Linking words for the IELTS test – 1

An aspect of the last week of teaching in Taiyuan, Shanxi Provience , China, has been identifying a variety of linking words in a reading passages, and incorporating these into our writing.

For short answer questions, students also practiced predicting the kind of information we expect to look for, in both the reading and listening test, according to the question.

Using linking words for meaning and clarity

By the end of this class you should be able to:

• Use linking words for contrast accurately, both in terms of meaning and grammar.

 

Glossary: •       Unsightly (adj) – not nice looking. Parts of the city are neglected and unsightly •       Displacement (n) – forced to move/leave. The displacement of many people has caused a crises. •       Hydropower (n) – powered by water and gravity – China’s is increasing it’s use of hydropower •       Stable (adj) – constant – After the economic crash, the economy is now considered stable again. •       Inexhaustible. Unlimited, unending –  The sun’s power is thought to be inexhaustible in relation to the existence of  human beings.

 

Task 1: Identify whether the following pairs of sentences contain contrasting ideas (ü) or not.

1. a. Solar PV is good for the environment.
2. It can be used in remote areas.

 

1. Hydropower is a clean source of energy.
2. It leads to the displacement of people and animals.

 

1. Renewable energy creates jobs.
2. These jobs are often not permanent.

 

1. Renewable energy is getting cheaper.
2. It is getting more stable.

 

1. Wind turbines are unsightly.
2. They make a lot of noise.

 

1. Solar PV is a local source of energy.
2. It can only be used when the sun shines.

 

1. Traditional energy sources provide a lot of jobs.
2. They are cost effective.

 

1. Wind energy is inexhaustible.
2. It can only be used in windy places.

Answers

Task 2: Combine the pairs of sentences expressing contrast in task 1 by linking them with but. Remember the grammar and punctuation.

1. Hydropower is a clean source of energy. It leads to the displacement of people and animals.                                                                                                                                                
2. Renewable energy creates jobs. These jobs are often not permanent.                     
3. Solar PV is a local source of energy. It can only be used when the sun shines.               
4. Wind energy is inexhaustible. It can only be used in windy places.

Answer

Task 3: Combine the pairs of sentences expressing contrast in task 1 again.

This time, use although and however. Remember the grammar and punctuation.

• (use although in the middle of the sentence)

Hydropower is a clean source of energy. It leads to the displacement of people and animals.

• (use however)

Renewable energy creates jobs. These jobs are often not permanent.

•  (use although at the beginning of the sentence)

Solar PV is a local source of energy It can only be used when the sun shines.

• (use however)

Wind energy is inexhaustible. It can only be used in windy places.

Answers

Task 4: Complete the sentences with although or in spite of.

Example: I have installed solar panels, although they are very expensive.

1.  It is obvious that solar panels are less disruptive than wind turbines, many local councils still prefer the latter.
2. Wind energy is environmentally friendly the noise of the wind turbines.
3.  The neighbourhood’s protests, the wind turbines were installed.
4.  I had solar panels installed last year, I still haven’t switched to renewable energy.
5. Fossil fuels are still widely used  being environmentally damaging.

Answers

Task 5: Use whereas, while and on the other hand to combine the sentences below. Remember the correct grammar and the punctuation.

 

• Traditional energy is cost efficient. Renewable energy is still quite expensive. (Use whereas)

Answer

 

• Hydropower is less noisy than wind power. It requires a big dam to be built in a river. (Use On the other hand)

Answers    

                                                                                                                                                            

• Solar power can provide energy in dry, sunny areas. Hydropower can provide energy in any area where there is a lot of water. (Use while)

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• Traditional energy provides many jobs. It is also bad for the environment. (Use On the other hand)

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• Wind power is dangerous for bats and birds. Hydropower displaces people. (Use whereas).

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Recap linking words of contrast:

Form:

There are different types of linking words of contrast. The type of linking word determines the grammar.

Coordinating conjunction: but

Sentence +, + coordinating conjunction + sentence

Renewable energy provides a possible solution for global warming, but it still has many problems.

DO NOT START A SENTENCE WITH ‘BUT’ ‘AND’ or ‘BECAUSE’ IN ACADEMIC WRITING.

Subordinating conjunctions: although, whereas, while

Sentence + subordinating conjunction + sentence

Renewable energy provides a possible solution for global warming although it still has many problems.

Subordinating conjunction + sentence +, + sentence

Although renewable energy still has many problems, it provides a possible solution for global warming.

Sentence connectors: However, On the other hand

Sentence connector +, + sentence

Renewable energy provides a possible solution for global warming. However, it still has many problems.

Wind turbines are expensive to construct. On the other hand, once they have been constructed, they are relatively cheap to run.

Prepositions: in spite of, despite

Preposition + -ing form +, + sentence

In spite of/Despite being clean, wind energy is not used as widely as traditional energy.

Preposition + noun +, + sentence

In spite of/Despite the environmental benefits, wind energy is not as popular as traditional energy.  

Use:

Although these linking words are all very similar in meaning, there are some slight differences between them.

Linking words used to express contrast between two ideas (where usually one idea is positive and one idea is negative):

but, although, however, in spite of, despite

Renewable energy provides a possible solution for global warming although it still has many problems.

Linking words used to express comparison between two different things/ideas:

whereas, while, on the other hand

Solar PV is most effective in areas that get a lot of sun whereas/while wind power produces most energy in windy areas.

 

Task 6:  Put the correct linking words in the blanks in the sentences below. Choose from but, although, however, in spite of, despite, whereas, while, on the other hand. Pay attention to the surrounding grammar structures and also to the meaning, i.e. what types of ideas are contrasted/compared?

1. Hydropower is suitable in areas where large dams can be built  wind power is suitable in windy areas, such as Scotland.
2.  traditional power plants are expensive to maintain, they do provide a lot of jobs.
3.  polluting the environment, traditional power is still the most use source of energy in the world.
4. Wind power does not produce any emissions of poisonous gases. , wind turbines are unsightly.
5. A lot of people are having solar panels installed on their roofs  the cost.
6. Solar panels are very expensive,  they last very long.
7. It is argued that wind power provides considerable annoyance to local people  solar power is much less disruptive.
8. Traditional energy is economical. , renewable energy is quite expensive.

Answers

 

Using Linking words for the IELTS test – 2

An aspect of the last week of teaching in Taiyuan, Shanxi Provience , China, has been identifying key linking words in a text, and practicing their use.

For short answer questions, students also practiced predicting the kind of information we expect to look for, in both the reading and listening test, according to the question.

Using linking words for meaning and clarity

By the end of this class you should be able to:

• Use linking words for contrast accurately, both in terms of meaning and grammar.
• Use more academic alternatives for and, but and so, in academic writing.

Task 1: Study the sentences below and answer the questions.

Last year, the dam was built. This year, the people in the valley had to move.

What happened first?

What happened after?

Why did the people have to move?

What happened because the dam was built?

Answers

Task 2: In the following pairs of sentences underline the reasons and highlight the results?

1. She installed solar panels then her roof collapsed.
2. He lost his job in a traditional power plant after the new wind farm was opened.
3. After her neighbour installed wind turbines on his land, the price of her house fell.
4. The prices of solar PV have decreased. Solar PV has gained in popularity.
5. Humanity has increasingly burned fossil fuels over the last two centuries, and temperatures on the planet have increased.

Answers

 

Task 3: Combine the sentences from task 1 into one sentence using either because, since or as.

Last year, the dam was built. This year, the people in the valley had to move.

Answer

 

Task 4: Combine the sentences from task 1 into one sentence using either because of or due to.

Last year, the dam was built. This year, the people in the valley had to move.

Answers

 

Task 5: Now rewrite the sentences in task 2 using linking words for reasons.

1. She installed solar panels then her roof collapsed. (Use because)

Answer

 

2. He lost his job in a traditional power plant after the new wind farm took was opened. (Use because of)

Answer

 

3. After her neighbour installed wind turbines on his land, the price of her house fell. (Use as)

Answer

 

4. The prices of solar PV have decreased. Solar PV has gained in popularity. (Use due to)

Answer

 

5. Humanity has increasingly burned fossil fuels over the last two centuries, and temperatures on the planet have increased. (Use since)

Answer

 

Task 6: Combine the sentences from task 1 into one sentence using so.

Last year, the dam was built. This year, the people in the valley had to move.

Answer

 

Task 7: Now rewrite the sentences in task 2 using so.

1. She installed solar panels then her roof collapsed.

Answer

 

2. He lost his job in a traditional power plant after the new wind farm took was opened.

Answer

 

3. After her neighbour installed wind turbines on his land, the price of her house fell.

Answer

 

4. The prices of solar PV have decreased. Solar PV has gained in popularity.

Answer

 

5. Humanity has increasingly burned fossil fuels over the last two centuries, and temperatures on the planet have increased.

Answer

 

Task 8: Underline the linking words in the following paragraph, and put them under the right meaning in the table.

 

Wind power has many advantages for the environment. No harmful gases are released in its production. Therefore, it does not contribute to global warming. In addition, no transport of raw materials is required. Consequently, no CO2 emitting trucks or lorries are used. Nevertheless, there are some who claim that wind power has negative effects on the environment. Wind turbines need to be constructed in windy places. As a result, they are often built on mountains and hills. This ruins the landscape. Besides, they can alter the natural flow of groundwater which may result in water shortages. Furthermore, large amounts of concrete are needed to create the foundations of the turbines. During the production of concrete a lot of CO2 is released into the atmosphere. Wildlife may also be threatened. Birds and bats may fly into the rotating turbine blades. However, the noise produced by the turbine blades sometimes actually chases away these animals. Therefore, it seems that wind power is not as environmentally friendly as some may claim. On the other hand, it can be argued that it is at least not as polluting as fossil fuels.

Answers

 

Complete the table with expressions that have the same meaning in the heading

Meaning and	Meaning but	Meaning so

Answers

 

Task 9: Below are two paragraphs on the advantages and disadvantages of solar PV. Put the right linking words in the blanks.

Use all the linking words in the box above each paragraph. Be careful of your grammar and punctuation.

 

Paragraph A:

 

because, since, as, in addition, consequently, as a result

 

A major advantage of solar (PV) is that it can be used in remote areas that do not have access to mains electricity                                 solar (PV) can be used on a small scale without the need for expensive development of power stations and power lines to transport the generated electricity.                     solar (PV) panels can be attached to a building and the electricity generated used to power small electronic items in the building, solar PV is much cheaper than trying to extend power lines to remote areas.                                       , according to REN21 (2016), some of the fastest growing markets are in Africa and the Middle East                                              they need to expand energy access in remote areas, both for business use, for example in remote farms, and for domestic use in rural towns and villages.                                        , this small-sale advantage is also being exploited in developed countries to provide power to light things like bus stops and road signs                                the large expense of digging up ground to lay power lines which is otherwise required.

 

Answers

 

Paragraph B:

although, however, despite, on the other hand, because, besides, furthermore, therefore, as a result

 

                                           , a major disadvantage of solar (PV) is that it can only generate power whilst the sun is shining.                                                , during the night solar (PV) is not generating electricity which is a major problem                                               people use their lights and often heating or cooling systems more at night.                                            energy demands tend to increase at this time.                                    , solar (PV) systems are less efficient when there is cloud cover, and                                               they can still generate electricity, the amount is greatly reduced.                                               , solar (PV) is best to suited to places that have long hours of direct sunlight.                                         , developments in solar (PV) technology are now allowing the cells to produce more energy from less sunlight.                                       , producing energy at night is becoming less of an issue                                  developments in batteries that can be used to store energy produced by solar (PV) during the day. Indeed,                                 not being a sunny place, in 2015 the UK had the fourth highest solar (PV) capacity in the world (REN21, 2016).

 

Answers

2022IELTS Unity and Cohesion  – Week 3

An aspect of the last week of teaching in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province , China, has been identifying a variety sentences structures in a reading passages, and incorporating these into our writing.

One of the most important skills any teacher should process is the ability to get meaning from language that is incomplete or not error free.

A useful tool teachers can give students is ‘error correction’.

Here are some real examples that will help you understand more complex aspects of English. 

Using  words and grammar for meaning and clarity

By the end of this class you should be able to:

• Use strategies to decipher typical mistakes from a variety of First Language users and practice predicting and improving meaning.

Grammar corrections from ‘My Exam with Jonathan’ Course

• In summary, the online learning is developed quickly.

Answer

• There are lots of advantages than traditional learning.

Answer

• It also have some disadvantages.

Answer

• Online learning is maybe inefficiency way for some people to study.

Answer

Part 2

• Some students can’t proficient use the computer like writing and finishing

Answer

• It is no doubt that online learning is becoming a very popular way of study.

Answer

• Some disadvantages are cannot be ignored.

Answer

• Therefore, students do not require spend too much money when they learn online.

Answer

• For example, some developing countries cannot be shared some technology.

Answer

• Student cannot communicate direct with their tutors.

Answer

Unity and Cohesion in IELTS Writing  – Week 4

An aspect of the last week of teaching in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province , China, has been identifying key a variety sentences structures in a reading passages, and incorporating these into our writing.

One of the most important skills any teacher should process is the ability to get meaning from language that is incomplete or not error free.

A useful tool teachers can give students is ‘error correction’.

Here are some real examples that will help you understand more complex aspects of English. 

Using  words and grammar for meaning and clarity

By the end of this class you should be able to:

• Use strategies to decipher typical mistakes from a variety of First Language users and practice predicting and improving meaning.

Grammar corrections from ‘My Exam with Jonathan’ Course

• In conclusion, we will continue to benefits of online learning.

Answer

• However, the student can stay at home to learn in internet.

Answer

• They also don’t need catch the bus.

Answer

• Using online course can be convenience for student.

Answer

Part 2

• Firstly, making a living would be discussed

Answer

• Traditional education means that learners cannot choose so much what they want to study

Answer

• People may make bad choice in lifes, for example, to choose bad food may lead to obese and disease.

Answer

• Working or continue studying after graduated is an argument, and this topic has been discussed by more and more person.

Answer

•  People have a great deal to choose at convient stores

Answer

• Another disadvantage of working earlier is that they do not have advantages on academic credentials

Answer

 

 

IELTS Vocabulary to learn – Week 7

An aspect of the last week of teaching in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province , China, has been identifying key words in a text.

For short answer questions, students also practiced predicting the kind of information we expect to look for, in both the reading and listening test, according to the question.

While when looking at longer answers, we considered the importance of understanding word groups (V, Avb, N etc) to complete the test and to be grammatically correct

The final short test on some of the most common vocabulary from the texts and listening we have been using, and I’d like to share these with you.

These are very common academic words, and can occur in any exam text or listening.

High Frequency IELTS Words

As they are high frequency words, then they can occur in the IELTS test too.

You should also be able to use these words in speaking and writing, so pay attention to their meaning and check the pronunciation.

I’ve provided a mini quiz for you to consider at the end too.

Vocabulary to learn – week 7

This week, you need to study the words but give examples of their use yourself. These examples, should not come from the texts/listenings/example essay, but they should be your own examples. Submit your example sentences to your teacher on the first day of week 8. There will also be a test.

Word	Definition/synonym
presume (v) presumably (adv)	Verb: To believe something to be true because it is very likely, although you are not certain. Adverb: Used to say what you think is the likely situation.
mode (n)	A way of operating, living, or behaving.
promote (v)	To encourage people to like, buy, use, do, or support something.
enable (v)	To make someone able to do something, or to make something possible.
license (v)	To give someone official permission to do or have something.
margin (n) (profit)	The difference between what it costs a business to buy or produce something and what they sell it for.
diversity (n)	The fact of many different types of things or people being included in something; a range of different things or people.
expertise (n)	A high level of knowledge or skill.
previously (adv)	Before the present time or the time referred to.
lecture (n) lecturer (n)	Lecture: A formal talk on a serious subject given to a group of people, especially students. Lecturer: Someone who teaches at a college or university.
virtual (adj)	Something that is virtual can be done or seen using a computer and therefore without going anywhere or talking to anyone.
revolutionise (v)	To completely change something so that it is much better.
commitment (n)	Something that you must do or deal with that takes your time.
equivalent (adj)	Having the same amount, value, purpose, qualities, etc.
nevertheless (conj)	Despite what has just been said or referred to.

 

If you are confident you know these words, you can try and complete this mini test. You can do this in your head, or on paper.

IELTS Vocabulary Test

Vocabulary quiz week 6 (For first day of week 7)

 

Part 1: Dictation

Write down the words you hear and their part of speech (noun/adjective/verb/adverb etc.)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

 

Part 2: Comprehension

1. Use the correct words in the box below in the following sentences. The words in the box are given in their base forms, you may need to add tense, a 3^rd person singular s on verbs, or a plural marker on nouns. Also, this time there are 12 words in the box and only 6 sentences, so 6 words should not be used.

 

presume, presumably, enable, lecture, lecturer, nevertheless, margin, promote, license, diversity, commitment, previously

1. I knew a lot about the subject already. , her talk was interesting anyway.
2. , he just forgot to send the letter.
3. There is a lot of ethnic in this city. Many people with different origins live here.
4. This university good health by offering healthy food in the canteen and a good gym.
5. He is a lawyer now, but he worked as a teacher.
6. In fact, he was a in Law at Harvard.

 

Total:                    /11

and here are the answers

Answers