“Fever” is a common word in everyday English, and it often appears in the IELTS exam, especially in the Listening and Reading sections. Understanding how to use “fever” correctly and knowing its related vocabulary can help you achieve a higher score.
Here are some synonyms for “fever”:
- High temperature: (noun) /haɪ ˈtemprətʃər/ a body temperature that is higher than normal. Example: The doctor said the child had a high temperature.
- Pyrexia: (noun) /paɪˈrɛksiə/ a technical term for fever. Example: Prolonged pyrexia can be a sign of a serious infection.
- Elevated temperature: (noun) /ˈɛlɪveɪtɪd ˈtemprətʃər/ a temperature that is slightly higher than normal. Example: The nurse noted the patient had an elevated temperature.
And an antonym:
- Afebrile: (adjective) /eɪˈfaɪbraɪl/ not having a fever. Example: The patient was afebrile after taking the medication.
Understanding “Fever”
Definition and Pronunciation
“Fever” (noun) /ˈfiːvər/ refers to a medical condition where the body’s temperature rises above its normal range, usually due to illness.
Common Collocations
You will often find “fever” used with these words:
- Have a fever: Example: I woke up this morning feeling awful and I think I have a fever.
- Run a fever: Example: The doctor said the child is running a fever and needs to stay home from school.
- Break a fever: Example: Taking a cool bath can help break a fever.
- High fever: Example: A high fever can be dangerous, especially for young children.
- Mild fever: Example: I’m not feeling well, but I only have a mild fever.
Thermometer Showing High Temperature
“Fever” in the IELTS Exam
The word “fever” and its related vocabulary can appear in various contexts in the IELTS exam:
- Listening: You might hear “fever” in a conversation between a doctor and a patient or in a lecture about health.
- Reading: You might encounter “fever” in a passage about a medical breakthrough or a historical event involving an epidemic.
- Writing: You could use “fever” in Task 1 to describe data related to health trends or in Task 2 to discuss the importance of healthcare.
- Speaking: You could use “fever” when discussing your health, describing a past illness, or expressing concern for someone who is unwell.
Example Uses of “Fever” in IELTS
Listening
Sample Question:
What are the symptoms of the illness described by the speaker?
Transcript:
“The most common symptoms are a high fever, headache, and muscle aches. Some people also experience a cough, sore throat, and runny nose.”
Analysis:
Here, the speaker clearly lists “high fever” as one of the primary symptoms, demonstrating the importance of understanding this term in a medical context.
Reading
Sample Passage:
“The discovery of penicillin revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections. Before this groundbreaking discovery, even minor infections could lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and high fever, often with fatal consequences.”
Question:
What was a common consequence of infections before the discovery of penicillin?
Analysis:
The passage highlights “high fever” as a severe consequence of infections in the pre-penicillin era, illustrating the importance of this vocabulary for understanding historical medical contexts.
Writing Task 1
Sample Task:
The graph below shows the number of cases of influenza reported in a particular city over a six-month period.
Sample Answer:
“From January to March, the number of influenza cases remained relatively low, peaking at around 200 cases in February. However, there was a sharp increase in April, with the number of cases exceeding 500. This period coincided with a particularly severe flu season, characterized by a high fever and respiratory complications.”
Analysis:
In this example, “high fever” is used accurately to describe a symptom associated with a severe flu season, showcasing your ability to use relevant vocabulary in a Task 1 response.
Idioms with “Fever”
Here are some idioms that use the word “fever”:
- A fever of activity: A period of intense activity and excitement. Example: The office was in a fever of activity as they prepared for the upcoming conference.
- Fever pitch: A state of extreme excitement or tension. Example: The excitement in the stadium reached fever pitch as the home team scored the winning goal.
- Cabin fever: A feeling of restlessness and irritability caused by being confined indoors for a long time. Example: After being stuck inside all winter, we were all suffering from a bad case of cabin fever.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “fever” and its related vocabulary is crucial for achieving success in the IELTS exam. By understanding its various contexts, collocations, and associated idioms, you can confidently navigate health-related topics and demonstrate a strong command of the English language. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be feeling confident about using “fever” in your IELTS exam!
