![Cambridge YLE Vocabulary List by Topic – Starters, Movers & Flyers [2026]](/assets/blog/og-cambridge-flyers-vocabulary.png)
Vocabulary is the foundation of every skill tested in Cambridge Flyers. The Cambridge YLE word list spans 1,348 words across all three levels: Starters, Movers and Flyers. We group them into 14 study topics. This article lists all 14 topics with words grouped by level, and the most effective ways to review and reinforce what children learn in class.
Browse the full word lists: Starters, Movers and Flyers. Or practise them with our free Cambridge Flyers games →
Why Topic-Based Vocabulary Learning Works
Cambridge publishes its Young Learners wordlist grouped by topic, so learning the words that way mirrors how they appear in the exam. Learning 'cat, dog, rabbit, parrot, goldfish' together also gives a child a shared context to hang each new word on, rather than a list of unrelated items.
Cambridge YLE Vocabulary in 14 Study Topics
1. Family & Friends
2. School & Education
3. Animals & Pets
4. Food & Drinks
5. Sports & Hobbies
6. Home & Furniture
7. Weather & Nature
8. Transport & Travel
9. Body & Health
10. Clothes & Accessories
11. Jobs & Work
12. Places in Town
13. Technology & Media
14. Free Time & Entertainment
Which Topics Appear Most Often in the Exam?
We have no verified source for how often each topic is tested, so this guide doesn't rank them. Your child's own practice is a better place to look. Prioritise like this:
- Slow or wrong answers: groups where your child pauses before answering, or gets the word wrong. Note them as you go.
- Weak across sessions: groups where the same words keep coming back wrong, not just once on a bad day.
- Not reviewed lately: groups your child hasn't touched in a few weeks, even if they were solid at the time.
- Everything else: one light pass a week, so no group goes cold before the exam.
4 Most Effective Vocabulary Study Methods
Spaced Repetition
Review 10–15 new words per day, then revisit them at intervals of 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days. The Flashcard system in Flyers English automatically sorts vocabulary into three groups: 'Mastered', 'Needs practice' and 'Weak point', based on actual game performance.
Image-Based Learning
For young learners, vocabulary linked to images is easier to recall than a word-and-translation pair. Flyers English uses 990 unique pixel art illustrations: every word in the Cambridge YLE list has its own image designed for children aged 7–12.
Game-Based Revision
Vocabulary Tower and Word Blaster on Flyers English review Cambridge YLE vocabulary through arcade games, so children practise without realising they are studying. Retrieving a word from memory is what makes it stick, which is why the games ask children to recall rather than re-read.
Learning in Context
Don't learn words in isolation. Learning 'The elephant has a long trunk' in a sentence creates stronger memory. The Story Tower module places vocabulary inside illustrated short stories, so children practise words and reading comprehension at the same time.
Ready to turn vocabulary into exam skills? See our Cambridge Flyers exam prep guide → and practice guides by skill →
How Flyers English Covers Cambridge YLE Vocabulary
- All 1,370 Cambridge YLE words, free to browse by level and theme
- 990 unique pixel art illustrations across all 14 study topics
- Smart Flashcard system tracking progress word by word
- Family progress summary showing which words have been mastered and which need more practice
Summary
Mastering the 1,348 Cambridge YLE vocabulary words is the single most important step towards a strong Flyers result. Learn by topic alongside class teaching, and use images and games to ensure children don't just memorise words but understand and can use them in context. For a complete daily preparation strategy, see our Cambridge Flyers preparation guide.