Pursuit – IELTS Word of the Day for Speaking & Writing
Learn how to use the word “Pursuit” in your IELTS Writing and Speaking. This blog explains its meaning, common uses, and gives easy examples and sample answers to help you sound more confident and score higher in the IELTS test.
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Looking to add high-impact IELTS Vocabulary to your IELTS answers? The word “pursuit” is a versatile and formal noun that can instantly elevate your performance in IELTS Writing Task 2 and Speaking. Whether you're talking about goals, dreams, or hobbies, using "pursuit" with the right context and collocations can help you demonstrate lexical resource—one of the key criteria in the IELTS band descriptors. In this blog, we’ll explore the meaning, usage, collocations, and sample answers to help you confidently use “pursuit” in your next IELTS test.
What Does “Pursuit” Mean?
Pursuit (noun, uncountable) /pəˈsjuːt/
- The act of following or chasing someone or something.
- An activity or interest that you spend time doing, especially as a hobby.
Synonyms: Hobby, pastime, chase, ambition
How to Use “Pursuit” in IELTS Speaking
“Pursuit” is ideal for answering questions about personal goals, free time, or ambitions in IELTS Speaking Parts 1, 2, and 3.
Sample Speaking Answers:
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I enjoy photography as a creative pursuit. It helps me unwind after a busy day.
IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Cue Card:
Describe a goal you want to achieve.
"One of my biggest dreams is to become a published author. I’m fully committed to the pursuit of excellence in writing and spend hours every day improving my craft."
Q: Do you think people today are more ambitious?
A: Yes, many people are engaged in the vigorous pursuit of success, especially in competitive fields like business or technology.
Using “Pursuit” in IELTS Writing Task 2
In IELTS Writing Task 2, "pursuit" works well in essays about success, education, work-life balance, and modern lifestyles.
Sample Academic Sentences:
- In the pursuit of academic success, students often neglect their mental health.
- The modern world encourages the ruthless pursuit of wealth and status.
- The pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human right and should be supported by government policies.
Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 Answer
Topic: Some people believe that success in life depends on hard work, while others believe it is determined by external factors. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Sample Response:
Success is often seen as the result of dedication and effort. Many argue that hard work and persistence are key to the pursuit of one’s goals. For example, athletes train rigorously for years in the pursuit of excellence in their sport. This view highlights the importance of self-discipline and motivation.
However, others believe that external factors like social background, access to education, and luck also play a significant role. It’s possible for someone to be equally devoted but fail to achieve success due to lack of opportunities.
In my opinion, while external conditions influence outcomes, single-minded pursuit combined with effort is usually what drives people toward long-term achievement.
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Common Collocations with “Pursuit”
To use “pursuit” naturally in IELTS responses, learn these collocations:
Adjective + Pursuit:
- Ruthless pursuit (negative, ambitious without compassion)
- Successful pursuit
- Vigorous pursuit
- Indoor/Leisure/Artistic pursuit
- Example: “She spends her evenings engaged in artistic pursuits like painting and drawing.”
Verbs + Pursuit:
- Give pursuit
“The police gave pursuit after the suspect fled the scene.” - Devote oneself to the pursuit of...
“He devoted his life to the pursuit of knowledge.”
Prepositional Phrases:
- In pursuit of [goal/dream/etc.]
“He moved to another country in pursuit of better career opportunities.” - Hot pursuit (used when someone is being followed very closely)
“The thieves were caught after a chase with police in hot pursuit.”
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Vocabulary Expansion
Add these useful words from the theme of “pursuit” to your IELTS vocabulary list:
|
Word |
Meaning |
Example |
|
Engage in |
To be involved in an activity |
“He engaged in the pursuit of creative hobbies.” |
|
Ruthless |
Without pity; cruel |
“His ruthless pursuit of power ruined many lives.” |
|
Devote |
To give time or energy to something |
“She devoted years to the pursuit of academic excellence.” |
|
Single-minded |
Focusing only on one goal |
“His single-minded pursuit of success was admirable.” |
|
Gallop off |
To move quickly (often used metaphorically) |
“She galloped off in pursuit of her dreams.” |
Practice Task for You
Writing Task:
“People should focus on the pursuit of personal goals rather than social approval.” Do you agree or disagree?
Tip: Use “pursuit” with appropriate collocations like “the pursuit of truth,” “in pursuit of success,” or “devote one’s life to pursuit.”
Related Words of the Day
- Welfare – financial or emotional support for well-being
- Oblivious – unaware of something
- Croon – to sing softly
- Exacerbation – the act of making something worse
- State-of-the-art – the most advanced stage of development
The word “pursuit” is both flexible and formal—perfect for enhancing your IELTS Speaking and Writing responses. Whether you're describing ambition, goals, or hobbies, using “pursuit” correctly can demonstrate your ability to use nuanced academic vocabulary. If you're aiming for top scores, follow the IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+ to further enhance your vocabulary and overall test performance.
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Kasturika Samanta
Kasturika Samanta
Kasturika Samanta
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