Mastering ‘Look up to’ for IELTS Success: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction to ‘Look up to’

The phrasal verb ‘look up to’ is a valuable linguistic tool that can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. Its versatility and nuanced meaning make it an excellent choice for both the Speaking and Writing sections of the test. Understanding and effectively using this phrasal verb can demonstrate your advanced language skills and help you achieve a higher band score.

Definition and Explanation

Primary Meaning

‘Look up to’ primarily means to admire or respect someone, often because of their achievements, qualities, or status. It implies viewing someone as a role model or an inspiration.

Synonyms and Equivalent Expressions

• Admire
• Respect
• Hold in high regard
• Idolize
• Revere

Usage in Context

‘Look up to’ is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. Here are some examples:

1. “Many young athletes look up to Serena Williams for her determination and skill.”
2. “As a junior employee, I really look up to our CEO for her innovative leadership style.”
3. “Children often look up to their parents as role models.”

'Look up to' as inspiration and role model

Grammar Analysis

Separability

‘Look up to’ is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you cannot place an object between ‘look’ and ‘up to’. The correct structure is always:

Subject + look up to + object

For example:

• Correct: “I look up to my older sister.”
• Incorrect: “I look my older sister up to.”

Sentence Structure

When using ‘look up to’, the structure typically follows this pattern:

Subject + look up to + person/group + (optional) reason

For example:
“Students often look up to their teachers for guidance and wisdom.”

Application in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking

‘Look up to’ can be effectively used in various IELTS Speaking topics, particularly when discussing influential people, role models, or personal experiences.

Sample answer for “Describe someone you admire”:

“I’d like to talk about my grandfather, who I’ve always looked up to. He’s been a constant source of inspiration in my life. I look up to him for his resilience and wisdom. Having lived through challenging times, he’s always maintained a positive outlook, which is something I greatly admire. Many people in our community also look up to him for his volunteer work and dedication to helping others.”

In IELTS Writing

In IELTS Writing, ‘look up to’ can add depth to your essays, especially when discussing societal issues, personal development, or influential figures.

Example for an essay on role models:

“In today’s society, it is crucial for young people to have positive role models to look up to. These figures, whether they are family members, teachers, or public personalities, play a significant role in shaping the values and aspirations of the younger generation. When children look up to individuals who embody positive traits such as integrity, perseverance, and compassion, they are more likely to develop these qualities themselves.”

Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Look up to (someone) – /lʊk ʌp tuː/: To admire or respect someone.
   Example: “I’ve always looked up to my older brother for his dedication to his studies.”

2. Look down on (someone) – /lʊk daʊn ɒn/: To consider someone inferior or less important.
   Example: “It’s not right to look down on people because of their social status.”

3. Look up (something) – /lʊk ʌp/: To search for information in a reference book or database.
   Example: “I need to look up the meaning of this word in the dictionary.”

4. Look forward to (something) – /lʊk ˈfɔːwəd tuː/: To anticipate something with pleasure.
   Example: “I’m looking forward to the summer holidays.”

5. Look after (someone/something) – /lʊk ˈɑːftə/: To take care of or be responsible for someone or something.
   Example: “Can you look after my dog while I’m on vacation?”

6. Look into (something) – /lʊk ˈɪntuː/: To investigate or examine something.
   Example: “The police are looking into the cause of the accident.”

7. Look out for (someone/something) – /lʊk aʊt fɔː/: To be careful or vigilant about someone or something.
   Example: “Always look out for cyclists when driving in the city.”

Phrasal verbs related to 'look up to'

Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

1. Many young scientists __ __ __ Marie Curie for her groundbreaking research.
2. It’s important not to __ __ __ people who are less fortunate than us.
3. I need to __ __ the train schedule for tomorrow.
4. We’re __ __ __ our vacation next month.
5. Can you __ __ my plants while I’m away?
6. The committee will __ __ the allegations of misconduct.
7. __ __ __ pedestrians when driving in busy areas.
8. Children often __ __ __ their parents as role models.
9. It’s unfair to __ __ __ someone based on their appearance.
10. I always __ __ to my grandmother for advice.

Sentence Transformation

1. Original: I admire my professor greatly.
   Transformed: I __ __ __ my professor.

2. Original: She considers her younger colleagues inferior.
   Transformed: She __ __ __ her younger colleagues.

3. Original: We need to find information about this topic in the encyclopedia.
   Transformed: We need to __ __ this topic in the encyclopedia.

4. Original: I’m excited about the upcoming concert.
   Transformed: I’m __ __ __ the upcoming concert.

5. Original: Who will take care of the children during the meeting?
   Transformed: Who will __ __ the children during the meeting?

6. Original: The police are investigating the recent break-ins.
   Transformed: The police are __ __ the recent break-ins.

7. Original: Be careful of pickpockets in crowded areas.
   Transformed: __ __ __ pickpockets in crowded areas.

8. Original: Many students see their teachers as role models.
   Transformed: Many students __ __ __ their teachers.

9. Original: It’s wrong to treat people with less education as inferior.
   Transformed: It’s wrong to __ __ __ people with less education.

10. Original: I’m eagerly anticipating the results of my exam.
    Transformed: I’m __ __ __ the results of my exam.

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

1. look up to
2. look down on
3. look up
4. looking forward to
5. look after
6. look into
7. Look out for
8. look up to
9. look down on
10. look up

Sentence Transformation:

1. look up to
2. looks down on
3. look up
4. looking forward to
5. look after
6. looking into
7. Look out for
8. look up to
9. look down on
10. looking forward to

Explanations:

1. ‘Look up to’ means to admire or respect someone.
2. ‘Look down on’ implies considering someone inferior.
3. ‘Look up’ means to search for information in a reference source.
4. ‘Look forward to’ expresses anticipation or excitement about a future event.
5. ‘Look after’ means to take care of someone or something.
6. ‘Look into’ is used when investigating or examining something.
7. ‘Look out for’ means to be careful or vigilant about something.
8. ‘Look up to’ is used when someone is seen as a role model.
9. ‘Look down on’ is used when treating someone as inferior.
10. ‘Look forward to’ expresses anticipation of future results.

Memorization Tips

1. Visual Association: Imagine physically looking up at someone you admire. This mental image can help reinforce the meaning of ‘look up to’.

2. Context Connection: Think of personal examples of people you look up to and why. Creating personal connections makes the phrasal verb more memorable.

3. Contrast Learning: Learn ‘look up to’ in contrast with its opposite, ‘look down on’. This comparison can help solidify the meaning of both phrasal verbs.

4. Mnemonic Device: Create a memorable phrase like “Leaders Up, Teams Overcome” (LUTO) to remember ‘look up to’ in the context of admiring leaders.

5. Practice in Conversations: Regularly use ‘look up to’ in your daily conversations to reinforce its usage and meaning.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Using ‘look up’ instead of ‘look up to’
   Correction: “I look up to my mentor” (not “I look up my mentor”)

2. Mistake: Separating the phrasal verb
   Correction: “I look up to her” (not “I look her up to”)

3. Mistake: Confusing with ‘look for’
   Correction: “I look up to successful entrepreneurs” (not “I look for successful entrepreneurs” – which means to search for them)

4. Mistake: Using incorrect preposition
   Correction: “Children often look up to their parents” (not “look up at” or “look up for”)

5. Mistake: Overusing in formal writing
   Tip: While ‘look up to’ is acceptable in formal contexts, consider using synonyms like ‘admire’ or ‘respect’ for variety in academic writing.

Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb ‘look up to’ can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. Its versatility allows you to express admiration and respect effectively in both speaking and writing tasks. Remember to practice using it in various contexts and combine it with other phrasal verbs to demonstrate a rich vocabulary. By incorporating ‘look up to’ and related phrasal verbs into your language repertoire, you’ll be well-equipped to describe a time when you worked on a group project or discuss influential figures in your life. Keep practicing, and you’ll find your confidence and fluency in English improving, bringing you closer to your desired IELTS score.