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8+ IELTS Vocabulary for Advantages Disadvantages of Bicycles

4,752 views · Published 12 September 2017 · 5:25 · Indexed 10 November 2026

Channel: IELTS Energy TV · 2017 · Education

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Today you’ll learn advanced 8+ vocabulary for advantages and disadvantages of bicycles.

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There was a YouTube comment recently asking about the disadvantages of bicycles.

This got me thinking- I’m so accustomed to discussing the benefits of this transportation, that I would be caught off guard if asked about the drawbacks.

The fact is that on IELTS, there are many opportunities to be surprised by the topic you are asked to speak or write about. Sometimes, it is a subject that you do not talk about in your first language, let alone English.

So, today, you’ll get invaluable words and idioms to discuss the good and the bad of bicycles, but, more importantly, you’ll learn phrases that can be used for a broad range of questions.

Disadvantages of bicycles

Clunky- (speaking) adj. Difficult to move around; awkward

Bicycles are kind of clunky to move around unless you are actually riding them.

Cumbersome- (speaking/writing) adj. Difficult to move around; troublesome; clumsy

Bikes can be a bit cumbersome to maneuver inside, such as up stairs or in and out of elevators.

Left high and dry- (speaking/writing) idiom Left with a problem that you can’t solve

If you get a flat tire, you are basically left high and dry.

Advantages of bicycles 

Self-created momentum to propel one forward- (speaking/writing) idiom 
Momentum- n. Force of movement
Propel- v. Push forward

There’s a lot to be said for paring down one’s transport options.- (speaking/writing) 
There’s a lot to be said for…- Phrase to introduce a good idea
Pare down- (phrasal verb) Simplify

Choose 2-3 of today’s words or phrases to add to your vocabulary notebook, and practice using them in your Speaking and Writing answers.

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