IELTS Topic Vocabulary: Media (Free PDF)
Useful media, news and advertising chunks for Speaking and Writing Task 2. Learn collocations, not isolated words. Free printable PDF with DailyEnglishPro.com branding.
How to use this list
Media, news and advertising questions are common in Task 2 and Part 3. This mini-list covers journalism, television, advertising, social media influence, traditional media and media effects.
Learn chunks with a personal example. Collocations score better for Lexical Resource than single words with a translation.
Media questions mix several sub-topics: news, TV, advertising and social platforms. Many candidates blur them together. Using the right chunk for each, such as press freedom for news or celebrity endorsement for advertising, shows control and keeps your essay focused.
- Choose two mini-lists and pick 6-8 chunks you can use naturally
- Write two Task 2 sentences about media using three chunks
- Say one Part 2 or Part 3 answer aloud with at least four chunks
- Check your draft in Writing Checker, then download the PDF for offline review
- Follow the recycling steps and the 20 minute practice loop below before you add new chunks
- Keep a notebook with three columns: chunk, your own example sentence, and the mistake you made last time
How to recycle media chunks in Speaking Part 2 and Task 2
A topic list only helps if the same chunks work in more than one place. The media chunks below can be reused in a two-minute Part 2 talk, in Part 3 follow-up answers, and in a Task 2 body paragraph. You change the sentence frame, not the vocabulary. That repetition is what turns a recognised phrase into one you can produce under pressure.
| Task | Sample prompt | Chunks to recycle |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking Part 2 | Describe a documentary or programme that taught you something. | documentary, raise awareness, target audience, shape attitudes |
| Writing Task 2 | Advertising has too much influence on what people buy. To what extent do you agree? | persuasive techniques, celebrity endorsement, consumer spending, misleading advertising |
Part 2 model: "I once watched a documentary about plastic pollution. It was aimed at a young target audience, and it helped raise awareness of how daily choices shape attitudes towards waste." Notice that the chunks sit inside a personal story with a reason and a result. That is more convincing than a string of topic words.
Task 2 model: "Persuasive techniques such as celebrity endorsement can boost consumer spending, but misleading advertising to children is a risk that regulators should address." The same vocabulary appears here, but the sentence is formal and balanced, with a cause or a consequence attached.
- 1Choose three chunks, not tenPick three chunks from the media tables below that you could say about your own life. Personal relevance is what makes them stick.
- 2Say them in a story firstSpeak for 90 seconds on a cue card. Add one reason and one example for every chunk. Record it on Speaking practice.
- 3Rewrite the same ideas formallyTurn two of your spoken sentences into Task 2 sentences. Replace personal examples with general ones such as 'in many countries' or 'for example, in cities'.
- 4Repeat on a different promptUse the same three chunks on a new question the next day. If you can reuse them naturally, they are now part of your active vocabulary.
Media collocation tips, common mistakes and a practice loop
Most Lexical Resource errors on this topic are not wrong words. They are wrong partners: the wrong verb, preposition or noun form around a correct word. Learn each chunk as a unit and check the verb that goes with it. The table shows slips we see often in media answers, with a safer version you can copy.
| Common slip | Better chunk | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| the medias | the media / the mass media | Media is already plural in form. Do not add an s. |
| see the news | follow breaking news / keep up with current affairs | Follow and keep up with are the natural partners. |
| an advertising | an advertisement / an advertising campaign | Advertising is uncountable. Use 'advertisement' or add 'campaign'. |
| influence to people | influence people / have an influence on people | Influence as a verb takes no preposition. As a noun it takes 'on'. |
| do an advertisement | launch an advertising campaign | Companies launch campaigns. 'Do' is too general. |
| a journal of facts | investigative journalism / a reliable source | Journalism is the field. A journal is a periodical. |
Use the loop below for one study block. It takes about 20 minutes and combines speaking, writing and feedback, so each chunk is tested in both skills before you move on.
| Step | Time | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Select | 3 min | Choose one media mini-list and highlight six chunks you could use about your own experience. |
| 2. Speak | 4 min | Answer one cue card or Part 3 question aloud with at least four chunks, then record it with Speaking practice. |
| 3. Write | 8 min | Write one Task 2 body paragraph: topic sentence, reason, example. Use three chunks and keep sentences clear. |
| 4. Check | 3 min | Paste the paragraph into Writing Checker and note any chunk used with the wrong verb or preposition. |
| 5. Log | 2 min | Add two corrected chunks to your notebook with an example sentence of your own. |
| 6. Retest | Weekly | Sit a timed mock test and see whether the chunks come back naturally under exam pressure. |
News and journalism
Reporting, headlines and sources.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| mass media | the mass media shapes public opinion |
| breaking news | follow breaking news on a phone app |
| investigative journalism | investigative journalism exposes corruption |
| reliable source | check whether a source is reliable |
| biased reporting | biased reporting can mislead readers |
| sensational headlines | sensational headlines attract clicks |
| press freedom | press freedom is vital for democracy |
| current affairs | keep up with current affairs daily |
Television and film
Screens, shows and entertainment.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| prime time | advertisers pay more for prime time slots |
| reality show | a reality show can be addictive |
| documentary | a documentary raises awareness of issues |
| streaming service | a streaming service replaces cable TV |
| binge-watch | people binge-watch series at weekends |
| box office hit | the film was a box office hit |
| special effects | special effects make action films exciting |
| family entertainment | TV remains family entertainment |
Advertising and marketing
Persuasion, brands and consumers.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| advertising campaign | launch an advertising campaign |
| brand awareness | build brand awareness among young people |
| target audience | ads aimed at a specific target audience |
| persuasive techniques | persuasive techniques influence what we buy |
| celebrity endorsement | celebrity endorsement boosts sales |
| consumer spending | advertising drives consumer spending |
| misleading advertising | ban misleading advertising to children |
| product placement | product placement in films is subtle |
Print, radio and traditional media
Newspapers, magazines and audio.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| print media | print media is in decline |
| daily newspaper | buy a daily newspaper on the way to work |
| circulation figures | falling circulation figures worry publishers |
| podcast | listen to a podcast while commuting |
| radio broadcast | a radio broadcast reaches rural areas |
| subscription | pay a subscription for premium articles |
| editorial | the editorial argued for reform |
| traditional media | traditional media still has authority |
Media effects and responsibility
Influence on society, children and culture.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| media literacy | teach media literacy in schools |
| cultural homogenisation | global media can lead to cultural homogenisation |
| negative stereotypes | media can reinforce negative stereotypes |
| violent content | violent content may affect young viewers |
| censorship | censorship limits freedom of expression |
| raise awareness | media campaigns raise awareness of health issues |
| shape attitudes | films shape attitudes towards gender |
| be exposed to | children are exposed to adult content online |
Practise next
Frequently asked questions
Is this media list enough for the exam?+
It is a focused starter bank, not a full lexicon. Use it with your own examples and wider reading for depth. For other themes, start from the 100 topic vocabulary mini-lists.
How many of these chunks should I use in one Part 2 answer?+
Four to six is plenty for a two-minute talk. Put them inside a real story with a reason and an example. If you need a smooth opening line first, try the 100 Part 2 cue card starters, then drill the full answer on Speaking practice.
Should I use all of these words in one essay?+
No. Pick a handful that fit the question. Overloading an essay with topic words can hurt coherence and accuracy. Two or three well-placed chunks per body paragraph are enough.
Can I use these chunks in Speaking too?+
Yes. Most are natural in Part 2 and Part 3. Keep sentences conversational and avoid reading them like a list. Practise on Speaking practice, and see Part 3 question types for how to extend answers.
How can I check whether I used a chunk correctly?+
Write a short paragraph and run it through Writing Checker. Look for wrong verbs, missing prepositions and singular or plural slips around the chunk. Then confirm the pattern in your notebook before reusing it.
Which topic lists should I study after media?+
Pair it with Technology vocabulary and Crime vocabulary because the themes overlap in Part 3 and Task 2. For a bigger spread, use the 100 topic vocabulary mini-lists and the Band 6 to 7 phrase swaps.
How do I avoid mixing up media, news and advertising?+
Decide which sub-topic the question targets. If it asks about information, use news chunks such as press freedom and reliable source. If it asks about buying, use advertising chunks such as target audience and brand awareness. Keep one sub-topic per body paragraph.
How do I test whether this vocabulary is working under exam conditions?+
Sit a full timed mock test after a week of drills. If the chunks appear naturally in your Speaking and Writing without checking the list, they are working. If not, return to the practice loop.
Where is the free PDF?+
Use Download free PDF above the practice CTA. Every page includes DailyEnglishPro.com plus links to mock tests and Pro.
Social media influence
Influencers, trends and public opinion.