The word “drug” /drʌɡ/ (noun/verb) is frequently tested in IELTS exams, particularly in Reading and Writing tasks related to health and medicine. Understanding its various meanings and usage is crucial for achieving a high band score.
Common synonyms include: medication, medicine, pharmaceutical, remedy, prescription medication
Antonyms include: placebo, alternative medicine, homeopathy
Word Analysis and Usage
The term “drug” has multiple meanings and applications in medical contexts. Understanding these distinctions is essential for accurate usage in the IELTS exam. A prescription is often required for many types of drugs, making this knowledge particularly relevant.
Primary Definitions
- A substance used as medicine
- Example: “The new drug shows promising results in treating high cholesterol.”
- An illegal substance
- Example: “The government has implemented stricter policies to control drug trafficking.”
- As a verb (to drug)
- Example: “The patient was drugged before the surgery.”
Common Collocations
- Drug administration
- Drug abuse/misuse
- Drug development
- Drug resistance
- Example: “Bacterial viral load can increase due to drug resistance.”
Medical Context
- Drug therapy
- Drug interactions
- Drug trials
- Drug efficacy
IELTS Application Examples
Writing Task 2
Topic: Healthcare and Medicine
Sample paragraph: “The development of new drugs is essential for combating diseases, particularly as virus mutation becomes more common. However, the high cost of pharmaceutical research often leads to expensive medications.”
Reading
Common contexts:
- Medical research passages
- Public health articles
- Pharmaceutical industry texts
Speaking Part 3
Question: “What are your views on alternative medicine versus conventional drug treatment?”
Sample answer: “While traditional medicine has its place, scientifically tested drugs are crucial for treating serious conditions like severe inflammation.”
Idiomatic Expressions
- “A hard/tough pill to swallow”
- Meaning: Difficult to accept
- Example: “The high cost of the drug treatment was a hard pill to swallow.”
- “Bitter pill”
- Meaning: An unpleasant situation
- Example: “The side effects of the drug were a bitter pill for patients.”
Conclusion
Understanding drug-related vocabulary is crucial for IELTS success, particularly in health and medicine topics. Practice using these terms in context, focusing on both academic and general usage. Watch for this vocabulary in passages about medical research, healthcare policies, and pharmaceutical developments.