Understanding ‘Track Down’: Definition and Usage
The phrasal verb ‘track down’ is a valuable addition to your IELTS vocabulary arsenal. It means to find someone or something by searching carefully and for a long time. This versatile expression can significantly enhance your language proficiency in both the speaking and writing sections of the IELTS exam.
Synonyms and Related Expressions
- Locate
- Hunt down
- Trace
- Find out
- Unearth
Context and Usage Examples
‘Track down’ can be used in various contexts, from formal to informal situations:
- “The detective managed to track down the stolen artwork after months of investigation.”
- “I finally tracked down that rare book I’ve been searching for years.”
- “Can you help me track down the source of this information?”
Detective tracking down clues
Grammar Analysis
‘Track down’ is a separable phrasal verb, meaning you can place the object between ‘track’ and ‘down’ or after ‘down’:
- “I need to track down the missing document.” (Object after)
- “I need to track the missing document down.” (Object between)
When using pronouns, always place them between ‘track’ and ‘down’:
- “I finally tracked it down.”
Application in IELTS
Speaking Section
In the IELTS Speaking test, using ‘track down’ can demonstrate your ability to use idiomatic language naturally. Here are some examples of how you might incorporate it:
-
Part 1 (Introduction and Interview):
Q: “Do you enjoy shopping?”
A: “Yes, I do. I especially love tracking down unique items in vintage stores or flea markets.” -
Part 2 (Cue Card):
Topic: Describe a time when you lost something important.
“…I spent days trying to track down my lost passport. I retraced my steps and contacted every place I had visited…” -
Part 3 (Discussion):
Q: “How has technology changed the way people find information?”
A: “Technology has revolutionized information gathering. These days, we can track down almost any piece of information within seconds using search engines and online databases.”
Writing Section
In IELTS Writing, ‘track down’ can add sophistication to your essays, especially in Task 2:
-
Discussing crime and investigation:
“Law enforcement agencies now use advanced technologies to track down criminals, making it increasingly difficult for offenders to evade justice.” -
Talking about research methods:
“Scholars often spend years tracking down primary sources to support their historical theories.” -
Describing problem-solving processes:
“Companies invest significant resources in tracking down the root causes of production inefficiencies.”
Researcher using computer for online research
Related Phrasal Verbs
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Look up /lʊk ʌp/: To search for information in a book or database.
Example: “I had to look up the meaning of that word in the dictionary.” -
Dig up /dɪɡ ʌp/: To find information after searching thoroughly.
Example: “The journalist managed to dig up some interesting facts about the politician’s past.” -
Sniff out /snɪf aʊt/: To find something by investigating carefully.
Example: “The experienced reporter quickly sniffed out the truth behind the scandal.” -
Zero in on /ˈzɪərəʊ ɪn ɒn/: To focus on and find a specific target.
Example: “The research team zeroed in on the cause of the disease after years of study.” -
Run down /rʌn daʊn/: To chase and catch someone, or to find someone or something by searching.
Example: “The police ran down the suspect after a lengthy chase.” -
Ferret out /ˈferət aʊt/: To discover information through persistent searching.
Example: “The investigator managed to ferret out the truth from the complex web of lies.” -
Pin down /pɪn daʊn/: To identify or define something precisely.
Example: “It took several interviews to pin down the exact timeline of events.”
Practice Exercises
Fill in the Blanks
- The police are trying to __ __ the source of the leaked documents.
- Can you help me __ __ my old school friends?
- It took months to __ __ all the information needed for the report.
- The journalist managed to __ __ a rare interview with the reclusive artist.
- We need to __ __ the reason for the sudden drop in sales.
- The detective was able to __ __ the missing evidence.
- It’s crucial to __ __ the origin of this rumor.
- The researchers are working hard to __ __ a cure for the disease.
- Can you __ __ the exact quote from the book?
- The company hired experts to __ __ the cause of the system failure.
Sentence Rewriting
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Original: The scientist spent years searching for the rare plant species.
Rewrite: The scientist spent years tracking down the rare plant species. -
Original: We need to find the source of this information quickly.
Rewrite: We need to track down the source of this information quickly. -
Original: The detective is trying to locate the missing witness.
Rewrite: The detective is trying to track down the missing witness. -
Original: Can you help me find my lost keys?
Rewrite: Can you help me track down my lost keys? -
Original: The journalist is searching for evidence to support his story.
Rewrite: The journalist is tracking down evidence to support his story. -
Original: They’re working on identifying the cause of the problem.
Rewrite: They’re working on tracking down the cause of the problem. -
Original: The police are searching for the stolen artwork.
Rewrite: The police are tracking down the stolen artwork. -
Original: We need to find the original document to verify the claim.
Rewrite: We need to track down the original document to verify the claim. -
Original: The historians are trying to locate descendants of the ancient tribe.
Rewrite: The historians are trying to track down descendants of the ancient tribe. -
Original: Can you find the exact quote from the speech?
Rewrite: Can you track down the exact quote from the speech?
Answers and Explanations
Fill in the Blanks:
- track down
- track down
- track down
- track down
- track down
- track down
- track down
- track down
- track down
- track down
Explanation: In all these sentences, ‘track down’ is used to express the act of searching for and finding something or someone, which is the core meaning of this phrasal verb.
Sentence Rewriting:
All sentences have been correctly rewritten using ‘track down’ to replace expressions like ‘search for’, ‘find’, ‘locate’, and ‘identify’. This demonstrates how versatile ‘track down’ can be in various contexts, from scientific research to detective work and everyday situations.
Memory Tips
To remember ‘track down’, visualize a detective following footprints (tracks) to find a suspect. The ‘down’ part can remind you of looking down at the ground to follow these tracks.
Another method is to create a mnemonic: “To Really Acquire Clues, Keep Digging Or Working Now” – the first letters spell out TRACK DOWN.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
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Mistake: Using ‘track up’ instead of ‘track down’.
Correction: Always use ‘down’ with ‘track’ in this context. -
Mistake: Placing a pronoun after ‘down’ (e.g., “I tracked down it”).
Correction: Always put pronouns between ‘track’ and ‘down’ (e.g., “I tracked it down”). -
Mistake: Using ‘track down’ for simple, quick searches.
Correction: Reserve ‘track down’ for more extensive or challenging searches. -
Mistake: Overusing ‘track down’ in formal writing.
Correction: While it’s acceptable in IELTS, use more formal alternatives in highly academic contexts. -
Mistake: Confusing ‘track down’ with ‘trace back’.
Correction: ‘Track down’ means to find something, while ‘trace back’ means to find the origin or source of something.
Conclusion
Mastering phrasal verbs like ‘track down’ can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. It adds depth and naturalness to your English, demonstrating a higher level of language proficiency. Remember to practice using ‘track down’ in various contexts, both in speaking and writing. By incorporating this phrasal verb effectively, you’ll be better equipped to write down your thoughts clearly and express yourself more fluently in the IELTS exam. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll find that using ‘track down’ becomes second nature, helping you to track and field better scores in your IELTS journey.
