Mastering advanced vocabulary can significantly enhance your IELTS speaking and writing scores. Here are some plant-related terms and phrases that will help you articulate your thoughts more effectively.
1. Flourish
Definition: To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way.
Example: “The garden plants flourish in the rich soil.”
Usage Tips:
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Use “flourish” to describe positive growth or development in various contexts, not just plants.
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Can be used metaphorically, e.g., “Her career flourished after she moved to the city.”
2. Green Thumb
Definition: A natural talent for growing plants.
Example: “She has a green thumb, and her garden is always thriving.”
Usage Tips:
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Often used to compliment someone’s gardening skills.
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Can be used to describe anyone who is particularly skilled at helping things grow, such as a mentor who helps people develop their talents.
3. Bear Fruit
Definition: To produce successful results.
Example: “His efforts in the garden finally bore fruit with a bountiful harvest.”
Usage Tips:
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Can be used figuratively to describe the successful results of hard work or planning.
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Example in context: “The new marketing strategy bore fruit with increased sales.”
4. Go to Seed
Definition: To decline in quality or appearance.
Example: “The garden has gone to seed since they stopped maintaining it.”
Usage Tips:
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Often used to describe neglected places or things that have deteriorated.
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Can also refer to someone’s appearance if they have become less careful about their grooming.
5. Reap What You Sow
Definition: To experience the consequences of one’s actions.
Example: “In gardening, as in life, you reap what you sow.”
Usage Tips:
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This phrase highlights the concept of karma or getting results that correspond to one’s actions.
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Commonly used in moral or ethical discussions.
Example Sentences for Practice
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After investing time and effort into his studies, John began to flourish academically.
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My grandmother has a green thumb; her flowers are the envy of the neighborhood.
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The new policy changes will bear fruit in the next financial quarter.
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Without regular maintenance, the once beautiful park has gone to seed.
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If you are kind to others, you will find that you will reap what you sow in terms of goodwill and positive relationships.
Practice Questions
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Can you describe a time when something you worked on bore fruit?
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What are some activities you believe will help a person flourish in their career?
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Discuss the importance of maintaining one’s skills and knowledge to prevent going to seed.
Using these terms and phrases correctly will not only boost your IELTS score but also enrich your everyday vocabulary. Practice using them in different contexts to become more comfortable with their meanings and applications.
