Quick answer
The Human ingenuity theme covers how human creativity and innovation affect our world: entertainment, the arts, communication and media, technology and science. 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.
Entertainment and artistic expression
Useful language for tasks and discussions about entertainment and artistic expression.
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| masterpiece | a work of outstanding skill | Critics called the film a masterpiece. |
| to portray | to show someone or something in a particular way | The series portrays teenagers as thoughtful rather than lazy. |
| genre | a category of art, music or writing | Science fiction is the genre he reads most. |
| thought-provoking | making people think seriously | It was a thought-provoking exhibition about waste. |
| to adapt | to change a work for a new form | The novel was adapted for the stage last year. |
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.
Communication and media
Useful language for tasks and discussions about communication and media.
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| misinformation | false or inaccurate information | Misinformation spreads faster than corrections. |
| to go viral | to spread quickly online | The clip went viral within an hour. |
| bias | an unfair preference for one side | Readers should look for bias in the headline as well as the text. |
| coverage | the reporting of an event | Coverage of the protest differed between channels. |
| to fact-check | to confirm that a claim is true | She fact-checked the statistic before sharing it. |
Technology
Useful language for tasks and discussions about technology.
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| breakthrough | an important discovery or development | The battery design was a breakthrough for electric cars. |
| artificial intelligence | computer systems that perform tasks needing human-like judgement | Artificial intelligence now drafts emails and summarises reports. |
| obsolete | no longer used because something newer exists | Paper maps are almost obsolete for young drivers. |
| to automate | to make a process run by machine | The factory automated its packing line. |
| digital divide | the gap between people with and without access to technology | Remote lessons exposed the digital divide between districts. |
Scientific innovation
Useful language for tasks and discussions about scientific innovation.
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| trial | a test of how well something works | The vaccine passed its final trial. |
| ethical | relating to what is morally right | Gene editing raises ethical questions. |
| to pioneer | to be the first to develop something | She pioneered a cheaper method of testing water. |
| side effect | an unintended result | Screen fatigue is a side effect of online study. |
| sustainable | able to continue without causing damage | The team is searching for a sustainable alternative to plastic. |
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 Human ingenuity discussion questions and read the Human ingenuity 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 Human ingenuity?
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 Human ingenuity 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.