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You may need these words both in Task 1 and Task 2. These words are:
in addition / additionally
moreover
furthermore
not only … but also
also
besides
as well as
Task 1
In addition to these four systems, there is also the Logographic system, which works on a
different principle.
Task 2
Furthermore, play allows youngsters to mature emotionally, and gain self-confidence.
however
although
while
whereas
in spite of
despite
For example:
Task 1
In about 1990, the death rate overtook the population growth rate for the first time; however, all
three trends remained roughly static over the next ten years.
Task 2
While questions have been raised regarding the negative impacts that accompany the growth in
the travel sector, these definitely do not outweigh the associated benefits.
Task 1 questions are also constructed in the way that you should compare some figures or data.
So you need to know the following linking expressions for comparison and contrasting:
likewise
like
similarly
in the same way
just as
in comparison
Contrast:
unlike
nevertheless
but
in contrast to
on the other hand
even though
Task 1
To begin, the percentage of pupils in voluntary-controlled schools fell from just over half to only
20% or one fifth from 2000 to 2009. Similarly, the relative number of children in grammar
schools — just under one quarter — dropped by half in the same period. (comparison)
To begin, white tea is unique as it involves no other processing. In contrast, green, oolong and
large leaf black tea are all rolled as part of the process. (contrast)
Task 2
It can be confidently conveyed that, even though the growth in travel industry has accompanied
negative social impacts, these do not outweigh the contributions made by this sector towards
social development. (contrast)
This technique will show your good knowledge of vocabulary and will add extra 10 or 15 words
to your essay.
When you want to clarify, prove or add more support to one of your ideas, use the following
expressions:
in other words
that is
in fact
obviously
evidently
indeed
in any case
Nowadays, the internet has become an indispensable business tool. In other words, we would
find it very difficult to get through a working day without it.
In recent decades, many researchers have studied the importance of group-level
cognition. Indeed, to my mind, there is now convincing evidence that group activities improve
the intelligence of individuals.
However, while the other three types of school declined in importance, the opposite was true in
the case of community schools. In fact, while only a small minority of 12% were educated in
these schools in 2000, this figure increased to well over half of all pupils during the following
nine years.
5. Giving examples
If you want to have a good score for your essay, you should know how to give examples.
It’s very important to support your ideas from the real life, so you may need the following
phrases to introduce an example:
for example
for instance
such as
to illustrate / to demonstrate
one clear example is / another example is
For instance, in the UK, many boys are reluctant readers, possibly because of being forced to
read, and this turned them off reading.
Young children, on an average, spend around 5-6 hours of time watching videos over
television, such as movies or cartoons.
therefore
because (of)
consequently
as a result
so
as
due to
thus
for this reason
as a consequence
Since you are not required to express our personal opinion in Task 1 or to make our own
conclusion, you’re not likely to use these expression in your diagram description.
Therefore, due to continuous growth and prosperity, urban citizens, especially the less well off,
often experience a lower standard of living.
As a result, these young ones are exposed to crime and brutality at a very young age and start
believing that it is alright to resort to violence, if the need arises.
7. Sequence / listing
In the first task, you might be asked to describe some processes depicted on a diagram.
Here you will need the words and expressions provided in the list below to describe the sequence
or categorization:
first
second
third
to begin
then
next
following this
at this time
at this point
after
finally
before this
meanwhile
For example:
This vapour then drives a turbine to generate electricity. After it powers the turbine, the water
vapour enters the condensing chamber, which is cooled by the water from the depths of the
ocean.
Following this, sand and water are added to the clay, and this mixture is turned into bricks by
either placing it into a mould or using a wire cutter. Next, these bricks are placed in an oven to
dry for 24 – 48 hours.
For your paragraphing and sequencing the ideas in an essay, you may use the following linking
words:
firstly
secondly
thirdly
lastly
finally
on the one hand / on the other hand
For example:
Firstly, the importance of financial security cannot be undermined in the modern materialistic
world… Secondly, the educated refrain from being employed in underpaying jobs, as these are
less attractive.
Do not push a lot of linking words into the paragraphs and think about the appropriate use of
these words.
For example, when you start the paragraph with the word Firstly, your next paragraph should
start with Secondly.
Or if you start writing the first body paragraph with on the one hand, the second one must begin
with on the other hand.
However, on the other hand can be used to start a paragraph which opposes the idea stated in the
first paragraph:
National authorities, on the other hand, can control this surge by implementing public
education schemes regarding controlled water usage…
8. Giving opinion
There are also some expressions that you may need to express your opinion.
Remember, that you mustn’t express your point of view in Task 1, so you may use these
expressions only in your essay:
in my opinion
I think
I believe
I admit
I agree
I disagree / I cannot accept
Here’s an example:
I do not quite agree with this view. In my opinion, developed and developing nations should
work together to fight this menace that is threatening the very existence of life on the planet.
You have to read the essay question carefully to see if it asks for your opinion or no.
You will use these expressions only if the essay asks for your point of view.
Some essay questions will ask you to discuss some problem or tell about other people’s opinion
on the topic.
For example:
Firstly, some people maintain that children cannot distinguish between notoriety and genuine
fame.
It is generally believed that some people are born with certain talents, for instance for sport or
music, and others are not.
9. Conclusion
In Task 2 of the Writing test, you need to write a conclusion to sum up all your ideas.
You have to start writing the conclusion with the following phrases so that the examiner
understands at once that you’re summarizing information:
to sum up
to conclude
in conclusion
It’s wrong. “In general” doesn’t sound good in the academic writing, and “finally” is usually
used when you write about your final idea in a body paragraph, but not a conclusion.
So the best way to begin your conclusion is the words stated above.
For example:
In conclusion, I strongly agree with the notion that group activities improve intellectual
abilities.
Never use the same expressions in a diagram description. Moreover, you don’t need any
conclusion in Task 1.
You must include an overview sentence in your answer that will summarize all the information
you mentioned from the diagram.
This overview sentence may be placed after the introduction or at the end of your answer.
If you write this sentence at the end it will look like a conclusion, but it’s not really a conclusion.
You may start writing your overview sentence with a word “overall”.
For example:
The pie charts show the amount of revenue and expenditures in 2016 for a children’s charity in
the USA. Overall, it can be seen that donated food accounted for the majority of the income,
while program services accounted for the most expenditure.
As you see, in this case the overall sentence is at the beginning of your answer, after the
introduction.
However, it will not make a big difference, the most important thing is to have the overview.
Summing Up
So, this is all that concerns linking words and useful expressions for IELTS Writing. Don’t
forget that you need a lot of practise to be able to use these linking words in your writing.
Every time when you write an essay at home, think about linking devices and add them into your
work according to the meaning.
After a while, you will be able to use these phrases without even thinking that you use them.