2026-03-27
29
deriveAWL
VERB TRANSITIVE to obtain (through a particular process) something from a source
This oxygen is derived from photosynthesis – the process by which plants turn carbon dioxide and water into organic matter and oxygen. (Duarte et al. 2021) We estimate that the share of revenue these farmers derived from aquaculture rose by nearly 60 percent over a period of eight years as their soils became saltier. (Chen and Mueller 2018) Food information derived from animals – such as cow’s milk – is transferred to the person drinking the milk. (Dus 2022) Typically derived from petroleum or natural gas, these are long chain molecules with hundreds to thousands of links in each chain. (Beckman 2018) We need scholars because they provide a complete picture, the most up-to-date information, derived from their wisdom and deeply considered perspective. (Behles 2021) Common collocates for this word:

derive

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pleasure
information
satisfaction
benefits
ideas
inspiration
strength
equations
data
nourishment
self-esteem
consolation
fulfilment
prestige
enjoyment

 Word Family: derive (verb), derivation (noun)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: obtain, descend, originate, arise Lexical phrases: derive from27/03/2026 - Set 29
2026-03-26
29
seekAWL AKL OPAL NGSL
VERB TRANSITIVE to look for, try to find (something in particular)
It’s important to always seek shelter when tornado conditions develop. (Houser 2022) It’s important to avoid fake news, but it’s even more important to seek out and engage with real news. (Ashley 2019) In total, some 200,000 Bangladeshi coastal farmers per year could migrate inland to seek new livelihoods. (Chen and Mueller 2018) These texts didn’t just appear; they were actively sought, translated and edited by newly curious medical teachers and practitioners. (Black 2014) Those who seek to wield authority purely for self-gratification often fail. Leadership is best framed as serving whomever you propose to lead. (Harrison 2023) Common collocates for this word:

seek

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advice
ways
information
refuge
employment
re-election
permission
help
compensation
assistance
treatment
revenge
shelter
approval
clarification

 Word Family: seek (verb)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: search for, pursue, trace 26/03/2026 - Set 29
2026-03-25
29
traditionAWL AKL OPAL NGSL
NOUN COUNTABLE a custom, practice, or belief followed by a particular group
The significance of flowers, then as now, is linked to traditions, tastes and class distinctions. (Ybarra 2024) Some have argued that monogamy is not an organic cultural shift but a colonial imposition on African cultural traditions. (Pierce 2022) The modern chemical industry (including plastics) has a long tradition of close connections to the fossil fuel industry. (Bauer and Nielsen 2021) While teacher autonomy is a bedrock tradition in education, my research shows it also results in inconsistency, inequity and even unreliability.(Link 2024) We can free ourselves of the distinctions, ideas and traditions that become imprisoned in the words we use. (Davis 2023) Common collocates for this word:

tradition

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oral
long
literary
family
religious
cultural
great
classical
ancient
western
local
historical
liberal
political
philosophical

 Word Family: tradition (noun), traditional (adjective), traditionally (adverb)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: custom, habit, practice, convention 25/03/2026 - Set 29
2026-03-24
29
emphasisAWL AKL NGSL
NOUN UNCOUNTABLE special stress, focus or attention given to something because of its perceived importance
The emphasis on documentation and data collection reduces educators’ time with children and job satisfaction. (Rogers 2023) Historically, PE lessons have had a strong emphasis on team sports such as football and rugby. (Cox 2023) There’s an emphasis on building trust between the various partners, within and beyond government. (Goh et al. 2023) Despite frequent political emphasis on English language learning and testing as key to integration, England does not have a national strategy for migrant or refugee integration.(Higham, Chick, and Cox 2025) A common critique of Confucianism is that it places too much emphasis on social order through rituals and hierarchies. (Davis 2023) Common collocates for this word:

emphasis

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particular
great
strong
special
increasing
main
heavy
increased
different
considerable
renewed
growing
whole
major
undue

 Word Family: emphasis (noun), emphasize (verb), emphatic (adjective), emphatically (adverb)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: stress, accent, weight Lexical phrases: [place, put] emphasis on24/03/2026 - Set 29
2026-03-23
29
criterionAWL AKL OPAL NGSL
NOUN COUNTABLE - PLURAL: criteria a standard used to measure or evaluate something (normally used in the plural – criteria)
When there is only one criterion to consider, such as cost, the decision is straightforward. (Hopgood 2023) Pharmacies must meet location based criteria to be approved by the Australian Community Pharmacy Authority to receive pharmaceutical benefits. (Cutler 2023) Typically, criteria are identified and each one is “weighted” according to importance. The options are then scored against each criterion and the weightings applied. (Hopgood 2023) The first diagnostic criteria were introduced in the 1980s. (Clack and Ward 2019) Furthermore, the weighting of each criterion is almost entirely arbitrary. If publications and citations are worth 20% and web visibility is worth 10%, you will get one order of institutions. Change this to 25% and 5% and the entire list rearranges itself. (McKenna 2020) Common collocates for this word:

criterion

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sole
main
important
universal
particular
supreme
basic
linguistic
sufficient
relevant
overriding
objective
crucial
additional
independent

 Word Family: criterion (noun), criteria (plural noun)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: standard, precedent, measure 23/03/2026 - Set 29
2026-03-20
29
respondAWL OPAL NGSL
VERB INTRANSITIVE 1. to react; 2. to say or write something as a reaction to something said or written by someone else
Microeconomics analyzes behavior. It looks at how individuals and companies respond to incentives and allocate scarce resources efficiently. (Batabyal 2021) We all respond slightly differently to a lack of sleep. (Sahakian et al. 2022) Everyday pain and injuries – such as minor bumps, cuts, grazes – are critical learning experiences for young children, and can influence how they interpret and respond to pain or injury experiences in the future. (Wallwork 2022) Neurons continuously adjust their coordination, keeping the brain stable enough for deep thought, yet agile enough to respond to new challenges. (Munn 2024) Researchers have shown that different blood types respond differently to diseases. (Helms 2019) Common collocates for this word:

respond

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positively
quickly
appropriately
well
differently
accordingly
immediately
better
adequately
rapidly
flexibly
effectively
favourably
sensitively
promptly

 Word Family: respond (verb), response (noun), responsive (adjective)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: react, reply, answer 20/03/2026 - Set 29
2026-03-19
29
taskAWL
NOUN COUNTABLE a particular piece of work, often assigned and time limited
Neuroscience has already shown that everyone uses both sides of the brain when performing any task. (Pearson 2016) On the basis of my experience, ChatGPT seems well-equipped to perform tasks related to the recognition and identification of human faces – including their expressions. (Kramer 2024) When individual tasks are considered separately, some formats might advantage particular students. But considering a range of tasks allows students to demonstrate their learning in a way that suits them. (Tai et al. 2023) Creating an inclusive school environment is a complex task, one that requires a firm, unwavering commitment and coordinated action by all members of the school community. (Ruíz 2024) When measured in the lab, people’s ability to carry out study-related tasks is usually made worse by irrelevant speech in the background. (Vasilev 2019) Nineteenth century manufacturing technologies largely substituted for skilled labour in jobs, such as weaving and the production of tools, by simplifying the tasks involved. (Frey and Osborne 2013) Common collocates for this word:

task

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difficult
easy
main
daunting
impossible
important
particular
specific
major
simple
formidable
unenviable
hard
uphill
key

 Word Family: task (noun), task (verb)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: job, assignment, duty 19/03/2026 - Set 29
2026-03-18
29
considerableAWL AKL OPAL NGSL
ADJECTIVE large (in amount, extent, number, degree) and/or worthy of thought
Despite the considerable consequences of language testing, what exactly do test scores indicate?(Cheng 2018) Reducing the waiting lists for mental healthcare will not be easy and will come at a considerable financial cost. (Prudon 2025) Studies have actually revealed considerable overlap in the cognitive processes supporting both scientific and artistic creativity. (Pearson 2016) But even with the lower emissions that result from this approach, the environmental footprint of pet food is still considerable. (Alexander 2023) Although the problem of rising freshwater salinization went largely unaddressed for many decades, it has gained considerable attention during the last 20 years. (Derry, Cañedo-Argüelles, and Melles 2023) Common collocates for this word:

considerable

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amount
time
number
interest
degree
importance
influence
pressure
variation
success
extent
attention
debate
evidence
experience

 Word Family: considerable (adjective), consider (verb)Synonyms: large, substantial, immense, great 18/03/2026 - Set 29
2026-03-17
29
consumptionAWL OPAL NGSL
NOUN UNCOUNTABLE 1. the act of using something which in the process is no longer available for use; 2. the act of eating
Economic resources shape what we buy and consume, but price plays a paradoxical role in the realm of sustainable consumption. (Boeuf 2024) Intake of red and processed meat is too high, and meat consumption continues to rise in the US, the European Union and the developed world. (Cade 2017) If you are interested in practising healthier consumption habits, it’s important to understand how you can sustain this lifestyle long-term. There are two main strategies you can use to do this. (Fares and Lee 2024) Highlighting the social and environmental costs of luxury goods could reduce the appeal of conspicuous consumption. (Boeuf 2024) Images of gushing oil derricks implied that the American good life meant unfettered consumption of fossil fuels. (Allison and Miller 2019) Common collocates for this word:

consumption

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human
conspicuous
domestic
unproductive
current
personal
collective
mass
public
private
per capita
increased
total
local
future

 Word Family: consumption (noun), consume (verb)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: use, utilization, expenditure, exploitation 17/03/2026 - Set 29
2026-03-16
29
alternativeAWL AKL OPAL
NOUN COUNTABLE one of a number of possible choices or possibilities
A better alternative would be to use dedicated hardware devices. (Jeong, Doss, and Shah 2021) Like fish in water, we are immersed in this news environment, which can make it hard to consider alternatives. (Ashley 2019) Diets that substituted animal products with the plant-based alternative were below the daily recommendations for vitamin B12, calcium, potassium, zinc and magnesium, and higher in sodium, sugar and saturated fat. (McGee 2022) An alternative is to recognise that the fundamental purpose of assessment is to establish and understand where individuals are in their long-term learning progress at the time of assessment. (Masters 2017) The alternative, a top-down approach, is to analyse or strip down modern cells to simplify them and deduce how the key stages in the evolution of complexity might have taken place. (Errington 2016) Common collocates for this word:

alternative

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only
viable
real
other
possible
attractive
acceptable
effective
useful
good
realistic
credible
radical
positive
suitable

 Word Family: alternative (noun), alternative (adjective), alternate (verb), alternatively (adverb)SynonymsTrue synonyms are rare: all of these have related meanings but are used in different contexts with different collocates: choice, possibility, option Lexical phrases: (as) an alternative to16/03/2026 - Set 29