Expand Your Vocabulary to Ace the IELTS - Key Word: Order

In IELTS Writing and Speaking, words like order are very useful because they carry multiple meanings: a command, a request in business or restaurants, or a way of describing arrangement and structure. Mastering collocations with order will help you sound natural and precise, boosting your band score.

This blog covers verb + order, adjective + order, and common expressions with exercises to help you practice.

1. Verb + Order (Command)

In formal or military contexts, order often refers to a command that must be obeyed. Let’s practice collocations in this category.

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Use the correct form of these verbs: be under, come, disobey, receive, take

1. You’re not my boss! I’m not __________ orders from you.
2. In the army I was punished for __________ orders. I was made to clean the toilets for a week.
3. The troops __________ orders to attack the city at dawn.
4. I’m afraid you can’t come in. We __________ orders not to allow anybody into the building.
5. The order __________ direct from the Minister to release the murderer from prison two years early.

Answer Key: 1. taking | 2. disobeying | 3. received | 4. are under | 5. 

IELTS Tip: Use this sense of order in IELTS Task 2 essays when discussing law, government, or military action.

2. Giving and Obeying Orders

When describing authority, order is often linked to verbs like obey, issue, carry out, refuse.

Exercise 2: Match the sentences

Match the two halves of these sentences:

1. Soldiers learn to obey orders
2. Don’t blame me! I’m only carrying out
3. The ship was sinking fast so the captain issued
4. Instead of stopping to think,
5. It was clear she was furious with us when
6. The sergeant barked out a series of orders
7. He was arrested for refusing

a. the order to abandon ship.
b. we just blindly followed orders.
c. without questioning them.
d. to the new recruits.
e. she gave orders that she wasn’t to be disturbed.
f. someone else’s orders.
g. to comply with a court order to leave the city.

Answer Key: 1-c | 2-f | 3-a | 4-b | 5-e | 6-d | 7-g

IELTS Tip: This collocation can be used in Speaking Part 2 when describing experiences at work, school, or military service.

3. Common Expressions with “Order”

The word order appears in several fixed expressions.

Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks

Use these words: doctor’s, marching, strict, tall

1. All employees are under __________ orders not to talk to the press. They will be sacked if they do.
2. Getting this job done on time will be a __________ order. I don’t know how we will be able to meet the deadline.
3. She was useless and unreliable, so she got her __________ orders! She’s looking for a new job.
4. He’s under __________ orders to cut down on his smoking and drinking.

Answer Key: 1. strict | 2. tall | 3. marching | 4. doctor’s

IELTS Tip: Remember that “tall order” is an idiom meaning a difficult task, perfect for Task 2 essays.

4. Verb + Order (Business / Restaurant)

In business and daily life, order means a request for goods or services.

Exercise 4: Fill in the blanks

Use the correct form of these verbs: cancel, deal with, lose, place, send, take

1. I wish a waiter would come and __________ our order!
2. We’re thinking of __________ a rather large order. What kind of discount could you offer?
3. I __________ you my order two weeks ago, together with a cheque for £60.
4. We will __________ your order immediately. Goods are generally dispatched within 24 hours of receipt of order.
5. Unfortunately, we __________ an important order worth hundreds of thousands of pounds because the workers went on strike.
6. I’m afraid you will lose your deposit if you decide to __________ your order.

Answer Key: 1. take | 2. placing | 3. sent | 4. deal with | 5. lost | 6. cancel

IELTS Tip: These collocations are useful in Speaking Part 1 when talking about restaurants, shopping, or online purchases.

5. Adjective + Order (Arrangement)

Order can also describe arrangement, structure, or ranking.

Exercise 5: Fill in the blanks

Use these adjectives: alphabetical, chronological, reverse, pecking, particular, running

1. Write down the events in __________ order, that is, in the order in which they happened.
2. They read out the names of the winners of the competition in __________ order – third, second and then first.
3. My name is Zavaroni — so I’m always at the bottom of every list, arranged in __________ order!
4. The __________ order for a concert is the order in which each singer or band will play.
5. The files are arranged in no __________ order. If you can think of one, let me know.
6. I’ve just started with the company so I’m at the bottom of the __________ order. I’m the last person to get a share of any of the good jobs that come up.

Answer Key: 1. chronological | 2. reverse | 3. alphabetical | 4. running | 5. particular | 6. pecking

IELTS Tip: The phrase “pecking order” is informal but effective in Speaking answers when discussing hierarchy at work or school.

How to Use “Order” in IELTS Contexts?

• IELTS Writing Task 2:
  “Some governments issue strict orders regarding social media regulation to maintain law and order.”
• IELTS Speaking Part 2:
  “I remember placing an online order that got delayed for weeks, which was very frustrating.”
• IELTS Speaking Part 3:
  “In schools, maintaining order is crucial for effective learning.”

By practising collocations of order, you’ll strengthen your vocabulary range and improve your performance across all IELTS modules.

The keyword order is extremely versatile, covering commands, requests, arrangements, and expressions. From “taking orders in a restaurant” to “law and order in society”, mastering these collocations will help you express yourself more clearly and confidently in IELTS. For those aiming for top scores, following the IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+ can further enhance your vocabulary and overall test performance.

Also Check: 

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• Grammar For IELTS : The Common Grammars And Sentence Structures In English (Part 1
• Grammar For IELTS : The Common Grammars And Sentence Structures In English (Part 2)
• Using Contrast in IELTS Speaking & Writing: Advanced Grammar in IELTS
• 100+ Advanced Vocabulary Word List for IELTS (PDF Available)