Unkempt - IELTS Word of the Day for Speaking & Writing
When talking about appearance, 'Unkempt' is a great word to describe someone who looks messy or disheveled. Use it to showcase emotional strength and clarity in the IELTS Speaking & Writing tasks.
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The descriptive adjective ‘unkempt’, often used to portray messy or untidy appearances, can help you add clarity and depth to your answers, especially in the IELTS Speaking & Writing sections. By using such precise words confidently in the IELTS Exam, you demonstrate both fluency and lexical range. With regular practice, you will not only be able to sound more articulate but also stand out among other test-takers in both Speaking and Writing tasks.
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What is the Meaning of the Word ‘Unkempt’?
As you learn the term, ‘Unkempt,’ you will be able to score a higher IELTS Band Score. First, you must acquaint yourself with the word's meaning, synonyms, and example sentences before immersing yourself on how to use this word in various sentences. The table below suggests all the important factors related to the word, ‘Unkempt’.
Topic |
Description |
Unkempt |
Adjective |
Definition |
Neglected in appearance, not cared for |
Synonyms |
Messy, untidy |
Collocations |
Unkempt hair, Unkempt street, Unkempt state |
Origin |
People began combing their hair around 1400 – before that, they would have kembed it. Kemb is an old word for comb. The term has survived, but it is most popular as unkempt rather than kempt. |
Example |
She is wearing blue track pants and a t-shirt with unkempt hair. That jacket you are wearing doesn’t fit, it gives you an unkempt appearance.
The garden can become unkempt if not watered and looked after properly. Public parks are often left in an unkempt state because many city authorities fail to maintain them. |
Band 8+ Tricks to Use ‘Unkempt’ in IELTS Speaking & Writing Answers
With a few tips, you will learn to use the word 'Unkempt' in your IELTS Speaking and Writing. Regular practice will help you by looking at the following methods and your lexical resource would help you score a band 8+. So, let's get familiar with the band 8+ tips and learn the word for the best possible use in your answers.
- You must always make sentences so that you get the knowledge as to how to use the word in a sentence. This would make you understand the contextual meaning of the word and the sentence structure which can be used for applying the term effectively.
- Flashcards can be used when trying to comprehend the meaning of the word. This technique would help you remember the word's meaning and allow you to use the word efficiently in the sentence.
- While practicing for the IELTS Writing section, try to attempt questions from different topics while using this word, such as workplace ethics, leadership, communication, education, or customer service.
- Always record yourself speaking as you answer any question and then look at how you have used the word within a sentence and also focus on how to pronounce it.
- Using the word can help you add depth to your speaking answers, particularly while talking about lifestyle, city planning, or hygiene.
- Learn IELTS Grammar topics through which you can discover various sentence structures which can be used by incorporating the word. This will increase your score in the parameter grammatical range and accuracy.
Want to learn IELTS Speaking IDIOMS for BAND 9? Let’s check out the video below!
Exercises on ‘Unkempt’ for IELTS Speaking & Writing
Now that you have understood the meaning and sentence structure with the word, ‘Unkempt’, let’s dive into the exercise. This would allow thorough familiarization with the word and comfortable use of it. From the clues within the sentence and the vocabulary around it, you should be able to come to the right choice.
Match the word below to complete these sentences.
Neat |
Unkempt |
Elegant |
Tidy |
Disheveled |
Refined |
1 In spite of sporting a designer outfit, his hair remained __________________ enough to suggest carelessness.
2 The interviewer was so impressed with the candidate's impeccably __________________ attire and polished demeanor.
3 After a long flight, she looked __________________ with wrinkled clothes and hair all over the place.
4 Before going to a formal meeting, it is always good to look __________________ .
5 His writing is __________________ and refined, which in itself is suggestive of a strong academic background.
6 His ideas may be strong, but he appeared as __________________ as if he was not prepared.
Answer to the Exercise on Unkempt for IELTS Speaking & Writing
The answers are given for self-evaluation but note that you can take your own time and look closely at each answer. This will help understand why a particular answer works. This sharpens the power of the mind and helps recognize how different types of words work in context. Let’s get to it now!
- Unkempt
- Elegant
- Disheveled
- Tidy
- Refined
- Neat
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Remember to incorporate the strategies so that you can expand your vocabulary with words such as 'unkempt' and use them in IELTS Speaking and Writing. This will, in turn, improve your ability to express ideas with clarity while showcasing your grasping ability of the English language. Therefore, keep applying strategies into your IELTS preparation and continue your journey to achieve a band score of 8+.
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