate majority in the next midterms.

military dictatorship (noun): an authoritarian government run by military officers who took power by force – How many people has the military dictatorship tortured and killed in order to stay in power? (also "military regime")

moderate (adjective): not considered extreme or unreasonable – We might get elected if we advocate moderate tax increases.

monarchy (noun): a country in which the head of state is a king or queen – France used to be a monarchy, but the French Revolution put an end to that.

nation (noun): an individual country made up of people from one or more ethnic groups who live together under one government – Many African nations are trading with Asia these days. (also "nation state")

National People's Congress (noun): the national legislature and supreme state authority of the People's Republic of China – Most of the nearly 3,000 delegates to the National People's Congress are elected by local people's congresses.

national security (noun): a nation's efforts to protect its territory and people – There are better ways to protect national security than spending a fortune on weapons.

nationalize (verb): to transfer a privately-owned company or industry to state ownership and government control – The government has had to nationalize essential utilities like water and power again.

neoconservative (adjective): related to the militaristic conservatism adopted by the US Republican Party from the 1980s to the 2000s that led to several failed wars – Why hasn't neoconservative US president George W Bush been put on trial for starting illegal wars? (Note: often abbreviated to "neocon")

neo-Nazi (noun): a member or supporter of any group that promotes white supremacy, violent attacks on minorities or mass murder of the sort Nazi Germany committed – My brother says he joined the neo-Nazis because he was lonely and they made him feel good about himself.

nominee (noun): someone who is nominated for a political position, a job or an award of some sort – For the first time ever the Republican Party's nominee for president is Asian.

oligarchy (noun): a small group of powerful people who control a country, an organization or an industry – She must've been put in power by the oligarchy that really runs the country. (Note: an "oligarch" (noun) is a member of an oligarchy)

(the) opposition (noun): politicians who sit in parliament but aren't part of the party or coalition in power – The leader of the opposition has blamed the prime minister for wrecking the country's economy.

oppression (noun): the cruel and unfair treatment of people – The refugees are fleeing political oppression in their own country. (also "oppressive" (adjective) as in "He fled his country's oppressive rulers.")

overthrow (verb): to force a leader or a government to give up power – The government was overthrown by an invading army.

parliament (noun): all the people elected to make or change a country's laws – The Green Party won six seats in parliament this time.

patriarchy (also The Patriarchy) (noun): a society or political system ruled by men – Feminists speak about how oppressive the patriarchy has always been.

patriotism (noun): love of one's country and the willingness to fight and die for it – Right-wing demagogues know how to turn feelings of patriotism into hatred of foreigners.

patriot (noun): someone with an extreme love of their own country, often combined with an extreme distrust or fear of foreign countries and people – Were those who attacked the US Capitol in 2021 loyal patriots or the brainwashed puppets of a power-hungry demagogue?

platform (noun): the policies of a political party or an independent candidate, esp as expressed during an election campaign – If a party's platform includes raising taxes, it's unlikely to win an election.

plutocracy (noun): a country or government controlled by the wealthy, either directly or indirectly – After gaining independence from our colonial masters, we became a plutocracy rather than a proper democracy.

policy (noun): a plan that a political party or a government department promises to put into action – The Republican Party says it's developing a new education policy.

political correctness (noun): the effort to challenge language and acts that express dislike or prejudice towards people of certain races, genders, ethnicities, sexual preferences, etc. – Some conservatives see political correctness as a threat to their right to be prejudiced.

political science (noun): the study of politics and systems of government – My political science course covers comparative politics, international relations and political theory.

politician (noun): a person who is elected to represent voters in a democracy – Most people around here don't trust politicians.

politics (noun): the ways power is gained, held, used and lost in a particular society – We got into politics to make the world a better place, not to make money.

politicize (verb): to use an event or an issue to change public opinion on a political party or politician – The gun lobby says anyone who expresses shock at mass shootings is politicizing them to help anti-gun politicians.

poll (noun): a survey in which many people are asked for their opinion on something – According to the latest poll, over 60% of voters intend to vote for the opposition party.

polling booth (noun): a place in which people can cast their vote in an election – Privacy is ensured in a polling booth, so nobody will know who you've voted for.

populism (noun): a political movement that targets the votes of ordinary working people by using emotive language and pretending to share their pain and frustration – A billionaire got elected by using the tricks of populism to convince millions of workers that he was one of them.

populist (adjective): related to politicians who claim to share the frustrations and anger of ordinary workers in order to get their votes – Populist politicians can turn a crowd of normal people into an angry mob. (also "populist" (noun) means someone who uses populist techniques to win votes)

prejudice (noun): a deep-seated bias against, and dislike of, a particular group of people, most often based on their race, ethnicity or sexual preference – Where did this prejudice against people with dark skin come from in the first place?

president (noun): the political leader and head of state of a republic – The French president is meeting the British prime minister next month.

prime minister (noun): the person who leads a parliamentary government – The prime minister lost the support of her own party, so they replaced her with another one.

private enterprise (noun): an economic system in which privately-owned companies create and market products and services in order to make a profit – Private enterprise works best if regulations prevent companies from exploiting their workers, damaging the environment and minimizing their taxes. (also "free enterprise")

privatize (verb): to sell a government-owned company and allow it to become a profit-seeking privately-owned company – After the government privatized our state-owned power plants, electricity prices went way up.

progressive (adjective): promoting changes in society that make life better and fairer for everyone – The Greens always have the most progressive policies. (see "liberal")

propaganda (noun): biased information that's meant to make a country, government or political system seem better or worse than it really is – Authoritarian governments use state media to spread their propaganda.

public opinion (noun): the opinions and views of the majority of people in a particular society – If your policies don't take public opinion into account, you won't win the election.

racism (noun): the belief that people of some races are better than those of other races – Can we really understand the pain that racism causes if we haven't experienced it ourselves? (also "racial prejudice")

ratify (verb): to make an agreement official by signing a document or voting to confirm it – The trade deal wasn't ratified until each country's leader had signed it.

reactionary (adjective): highly conservative and automatically reacting against progressive change in society – My uncle bored everyone to death with all his reactionary nonsense.

rebel (verb): to oppose or reject something you're expected to support – Some MPs are rebelling against their party's tax cuts. (also "rebel" (noun), as in "James was a young rebel who often got into trouble.")

real wages (noun): the true value of wages in terms of what you can buy with the money you've earned – If inflation rises but your wages don't, your real wages fall even if you're getting as much as before.

recession (noun): a period when a country's economy does badly, with falling productivity and rising unemployment – I lost my job during the recession and couldn't even pay my rent. (also see "depression")

referendum (noun): a national poll in which everyone can vote on an important issue such as a constitutional change – Have you thought about which way you'll vote in the referendum?

reform (noun): a change that improves an existing situation, such as a legal reform, educational reform, economic reform, etc. – Left-wing people want taxation reform that increases the tax that big companies pay.

representative (noun): a person who's chosen or elected by one or more people to make choices or act for them – The candidate that most of us voted for is our new representative. (see also "House of Representatives")

republic (noun): a country with an elected head of state, usually a president – The referendum shows that most of us want to live in a republic instead of a monarchy.

Republican Party (noun): the more conservative or right-wing of the two main political parties in the US – The Republican Party usually gets more votes in rural areas than the Democratic Party. (also "the GOP")

revolution (noun): a successful uprising by many people that overthrows a political or economic system and replaces it with their preferred system – The communist revolution in Cuba overthrew the right-wing government established after the coup in 1952.

rig (verb): to make something like an election, a sporting event or an exam unfair by giving one side or one person an unfair advantage – After losing, the former president falsely claimed the election was rigged.

(the) right (noun): conservative political parties or people who oppose progressive reforms – Which group wants taxes for the rich increased, the left or the right?

right-wing (adjective): of conservative people and organizations that oppose regulating business, giving welfare to the poor, reforming institutions, etc. – Which news organizations are the most right-wing?

run for office (phrase): to join a list of electoral candidates and campaign for votes – I ran for office because I wanted to make things better.

safety net (noun): help that a government gives to people in difficulty, including housing for the poor, medical care for the sick and financial help for the unemployed – Luckily our country has a good safety net for those who need it.

seat (noun): a position in something like a house of parliament, a company board, a jury, etc. – How many seats did your party win in the last election? (Note: in politics, there are seats in parliament, in Congress, in the House of Representatives, in The Senate, etc.)

senate (noun): the upper house of the two-house parliament in countries like the US, France, the Philippines, Brazil and Argentina – Legislation has to be passed by the senate before it becomes law.

senator (noun): a member of a senate – Julia has been a senator since 2020.

social justice (noun): the idea that everyone should have the same rights and opportunities regardless of their class, race, religion, gender or sexuality – Social justice legislation has begun to reduce inequality for some groups. (Note: a "social justice warrior" is someone who fights for social justice)

social welfare (noun): support that a government provides to people in need – Countries that spend lots of money on social welfare are sometimes called welfare states.

socialism (noun): a political and economic system that ensures that a country’s wealth is shared fairly and that essential services are provided by the government instead of profit-seeking companies – Is socialism fairer than capitalism?

state (noun): 1. a country and its government's administration 2. one region of a country with its own state legislature, laws and elected representatives – One of the world's most powerful states 1 is the United States 2 of America.

(the) State Duma (noun): the lower house of the two-house Federal Assembly of Russia – All the elected members of the State Duma serve for a period of five years.

statesman (noun): an experienced political leader who is respected for his understanding and wisdom – We desperately need more great statesmen like Nelson Mandela. (Note: the female equivalent is "stateswoman")

strike (noun): a time during which workers stop working to force employers to improve their pay or working conditions – Railway workers are going on strike next week if they don't get a pay rise.

surplus (noun): a situation in which a government spends less than the amount it receives as revenue during a certain period – This year's surplus will help reduce the deficit that's built up over the years.

terrorism (noun): the use of extreme violence such as shooting and bombing to achieve political goals – Terrorism of the sort that the US experienced on September 11 is very unusual. (Note: a "terrorist" is someone who's involved in terrorism)

trade union (noun): an organization of workers that tries to improve members' pay and working conditions – Right-wing governments often pass laws that limit the power of trade unions. (also "union")

(the) Treasury (noun): a government department that takes care of public money and oversees taxation, treasury accounts and national budgets – One of the Treasury's jobs is to produce and issue the nation's banknotes and coins.

tyranny (noun): a brutal government that uses violence and fear to control its own people – The people couldn't stand living under a tyranny any longer. (Note: a "tyrant" is the person who controls a tyrannical state)

unemployed (adjective): out of work, or not having a job – My brother has been unemployed for months.

unionize (verb): to organize a group of workers doing the same type of work into a trade union – The government made it illegal for workers to unionize.

(the) United States Capitol (noun): the building in Washington, D.C. in which the US Congress meets – I could hardly believe it when the United States Capitol was attacked by the president's own supporters. (also "The Capitol" or "the Capitol Building")

upper class (noun): the social class with the highest status and the most money and power – He speaks like someone from the upper class, but he's really from the working class. (Note: the opposite of "lower class" or "working class")

upper house (noun): the smaller house of a two-house parliament, often called the Senate, that reviews legislation passed by the lower house – Did you know the UK has an unelected upper house called the House of Lords?

veto (verb): to use official power or authority to stop something from happening – In some countries the head of state can veto legislation.

vote (verb): to show which person you want to win an election, most often by marking a piece of paper or using a voting machine – Have you decided who you're going to vote for in the election yet? (also "vote" (noun) as in "How many votes did the Liberal Party win by?")

wedge issue (US noun): a divisive issue that a political party uses to draw supporters from another party – The Republican Party has made gun control a wedge issue to attract traditional Democrat voters.

welfare state (noun): a state that takes care of the welfare of its citizens by providing free health care, free education and benefits to the elderly, the disabled, the unemployed and others needing support – People in welfare states like Sweden and Norway don't have much to worry about, do they?

Western (adjective): of European countries and places that Europeans took from indigenous people, such as the USA, Canada and Australia – Even though they're in Asia, settler Australians say they live in a Western country. (also "The West")

(the) White House (noun): a building in Washington D.C. in which US presidents live and work while in office – The West Wing of the White House is where the US president's "Oval Office" is located.

white privilege (noun): the privileges that white people in some countries have simply because of their skin colour – Racism will continue until the reality of white privilege is acknowledged.

white supremacy (noun): the racist belief that white people are superior to black people and should have power over them – White kids are being targeted by websites promoting white supremacy. (also "white supremacist" (noun) as in "Have you ever met a white supremacist?")

women's rights (noun): rights for women that are equal to those of men, including equal pay – Our panel on women's rights will discuss equal educational and employment opportunities for women.

(the) working class (noun): people from the lowest and least powerful social class, most of whom have low-paying jobs and don't own property – In Britain, most punk bands were from the working class. (also "lower class" and "the proletariat")

xenophobia (noun): a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries, including immigrants – He says he's patriotic, but it's more like xenophobia. (also "xenophobic" (adjective) as in "White supremacists are xenophobic.")

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the best ap us government notes to study with.

Advanced Placement (AP)

As a high schooler, you're on the verge of participating in the democratic process. It's a great time to learn more about the structure and history of our government and how politics actually work. This is why so many students take the AP US Government and Politics class and test.

You've probably been taking notes in your AP US Gov class based on your teacher's lectures and what's written in your textbook, but it can be nice to have all the info you need in one place. This article will give you links to notes on every topic in the AP US Government curriculum along with a few tips on how to study effectively.

How to Use These AP Government Notes

These notes may be used throughout the year if you're looking for materials to help you review for in-class tests. They can also be used cumulatively as study resources for the AP US Gov exam.

It's a smart idea to supplement the notes in this article with more detailed notes from your AP Gov class or a review book . You might find that your review book or textbook outlines certain topics more clearly or contains a more consolidated list of key concepts.

If you're using these notes to prepare directly for the final AP US Gov exam, I recommend taking a full-length official practice test before reviewing them . You can then decide which topics to target based on where you made the most mistakes on the practice test.

It's more efficient to do things this way rather than reading through all the notes indiscriminately. It's also nice to get used to the format of the AP Gov questions and the timing of the exam before you get too far into your studying. You might discover that you have more issues with timing or question wording than with content knowledge , in which case you'll want to focus on doing additional practice questions.

AP US Government Notes

The exam covers six main topics , each of which has several major subtopics. The AP Gov notes below come from CourseNotes and APStudyNotes .

These notes have practice questions that go along with them at the end, which can be used to help you retain the information you read. You can also look at these detailed political timelines from CourseNotes to put all these concepts in context and see how they've impacted American history.

Topic 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of the US Government

• Chapter 1: Constitutional Democracy
• Chapter 2: The Living Constitution
• Chapter 3: American Federalism
• The Study of American Government
• The Constitution

Topic 2: Political Beliefs and Behaviors

• Chapter 4: Political Culture and Ideology
• Chapter 5: The American Political Landscape
• American Political Culture
• Who Governs? To What Ends?

Topic 3: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media

• Chapter 6: Interest Groups
• Chapter 7: Political Parties
• Chapter 8: Public Opinion, Participation, and Voting
• Chapter 9: Campaigns and Elections
• Chapter 10: The Media and American Politics
• Public Opinion
• Political Participation
• Political Parties
• American Independent Party
• American Party
• Anti-Masonic Party
• Constitutional Union Party
• Democratic Party
• Democratic-Republican Party
• Federalist Party
• Free-Soil Party
• Greenback-Labor Party
• Libertarian Party
• Liberty Party
• National Republican Party
• People's Party
• Progressive Party
• Reform Party
• Republican Party
• Socialist Party
• Elections and Campaigns
• Interest Groups

Topic 4: Institutions of National Government

• Chapter 11: Congress
• Chapter 12: The Presidency
• Chapter 13: The Federal Administrative System
• Chapter 14: The Judiciary
• The Presidency
• The Bureaucracy
• The Judiciary (with briefs on major Supreme Court cases )

Topic 5: Public Policy

• Chapter 18: Making Economic and Regulatory Policy
• Chapter 19: Making Social Policy
• Chapter 20: Making Foreign and Defense Policy
• The Policy-Making Process
• Economic Policy
• Social Welfare
• Foreign Policy and Military Policy
• Environmental Policy

Topic 6: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

• Chapter 15: First Amendment Freedoms
• Chapter 16: Rights to Life, Liberty, and Property
• Chapter 17: Equal Rights Under the Law
• Civil Liberties
• Civil Rights

Important Documents

• Declaration of Independence
• Constitution
• Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10)
• Constitutional Amendments 11-27

AP US Government Study Strategies: 4 Key Tips

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you look through these AP Government notes. Tailoring your study strategies to the structure of the curriculum and the format of test questions is the first step toward earning a high AP score !

#1: Practice Writing Clear, Direct Free-Response Answers

US Government is one of the more technical humanities subjects, so the free-response questions have multiple parts that only require short answers. In most cases, if you give a valid example or definition and a short explanation, you'll earn points. There's no reason to pad your answers with unnecessary fluff or write them in an essay format.

Make sure you review plenty of free-response questions and scoring guidelines to get a better idea of what's expected on the test in comparison to, say, a history or literature AP exam. You can find a list of AP US Government free-response questions and score guidelines here .

#2: Know the Most Prevalent Acts and Court Cases

There are a number of important court cases and legislative acts that have dramatically shaped US politics over the years. Be sure that you understand the most prominent of these before you take the test; they will come up often in both sections.

Even if free-response questions don't ask about these cases and acts directly, you might need to use them as supporting examples for other responses.

It's good to have a mental library of the most significant legislative and judiciary milestones in the history of the US that you can access at any point during the test. I recommend making flashcards for all the acts and cases you need to remember.

#3: Pay Special Attention to Congress and the Presidency

Questions on Congress and the presidency make up about one-third of the test. You should know the composition of each branch of government, its powers, and the changes to its role over time. You should also understand the ins and outs of election processes and have a detailed knowledge of how the legislature goes about drafting and passing laws.

#4: Memorize Definitions of Key Terms

This is another area for which flashcards might come in handy. You could use all the vocab lists in the notes above as references, or you might have your own vocab lists from class or a review book.

Many AP Gov exam questions are based on your knowledge of definitions. Sometimes, parts of free-response questions will just ask you to define terms. You'll have a much easier time on the test if all these definitions are securely stored in the back of your mind.

Conclusion: Using AP Government Notes Effectively

Notes for AP US Government cover six major topic areas that encompass a wide range of concepts. Here are the topics to know:

• Constitutional Underpinnings of the Government
• Political Beliefs and Behaviors
• Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
• Institutions of National Government
• Public Policy
• Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

You can use the AP Gov notes in this article to review for in-class assessments throughout the year and to help you prepare for the AP test. The best way to review is to take a full-length practice test first so you can assess your areas of weakness and home in on those topics.

We also recommend keeping the following pieces of advice in mind as you study:

• Practice writing clear, direct free-response answers
• Know the most prevalent acts and court cases
• Pay special attention to Congress and the presidency
• Memorize definitions of key terms

Provided you avoid cramming and study these AP Gov notes selectively, you'll be on the right track to getting a stellar score on the final exam!

What's Next?

Not sure how to begin studying for the AP test? Take a look at our five-step plan that will walk you through it . If you happen to be self-studying for the exam, you can also check out our seven-step plan that's custom-made for your situation .

High-quality practice tests are important if you want to make the most of these AP US Gov notes. Learn how you can find the best AP practice tests out there to supplement your studying .

Still planning out the rest of your high school schedule? Find out how many AP classes you should take in total when considering your goals for college and what's available at your school.

Samantha is a blog content writer for PrepScholar. Her goal is to help students adopt a less stressful view of standardized testing and other academic challenges through her articles. Samantha is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio Art major in 2014. In high school, she earned a 2400 on the SAT, 5's on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar.

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Tips for writing task 2 vocabulary – government, essay prompts:.

• Only 20% of Tech Jobs are Held by Women. What problems do women face that prevent them from getting these jobs and what must be done to change this situation?
• Many countries face the problem of low voter turnout in their democratic elections.What are the problems associated with this and what can be done to remedy it?
• What are the merits and demerits of globalization on Developing nations?
• Many people believe that the priority of the government should be to ensure a growing economy. While others believe that the government should focus its efforts on uplifting the less fortunate?Discuss both views.
• It is a widely held belief that leaders are born. On the other hand, people believe that leadership can be learned.Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Due to the rapid development and expansion of supermarkets in some countries many small, local businesses are unable to compete. Some people think that the closure of local businesses will bring about the death of local communities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Governments are often blamed for spending too much money on projects to protect wildlife while ignoring other problems. Some people believe that governments must prioritize the needs of their citizens above all else To what extent do you agree?

Reference Links:

Below are the reference links:

• https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/11/20/the-tech-industrys-gender-discrimination-problem
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_turnout
• https://vittana.org/19-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-globalization
• https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/may/03/supermarkets-kill-free-markets-communities

Common Phrases :

• Levels of  unemployment  in the economy have been rapidly increasing.
• Public sector  salaries  are not keeping up with inflation.
• Most graduates hope to work in the  private sector  when they finish university as there are more opportunities and the pay is better than the public sector.
• Globalization refers to several different concepts all rolled into one package .
• Globalization may encourage more offshoring instead of less.
• Humans are global citizens in some ways already.

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IELTS topic vocabulary – politics – with Ted Talk presentation

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IELTS topic vocabulary: politics

The former Greek prime-minister offers an interesting insight as to why democracy is going down a blind alley.

Nowadays some argue that democracy is under its biggest threat since inception, some argue that due to global capital markets the electorate has lost control of their government. What do you think? Give reasons and examples to support your position.

Topic specific vocabulary terms:

Collocations : electoral mandate, tax avoidance, borrowing costs, structural problems, economic system, too big to fail,

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IELTS Vocabulary: Topic GOVERNMENT

GOVERNMENT is a common topic in IELTS. Here is a list of words that you need to know to get a good score.

• to abide by Meaning; (formal) to accept and act according to a law, an agreement, etc. Example: Motorists who do not abide by the rules of the road should be severely punished.
• parliamentary democracy Meaning: a system of government in which candidates are voted to represent the people of a country in a national parliament or assembly Example: Freedom of speech is usually one of the rights enjoyed by citizens in a parliamentary democracy.
• to adhere to Meaning: to behave according to a particular law, rule, set of instructions, Example: Governments which fail to adhere to their election promises generally become unpopular very quickly.
• constitutional government Meaning: connected with the laws which a country is governed by Example: The media have an important role to play in reporting on the actions of politicians, to ensure the proper functioning of constitutional government.
• the executive branch Meaning: that part of the government organisation responsible for implementing laws and decisions Example: The enforcement of policies affecting schools and hospitals is the responsibility of theexecutive branch of the government.
• the legislative branch Meaning: that part of the government responsible for making laws Example: Laws relating to human rights have been passed by the legislative branch of many national governments.
• the separation of powers Meaning: the principle that separates government authority into three branches – legislative (the Parliament or Senate), executive (the President or Ministers) and the judiciary (the judges and courts). Example: In the USA, the independence of the courts from the government is safeguarded by the separation of powers
• to adopt policies Meaning: to start to use particular policies Example: In order to deal with traffic congestion, the government must adopt policies to restrict the use of private cars.
• to impose spending cuts Meaning: to introduce new rules to spend less money on something Example: It is essential for the authorities to impose spending cuts on space programs in order to fund health services.
• to raise taxes on Meaning: to increase the amount of tax on something Example: Governments should raise taxes on cigarettes to persuade more people to give up smoking.
• to curb public spending on Meaning: to restrict what the government spends on something Example: I would argue that it is preferable to curb public spending on building new roads rather than to impose spending cuts on education.
• to allocate resources to Meaning: to make money and materials available to do something Example: If governments allocate more resources to improving public transport, this will educe the problem of traffic congestion in cities.
• to introduce restrictions on Meaning: to limit what people can do or what can happen Example: The government must introduce restrictions on smoking in public places.
• to infringe on/upon something Meaning: to limit somebody’s legal rights Example: Governments must sometimes infringe upon individual freedoms in the wider interests of society.
• to be a government priority Meaning: something which is so important that the government should deal with it first. Example: In developing countries, spending on health and education should be top government priorities.
• to prioritize expenditure on Meaning: to put the need to spend money on certain things first Example: I believe that it is important to prioritize expenditure on medical research in order to save lives.
• to provide funding for Meaning: to give money to enable something to be done Example: Providing funding for health care must be a priority of governments.
• high on the agenda Meaning: something which is among the first things in the list of actions to be taken Example: The rehabilitation of prisoners must be high on the agenda of prison authorities everywhere.
• to exert pressure on Meaning: to use power to influence somebody or something Example: Environmental organisations should exert pressure on governments to invest in renewable energy projects.
• to form a pressure group Meaning: to organize a group of people who try to influence the government to achieve the action that they want. Example: Activists in my country have formed a pressure group to persuade the government to close nuclear power stations.
• to provide public subsidies for Meaning: to give government money to reduce the costs of services or to produce goods in order to keep the price low Example: In order to promote agriculture that is environmentally-friendly, the government should provide public subsidies for organic farmers.
• international bodies Meaning: organizations which operate in many countries Example: National governments ought to give funds to international bodies, like the Red Cross and the United Nations, to deal with emergency situations.
• national and local authorities Meaning: government organizations acting at a national level or within a smaller, local area Example: Tackling crime is a responsibility of both national and local authorities.
• non-governmental organizations: NGOs Meaning: a charity or association that is independent of government or business Example: Individuals could donate money to NGOs to help others in need of food, shelter and medical services.
• to campaign for something Meaning: to take part in a series of activities in order to achieve a specific aim. Example: People who are concerned about the environment should campaign for stricter controls on pollution.
• government decision-making Meaning: the process of deciding about something official Example: Pressure groups are sometimes able to influence government decision-making.
• to impose an official ban on Meaning: to say or declare that something is not allowed Example: Governments ought toimpose an official ban on the use of mobile phones on public transport.
• government sponsorship Meaning: the act of providing financial support by the government Example: Government sponsorship of the arts is necessary if creative talent is to be encouraged.
• a welfare state Meaning: a taxation system which allows governments to provide for the economic and social well-being of its citizens Example: In order to eradicate poverty, I believe that a welfare state should be established in all developing countries.
• a stopgap measure Meaning: a policy or action adopted for a short time until some more permanent solution is found Example: Building more prisons will not solve the problem of rising crime rates, but it is a stopgap measure which the government must take to protect ordinary citizens.

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List of 20+ Government Vocabulary For IELTS

• Updated on  
• Jun 30, 2023

The Government Vocabulary for IELTS consists of words and phrases related to the word ‘Government’. The International English Language Testing System, popularly known as the IELTS test, consist of four sections, which test a candidate’s proficiency in the English language.

The IELTS Vocabulary measures the candidate’s knowledge of words and phrases asked on the test. IELTS Vocabulary is part of the Writing section , which has a weightage of 25% of the entire test. In this article, we are going to provide you with the frequently asked government vocabulary for the IELTS test.

Also Read – 50+ Academic Words For IELTS

Best Government Vocabulary for IELTS

Also Read – Best IELTS Vocabulary

Government Idioms and Phrases

It’s not sufficient to just understand the words and their meanings. Candidates must also have a proper understanding of the idioms and phrases related to the given words. Idioms and phrases related to the word ‘Government’ are often included in the IELTS Speaking and Writing section. Candidates need to learn and ensure that they can phrase a sentence related to the phrases asked in the exam. Check the table below to understand some of the most popular phrases related to ‘Government’ and their use in sentences.

Also Read – Powerful IELTS Advanced Vocabulary Words

The IELTS Writing section consists of two tasks – Writing Task 1 and Task 2. The IELTS Writing Task 1 includes the visual representation of figures, and Task 2 consists of essay writing.

IELTS is the abbreviation for the International English Language Testing System. IELTS is one of the language proficiency tests, which measures a candidate’s English language skills in four categories – Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

Every time you appear for the IELTS test, you are required to pay the application fee. The IELTS application fee is INR 15,500, which is non-refundable.

The IELTS test is conducted by the British Council, Cambridge Assessment English and IDP: IELTS Australia, jointly to examine the English language efficiency in four sections – reading, writing, speaking and listening. The IELTS Vocabulary is part of the Writing and Speaking section.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Useful Collocations Topic: Government

Updated On Jul 20, 2021

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It is widely acknowledged that collocations play a vital part in second language learning, particularly at the intermediate and advanced levels. In the IELTS test, using collocations demonstrates the improvement of learners’ oral communication, writing skills.

This post will cover 20 collocations which enable IELTS learners to improve their writing in IELTS Writing Task 2.

 1.  A minority government: that does not have enough politicians to control parliament

• His party had gained only enough seats to form a minority government .

2. Central government: this is the national government of a country.

• Funding will continue to be available from central government for further education for adults.

3. Government spending: the money is spent by the government

• Government spending on health care totals about $60 billion a year.

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4. Government minister: a politician who is in charge of a government department.

• A government minister said that there would be an inquiry.

5. Domestic politics: within a country

• The war had a major impact on the country’s domestic politics .

6. A government body (also a government agency): an organization run by the government.

• Patents are granted by U.K Patent Office, a government body .

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7. Elect a government: vote to choose a government

• A new government was elected last October.

8. Bring down a government: Force it to lose power.

• It was a major scandal that nearly brought down the government .

9. Regulatory authority: a regulatory authority has the official power to control activity and make sure that it is done satisfactorily.

• New drugs have been approved by the regulatory authority .

10. Pass legislation: officially approve it so that it becomes a law

• The legislation was passed banning the use of child labour.

11. Enact legislation: make it into a law

• Much legislation has been enacted to control pollution.

12. Propose legislation: suggest a new law

• The government proposed legislation on data protection.

13. Political corruption: dishonest or illegal behaviour in politicians.

• It is a country with a long history of political corruption .

14. Make policy: decide what it will be

• A committee of representatives makes policy .

15. Shape policy: develop it or have an influence on it

• These terrorist acts will not be allowed to shape our foreign policy .

16. Pursue/ follow a policy : continue with a policy over a period.

• The organization is pursuing a policy of cost-cutting.

17. Reverse a policy : Stop a policy and change it

• The new government set about reversing previous policies .

18. Take measures : do something in order to deal with a problem

• The situation is now so severe that the government must take measures to police the Internet.

19. Long-term plan/strategy/solution: continuing for a long period.

• The government needs to consider the long-term solution of a poorly trained workforce.

20. A political strategy : a planned series of actions for politics.

• Baldwin’s political strategy was almost totally successful.

I hope you found this post informative. If you have any question, please let me know in the comment below or on the Facebook page.

And do not forget to come back to see the next part of this post. Hope all of you have a great day!

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Government Spending Essays – IELTS Writing

Posted by David S. Wills | Feb 21, 2022 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 0

In IELTS writing task 2, it is quite common to be asked about how governments should spend their money. In fact, I see this so frequently that it is almost a unique topic!

Today, I want to show you a few essays about government spending, looking at some sample answers and language points so that you can better understand how to approach this sort of essay.

Government Spending Essays for Task 2

First of all, let’s look at three IELTS task 2 questions that deal with government spending:

The prevention of health problems and illness is more important than treatment and medicine. Government funding should reflect this. To what extent do you agree?

The world today is a safer place than it was a hundred years ago, and governments should stop spending large amounts of money on their armed forces. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

The restoration of old buildings in major cities around the world causes enormous government expenditure. This money should be used for new housing and road development. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The first question is about how governments should spend money on healthcare , the second is about whether or not they should spend money for military purposes , and the third is about maintaining old building s. As you can see, then, the issue of government funding could be applied to a range of areas.

Also, note the different words and phrases used to introduce the idea of government spending. In the first, it is “government funding,” in the second, “spending” is a verb,” and in the third, it says “government expenditure.”

Vocabulary about Government Spending

When it comes to the topic of government spending, you obviously need to be able to discuss money and specifically large amounts of money. You need to know words and phrases related to government expenditure. Here are some useful ones:

All of these words and phrases will be used in my sample answers below.

You can also see some money idioms here:

When it comes to money verbs, don’t forget that we need to collocate them with certain prepositions. Typically, we say “spend money on”, “invest money in,” or “allocate money for”. There are other common collocations as well. Here are a few examples:

• He spent his birthday money on a new pair of shoes.
• She spent most of her budget on building a social media following.
• We’re going to invest in Apple.
• They invested too much money in that doomed project.
• We saved money on our gas bill by switching providers.

Finally, be careful with the word “budget.” This is one word that I see misused very frequently in IELTS essays. Here is a visual lesson about it, which I posted on Facebook .

You can learn more money vocabulary and also look at some IELTS speaking questions about money in this lesson .

Sample Answers

Ok, now let’s look at my answers to the above questions. These contain the vocabulary I taught you. Take note of how those words and phrases are used.

Essay #1: Government Spending on Healthcare

The prevention of health problems and illness is more important than treatment and medicine. Government funding should reflect this.

To what extent do you agree?

In many countries, government spending on healthcare is a major economic burden. Problems like obesity and heart disease are crippling healthcare systems, and some people suggest that rather than raise taxes to pay for treatments, more money should be invested in preventing these illnesses in the first place. This essay will argue that prevention is better than treatment.

The most obvious benefit of putting prevention before treatment is the reduction in human suffering that would inevitably result. Some of the biggest health problems in modern societies are utterly preventable, and therefore it is reasonable to suggest that money spent this way would cause less anguish. Government campaigns to reduce smoking would reduce cancer rates and this would increase people’s quality of life, and of course end the suffering of people who lose loved ones.

From a purely financial standpoint, it is beneficial to focus on preventing sickness rather than curing it. The cost of treating sick people with expensive medical procedures, equipment, and medicines is vastly higher than the cost of educating people not to smoke, eat unhealthily, or otherwise lead unhealthy lifestyles. Government campaigns have led to huge decreases in smoking in many Western countries, and it is likely that similar campaigns would yield similar results elsewhere. An additional benefit would be the lowering of taxes due to reduced expenditure on healthcare.

In conclusion, preventing a disease makes more sense than waiting to treat it. The benefits to average people and also to governments are significantly higher than simply investing in treatments.

Essay #2: Government Spending on Military

The world today is a safer place than it was a hundred years ago, and governments should stop spending large amounts of money on their armed forces.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

In many developed countries, people discuss the ethics of government spending on military forces, with many people pointing out that it is wasteful. This essay will suggest that they are probably right, but that it is a more complicated situation than they think.

To begin with, it is clear that some countries spend vast sums of money on their militaries when there are many other problems that could be tackled using that money. Between the USA and China, for example, more than $1 trillion is spent per year on equipping their various armed forces and this money could potentially have been invested into protecting the environment, ending homelessness and hunger, or improving education systems. Given that these two nations are highly unlikely to be attacked by any other, it seems absurd that they invest so much money in this way.

However, all of that overlooks the fact that geopolitics is complicated and human nature has some dark elements. Although people live in an unprecedented era of peace, it is nonetheless true that this peace is not guaranteed and that it is predicated to some extent upon the fear of reprisals. The US may seem incredibly wasteful with its military spending, but if it did not maintain such a huge military, other aggressive nations would surely attack their neighbours. They are dissuaded of this by the threat of American intervention. Whilst this is highly problematic as no single country should function as a “world police,” it has certainly helped deter and even end major conflicts over the past half century.

In conclusion, it is not easy to say whether countries should stop spending so much money on their militaries. Indeed, whilst it appears this is a reasonable suggestion, the truth is more complicated.

Essay #3: Government Spending on Old Buildings

The restoration of old buildings in major cities around the world causes enormous government expenditure. This money should be used for new housing and road development.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Government spending is a highly controversial issue because people naturally have different priorities and beliefs. Some of them think that the money spent on the restoration of old buildings is wasteful, but this essay will argue against that notion, suggesting instead that these are essential pieces of a nation’s heritage.

To begin with, it is understandable that people might feel this way because there are numerous ways that a national budget might be spent, and old buildings are probably not high on most people’s lists. However, not everything that is important is obvious and often people do not realise the value of something until it is gone. Around Asia, for example, many countries underwent the same sort of industrial development in just two or three decades that Europe went through over a period of several centuries. As a result, these countries lost most of their ancient buildings, and these cannot be recovered. Many governments fund the construction of replicas, but these obviously lack the authenticity of truly ancient buildings.

Letting these buildings fall into ruin shows a staggering lack of civic pride. Cities and countries must unite to fund the maintenance of important shared spaces, including these historic sites. Without these places, cities begin to look unremarkable and it is hard to tell one place from another. Whilst it is important to devote spending to new projects, governments must not overlook the heritage aspect that defined their city or country over a long period of time, and which continues to mark it in the modern era.

In conclusion, old buildings may seem like a waste of money because they can be expensive to maintain, but they are important in various ways, and so governments should set aside funding to ensure their upkeep. 

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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Government & society writing task 2 questions for IELTS

Here you can find common IELTS essay questions for "Government & Society" topic.

The government should ban smoking in all public places, even though this would restrict some other people's freedoms.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer.

Some people advocate death penalty for those who committed violent crimes. Others say that capital punishment is unacceptable in contemporary society.

Describe advantages and disadvantages of death penalty and give your opinion.

Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of teen deaths. To prevent such road accidents, the government should ban people under 24 to drive motorcycles.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Violent TV-shows and aggressive video games should be banned on governmental level.

Some people claim that it is immoral to exploit animals, and that the government should prohibit using animals for scientific research. In the meantime, others argue that exploiting animals is crucial for allowing scientists to learn more about human biology and health.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Immigration has a major impact on the society.

What are the main reasons of immigration?

To what consequences can it lead?

The government should control the Internet to reduce cyber-crime and ensure safety of users.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument . Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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Today you’ll get a band 9 vocabulary list for IELTS questions about government.

Today’s episode is part 1 of 2 .

Today you’ll get vocabulary , and in the next episode you’ll get strategies and ideas for this topic.

Questions about government and laws could pop up anywhere on the Speaking and Writing Exams .

A 3 Keys student asked this question in our closed Facebook group :

Can I paraphrase ‘the government’ as ‘the authorities’ or ‘the bureaucrats’?

IELTS Band 9 Government Vocabulary

the authorities – very general; can describe government and the police

bureaucrats – government employees, usually handling administration and paperwork\

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bureaucratic red tape – (negative connotation) extensive process and paperwork involved in dealing with the government

federal workers – non-elected employees that work for the government, including jobs like mailman

DMV – Department of Motor Vehicles

lawmakers / legislators – elected officials deciding laws

senators / congressmen / representatives – specific lawmakers

Often, in America, there is an element of inefficiency expected when dealing with the government .

Also, read the news ! Know the difference between ‘ president ‘ and ‘ prime minister ‘.

Band 9 IELTS Vocabulary for law

You may also face questions on both Speaking and Writing about the law.

You need high level, topic-specific vocabulary for this!

Watch the following video for great vocab and tips!

Are there negative connotations in your country around dealing with laws or the government, like going to the DMV?

Leave a comment below!

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Guest Essay

What Worries Me Most About a Trump Presidency

By Caroline Fredrickson

Ms. Fredrickson is an adviser at the Open Markets Institute, a senior fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice and a visiting professor of law at Georgetown University.

There are almost daily headlines now describing what Donald Trump would do if elected: the mass deportations, the pardons handed out to his friends and golf buddies, the Justice Department settling scores and waging personal vendettas. The former president has even promised violence if the election goes against him, warning that it could be a “ blood bath .”

But as worrying as these prospects are, they are far from the biggest threats he poses. What we should fear most is Mr. Trump transforming our government into a modern-day Tammany Hall, installing a kleptocratic leadership that will be difficult if not impossible to dislodge.

I do not discount the possibility of state-sponsored violence, and I worry deeply about the politicization of the civil service . But those are, for the most part, threats and theories, and while they need to be taken seriously, people should be paying more attention to a far more likely reality: that Mr. Trump would spend much of his time in office enriching himself. He failed spectacularly as an insurrectionist and as a disrupter of the civil service, and his clownish and chaotic style may well lead to failure again — but he has succeeded time and time again in the art of the steal. If his grift continues into a second term, it will not only contribute to the fraying trust Americans have in their institutions, but also impair our ability to lead the world through a series of escalating crises.

Recall how Mr. Trump operated in his first term. Not only did he keep his stake in more than a hundred businesses, he made it a practice to visit his properties around the country, forcing taxpayers to pay for rooms and amenities at Trump hotels for the Secret Service and other staff members who accompanied him — money that went straight into his bank accounts and those of his business partners. Those interested in currying favor with the president, from foreign governments to would-be government contractors, knew to spend money at his hotels and golf clubs. According to internal Trump hotel documents, T-Mobile executives spent over $195,000 at the Trump Washington Hotel after announcing a planned merger with Sprint in April 2018. Two years later, the merger was approved.

Government, like fish, rots from the head down. Mr. Trump’s example freed up cabinet members to award huge contracts to their friends, business associates and political allies, while others ran their departments like personal fiefs. After the State Department’s inspector general was fired , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s use of official trips for clandestine meetings with conservative donors and allegations that his family misused staff members for tasks like walking his dog, picking up his wife from the airport and fetching his takeout came to light. And, in addition to being accused of improperly accepting gifts from those seeking influence, several other cabinet members were alleged to have used government funds for private travel . These may seem like banal infractions, but taken together, they are a reflection of who Mr. Trump is and how he governs.

Throughout his life, through Trump-branded wine, chocolate bars, sneakers, NFTs, ties, MAGA paraphernalia, a $59.99 Bible (of all things ) and, most recently, his Truth Social meme stock ploy, he has shown an unstoppable drive to enrich himself at all costs. He sees politics, like business, as a zero-sum game in which he wins only if someone else loses. These are the instincts that drive corruption, kleptocracy and grift. And, if past is prologue, we’re looking at a much more damaging sequel.

In a second term, Mr. Trump will have more freedom and power to undertake grift. He has already vowed to use pardons to protect supporters and possibly even himself from efforts to curb corruption (which may explain the nonchalance with which his son-in-law Jared Kushner has greeted criticism about the conflicts of interest raised by his recent real estate investments in Serbia and Albania, as well as the Saudi, Qatari and Emirati investments in his wealth fund). And he and his political advisers are building a deep bench of committed and loyal employees who could corrode and potentially destroy mechanisms of accountability in government, paving the way for kleptocratic leaders to entrench themselves in the bureaucracy where many would be able to remain past Mr. Trump’s term. And the mere presence of a phalanx of unquestioning lieutenants in the civil service will ensure that other civil servants fear retribution for objecting to the self-enrichment.

Naturally, I worry about other things, too, particularly the possibility of political violence. Mr. Trump could well claim he has won the election no matter the vote count and call on his supporters to rise up to ensure his takeover. Even before the votes are cast, his supporters are threatening election officials, judicial officials and state legislators, trying to intimidate them into either helping Mr. Trump or stepping aside to be replaced by Trumpists.

But legal, law enforcement and security obstacles are still in place to slow down or stop these efforts. We must remember that this time around, President Biden will still be president, able to control the military and federal law enforcement, and Congress has amended the outdated and vague Electoral Count Act to make it much harder for Mr. Trump’s congressional allies to contest a Trump loss in the electoral college or on Capitol Hill.

No such guardrails exist to curb Trumpian corruption. The Supreme Court, itself corrupt , has made it virtually impossible to prosecute even the most blatant corruption by government officials.

In a kleptocracy, corruption is a feature, not a bug, where politicians apply the law inconsistently , favoring friends and punishing enemies. By controlling government assets and handing them out to friends and family — and dangling possibilities in front of would-be supporters — as well as using politically motivated prosecutions, kleptocrats cement their control of government and disempower opponents. We need only recall Russia’s erstwhile effort to create a democracy: It quickly drained away into the pockets of Vladimir Putin and his oligarchs, leading to the hopelessness and acquiescence of Russian citizens once they realized they could no longer change their situation through democratic means.

Now we face that danger at home. If Mr. Trump wins, America will have a leader invested in his own personal power, both financial and punitive, and supported by a much more capable team. When lucrative contracts are handed out to Trumpist loyalists regardless of merit and dissident voices are targeted and silenced, America’s leadership on the global stage will dissolve when it’s needed most.

The consequences will echo for generations if we lack the ability and the will to attack problems like climate change, mass migration, a new space race and multiple wars. Nothing of substance will be done, Mr. Trump’s cronies will continue to act with impunity, and millions of Americans — already worried that elites are held to a different standard than regular people are — will lose even more confidence in their government, convinced that everyone in Washington is out for himself.

This combination of passivity on the one hand and impunity on the other could be fatal for our democracy. This is the true danger Mr. Trump poses.

Caroline Fredrickson is an adviser at the Open Markets Institute, a senior fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice and a visiting professor of law at Georgetown University.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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