This lesson looks at the word “lack” and gives the meaning with sample sentences. Many IELTS students make mistakes using this word. Although many students understanding the meaning, they make mistakes with how to use it accurately. The more mistakes you make, the lower your score will be. So, make sure you read this lesson carefully.

Word Form and Meaning

• lack (n) = being without / not having enough
• lack (vb) = being without / being deficient
• synonyms = shortage, scarcity, loss, shortfall
• antonyms = sufficiency, enough, abundance, plenty

Please remember that a synonym has a similar meaning but may not always be used in the exactly the same way. You must learn both meaning and how to use words to avoid mistakes in IELTS.

About the word “lack”

• Students mainly confuse verb and noun as well as how to use prepositions: “a lack of” (n) or “it is lacking in” (vb).
• This word can be used for both IELTS speaking and writing task 2.

Sample Sentences with “lack”

1. Due to the lack of employment opportunities in the countryside, a large number of workers are moving to cities to find work.
2. Under developed countries are often lacking the adequate infrastructure needed for the development of the economy.
3. Many children are struggling with weight problems due to the lack of physical exercise and a diet rich in fat and sugar.
4. Many modern films have a lot of special effects but are lacking in quality dialogue and character development.
5. One of the benefits of living in the countryside is the lack of noise.
6. Lack of sleep can really affect my mood. It sometimes makes me impatient and irritable.

Error Correction

Find the mistakes in the sentences below for the word “lack”. This exercise will help you develop the accuracy needed to use this word correctly.

1. Some people lacking the imagination needed to become a good writer of children’s books.
2. Many major cities have lacking of public transport which can result in more people using their own private vehicles.
3. Young leaders are often lack of the experience needed to make the right decisions for successful companies.

Never memorise sentences to use in your IELTS test. 

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The word “detrimental” is a very useful word for IELTS. It is a word that could be used in listening, reading, writing task 2 and speaking.

Word Form and Meaning

• detrimental (adj) = causing damage, harm or injury
• detrimentally (adv)
• detriment (n)
• synonyms = damaging, destructive, harmful, adverse
• antonyms = beneficial

Please remember that a synonym has a similar meaning but may not always be used in the exactly the same way. You must learn both meaning and how to use words to avoid mistakes in IELTS.

About the word “detrimental”

• It is suitable to use in both IELTS writing task 2 and IELTS speaking.
• It is a word that can appear in many topics.

Sample Sentences with “detrimental” and “detriment”

1. Smoking is known to be detrimental to people’s health.
2. Pressure from parents can be detrimental to their child’s academic progress.
3. It is a detriment to the environment that more people are not aware of the harm that needless energy consumption can have.
4. Prison sentences can have a detrimental impact on a criminal’s ability to reform.
5. Shopping online has had a detrimental effect on local communities because people no longer go to town centers to do their shopping resulting in the closure of many small, local businesses.
6. Using inappropriate idioms in formal essay writing can be detrimental to your score in the criterion of vocabulary in your IELTS writing task 2.

Never memorise sentences to use in your IELTS test. 

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