In order to acquire a solid band score in the writing section, candidates must learn and wequip themselves with grammatical tools. Using linking words for IELTS essays or connectors for task 2 in their sentences is one technique to improve your written responses.
The writing component is divided into two sections, with similar marking standards for both tasks. However, task 2, which is an essay-style question, is worth twice as much as task 1 because it is more sophisticated and has a 250-word limit. On the other hand, Task 1 has a word restriction of 150 characters. Candidates can improve their band scores by knowing when to use relevant linkers.
In this post, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step technique for improving your connecting word knowledge. The numerous categories of linking words for IELTS and practice tasks are also included in the following sections.
Table of Contents
Why use connectors in IELTS
One might think why using connectors in IELTS is so important. Connecting words or connectors is an important grammatical tool that improves the readability of an essay for the examiner. They help with sentence structure and serve to connect two related text parts. Linkers can also help candidates communicate their points of view more comprehensively and demonstrate a wider breadth of knowledge and terminology.
Some of the reasons why you should use connectors in IELTS are as follows:
- They provide clarity to the text and provide the written piece a sense of coherence
- Assist in displaying how a text’s components or sentences are related.
- Assist in conveying an idea or a goal
- They aid in the development of a good conclusion.
Most viewed : IELTS Validity (2022)
How to use linking words in IELTS
It is important for the applicants to know how to use linking words in IELTS essays. It is not possible to use connecting words in every situation. In addition, IELTS speaking linkers are employed differently from IELTS writing linkers. As an example, the term ‘like’ may be used in spoken language. On the other hand, in writing jobs, words like therefore, hereby, and so on are useful.
Linking words IELTS writing task 1
Candidates are typically provided visual material in IELTS writing task 1. They are obliged to submit a report of at least 150 words depending on the type of material presented.
You can use the linking words for IELTS writing task 1 in the following ways:
- A description of one visual is followed by a description of another
- Compare and contrast key visual features
- Highlight and describe the data or details of the visuals
Linking words IELTS writing task 2
Candidates must prepare an essay in response to a question or a statement in the second task.
You can use the linking words for IELTS writing task 2 in the following ways:
- Describe the conditions and/or consequences of various scenarios
- Transitions between paragraphs
- A presentation of one’s opinion
Also read : IELTS Band Requirement for Australia
How many linking words to be used in IELTS writing
The coherence and cohesiveness criterion, which accounts for 25% of the marks, is aided by the usage of linking words throughout the essay. But one may get confused as to how many linking words should be used in IELTS writing to score well. The range and flexibility of linking words used in IELTS writing are utilized to evaluate the writing job. Linking words should not be utilized excessively because they throw the reader off from one point to the next.
Category of Linkers for IELTS Writing
Examiners assess the correctness, range, and flexibility of linkers in written essays submitted by individuals.
The following is a category of linkers for IELTS writing that can help you get a decent score:
- Adding information
- Listing
- Providing examples
- Stressing and highlighting
- Consequences and results
- Causes and reasons
- Contrasts and concessions
- Conclusion
- Providing opinion
Let’s take a closer look at each of them now !
Adding information
This form of the linker is utilized to reinforce the key points made by applicants in their essays. The following category of linking words for the IELTS essay tells the examiner that more information will be provided:
- Furthermore
- Additionally
- In addition
- Not only, but also
- Also
- Moreover
- And
- As well as
Listing
In a paragraph, lists are frequently used to present points. In essays, the use of listed vocabulary makes them more official and unambiguous.
Here are a couple of connectors for task 2 to help you list your paragraphs :
- Firstly
- Secondly
- Finally
- Thirdly
- Fourthly
- Lastly
Giving examples
Exercising ideas with examples is frequently beneficial. Candidates must employ a variety of linking words to demonstrate their ideas, and they must sing such words.:
- For instance
- For example
- To cite an example
- To illustrate
- Namely
- Such as
- In other words
Check out : How to prepare for IELTS at Home ?
Stressing and highlighting
It’s critical to be clear about the purpose of your essay. The following IELTS essay linking words can be used to emphasize key ideas and ensure that they are not overlooked:
- Specifically
- Especially
- In particular
- Particularly
- Obviously
- Clearly
- Of course
Consequences and results
When candidates need to describe a consequence or result, these connectors for task 2 come in handy:
- As a result
- Therefore
- Thus
- Consequently
- For this reason
- So
- Hence
Causes and reasons
There may be times when writing an essay that you must explain causes or explanations for a certain remark. These linkers may be useful in this regard:
- Due to
- Because
- Owing to
- As
- Since
Contrasts and concessions
In an essay, it is frequently necessary to provide opposing ideas. This is crucial in debate essays, where in-depth information is required. The linking words listed below will assist candidates in indicating to the reader when they are about to offer an opposing position.:
- Nevertheless
- However
- On the other hand
- Admittedly
- Although
- Even though
- Despite
- But
- Although
- Still
- In spite of
- Alternatively
- In comparison
- By contrast
Conclusion
These connectors are the most effective at bringing a sentence to a close and providing a summary of their response:
- To sum up
- To conclude
- In conclusion
People also read : Best Books on IELTS to ace in your test
Providing opinion
Candidates can use the following linkers to express themselves in a more confident and succinct manner:
- I believe
- I admit
- In my opinion
- I think
- I agree/concur
Practice task with IELTS Linking words task 1
Mention below are some of the practice sample task with IELTS linking words task 1 are mentioned below :
SAMPLE 1
Several key trends are highlighted in these graphics. (1) ________, in 2002, slightly more than half of the population had access to computers. (2) ________ ,over the next eight years, that number grew to almost 75%.. (3)________, the figures varied by group. (4)________, Postgraduates have always been ahead of the curve: in 2002, around three-quarters of postgraduates owned computers; by 2010, that ratio had risen to nearly 95%. (5)________, Those who had not completed high school had a 15% computer ownership rate at the start, which grew to around 45 percent after eight years.
Answers:
1) Firstly/First of all/To start with
2) However/But/Nevertheless
3) On the other hand/However/But/Nevertheless
4) Because this is the beginning of a sentence, any example linking word would function here except “such as.”
5) Any word that can be used to make a comparison or contrast could be used here.
SAMPLE 2
Several major trends can be seen in these graphics. 1. ____, in general, in the year 2000, more than 70% of the population owned a computer. 2. ____, Over the next eight years, this figure grew to roughly 78 percent. 3. ____, these figures differed by group. 4. ____, the military was always ahead of the rest of the populace. In the year 2000, around three-quarters of service personnel owned a computer. By 2008, the proportion had risen dramatically to 80 percent. 5. ____ in eight years, the percentage of non-high school graduates who own a computer increased from 12 percent to roughly 45 percent.
Answers:
- To start with, firstly, first of all
- Nevertheless, however, but
- But, nevertheless, on the other hand
- Except for such as,’ which cannot be used because this is the beginning of a sentence, any example connector can be used here.
- Any connector that compares
Check out : Types of IELTS
Practice task with IELTS linking words task 2
Mention below are some of the practice sample task with IELTS linking words task 2 are mentioned below :
SAMPLE 1
(1)________, young people, especially when it comes to their jobs, require the flexibility to make their own decisions. Some parents may secretly wish for their children to pursue prominent careers or jobs that will have a positive impact on society. These desires are common and aren’t always bad. (2)________, if these wishes become solid expectations, it might be harmful. (3)________, allowing a child to be independent does not entail that the parents should be present. Parents should make an effort to encourage open dialogue about employment choices.. (4)_______, Tim may, if his ambitions do not align with his parents’ intentions, (5) _______ the worry of being judged and confronted by them if approached.
Answers:
- Except for “I concur that” or “I agree that,” which is the first point in the essay, any opinion linking word or phrase would function here.
- Admittedly,
- However,/But/On the other hand,/Nevertheless,
- Any linking word, except “such as,” would work here since it is the start of a sentence.
- consequently/as a result/as a consequence/as a result/as a consequence/accordingly/therefore/on that account/for that reason
Sample 2
Some individuals believe that a person cannot be regarded as successful unless they earn a substantial wage. (1)__________, some claim that if a person works in a low-paying job, he or she would have low self-esteem., (2)__________ many people believe that salary and self-worth are linked. Many people believe this to be true. (3)__________, I believe that for a huge section of the community, free time is more valuable than pursuing a high-paying job that may never be achieved. An abundance of free time allows a person to devote more time to activities or talents that they are passionate about. (4)__________,the person is likely to be a lot happier.(5) __________ is more likely to improve talents that he or she considers to be important. This appears to be a sign of some kind of achievement. (6) __________, While having a high-paying work has long been considered a measure of success, it is evident that there are other ways to assess one’s achievement in life. One of them could be to assess how much time an individual can devote to pursuing activities or talents that are important to him or her.
Answers:
- Furthermore
- Since
- However
- Consequently
- Moreover
- In conclusion
FAQs
Ans: In IELTS writing task 2, linking words or connectors are significant since they make the written content more appealing and fluid. The examiner looks for connecting words in the essay and gives them extra credit. On the whole, these connecting words are signposts and casual.
Ans: Linking words are words or phrases that show the relationship between paragraphs or sections of a text or a speech. Linking words increase cohesiveness by making it more explicit or conveying how ideas relate to one another.
For example:
You are welcome to use my car whenever you need it.
In case it rains, take an umbrella.
Ans: Begin your body paragraph with a notion that relates to the point of view (opinion) you presented in the introduction. This remark is regarded as a topic sentence since it tells the reader about the primary idea of the paragraph. After you’ve created the mainline, you’ll need to back it up with examples.
Ans: Some of the good linking words arex although/even though, even if, in spite, despite, so that, in case, etc.
Comments (0)