Vocabulary for IELTS

Vocabulary is not only useful for the IELTS exam itself, but also for everyday life. Having a good grammar and vocabulary range is essential in any language, no matter what level you are at. It’s important to practice regularly, with books or online tools such as flashcards, quizzes, and other resources that can help you learn new words quickly and efficiently.

When studying for the IELTS exam, it’s useful to focus on topics related to the test structure, such as health, education, work and career, environment, and government. Knowing key terms related to these areas can help you answer questions more accurately.

Additionally, familiarizing yourself with idioms and collocations (commonly used phrases) is also a great way to boost your score on the speaking and writing sections of the exam.

The Various Types of Vocabulary Required for IELTS Success

• General academic words: This includes words related to research, studies, and experiments.

• Subject-specific words: These are words related to different subject areas such as humanities and social sciences.

• Key phrases for essay writing: Knowing common phrases used in IELTS essays can help you improve your score on the writing section of the exam.

• Idioms and collocations: Understanding these can help you sound more natural when speaking or writing in English.

• Familiar words related to test topics: Knowing keywords relating to IELTS topics such as health, environment and government can help you answer questions more accurately.

Here are some possible areas on which to focus your IELTS vocabulary studies:

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Creativity.

• Cliché: an overused phrase or idea.

• Masterpiece: an extraordinary example of creativity.

• Innovation: the introduction of something new and different.

• Idea: a thought, concept, or opinion formed in the mind.

• Inspiration: a feeling that encourages creative thinking.

• Inventive: having the ability to think up new ideas and solutions.

Artifact:

What is the meaning of an artifact?

An artifact is something created by humans, either deliberately or accidentally. It can be anything

Example

The artifact I found in the attic was really interesting.

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: People

Individual: a single human being, as distinguished from a group

Population: all the people living in a particular country, area, or place

Resident: a person who lives in a particular place

Immigrant: a person who moves to another country or region to settle there

Prosperous: having success, wealth, and good fortune

Indolent: having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful

Prevalence: the fact of being prevalent; widespread occurrence

Outrageous: shockingly bad or excessive in degree or amount

Miserly: meanly stingy in the use of money; niggardly

Expatriate: a person who lives outside their native country

Intrepid: fearless and courageous.

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Health & Fitness

Wellness: the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal

Hygiene: a set of practices performed to preserve the health

Nutrition: the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth

Physiology: the branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of living organisms

Metabolism: all chemical reactions involved in maintaining life

Cardiovascular: relating to the heart and blood vessels

Aerobic Exercise: physical exercise that increases oxygen intake

Strength Training: resistance training designed to increase muscle strength.

Calorie Intake: the amount of energy derived from food consumed by an organism per unit of time.

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Science  & Technology

Innovation: the introduction of something new or different

Research: a systematic investigation to establish facts or principles

Theory: a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an idea used to account for known facts

Experiment: a test done under controlled conditions to evaluate a hypothesis

Robotics: the science and technology of robots and their design, manufacture, application, and use

Computer Science: the study of computers and computing techniques.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Community & Government

Autonomy: the power or right of self-government

Diversity: the state or fact of being diverse; the difference

Democracy: a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives

Rights: moral or legal entitlements to do something or to not be obliged to do something else

Justice: just behavior or treatment; fairness

Religion: belief in and worship of supernatural power, especially a personal God controlling human destiny

Civic Duty: an individual’s responsibility as a citizen to take part in community life and public affairs.

IELTS Vocabulary Topic:  Study & Work

Study: the devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge on an academic subject, especially by means of books

Career: an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress

Academic: relating or devoted to learning or study in general, esp. at a college or university

Vocation: a special aptitude, inclination, or calling toward a particular career

Curriculum: the subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college

Competence: being adequately qualified and able to perform a task effectively and efficiently

Entrepreneurial: having the skill to organize and manage business ventures successfully.

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Advertising & Media

Advertising: the activity or profession of producing such publicity

Marketing: the action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising

Public Relations: the professional maintenance of a favorable public image by a company or other organization

Brand: an identifying mark used to distinguish one product from others

Influence: the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something

Media: means of mass communication such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and websites.  ​

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Travel & Places 

Travel: the action of traveling, typically abroad

Culture: the beliefs and practices that characterize a particular society or group

Tourism: the commercial organization and operation of vacations and visits to places of interest

Adventure: an unusual and exciting experience or activity

Hospitality: friendly reception and treatment of visitors or guests

Landmark: an object or feature used to identify a place; an important point in time.

Leisure: free time away from work devoted to rest, relaxation, sport, etc.

Recreation: activities done for enjoyment when one is not working

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Government & Law

Legislature: the power or right to make and pass laws

Constitution: a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state, organization, or community is governed

Civil Liberties: the freedom of an individual or group from oppressive restrictions imposed by government or society on behavior or political views.

Judiciary: the judicial branch of government that interprets and applies laws

System of Justice: the set of rules and procedures used in law-making and enforcement

Taxes: money paid to governments for public purposes such as defense, infrastructure, national debt repayment, etc.

Politics: activities associated with influencing people’s behavior in order for them to achieve power within an organization.

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Animals  & Nature

Animals: any living thing that is not a plant, such as mammals, birds, insects, and fish

Environment: the natural world and the effect of human activity on it

Wildlife: animals and plants in their natural habitat

Biodiversity: the variety of animal and plant life in a particular habitat or ecosystem

Conservation: protection of the environment from destruction or pollution.

Ecology: the branch of science concerned with the relationships between living organisms and their environment

Habitat: the place or type of surroundings where a particular organism naturally lives and grows.  ​

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Space  & Technology

Space: the area beyond Earth’s atmosphere, extending into interstellar space

Robotics: the technology dealing with the design, construction, and operation of robots

Astronomy: the scientific study of matter in outer space, especially the positions, dimensions, distribution, motion, composition, energy, and evolution of celestial bodies and phenomena

AI: artificial intelligence; computer simulations that imitate human behavior

Nanotechnology: engineering on a very small scale using molecules or atomic particles

Telecommunications: communication over long distances using electronic signals. ​​

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Technology & Computer 

Artificial Intelligence: the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages

Data: facts or statistics collected together for reference or analysis.

Algorithms: a set of instructions for solving a problem or completing a task

Networking: the exchange of information between two or more computers in order to share resources and data

Programming: the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging / troubleshooting, and maintaining the source code of computer programs

Software Engineering: the application of engineering principles to software design and development. ​​

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Fashion & Art

Style: the mode of expression, especially in clothing and accessories, adopted by a person or group

Fashion: the currently accepted or popular style in dress, manners, speech, etc.

Art: the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination

Trends: styles that are fashionable at a particular time

Designer: someone who creates and often manufactures clothing according to established trends

Beauty: a combination of qualities pleasing to the sight or other senses; an attractive feature. ​

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: City  & Urbanization

Urbanization: the process by which cities and towns grow and become larger, more populated, or more industrialized

Density: the state of being crowded together; the amount of people per unit area

Architecture: the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings

Infrastructure: the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) needed for a country, region, or organization to function properly

Housing: dwellings that are available for people to live in

Transportation: systems used to carry people and goods from one place to another. ​

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Environment  & Pollution

Environment: the natural world and the effect of human activity on it

Pollution: the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment

Climate Change: a long-term shift in temperature and weather patterns caused by an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels due to human activities

Natural Resources: materials that come from nature and can be used for economic gain, such as timber, water, air, minerals, and soil

Sustainability: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. ​

IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Energy & Conservation

Energy: the capacity for vigorous activity; available power

Conservation: the protection, preservation, management, or restoration of natural environments and their inhabitants

Renewable Energy: energy sources that are not depleted when used, such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and some types of biomass

Fossil Fuels: a general term for buried combustible geologic deposits of organic materials, formed from decayed plants and animals that have been converted to crude oil, coal, natural gas, or heavy oils by exposure to heat and pressure in the Earth’s crust over hundreds of millions of years.

Nuclear Power: energy produced by nuclear fission; a form of energy generated by splitting atoms in a reactor.​ ​

How to Prepare for IELTS Vocabulary

1. Know the test structure: Understanding the format and type of questions in each section of the IELTS can help you focus your vocabulary studies and prepare more effectively.

2. Focus on topics: Research keywords related to topics that are likely to appear in IELTS questions such as health, education, work and career, environment, and government.

3. Practice regularly: Use resources such as flashcards, quizzes, and other learning tools to practice new words regularly.

4. Learn idioms and collocations: These will help you sound more natural when speaking or writing in English for the IELTS exam.

5. Read widely: Reading is a great way to learn new vocabulary quickly and efficiently.

Finally, it’s important not only to learn new words but also to review what you already know – so don’t forget to practice your existing vocabulary too!

With hard work and dedication, you’ll soon be increasing your vocabulary range in no time at all! Good luck!

Days of the Week

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday; weekdays, weekend.

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Hobbies

Gardening, Stamp Collection, Orienteering, Caving, Spelunking, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Skateboarding, Bowls, Archery, Ice Skating, Darts, Golf, Billiards, Photography, Painting, Embroidery, Climbing, Chess, Parachute, Pottery, Woodcarving.

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Subjects

Science, Politics, Architecture, Law, Geography, History, Biology, Archaeology, Literature, Statistics, Mathematics, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Logic, Physics, Psychology, Anthropology, Economics, Philosophy, Chemistry, Humanities, Business Management, and Agriculture.

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at

Catalog, Interview, Research Method, Entertainment Industry, TV Program, Strategies, Leadership, Management, Customer, Special Offer, Collecting Data, Display, Products, Questionnaire, Survey, Mass Media, Poll, Business Card, Training, Trainee, Statistic, Profit Margin, Newsletter, Competition, Merchandise, Manufacture, Recruitment.

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Studying at College/University

Course Outline, Group Discussion, Handout, Research, Proofreading, Experiment, Written Work, Report Writing, Experience, Reference, Textbook, Student Advisor, Teamwork, Module, Topic, Dictionary, Laptop, Printer, Assessment, Library, Department, Computer Centre, Classroom, Attendance, Deadline, Speech, Lecture, Tutor, Main Hall, Computer Laboratory, Certificate, Diploma, Placement Test, Facilities, College, Dining Room, Specialist, Knowledge, International, Accommodation, Overseas Students, Full-time, Homestay, Primary, Secondary, Intermediate, Media Room, Commencement, Dissertation, Leaflet, School Reunion, Feedback, Tasks, Outcomes, Advanced, Introductory, Extra Background, Resources Room, Staff, Higher Education, Guidelines, Post-secondary, Faculty, Pupils, Pencil, Supervisor, Bachelor’s Degree, Compound, Foreign Students, Schedule, Vocabulary, Student Support Services, Student Retention, Publication, Registrar’s Office, Stationery.

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Works and Jobs

Designer, Occupation, Profession, Decorator, Architect, Engineer, Waiter, Teacher, Vacancy, Professor, Specialist, Manager, Waitress, Psychologist, Volunteer, Craftsman, Work Experience, Curriculum Vitae, Freelance, Secretary, Mail Address, Receptionist, Pilot, Lecturer, Office Assistant, Clerk, Accountant, Guard, Flight Attendant, Cashier, Captain.

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Health

Yoga, Tai-chi, Keep-fit, Salad Bar, Vegetarian, Outdoor Activities, Leisure Time, Disease, Meal, Protein.

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Workplaces

Staff Selection, Clinic, Dentist, Reception, Appointment, Colleague, Workshop, Employer, Employment, Unemployed, Technical Cooperation, Team Leaders, Showroom, Information Desk, Stress, Ability, Vision, Employee, Internship, Confidence.

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Places

Parliament, Accommodation, Local Library, Swimming Pool, Cafeteria, Cottage, Restaurant, Bookshop, Sports Center, City Council, Canteen, Cafe, Dance Studio, Park, Conversation Club, Kindergarten.

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Money Matters

Cash, Debit, Low-risk Investment, Credit Card, Cheque, Annual Fee, Monthly Membership, Tuition Fees, Poverty, Bank Statement, Money Management, Current Account, Interest Rate, Deposit, Student Account, Withdraw, Mortgage, Grace Period, In Advance, Budget Deficit, Retail Voucher, Coupon, Counterfeit Money, Debt, Interest-free Credit, Purchase, Partial Refund, Annuity, Public Money, Taxpayers’ Money, Income, Non-refundable, MasterCard, VISA, Duty-free Store, Distribution Costs, Finance Department, Family Finances.

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Rating and Qualities

Expensive, Cheap, Reasonable, Satisfactory, Dangerous, Poor Quality, Satisfied, Disappointed, Efficient, Luxurious, Safe, Strongly Recommended, Colored, Spotted, Striped.

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Touring

Souvenir, Trip, Tourist Guide, Ticket Office, Guest, Reservation, View, Culture, Single/Double-bedded Room, Picnic, Tourist Attraction, Hostel, Suite, Memorable, Aquarium.

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Adjectives

Energetic, Social, Ancient, Necessary, Fantastic, Exciting, Fabulous, Dull, Comfortable, Convenient, Suitable, Affordable, Voluntary, Mandatory, Compulsory, Temporary, Permanent, Immense, Vast, Salty, Extinct, Vulnerable, Pessimistic, Optimistic, Realistic, Practical, Knowledgeable, Flexible, Confident, Western, Intensive, Tranquil, Spectacular, Intact, Various.

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Verbs

Train, Develop, Collect, Supervise, Mark, Edit, Revise, Exhibit, Donate, Surpass, Register, Support, Hunt, Persuade, Concentrate, Discuss, Suggest, Arrange, Borrow, Immigrate, Review, Learn, Touch.

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Sports

Jet-skiing, Bodyboarding, Snowboarding, Cricket, Baseball, Basketball, Rugby, Hang-gliding, Skydiving, Soccer, American Football, Hockey, Swimming, Tennis, Squash, The Javelin, Badminton, Ping-pong, Field, Court, Pitch, Stadium, Team, The Discus, The Hammer, The High Jump, Horse Racing, Show Jumping, Polo, Cycling, Canoeing, Refreshment, Gymnasium, Extreme Sports, Paragliding, Abseiling, Athlete, Gym, Bungee Jumping, White-water Rafting, Surfing, Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Mountain Biking, Push-up, Judo, Recreation, Jogging, Press-up, Snooker, Walking, Barbell, Treadmill, Championship.

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Shapes

Oval, Square, Rectangular, Triangular, Polygon, Spherical, Circular, Curved, Cylindrical, Three Dimensions.

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Measurement

Width, Length, Altitude, Imperial System, Metric System, Spiral, Mass, Depth, Breadth, Height, Frequency.

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Weather

Humid, Hot, Sticky, Breeze, Chilly, Cold, Cool, Dry, Dusty, Freezing, Warm, Wet, Weather Forecast, Antenna, Moisture.

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Countries and Languages

Switzerland, Turkey, England, Egypt, Mexico, Germany, Greece, Brazil, India, North Korea, Dominican Republic, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, China, Italy, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, Philippines, Denmark.

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Languages

Japanese, German, Linguistics, Bilingual, Trilingual, Polyglot, Portuguese, Mandarin, Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Russian, Punjabi, Thai, Persian, Filipino, French, Italian, Greek.

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Architecture and Buildings

Dome, Palace, Fort, Castle, Glasshouse, Pyramid, Log Cabin, Lighthouse, Hut, Skyscraper, Sculpture.

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Homes

Chimney, Bedroom, Semi-detached House, Duplex, Townhouse, Row House, Bungalow, Thatched Cottage, Mobile Home, Houseboat, Block of Flats, Apartment Building, Condominium, Basement, Landlord, Terraced House, Tenant, Rent, Lease, Neighborhood, Suburb, Dormitory, Story, Kitchen, Refrigerator, Microwave, Sofa, Coffee Table, Ground Floor, Oven, Hallway, Insurance.

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In the City

Central Station, Cities, Street, Lane, City Center, Car Park, Department Store, Bridge, Temple, Hospital, Garden, Avenue, Embassy, Road System.

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Transportations

Boat, Lifeboat, Cargo Plane, Shipment, Container Ship, Ferry, Liner, Canal Boat, Narrowboat, Dinghy Sailing, Hovercraft, Hydrofoil, Sailboat, Paddle Steamer, Cabin Cruiser, Kayak, Canoe, Punt, Gondola, Aircraft, Rowing Boat, Rowboat, Helicopter, Seaplane, Airship, Hot-air Balloon, Airport, Platform, Hire a Car, Automobile, Crew, Passenger.

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Healthy Diet

Balanced Diet, Food Pyramid, Vitamin, Carbohydrates, Rice, Pasta, Potatoes, Pizza, Tomatoes, Bread, Cereals, Minerals, Zinc, Meat, Seafood, Eggs, Beans, Milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Fruit, Vegetables, Citrus Fruits, Green Pepper, Blackcurrant, Nuts, Egg Yolk, Liver, Medicine, Treatment, Remedy, Nursing Care, Nursery, Regular Exercise.

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Nature and Environment

Field, Footbridge, River, Mountain, Forest, Village, Environment, Waterfall, Coast, Reef, Lake, Valley, Peninsula, Earthquake, Avalanche, Tornado, Typhoon, Hill, Cliff, Island, Desertification, Volcano, Disaster, Landslides, Storm, Flood, Hurricane, Pond, Catastrophe, Erosion, Jungle, Oasis, Dam, Canyon.

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Environment

Coal, Fossil Fuels, Acid Rain, Global Warming, Carbon Dioxide, Greenhouse Effect, Burning Fossil, Exhaust Fumes, Smog, Climate, Pollution, Temperature, Power Plants, Deforestation, Nitrogen Oxide, Landfill, Cattle, Wind Turbine, Renewable Source of Energy, Reliable, Solar Panels, Solar Power, Hydroelectric Power, Environmentally Friendly, Oxygen, Chemical-Free, Vegetation, Sea Level, Ocean Currents, Soil Conditioner, Firewood, Desert, Degradation, Drought, Contaminated.

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Continents

Australia, Africa, South America, North America, Asia, Europe, and Antarctica.

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Equipment and Tools

Helmet, Light, Musical Instrument, Cassette, Silicon Chip, Digital Monitor, Gadget, Device, Screen, Breaks, Wheels, Mechanical Pencil, Disk, Backpack.

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The Arts and Media

Opera, Orchestra, Concert, Symphony, Press, Conductor, Vocalist, Audience, Festival, Carnival, Exhibition, Classical Music, Theatre, Cinemas, Art Gallery, Museum, Ballet, Television, Radio, Graphics, Newspaper.

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The Animal Kingdom

Lion, Penguin, Seabirds, Poultry and Game, Birds of Prey, Mammals, Genus, Species, Cetacean, Whale, Primates, Rodents, Reptile, Insects, Octopus, Phylum, Fish, Amphibian, Class, Order, Family, Livestock, Creature.

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Plants

Mushroom, Fungus, Stem, Roots, Cluster, Fertilizer, Leaves, Seed, Core, Bark, Trunk, Twig, Branch, Flower.

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Vehicles

Camper, Double-Decker Bus, Single-Decker, Minibus, Forklift Truck, School Bus, Coach, Truck, Tanker, Van, Lorry, Transporter, Tow Truck, Breakdown Truck, Pickup, Jeep, Taxi, Cab, Tram, Underground, Subway, Caravan, Tractor, Steam Train, Freight Train, Goods Train.

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Expressions and Time

Midday, Three Times, Three Times Per Week, Millennium, Gap Year, Full-Time, Part-Time, Midnight, Century, Decade, Fortnight.

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Materials

Aluminium, Copper, Fur, Metal, Steel, Rubber, Plastic, Ceramics, Cement, Stone, Textile, Cotton, Fabric, Wool, Glass, Leather, Bone, Paper, Lumber/Wood, Glue, Concrete, Wax, Paper, Wood, Silver, Composite, Fiberglass, Gold, Feather.

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Color

Blue, White, Orange, Green, Grey, Black, Red, Yellow, Purple, Brown, Pink.

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