Harsh from Ahmedabad got an essay asking whether space exploration is a waste of money. He supported it, but couldn’t name a single practical benefit in English.

Learn IELTS science and space vocabulary as phrases with their usual partners, not as single words. The 15 phrases below sit in two groups, with three Task 2 questions and three Part 3 questions to practise on.

Can You Name a Practical Benefit?

ISRO says satellite transponders over India support television, telecommunication and radio networking, and that INSAT/GSAT satellites carrying meteorological payloads support weather forecasting.

These are benefits you can name. The phrases below help you describe them precisely.

Science Words: Research

Word or phrase Meaning Example
scientific research Careful study of the natural world to discover new facts. Universities carry out scientific research in laboratories.
breakthrough An important discovery that leads to progress. The team hopes to make a breakthrough in cancer treatment.
experiment A scientific test done to study what happens. Scientists conducted an experiment to test the new vaccine.
research funding Money given to pay for research. Universities need reliable research funding to buy equipment.
medical research Scientific study that aims to treat disease and improve health. Charities raise money for medical research.
ethical concerns Worries about whether something is morally right. Cloning animals raises ethical concerns.
genetic engineering Changing the genes of a living thing to change how it develops. Genetic engineering can make a crop resist some pests.
practical applications Real ways in which a discovery can be used. Research in physics can have unexpected practical applications.

Space Words: Space

Word or phrase Meaning Example
space exploration The study of outer space by sending people or machines there. Some people question the cost of space exploration.
satellite A machine sent into space to circle the Earth and collect information. Weather forecasters use satellite pictures to track storms.
launch To send a rocket or spacecraft into space (also a noun). Scientists are preparing to launch a new weather satellite.
space mission A flight into space to carry out a particular task. A space mission may carry instruments to study the Moon.
astronaut A person trained to travel and work in a spacecraft. Astronauts must train carefully before a flight.
orbit The curved path of an object moving around a planet or star. Satellites travel in orbit around the Earth.
private space companies Businesses, not governments, that build rockets or run space flights. Private space companies may be able to cut the cost of launches.

How to Avoid Vocabulary Mistakes

Incorrect: “Scientists made an experiment to test the vaccine.”

Correct: “Scientists conducted an experiment to test the vaccine.”

Oxford Learner’s lists do, perform, conduct and carry out an experiment.

Incorrect: “Doctors hope to make a break through in treating the disease.”

Correct: “Doctors hope to make a breakthrough in treating the disease.”

As a noun, breakthrough is one word: “to make a breakthrough”.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Practice: Science and Space

Give yourself five minutes to plan each answer, which is our advice, not an IELTS rule. Then write it using at least four phrases from the tables.

Practice question 1 (written for this post)

Some people think space exploration is a waste of money when there are problems on Earth. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Money spent in space could instead tackle poverty, hunger and climate change.
  • Satellites already help with weather forecasts and communication.
  • Space research can produce technology that is also useful on Earth.
  • Governments may be able to fund both space programmes and urgent social needs.

Practice question 2 (written for this post)

Some people believe that scientific research should be funded by governments, while others think private companies should pay for it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

  • Governments can fund basic research that may not make a profit.
  • Publicly funded research may be shared more openly.
  • Private companies can invest large amounts and develop products quickly.
  • Companies may focus on research that earns money rather than research that helps many people.

Practice question 3 (written for this post)

Scientists can now change the genes of some crops, for example to help them resist pests. Is this a positive or negative development?

  • Crops that resist pests or drought could help farmers produce more food.
  • Some crops might need fewer pesticides.
  • The long-term effects on health and the environment may not be fully known.
  • Some people worry about who controls the new seeds.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Science and Space Questions and Sample Answers

Part 3 is a discussion of general, abstract issues linked to your Part 2 topic, so practise extended answers on abstract topics and language for giving reasons.

Which scientific discovery has changed people’s lives the most?

Sample answer (illustrative Band 7)

I’d say vaccines and antibiotics. Medical research led to these breakthroughs, and they help doctors prevent or treat many serious infections. I’d also mention electricity, because so much scientific research depends on it, from laboratory equipment to computers.

Should ordinary people be able to travel to space?

Sample answer (illustrative Band 7)

Maybe in future, but not yet. Space travel is expensive and risky, so only a few trained astronauts can go now. If private space companies make it safer and cheaper, ordinary people might one day take a trip. Meanwhile, space missions should focus on research.

Why do some students avoid science subjects at school?

Sample answer (illustrative Band 7)

I think some students find science hard because it involves a lot of formulas and theory. If lessons come mostly from textbooks, with few experiments, they may not see the practical applications. Good teachers who link science to daily life could change that.

Tip

Think of one everyday benefit of satellites, such as weather forecasts, and explain it in two sentences.

Key Takeaways

  • Learn science phrases with their usual partners, not as single words.
  • Use the right verb with experiment: conduct, perform or carry out.
  • Name a practical benefit, then explain how it helps people.

The bottom line: Next time you discuss space, name one practical application and one ethical concern, using phrases from these tables.