The CELPIP Vocabulary That Actually Shows Up: High-Frequency Words by Theme

A person you work with. Cleaner than "co-worker" in writing: "I would like to thank my colleagues for covering my shifts while I was away."

The time by which something must be finished. "The report is due Friday, but I am concerned we will miss the deadline without extra help."

The amount of work assigned to a person. "My current workload makes it difficult to take on the new project this month."

The person who manages you. Formal and neutral. "I have already raised this matter with my supervisor."

A move to a higher position. "The promotion would mean more responsibility, but also a longer commute."

Hours worked beyond the normal schedule. "Staff have been asked to work overtime during the busy season."

To give a task to someone else. "A good manager knows when to delegate rather than do everything alone."

Dependable; can be trusted to perform. "My coworker is reliable — she has never once let the team down."

Requiring a lot of effort or attention. "The role is demanding, but I find the challenge rewarding."

Pay and benefits for work. More formal than "salary". "The compensation package includes health benefits and paid leave."

An open job position. "I am writing to enquire about the vacancy advertised on your website."

To formally leave a job. "After much thought, I have decided to resign and pursue another opportunity."

A person who rents a home. "As a long-term tenant, I would appreciate a faster response to repair requests."

The owner who rents property to tenants. "I have contacted the landlord twice about the broken heater with no reply."

Useful facilities or features, like a gym or laundry. "The building's amenities are a major reason I chose to live here."

Something annoying or disruptive, often used formally in complaints. "The construction noise has become a real nuisance for residents."

A person who lives in a particular place. "Many residents have raised the same concern about parking."

A building or space provided for a purpose. "The community centre is the only facility nearby that offers affordable classes."

To offer help without pay; a person who does so. "I would be happy to volunteer at the neighbourhood cleanup this weekend."

A signed request to authorities. "A group of us has started a petition to keep the local library open."

Keeping something in good condition; repairs. "Regular maintenance of the elevator would prevent these breakdowns."

Overcrowding, usually of traffic. "Traffic congestion on our street has worsened since the new store opened."

Easy to reach or use, including for people with disabilities. "The new ramp makes the entrance accessible to everyone."

Causing disturbance. "The late-night parties have been disruptive to families with young children."

A piece of equipment such as a phone or tablet. "Many families now own more devices than there are people in the home."

An automatic alert from an app. "Constant notifications make it hard to focus on a single task."

Control over your personal information. "Users are increasingly concerned about how companies handle their privacy."

Easy and time-saving. "Online banking is convenient, but it does carry security risks."

Hard to stop using. "Social media is designed to be addictive, which is why screen time keeps climbing."

Working consistently; can be depended on. "A reliable internet connection has become essential for working from home."

To look through online content casually. "Many people browse their phones the moment they wake up."

An online service or app where people interact. "Each platform attracts a slightly different audience."

False information spread, often unintentionally. "Social media makes it easy for misinformation to spread quickly."

To improve to a newer version. "I recently upgraded my phone because the old one had stopped updating."

Time spent looking at a screen. "Doctors recommend limiting children's screen time before bed."

No longer current or useful. "The company's outdated software slows everyone down."

Able to continue without harming the environment long-term. "More cities are investing in sustainable public transport."

Gases released into the air, usually harmful. "Switching to electric buses would cut emissions significantly."

To process waste so it can be reused. "Our building recently made it easier for residents to recycle."

Unwanted material; to use carelessly. "Reducing food waste is one of the simplest ways households can help."

From a source that does not run out, like sun or wind. "Renewable energy is becoming cheaper than fossil fuels."

To use carefully so something lasts. "Simple habits, like shorter showers, help conserve water."

Contamination of air, water, or land. "Air pollution in large cities affects public health every year."

The total environmental impact of a person or activity. "Cycling to work is one way to reduce your carbon footprint."

Meant to be used once and thrown away. "Many cafes have stopped offering disposable cups."

An organised effort to achieve a goal. "The city launched an initiative to plant trees in every neighbourhood."

Another option that can replace something. "Public transit is a practical alternative to driving downtown."

A strong effect. "Small daily choices can have a real impact over time."

The state of being healthy and content. "Many companies now invest in their employees' well-being."

Mental or emotional strain. "Regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress."

A healthy distribution between competing demands. "Finding a balance between work and family is harder than it sounds."

The quality of the food you eat. "Good nutrition has a direct effect on energy and mood."

A regular, repeated set of activities. "A consistent morning routine helps me start the day calmly."

Involving a lot of sitting; not active. "Office jobs often lead to a sedentary lifestyle."

Doing something in a balanced, not excessive, amount. "Most treats are fine in moderation."

To stop something from happening. "Regular checkups can help prevent serious health problems."

A regular behaviour, good or bad. "Breaking the habit of late-night snacking took me a few weeks."

To return to health or normal condition. "The body needs rest days to recover after hard training."

Exhaustion from prolonged stress. "Working without breaks eventually leads to burnout."

Producing good results; helpful. "Walking even twenty minutes a day is beneficial for the heart."

The set of subjects taught in a school or program. "Schools should add basic financial skills to the curriculum."

The fee paid for instruction. "Rising tuition is pushing some students to study online instead."

To officially join a course or school. "I plan to enrol in an evening course to improve my English."

Having a strong reason to act or learn. "Students learn faster when they feel motivated by the subject."

Useful in real situations, not just theoretical. "Hands-on workshops give students practical skills employers want."

A private teacher; to teach one-on-one. "A tutor helped me prepare for the exam in just six weeks."

Able to change to fit needs. "Online courses offer a flexible schedule for working adults."

An official record of training or skill. "A recognised qualification can open doors in a new country."

A formal spoken lesson to a group. "Recorded lectures let students review difficult topics again."

Self-control to keep working at something. "Studying from home requires a lot of discipline."

To widen or expand. "Travel can broaden a young person's view of the world."

Absolutely necessary. "Basic digital skills are now essential in almost every job."

Money returned for a returned product. "I am writing to request a full refund for the faulty appliance."

A guarantee to repair or replace a product. "The laptop is still under warranty, so the repair should be free."

Reasonably priced; within budget. "The store is popular because its prices are genuinely affordable."

A plan for spending money. "Sticking to a monthly budget helped us save for a car."

Proof of purchase. "I have attached a copy of the receipt for your records."

Costing more than it is worth. "The repair felt overpriced compared to other quotes I received."

A cost you have to pay. "Housing is the largest expense for most young families."

A reduction in price. "The store offered a discount to make up for the delay."

Not working correctly. "The product arrived faulty and stopped charging within a day."

A regular payment for ongoing access. "I cancelled the subscription because I rarely used the service."

Fair and sensible, often about price. "Their prices are reasonable given the quality."

To make up for a loss, often with money. "I would expect the company to compensate me for the inconvenience."

The regular journey to and from work. "My commute dropped from an hour to twenty minutes after we moved."

Public transportation. "Reliable public transit reduces the number of cars on the road."

The price of a ride on transport. "The transit fare went up again this year."

A late arrival or holdup. "A signal delay left passengers waiting on the platform for half an hour."

A person walking. "The new crossing makes the intersection safer for pedestrians."

Easy to reach or use. "The station is fully accessible, with elevators on every level."

The place you are travelling to. "We chose the destination because it was close and affordable."

The basic systems a city relies on, like roads and transit. "The city is finally investing in cycling infrastructure."

Overcrowded with traffic. "The downtown core is heavily congested during rush hour."

Within a reasonable budget. "Affordable transit options are essential for low-income residents."

A planned schedule for a trip. "I built a relaxed itinerary so we would not feel rushed."

Done without much planning. "Some of our best trips have been spontaneous weekend drives."

The reporting a topic receives in the media. "The story received heavy coverage for a week, then disappeared."

An unfair leaning toward one side. "Readers should be aware of bias in any single news source."

Where information comes from. "It is wise to check more than one source before believing a claim."

Believable and trustworthy. "A credible report cites evidence rather than rumour."

The title of a news story. "Many people read only the headline and miss the full story."

Causing strong public disagreement. "The proposal was controversial and divided the community."

To make more people informed about something. "The campaign aimed to raise awareness about recycling."

A particular way of viewing something. "A good debate presents more than one perspective."

To describe something as larger or worse than it is. "Some outlets exaggerate risks to attract more clicks."

Based on facts, not personal feelings. "Reporting should be objective, even on emotional topics."

The power to affect opinions or actions. "Social media has a growing influence on how young people vote."

A general direction of change. "There is a clear trend toward getting news from phones rather than print."