Quick answer
The Experiences theme covers the events and journeys that shape a life: leisure, travel, life stories, rites of passage, customs and migration. This page gives 20 useful words and phrases in 4 topic groups with an example sentence for each. The IB does not publish a required vocabulary list, so treat this as a working set to use in your own sentences, not as a list to memorize for the exam.
How to use this list
Pick one topic group at a time. Read the example, cover it, then write your own sentence about your school, town or family using the same word. A word you have used three times in your own sentences is far more likely to appear when you need it in an exam than one you have only read.
The topic groups follow the optional recommended topics that the Language B guide lists under this theme. They are suggestions for teachers, not a list of exam questions.
Leisure, holidays and travel
Useful language for tasks and discussions about leisure, holidays and travel.
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| off the beaten track | away from places most tourists visit | We chose a village off the beaten track. |
| itinerary | a planned route or schedule for a trip | Our itinerary left one free day in each city. |
| culture shock | confusion felt in an unfamiliar culture | The silence on public transport was a real culture shock. |
| to broaden your horizons | to widen what you know and accept | A gap year can broaden your horizons. |
| pastime | an activity done for enjoyment | Hiking became a family pastime during the summer. |
IB English B in Nektar
Practise IB English B in the Nektar app.
Choose SL or HL, work through reading, listening and vocabulary lessons, and get feedback on Paper 1 writing and individual oral responses. Keep official IB material for your checkpoints.
Life stories and rites of passage
Useful language for tasks and discussions about life stories and rites of passage.
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| milestone | an important stage or event | Passing the driving test felt like a milestone. |
| coming of age | the move from childhood to adulthood | The novel is a coming of age story set in Lagos. |
| turning point | a moment when a situation changes direction | Changing schools was the turning point in his studies. |
| hindsight | understanding that comes only afterwards | In hindsight, the failure taught me more than the prize. |
| to overcome | to succeed in dealing with a difficulty | She overcame her fear of speaking in public. |
Customs and traditions
Useful language for tasks and discussions about customs and traditions.
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ritual | a set of actions performed in a fixed way | Sunday lunch is a ritual in our house. |
| to commemorate | to remember an event or person officially | The town commemorates the flood every spring. |
| ancestor | a family member from long ago | The festival honours the ancestors of the village. |
| to hand down | to pass something to a younger generation | The recipe was handed down from her great-grandmother. |
| etiquette | the accepted rules of polite behaviour | Table etiquette varies widely between cultures. |
Migration
Useful language for tasks and discussions about migration.
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| to settle | to make a place your permanent home | The family settled in Toronto after two years. |
| homesick | sad because you miss home | He felt homesick every time it rained. |
| host country | the country that receives a migrant or visitor | Learning the language helped her feel at ease in the host country. |
| to uproot | to make someone leave a familiar home | The war uprooted thousands of families. |
| integration | the process of becoming part of a society | Sport played a large role in his integration. |
Turn the list into exam language
Choose five words from different groups and write a 120 word paragraph for a named reader, for example a letter to your head teacher or a post for the school blog. Then record yourself explaining the same idea aloud for one minute without reading. Writing first and speaking second shows you which words you can really retrieve.
Practise with Experiences discussion questions and read the Experiences theme guide for a Paper 1 style task. In the Nektar app, IB English B vocabulary lessons teach theme words in context before the reading and listening texts that use them.
- Write your own sentence for each word
- Use five words in one paragraph for a named reader
- Say the same idea aloud without notes
- Revisit the group after three days
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official IB vocabulary list for Experiences?
No. The IB does not publish a required vocabulary list for the themes. This is an original Nektar study list.
How many words should I learn for the Experiences theme?
There is no set number. A small set you can use accurately in writing and speaking is worth more than a long list you only recognise.
Will these words appear in Paper 2?
No one can predict the texts. The words are common in writing about this theme, so they are likely to help with reading and listening, but they are not taken from exam papers.
IB English B in Nektar
Practise IB English B in the Nektar app.
Choose SL or HL, work through reading, listening and vocabulary lessons, and get feedback on Paper 1 writing and individual oral responses. Keep official IB material for your checkpoints.