What 'equality' covers: Equality sits in the theme Sharing the Planet. You need vocabulary to talk about how we treat one another.
What you need words for
- gender
- diversity
- fairness
- discrimination
- giving your opinion about how we treat one another
Use the list as a glossary: The words below are common English B vocabulary. Treat the list as a glossary: learn each term with its meaning and a synonym, then reuse them in the reading and writing sections.
- equality
- the state of everyone having the same rights and opportunities
- inequality
- an unfair situation where some people have less than others
- diversity
- the presence of people of many different kinds in a group or society
- discrimination
- treating someone unfairly because of who they are (their gender, race, etc.)
- prejudice
- an unfair opinion about someone formed before you really know them
- inclusion
- making sure everyone is welcomed and able to take part
- to exclude — excluded
- to leave someone out — left out
- rights
- the things every person is fairly entitled to (e.g. to be treated equally)
- gender
- the social category of being male, female or another identity
- the pay gap
- the difference between the average earnings of men and women (paying a woman less than a man for the same work is a separate thing: unequal pay)
- to fight (for / against)
- to work hard to defend something good or to oppose something unfair
- to treat everyone equally
- to give every person the same fair treatment
- hurtful (comments)
- words that are deliberately unkind and cause pain
| Useful expression | What it means |
|---|---|
| We should treat everyone equally. | Every person deserves the same fair treatment. |
| I'm against any kind of discrimination. | I oppose treating people unfairly for who they are. |
| Diversity makes society richer. | Having many different people is a good thing, not a problem. |
| No one should be left out. | Everyone should be included and able to take part. |
| We have to defend everyone's rights. | We must stand up for the fair treatment of all people. |
Why this matters: This vocabulary turns up in every skill — a reading text on a school inclusion day, a listening interview about disability rights, a Paper 1 blog, or your oral. Reusing precise topic words is how you score Criterion A (Language).
Free preview
Reading it is one thing — hearing it is another
You're reading the free notes. Aimnova Pro unlocks the full study experience — and you can try it with your first topic free to keep:
- Audio on every wordTap any vocabulary word or example to hear it read aloud in natural English.
- FlashcardsLock in vocabulary and key terms with spaced repetition.
- Practice questionsAnswer exam-style questions and get instant AI marking.
- Mock exams & past-paper vaultSit full mocks and see exactly how examiners award marks.
- Personalised study planA daily plan built around your exam date and weak areas.
Start Studying Free Full access to Aimnova Pro · cancel anytime
Have something to say: Examiners reward developed ideas, not just vocabulary. Around equality, the common debates are: how to reduce discrimination, whether diversity strengthens or divides a society, and how to close the pay gap. Take a position and back it up.
Opinion phrases (use these to introduce a view)
- In my opinion… / From my point of view… — to introduce what you think
- It seems to me that… / I believe that… — a slightly softer way to give a view
- The most important thing is… — to highlight your main point
- On the one hand… on the other hand… — to weigh up two sides
- I completely agree that… / I'm not convinced that… — to react to an idea
The problem
- Some people are still treated unfairly because of their gender or background.
- Hurtful comments online spread prejudice quickly.
- On average, women still earn less than men (the pay gap).
What helps
- Schools that teach inclusion and respect from an early age.
- Laws that defend everyone's rights equally.
- Speaking up instead of staying silent when we see discrimination.
Gender
- Pay gaps, from pocket money to salaries
- Leave for fathers as well as mothers
- Women's sport, prize money, job titles
Disability and access
- Service dogs: what the rules say
- Making public places accessible
- Asking a business to fund a project
Fair chances
- Equal access to education worldwide
- Is one global language fair to everyone?
- Salaries in job adverts, AI in hiring
- the gender pay gap
- the difference between what men and women earn on average
- accessible
- easy for everyone to reach and use, including disabled people
- a stereotype
- a fixed, often unfair idea about what a group of people is like
- inclusion
- making sure everyone can take part and feels they belong
- transparency
- being open, so people can see how decisions are made
- to level the playing field
- to give everyone the same chance
Link your ideas: Connectors lift your answer from a list into an argument: moreover (to add), however (to contrast), therefore (to conclude), although (to concede). Use at least two or three in any written answer.
Feeling unprepared for exams?
Get a clear study plan, practice with real questions, and know exactly where you stand before exam day. No more guessing.
Get Exam Ready FreeYour first topic is free to keep • No credit card required
Read like Paper 2: Here is a short interview/blog — the kind of text Paper 2 (Reading) gives you. Read it once just for the general idea; don't worry about every word. Then we'll work through one exam question together.
Why I still fight for equality (1 of 3): For the school magazine I interviewed Lucas, who runs an LGBT youth group in our town. I wanted to understand why his fight for equality is still necessary.
Why I still fight for equality (2 of 3)
Lucas told me that as a child he felt different and didn't dare talk to anyone about it. That is why he set up the group: a safe space where each person can be themselves without fear. He explained that there is still a lot of discrimination, especially hurtful comments online.
Why I still fight for equality (3 of 3)
However, he also sees progress: today many young people support diversity with pride. As he said goodbye, he told me that equality isn't handed to you — you win it day by day, and that it is worth carrying on the fight.
- to run (a group)
- to be in charge of and organise it
- to dare (to do something)
- to be brave enough to do it
- a safe space
- a place where people feel free to be themselves without fear
- hurtful comments
- deliberately unkind words that cause pain
- to win something day by day
- to achieve it gradually, through steady effort
IB-style task — one Paper 2 question
One question, step by step
- The question — "According to the text, why did Lucas set up the youth group?"
- Find it in the text. Look for the words "set up the group": "That is why he set up the group: a safe space where each person can be themselves without fear."
- The answer — To create a safe space where each person can be themselves without fear. The words are right there in the text, so no outside knowledge is needed.
Reading technique: For an "according to the text" question, find the exact line that proves your answer — don't rely on memory or general knowledge.
The task: Your school is running an equality and diversity campaign. Write a blog post for other students: share something you have learned about discrimination and give advice for building a fairer community.
Write 450–600 words.
Blog structure — 5 steps
1
Catchy title
A title, often a statement or question. "Different is normal."
2
Greeting + topic
Greet the reader and say what the post is about. "Hi everyone! This week our school is running…"
3
Your experience
Tell a short story about discrimination you saw. "A new student was left out because…"
4
Two or three tips
Give advice using imperatives. "Treat everyone equally", "call out hurtful comments", "include the person being left out".
5
Motivating close
Finish with an encouraging line. "Start with one small act of respect this week."
Title → Greeting → Experience → Tips → Close
Model: the 5 steps in ~140 words
The blog post, step by step
- Different is normal — let's prove it.
- Hi everyone! I'm Maya, and this week our school is running an equality and diversity campaign, so I want to share something I've learned.
- Last term a new student joined my class and at first some people left her out because she spoke with an accent. Honestly, I didn't say anything either, and I still regret it.
- So here are three tips. First, treat everyone equally, whatever their background. Second, call out hurtful comments online instead of staying silent. And third, include the person who is being left out — sit with them, talk to them.
- The most important thing, though, is to remember that equality isn't handed to us — we build it day by day. Start with one small act of respect this week and our school will be a fairer place for everyone.
Why it works: A strong blog post does this for each of the three Paper 1 criteria:
A — Language /12
- Range of tenses: past "a new student joined", imperatives "treat", "call out"
- Connectors: "so", "though", "first/second/third"
- Topic vocabulary, used accurately
B — Message /12
- Task fully done: shares a lesson about discrimination AND gives advice
- Ideas developed with concrete examples
C — Conceptual /6
- Blog conventions: a catchy title
- Direct address: "Hi everyone", "our school will be fairer"
- A persuasive, personal tone
Join 2,000+ IB students
Ready to ace Equality?
You've seen the preview. Here's what you'll unlock:
Bite-Sized Study Notes
Full syllabus broken into chunks that stick
Exam Practice
See exactly how to score full marks
AI Feedback
Know exactly what examiners want
Smart Study Plan
Know exactly what to study next
Your first topic is free to keepNo credit card requiredFree to keep