Using Collocation to Boost your IELTS Score – Key Word:Belief

Collocations are crucial for expressing ideas naturally in IELTS Writing and Speaking. The word “belief” is commonly used to talk about opinions, convictions, and values. Mastering verb, adjective, and prepositional collocations with “belief” can help you express ideas more accurately and fluently.

Verb + Belief

Exercise 1: Complete the Sentences

Use the correct form of these verbs: cling to – strengthen – share – shake – hold – stand up for

1. My boss holds strong political beliefs and expresses them on every possible occasion.
2. Although I don’t share your beliefs, I do respect them. I think this is important in a democratic society.
3. We should all have the courage to stand up for our beliefs.
4. He was only fined £100 for killing somebody in a road accident! This case has shaken my belief in our justice system.
5. My mother’s long battle against stomach cancer has only strengthened her belief in God.

Answer Key: 1. holds, 2. share, 3. stand up for, 4. shaken, 5. strengthen

IELTS Tip: Using verbs with “belief” in IELTS Speaking and IELTS Writing helps express your opinions more precisely: I hold the belief that education should be free for all. Her experience of volunteering strengthened her belief in human kindness.

Common Adjective Collocations with “Belief”

Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences

Use these adjectives: firm – popular – mistaken – growing – genuine – unshakeable

1. For years at school I was under the mistaken belief that Anne was Chris’s mother. It was only years later I found out she was his step-sister.
2. Contrary to popular belief, eating carrots does not improve your eyesight.
3. My brother has an unshakeable belief in his own abilities. I’ve never known anybody with such self-belief and confidence.
4. It is my firm belief that abortion is immoral. Nobody will ever convince me otherwise.
5. Fighting has again broken out along the border. There is now a growing belief among politicians that war is inevitable.

Answer Key: 1. mistaken, 2. popular, 3. unshakeable, 4. firm, 5. growing 

IELTS Tip: Adjective + belief collocations help to make your arguments or descriptions stronger in Writing Task 2: There is a firm belief among scientists that climate change is accelerating. Contrary to popular belief, not all bacteria are harmful.

Expressions with Prepositions

Exercise 3: Complete the Sentences

Use the correct prepositions: on, to, of

1. Throughout her persecution, Joan of Arc remained faithful to her beliefs. She refused to give them up.
2. The fact that millions of people are dying of famine has shaken the foundations of my belief in God.
3. Sarah’s parents hadn’t realised the depth of her religious beliefs until she told them she had decided to become a nun.
4. I’ve never really trusted that woman. I’ve always had doubts about the sincerity of her beliefs.
5. Capitalism is partly based on the belief that people work more productively if they are working for themselves.

Answer Key: 1. to, 2. of, 3. of, 4. of, 5. on

IELTS Tip: Using prepositions correctly with “belief” can make your sentences sound more natural: He acted in the belief that he was doing the right thing. It is beyond belief how quickly technology has advanced.

Why Learning “Belief” Collocations is Important for IELTS?

Mastering collocations with “belief” helps you express your opinions clearly and naturally in Speaking Part 3, write coherent and persuasive arguments in Writing Task 2, and understand texts in Reading and Listening sections that discuss opinions, religion, politics, or personal convictions.

IELTS Example for Writing Task 2: It is a firm belief among educators that early exposure to multiple languages improves cognitive development in children.