Useful Collocations for IELTS Writing Task 2 – Topic: Government

Using collocations correctly is essential for achieving a high band score in IELTS Writing Task 2. Collocations help your writing sound more natural, precise, and academic. In this post, we focus on 20 key collocations related to government and politics, providing definitions and examples to help you use them confidently in your essays.

Government Types and Bodies

Understanding different government structures and organizations is important when writing about politics in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays.

1. A Minority Government

• A government that does not have enough politicians to control parliament.
  Example: His party had gained only enough seats to form a minority government.

2. Central Government

• The national or federal government of a country.
  Example: Funding will continue to be available from central government for further education for adults.

3. Government Spending

• The money that the government spends on public services or programs.
  Example: Government spending on health care totals about $60 billion a year.

4. Government Minister

• A politician in charge of a government department.
  Example: A government minister said that there would be an inquiry.

5. Domestic Politics

• Political issues and activities within a country.
  Example: The war had a major impact on the country’s domestic politics.

6. A Government Body / Agency

• An organization run by the government.
  Example: Patents are granted by the U.K Patent Office, a government body.

Government Actions and Elections

Collocations in this category are useful when describing political events or electoral processes.

1. Elect a Government

• Vote to choose a government.
  Example: A new government was elected last October.

2. Bring Down a Government

• Force a government to lose power.
  Example: It was a major scandal that nearly brought down the government.

3. Regulatory Authority

• An official body that controls or supervises activities and ensures standards are met.
  Example: New drugs have been approved by the regulatory authority.

Legislation Collocations

These collocations are commonly used when discussing laws, policies, or regulations.

1. Pass Legislation

• Officially approve a law so that it becomes effective.
  Example: The legislation was passed banning the use of child labour.

2. Enact Legislation

• To make a law official.
  Example: Much legislation has been enacted to control pollution.

3. Propose Legislation

• To suggest a new law.
  Example: The government proposed legislation on data protection.

Political Behavior and Policy

These collocations are helpful when analyzing government decisions or political strategies in essays.

1. Political Corruption

• Dishonest or illegal behavior by politicians.
  Example: It is a country with a long history of political corruption.

2. Make Policy

• To decide on a policy.
  Example: A committee of representatives makes policy.

3. Shape Policy

• To influence or develop a policy.
  Example: These terrorist acts will not be allowed to shape our foreign policy.

4. Pursue / Follow a Policy

To continue implementing a policy over a period of time.
Example: The organization is pursuing a policy of cost-cutting.

5. Reverse a Policy

• To stop a policy and change it.
  Example: The new government set about reversing previous policies.

6. Take Measures

• To act in order to deal with a problem.
  Example: The government must take measures to police the Internet.

7. Long-term Plan / Strategy / Solution

• A plan or solution that is implemented over a long period.
  Example: The government needs to consider the long-term solution of a poorly trained workforce.

8. A Political Strategy

• A planned series of actions in politics to achieve certain objectives.
  Example: Baldwin’s political strategy was almost totally successful.

IELTS Writing Tip

Using collocations naturally in your essays can increase lexical resource scores and make your IELTS Writing sound more formal and academic. When writing about government topics, try to combine these collocations with linking words, examples, and data to strengthen your argument.

Practice Exercise

Try completing these sentences using the collocations from this post:

1. The government has decided to ______ new laws to control air pollution.
2. A new ______ was elected after the previous government resigned.
3. The minister admitted that political ______ had affected the outcome of the project.
4. The organization is ______ a policy of cost-cutting to improve efficiency.
5. Many countries rely on the ______ to supervise business practices.

Practice Exercise – Answer Key

1. The government has decided to enact legislation to control air pollution.
2. A new government was elected after the previous government resigned.
3. The minister admitted that political corruption had affected the outcome of the project.
4. The organization is pursuing/following a policy of cost-cutting to improve efficiency.
5. Many countries rely on the regulatory authority to supervise business practices.

Overall, mastering collocations related to government not only improves your writing for IELTS Task 2 but also helps you express ideas clearly and accurately. Practice using these collocations in your essays to discuss political, social, or economic topics confidently.

Also Check:

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