Whether you are writing the IELTS exam or no, at some point or the other you must have come across the term linking words. So what is linking words in IELTS and how to use linking words in the IELTS exam?
Let’s learn about the linkers for the IELTS exam and improve your IELTS score with ease. Let’s get started.
IELTS Linking Words
So what is a linking word? A linking word or phrase is a word that connects and shows a relation between different items. A linking word generally joins two sentences but they can also join more than 2 sentences.
They can be used to add different ideas together, show a contrast in those ideas or even in comparison.
In the IELTS exam, ‘Coherence and Cohesion’ take up about one-fourth of your marks in the second IELTS writing task.
Linking words in IELTS writing tasks will help you to secure those 1/4th of marks and will also enhance your essay by making it easier and even catchier to read.
List of Connectors for IELTS
Since you know that the ‘Coherence and Cohesion’ take up around 25% marks in evaluation, the importance of this increases. Let’s look at the list of connectors you can use for the IELTS exam so that you do not lose out on a single mark.
To add information or join sentences the words generally used are: and, also, in addition to, moreover, as well as, again, furthermore, similarly.
To provide a sequence in a sentence the words generally used are: firstly, secondly, first, second, next, previous, succeeding, preceding, finally, after that.
To provide a cause in a sentence the word generally used are: therefore, subsequently, because of/ because, so, due to, owing to, on account of, as a result, thus, the main reason is,
Linker for IELTS
Now there are more linkers for IELTS. Let’s look at the other kinds of linkers for the IELTS exam.
To show contrast in a sentence the words generally used are: but, although, however, alternatively, on the other hand, on the contrast, even though, yet, in spite of, despite of, although, though.
To give examples in a sentence the words generally used are: for example, for instance, such as.
To highlight a particular part in a sentence the words generally used are: particularly, in particular, specifically, especially, obviously, clearly.
To be able to conclude the words generally used are: therefore, consequently, to sum up, in conclusion.
Now let’s go through a few exercise questions to learn how to effectively use linkers for the IELTS exam.
Also Read: Best Vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2 to Achieve Band 8: Here’s Your Guide to Score Big
Exercise Questions
Q1. She was sick ____ she was not able to attend school today.
Options:
- And
- Therefore
- Because
- Due to
The correct answer is therefore
Q2. Your performance was not ___ the mark
Options:
- Appropriate
- Enough
- Up to
- Under
The correct option is up to
Q3. The house requires a lot of repairs ______ it is very far from the river.
Options:
- And
- But
- Moreover
- Therefore
The correct option is moreover
Q4. Einstein is a very well-known name ___ his work is understood by only a few.
Options:
- And
- If
- So
- But
The correct option is but
Q5. ______, university admissions must be merit-based and not quota-based.
Options:
- Therefore
- In conclusion
- To conclude
- Thus
The correct option is to conclude.
Q6. The rule of the British over other countries did help in the prosperity of those countries, ___ colonialism is bad.
Options:
- Yet
- Moreover
- Even so
- Therefore
The correct option yet.
Also Read: Want to Know more about Linking Words for IELTS Writing Task 2? Check this!
Some more Sample Questions
Q1. They stayed at home ______ it was predicted that a storm was going to arrive soon.
Options:
- As
- Because
- Due to
- If
The correct option is as
Q2. People should not drive any vehicle ____ they have alcohol as it is dangerous to others and themselves.
Options:
- If
- When
- But
- Because
The correct option is when
Q3. The children were playing football in the ground ___ it started to rain.
Options:
- When
- But
- After
- Because
The correct option is when
Q4. Heather was trying to open the door of her car _____ she realised that she did not have the keys of her car.
Options:
- But
- And
- If
- Then
The correct option is but
Q5. Social media is not supposed to become a hobby ________ it is very interesting and helpful as it can lead to procrastination and strain in the eyes.
Options:
- Even though
- But
- If
- Because of
The correct option is even though
Connectors for Writing Task
Look not to repeat too many connectors again in a writing task as it may not be helpful. Use different types of connectors depending on the context and the kind of sentence you are trying to form for your writing tasks.
In your speaking task, it may not be a big issue but it may affect your writing task. Do not use the word like to give examples in your writing task.
Read more books to find linkers that can enhance your writing task and keep practising to ensure that you do not get confused. It is quite often seen that options can be very closely related and if you do not have the correct knowledge, you will lose out marks.
Now let’s look at a paragraph and fill in the blanks with appropriate linkers.
Paragraph Linkers
Elephants are very huge animals. They are generally very calm in nature, ______ they can attack humans or other animals if they see the possibility of danger being caused to them. The elephant is known for its size ___ beautiful white tusks that are made up of ivory. These animals do not harm humans ______ humans hunt these animals down for their greed. They kill the animal for its ivory tusks and skin.
Options for blank 1:
- Due to
- Because
- However
- Therefore
Options for blank 2:
- And
- But
- If
- Because
Options for blank 3:
- In conclusion
- On the contrary
- Because of
- And
The correct options are: however, and, on the contrary.
How many Linking Words should be Used in IELTS Writing?
As such, there are no limits on the linking words to be used in the IELTS writing section but the quality of the words matter a lot. Writing simple words like and, therefore, because will not be helpful if you wish to get a higher band score.
Look to get better quality of words so that your essay is much better and try not to use unnecessary linkers as too many cooks can spoil the broth. So be careful and keep practising in order to perfect your essay writing ability.
Conclusion
Your preparation requires you to use linking words for IELTS. Hopefully, this article will help to solve all your problems regarding linkers for IELTS and clear all your dilemmas on how to use them and how many types there are. To understand it better and achieve your desired band score, enrol today for the best IELTS preparation.
Also Read: Check this List of Topic Related Vocabulary with Examples to Boost Your IELTS Preparation
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This is actually interesting to know. I never really knew much about the importance of linking words while practising. The usage of such words with efficiency and proportion will surely take time though. Guess, I’ll get to more practising!