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Short sentences are fine. They are accurate. They are simple and they are safe. This is a problem.
So can you do to make your writing more complex?
According to the IELTS Band Descriptors, in order to get Band 7 in IELTS Writing you need to use ‘a variety of complex structures’ and ‘a range of cohesive devices appropriately ‘.
If you link two sentences together, you create a more complex sentence like this one, which is a conditional sentence.
*However, students often just put linking words at the start of sentences. *Therefore, it sounds unnatural. *In addition, they do this for every sentence. *Moreover they are over-used. *Besides, the meaning is often wrong.
Although it’s good to use words like ‘In addition’ and ‘Moreover’, they can sound ‘mechanical’ (*as in the example above!), which means that you’ll only get Band 6 for Cohesion and Coherence.
To add the variety that you need for Band 7+, you need to use what I call ‘internal’ linking, rather than just putting linking words like ‘In addition’ ‘Furthermore’ and ‘Nevertheless’ at the start of sentences.
Here are some simple ways of making your sentences more complex:
Look at the 2 sentences below. How can you link them?
Some options:
Band 5 – Simple cohesive devices e.g. ‘and’ ‘but’ ‘so’ ‘because’ ‘also’.
Band 5 or 6 – Simple relative clauses e.g. ‘where’, ‘who’, ‘that’, ‘when’, ‘which’
Band 6 More complex cohesive devices e.g. ‘when’ ‘before/after’ ‘although’ ‘However’.
Band 6/7 A variety of more complex linking words used accurately e.g. ‘In spite of’ ‘Despite’ ‘Unless’ ‘As long as’, ‘as a result’
Band 7+ A wide variety of complex linking words used accurately e.g. the ‘ing’ form of the verb.
Look at the examples below (Academic Task 1, describing a graph)
Notice:
It is also possible to introduce a new subject. Look at these two examples:
Notice:
Try these by yourself:
The number of cases increased dramatically. They went from just 20 in March to over 2000 in April.
A footpath was built. The footpath allowed access to the beach.
The number of cases increased dramatically going from just 20 in March to over 2000 in April
A footpath was built, allowing more access to the beach.
In one of my YouTube Writing sessions, I suggested using ‘Firstly, Secondly and Thirdly’ to organise your ideas in your Task 2 Writing.
Some of my students said they think this system is too ‘simplistic’. So I did some research.
By total coincidence, I was doing a Reading podcast about using insects to find new medicine, and the very high-level, academic text used ‘Firstly, Secondly and Thirdly’ (see slide below).
So yes, it’s absolutely fine to organise your ideas in this way. Watch the whole section here:
Watch the YouTube session here (from 12.30 mins)
Listen to the podcast here:
If you want to hear all about my new lessons, podcasts, YouTube videos, challenges and courses, get your name on my email list (oh you’ll also get my free 28-Day Planner).
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Hi Fiona, are you still need some people to try your website? Please let me know because I am interested. Thanks
Hi Mariela! Thanks for posting. Yes I am! The more people that try it out, the better, so that I can find out what people need more of and what works best for people to do the online classes/webinars. So if you’re still interested, it would be great to have you in the group! You can find more details here http://www.members.ieltsetc.com/academy. The price says $28 (this will be the normal price for people who sign up later) but when you click, the price is $18 for testers (and you keep this price forever, even when the price goes up for others). It is a monthly fee, but remember you can cancel any time, so there’s no pressure to continue after one month (though hopefully you will come back for more!).
Let me know if you have any questions at all. Best wishes, Fiona
Dear Fiona,
I’m Tasneem. I came across your site by chance and really liked it. I need 8/7/7/7 in my Academic IELTS. In August, I sat for the exam and my overall score was 7.5. The scores were 8.5/6/6.5/7. In December, my scores improved, the overall is now 7.5. 8/7/6/8.
Can you please hep me with writing? Will it be better to sit for the exam in June? At the moment I’m planning to start my TESL Diploma at Canadian College of Educators. They said I can start the classes.
Tasneem
Hi Tasneem. Many thanks for your comment. You’re already doing extremely well. I help people through my Members Academy Study Programme, which you can start at any time.
Here is the link for more information.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Best wishes
Fiona