Sometimes the singular and plural of a word can be a bit tricky. ‘Media’ is plural and is the most common form. The singular is … can you guess …? It is ‘medium.’

When you learn new vocab, make sure that you note collocations too. For this group of words some collocations are:
intervene on behalf of, powerless to intervene, intervene in, attempt to isolate, try to isolate, broadcast media, mass media, media attention, access to the media, role of the media, media attention, media circus, distance mode, use another mode, mode of transport, mode of address, mode of communication, the dominant paradigm, a paradigm shift

Check the meanings of the words if you don’t already know them. Check the meanings of the various forms as sometimes they are different. You can check them at Time4english by clicking the words (http://www.time4english.com/aamain/lounge/awl.asp).

Vocabulary for IELTS – Academic Word List 80

Complete the sentences. Choose the correct word and then use the correct form of the word.

1. Some people need ______________ or a quiet environment to be able to gather their thoughts and write. (media, isolation)
2. My favourite ______________ of transport within a city have always been the tram and the train. (isolate, mode)
3. Sometimes you have to let children make their own mistakes; you shouldn’t _______________. (intervene, paradigm)
4. There has been a _______________ shift from a welfare-based society to a finance-based society. (paradigm, intervene)
5. Newspapers were originally a ______________for communication, but some people argue that today they are used primarily for propaganda. (mode, media)

Answers (in the wrong order)
5. medium   3. intervene   2. mode 1. isolation     4. paradigm