Society is a broad and complex topic, and you’ll find many IELTS questions dive into areas like gender equality, wealth disparity, an aging population, urban development, and family dynamics. These social issues often overlap with topics like education and crime, which can make discussions a bit tricky. Plus, social issues usually come with valid arguments on both sides, so aiming for a balanced perspective is key. It’s important to get a good grip on collocations that highlight both the positives and negatives.
Below, you’ll find a list of core collocations related to social topics that have popped up in IELTS exams in recent years — perfect for your reference and practice!
01 / Aging Society
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Elderly care | Senior care | "The demand for elderly care services is increasing as the population ages." (The Guardian) |
| Life expectancy | Average lifespan | "Improvements in healthcare have led to a rise in life expectancy." (BBC) |
| Retirement age | Age of retirement | "Many countries are raising the retirement age to cope with an aging population." (CNN) |
| Intergenerational gap | Generational differences | "The intergenerational gap can lead to misunderstandings between young and old." (The New York Times) |
02 / Gender Equality
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Equal rights | Fair treatment | "Advocates are fighting for equal rights for all genders." (The Atlantic) |
| Gender discrimination | Unequal treatment | "Despite progress, gender discrimination still exists in many workplaces." (Forbes) |
| Male-dominated/Female-dominated fields | Gender-biased industries | "Women are still underrepresented in male-dominated fields like engineering." (CNN) |
| Unequal pay | Pay gap | "Efforts are ongoing to close the unequal pay gap between men and women." (The Guardian) |
03 / Urban and Rural Issues
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Urbanization | City growth | "Rapid urbanization poses challenges for city planners." (The New York Times) |
| Rural development | Countryside improvement | "Government initiatives focus on rural development to boost local economies." (BBC) |
| City dwellers | Urban residents | "City dwellers face unique challenges related to housing and transportation." (CNN) |
| Rural-urban migration | Moving to cities | "The trend of rural-urban migration is reshaping demographic patterns." (The Guardian) |
04 / Family Structure
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear family | Immediate family | "The nuclear family is the most common family structure in modern society." (The Atlantic) |
| Extended family | Larger family unit | "In many cultures, the extended family plays a crucial role in support." (The Guardian) |
| Family values | Family principles | "Traditional family values are emphasized in many communities." (BBC) |
| Parental roles | Parents' responsibilities | "Changing parental roles reflect shifts in societal norms." (CNN) |
05 / Social Cohesion
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Community engagement | Local involvement | "Strong community engagement is vital for social stability." (The New York Times) |
| Social integration | Inclusion | "Programs promoting social integration help bridge cultural divides." (BBC) |
| Social fabric | Community structure | "The social fabric of a community is essential for its well-being." (Forbes) |
| Social support networks | Help systems | "Effective social support networks can reduce feelings of isolation." (The Guardian) |
06 / Population Shift
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Migrate to cities | Move to urban areas | "Many young people choose to migrate to cities for better job opportunities." (The Atlantic) |
| Urban sprawl | City expansion | "Urban sprawl can lead to environmental issues." (CNN) |
| Rural depopulation | Declining rural populations | "Concerns about rural depopulation are growing as more people leave for cities." (BBC) |
| Internal migration | Movement within the country | "Internal migration patterns can impact regional economies." (Forbes) |
07 / Wealth Distribution
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Income inequality | Wage gap | "Addressing income inequality is a major focus of social policy." (The Guardian) |
| Economic disparity | Economic differences | "Rising economic disparity can lead to social unrest." (CNN) |
| Social class | Class divisions | "The social class system still influences many aspects of life." (The New York Times) |
| Poverty alleviation | Reducing poverty | "Initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation are crucial for sustainable development." (The Atlantic) |
08 / Society Stability
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Social order | Community stability | "Maintaining social order is essential for a functioning society." (BBC) |
| Civil unrest | Public protests | "Cities often face civil unrest during times of political upheaval." (CNN) |
| Social unrest | Community turmoil | "Social unrest can lead to significant changes in government policies." (The Atlantic) |
| Political stability | Steady government | "Political stability is crucial for economic growth." (Forbes) |
09 / Urban Construction
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Urban planning | City development | "Effective urban planning can enhance the quality of life in cities." (The New York Times) |
| Infrastructure development | Building facilities | "Investing in infrastructure development is vital for economic progress." (BBC) |
| Green spaces | Parks and gardens | "More cities are prioritizing green spaces for public health." (CNN) |
| Traffic congestion | Road crowding | "Traffic congestion is a major issue in urban areas." (The Guardian) |
10 / Marriage
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage rates | Rate of marriage | "Declining marriage rates reflect changing societal norms." (The Atlantic) |
| Premarital cohabitation | Living together before marriage | "In many cultures, premarital cohabitation is becoming more accepted." (BBC) |
| Delayed marriage | Late marriage | "The trend of delayed marriage is noticeable in urban areas." (CNN) |
11 / Social Hierarchy
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Upper class | Wealthy elite | "The upper class often has access to exclusive social events." (Forbes) |
| Middle class | Average earners | "The middle class is shrinking in many developed countries." (The Guardian) |
| Lower class | Low-income group | "Policies aimed at supporting the lower class are essential for social equity." (CNN) |
| Working class | Laboring class | "The working class plays a vital role in the economy." (BBC) |
12 / Social Status
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| High status | Elevated position | "Individuals with high status often have more influence." (The Atlantic) |
| Low status | Low position | "Those with low status may face discrimination in various aspects of life." (The New York Times) |
| Status symbol | Indicator of wealth | "Luxury cars are often seen as status symbols." (Forbes) |
| Status quo | Current state | "Challenging the status quo can lead to significant changes." (The Guardian) |
13 / Social Mobility
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Upward mobility | Rising social status | "Education can provide pathways for upward mobility." (The Atlantic) |
| Downward mobility | Declining social status | "Economic downturns often lead to downward mobility for many families." (BBC) |
| Intergenerational mobility | Cross-generational movement | "High levels of intergenerational mobility are seen as indicators of a healthy society." (CNN) |
| Social ladder | Class system | "Climbing the social ladder can be challenging for many." (Forbes) |
14 / Disadvantaged Background
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Low-income families | Families with limited resources | "Many low-income families struggle to access quality education." (The New York Times) |
| Financial hardship | Money troubles | "Many families face financial hardship due to rising living costs." (BBC) |
| Social exclusion | Being left out | "Social exclusion can have lasting effects on children's development." (The Guardian) |
| Limited opportunities | Few chances | "Children from disadvantaged backgrounds often have limited opportunities for advancement." (The Atlantic) |
| Economic disadvantage | Financial setbacks | "Economic disadvantage can perpetuate cycles of poverty." (CNN) |
| Access to basic needs | Availability of essentials | "Access to basic needs like healthcare and education is critical for disadvantaged families." (Forbes) |
15 / Advantaged Background
| Collocation | Everyday Alternatives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Wealthy families | Affluent families | "Many wealthy families have access to exclusive educational institutions." (The Economist) |
| High net worth | Significant wealth | "Individuals with high net worth can invest in various business ventures." (Financial Times) |
| Financial security | Economic stability | "Financial security allows rich families to plan for future generations." (CNN) |
| Luxury lifestyle | Opulent way of living | "Many rich families maintain a luxury lifestyle with private schools and vacations." (The Guardian) |
| Privileged background | Advantageous upbringing | "A privileged background can open many doors in life." (BBC) |
| Generational wealth | Inherited riches | "Generational wealth can create significant advantages for heirs." (Forbes) |
Refer to https://ieltswriting.org/ielts-18-test-3-writing-task-2-with-sample-answer-academic/ for Rural-urban migration.