Understanding ‘Reward’: Boost Your IELTS Score
Learn the meaning, usage, and common mistakes associated with the word ‘reward’. This video covers its function as both a noun and verb, provides synonyms and antonyms, and offers practical examples to help improve your IELTS performance.
Imagine finishing a challenging project at work and your boss hands you an envelope. Inside is a bonus check.
That feeling of satisfaction and recognition? That’s a reward. Today, we’re exploring the word reward and how to use it effectively in your IELTS exam.
Word type: Reward can function as both a noun and a verb.
Meaning: As a noun, a reward is something given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement.
As a verb, to reward means to give something in recognition of service, effort, or achievement.
Word history: The word reward comes from the Old North French word rewart, meaning to regard or heed.
It entered the English language in the 14th century.
Synonyms: Some synonyms for reward include prize, award, recompense, and compensation.
Antonyms: Antonyms of reward include punishment, penalty, and deprivation.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at how to use reward in context.
The company offers a generous reward for innovative ideas that improve efficiency. Hard work and dedication are often rewarded with promotions and salary increases.
The police announced a substantial reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Many parents use a reward system to encourage good behavior in their children.
Common errors in use: Be careful not to confuse reward with award. While they can be similar, award is typically used for prizes given in competitions or as formal recognition, while reward is more general.
For example, You would say The teacher rewarded the students for their hard work, not The teacher awarded the students for their hard work.
Another common mistake is using reward with for instead of with. Remember, you reward someone with something, not for something.
For example, say The employee was rewarded with a bonus, not The employee was rewarded for a bonus. To boost your IELTS score, try incorporating reward into your speaking and writing tasks.
You could discuss reward systems in education or the workplace, or debate whether external rewards are effective motivators.
Remember, using a variety of vocabulary accurately and appropriately is key to achieving a higher band score in IELTS.
Keep practicing, and soon using words like reward will come naturally to you.
