The word “peripheral” doesn’t often take center stage in everyday conversation, but it can be a valuable asset in your IELTS vocabulary. Understanding its nuances and usage can help you achieve a higher band score, especially in the Reading and Writing sections.
Let’s delve into this intriguing word and uncover its potential for boosting your IELTS performance. Here are some synonyms for “peripheral”: marginal, unimportant, insignificant, irrelevant, tangential, incidental, auxiliary, supplementary.
Understanding “Peripheral”
Pronunciation: /pəˈrɪfərəl/
Part of speech: Adjective
Definition:
- Relating to or situated on the edge or periphery of something: This is the most common meaning and refers to something that is not central or important.
- Concerned with relatively minor, irrelevant, or superficial aspects of a subject: This meaning implies a lack of focus on the essential elements.
Examples:
- The meeting only touched on peripheral issues; the main problem was ignored.
- They lived in a peripheral area of the city, far from the bustling center.
- The article focused on the main event, mentioning the protests only as a peripheral concern.
Peripheral Area of a City
“Peripheral” in the IELTS Exam
While not a high-frequency word, “peripheral” can appear in various contexts in the IELTS exam. You might encounter it in:
- Reading passages: Describing geographical locations, discussing minor points in an argument, or highlighting less significant details in a scientific process.
- Listening sections: Mentioned in lectures or conversations about a topic’s less important aspects.
- Writing Task 2: When you need to contrast significant and insignificant factors, especially when arguing for or against a specific viewpoint.
Using “Peripheral” Effectively
In Writing Task 2
Imagine the essay prompt asks you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living in a large city. You could write:
“While a vibrant cultural scene is a major draw for many city dwellers, peripheral factors, such as noise pollution and lack of green spaces, can negatively impact their quality of life.”
Here, “peripheral” emphasizes that although noise and green spaces are important considerations, they are not the primary factors influencing the decision to live in a city.
In the Speaking Test
When discussing your hobbies, you could say:
“Photography is my main passion, but I also dabble in other, more peripheral, creative pursuits like writing poetry and playing the ukulele.”
This shows you understand the word’s meaning in relation to importance and relevance.
Idioms and Related Phrases
- On the periphery: Existing or happening outside the main area of interest or activity.
- Example: “Many smaller companies operate on the periphery of the global technology market.”
- Peripheral vision: The ability to see things outside the direct line of sight.
- Example: “Cyclists need good peripheral vision to be aware of traffic approaching from the sides.”
Conclusion
While “peripheral” may not be the first word that comes to mind when preparing for the IELTS, it can be a powerful tool for expressing nuances of importance and relevance. By understanding its different meanings and practicing its usage in various contexts, you can enhance your lexical resource and impress the examiners with your sophisticated vocabulary. Don’t let this valuable word remain on the periphery of your IELTS preparation – embrace its potential to strengthen your language skills and boost your score!