IELTS Writing: Linking

We are going to focus on how to write a good academic paragraph that will be essential in your writing not just for IELTS but also for any formal writing you find yourself doing.

Logical flow is important, by that we mean the sentences should fit together like a jigsaw. You are building a paragraph with them.
Hopefully you are familiar with the following sets of sentences pairs. If you are not let us know, and we will put articles about them out as soon as we can. 

1. Argument & Counter Argument

2. Opinion & Supporting Examples

3. Opinion & Supporting Reasons

4. Listing (Reasons or Examples)

Below we have 8 sentences. Match the sentences together, and decided which of the four types it is. Answers are at the end.

1. Firstly, television news reports are often too short or superficial to explain the full context of a story.

2. In my view, products such as cosmetics or soaps should not be tested on animals.

3. I am convinced that the governments' economic policies harm the environment.

4. It is often said that the only way to prevent crime is to enforce stricter punishments.

A. For instance, governments do nothing to encourage people to use public transport instead of their cars.

B. Such items are not essential, and there is no need to make creatures suffer for the sake of making money.

C. However, statistics show that stiff punishments do nothing to reduce crime.

D. Secondly, television news editors tend to favour stories, which offer sensational images that make 'entertaining' viewing.

Remember your writing needs to be clear, and easy to understand. Do this by using sentences with only one or two clauses. If you are looking for a band 7 or better though, you will need to have some more complex sentences. Remember this is when you join two ideas together using linking words like. 

Not only	While
Apart from	Despite
Contrary to	Although
Even though

 

For example:

“Space exploration has some scientific value. The money spent on space exploration could be better spent on relieving starvation around the world.”

These two sentences could be joined together to make one sentence.

"Even though space exploration has some scientific value, the money could be better spent on relieving starvation around the world."

Now it is your turn, join the ideas below into one sentence by using the phrase or word in brackets. There is more than answer, but we have put suggested answers at the end.

1. Industries waste huge amounts of water. Industries are responsible for the contamination of water supplies. (apart from)

2. The popular belief is that machines have replaced skilled workers everywhere. There are many skilled artisans in China and other Asian countries. (contrary to)

3. Billions of dollars in aid have been sent to developing countries. Millions of people in developing countries still live in absolute poverty.(Despite)

4. People claim to show concern for the environment. People compromise their ecological values almost daily. (While)

5. There is an epidemic of obesity amongst Western adults. Obesity is becoming widespread in Western children.(Not only)

ANSWERS - SENTENCE PAIRS

1-D (Listing)

2-B (Opinion & Example)

3-A (Opinion & Support Reason)

4-C (Argument & Counter Argument)

SUGGESTED ANSWERS - LINKING 

1. Apart from wasting huge amounts of water, industries are responsible for the contamination of water supplies.

2.Contrary to the popular belief that machines have replaced skilled workers everywhere, there are many skilled artisans in China and other Asian countries.

3. Despite billions of dollars in aid having been sent to developing countries, millions of people in developing countries still live in absolute poverty.

4. While people claim to show concern for the environment, they compromise their ecological values almost daily.

5. Not only is there an epidemic of obesity amongst Western adults, but obesity is becoming widespread in Western children.

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