Essential Ielts

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IELTS
STUDY
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CENTRE
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ESSENTIAL IELTS
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(Linking words, structures
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,vocabulary aid)
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COLLECTED AND EDITED BY
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I.I.MUKADDAM
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2016
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Cohesive devices and lexis for the IELTS essays
WRITING TASK 1
Types of diagrams (= figures)
 (Bar) chart
 Pie chart
 Line graph
 Graph
 Process/ Procedure
 Maps
 Table
Grammar for Process and Cycle diagrams

STRUCTURE AND VOCABULARY AID

. WRITING TASK 2 .
Types of essay
 Agree/disagree
 Discuss two opinions
 Advantages and disadvantages
 Causes and solutions
 Causes and effects
 Opinion essay
1. Agree/disagree
- Introduction where you state whether you agree or disagree
- Main body: paragraph 1 – give the opposite opinion; paragraphs 2, 3 – in support of your opinion
OR all 3 paragraphs in favour of your view
- Conclusion, where you say your opinion again, in other words
2. Discuss 2 opinions (may be also asked to give your opinion)
- Introduction (say what the problem is, say that in the essay you’ll discuss both sides)
- Main body: for example, paragraph 1 – “against”; paragraph 2 – “for”, whichever paragraph agrees
with your opinion, make it last.
- Conclusion: mention both views + your opinion
3. Advantages and disadvantages (you aren’t asked about your opinion, so just look at the both sides of
the issue)
- Introduction (say what the problem is, say that benefits and drawback will be discussed)
- Main body: for example, paragraph 1 – advantages; paragraph 2 – disadvantages
- Conclusion: say again that there are both sides
4. Causes and solutions
- Introduction (general statement + say that this essay is about reasons and solutions)
- Main body: for example, paragraph 1 – causes/reasons; paragraph 2 – solutions (always write about
the results of proposed solutions)
- Conclusion: say again that there are factors which lead to the situation in question, but there are
ways to change it)
5. Causes and effects
- Introduction (state the topic and issues that will be addressed, mention the type of the essay)
- Main body: for example, paragraph 1 – causes; paragraph 2 – effects
- Conclusion: say the introduction in different words
6. Opinion essay (usually two questions are asked, write your answer to each question. DO NOT agree /
disagree)
- Introduction (state the topic, state your opinion)
- Main body: for example, paragraph 1 – answer question 1; paragraph 2 – answer question 2
- Conclusion: restate your ideas
Useful phrases
For beginning
 This essay will discuss the reasons for this (situation) and provide possible solutions
 This essay will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of this measure
 This essay will discuss some reasons why this has occurred and examine the consequences of this
worrying trend
 This essay will discuss both sides of view

 Issues related to … are frequently discussed these days, particularly in the media
 In my opinion, the potential dangers of this are greater than the benefits we receive
 …discuss ways to mitigate the potential negative effects
 Although there are arguments on both sides, I strongly agree that…
 Some people think/feel that …, yet/while others believe/claim/argue that
For main body
 To begin, …
 Nevertheless, …
 However, it can be argued that
 It is certainly true to say that
 There are several reasons why …
 On one hand/on the other hand, there is a strong argument for…
 First and foremost, …
 The main cause of the problem is …
 In terms of solutions, I believe …
 The effects of this have been and will continue to be very serious
 For good reasons, many people view this as a worrying development
 As a consequence, …
 From this evidence, it is clear that …
 There is no doubt in my mind that this has had (negative) impact on ..
 Nevertheless, there are potential ways to solve these problems or, at least, reduce the effects
 Argument in favour of..
 With regards to the positive effects
 Another (dis)advantage related to this is..
 A good idea is to…
 I think the most obvious solution /answer is to…
 As a result, …
 This would lead to…
 Initially, this may be a problem, but the changes will result in …
For conclusion
 To sum up, ../overall / to conclude
 It is evident that there are several causes of …and a variety of (negative effects/ways to tackle the
problem)
 Although there are clear benefits, I believe …
 I am of the opinion that…
 On balance, ..
 There is no reason why +negative clause (e.g There is no reason why local businesses cannot be
successful)
Some linking words and phrases

 Also...
 In addition, ...
 Similarly, ...
To add a point  Not only did ..., but ... also
 Moreover, ...
 Furthermore, ...
 However ...
 Although ...
 On the other hand ... ;
To contrast two points  Yet, ...
 Nevertheless, ...
 In contrast, ...
 For example,...
 Clearly, ...
To illustrate, or to give an example  That is,
 …, namely,
 Then, ...
 After this / that ...
To move on to the next point
 Subsequently, ...
 So, ...
 Therefore, ...
 As a result, ...
To note consequences  Consequently, ...
 Despite ...
 Since …
To summarise or conclude  Finally, ...

 In conclusion, ...
 To conclude, ...
 To summarise, ...
 Firstly, ... (or ‘The first point to note is ...’)

 Secondly, ... (or ‘The second point to note is ...’)
To introduce a list of ideas
 Finally, ... (or ‘The next point to note is ...’)
Our version
Here is the full version of the text with all of the correct linking words.
There are three separate sources of hazard related to the use of nuclear reactors to supply us with energy. Firstly,
the radioactive material must travel from its place of manufacture to the power station. Although the power
stations themselves are solidly built the containers used for the transport of the material are not. Unfortunately,
there are normally only two methods of transport available, namely road or rail, and both of these involve close
contact with the general public, since the routes are bound to pass near, or even through, heavily populated areas.
Secondly, the, there is the problem of waste. All nuclear power stations produce wastes, which in most cases will
remain radioactive for thousands of years. It is impossible to de-activate these wastes, and so they must be stored
in one of the ingenious but cumbersome ways that scientists have invented. For example, they may be buried
under the ground, dropped into disused mineshafts, or sunk in the sea. However, these methods do not solve the
problem; they merely store it, since an earthquake could crack open the containers like nuts.
Thirdly, there is the problem of accidental exposure due to a leak or an explosion at the power station. As with
the other two hazards, this is extremely unlikely and so does not provide a serious objection to the nuclear
programme, nevertheless, it can happen, as the inhabitants of Harrisburg will tell you. Separately, and during
short periods, these three types of risk are no great cause for concern. However, taken together, and especially
over much longer periods, the probability of a disaster is extremely high.
Giving examples : For example….. , For instance……, Namely……….
USAGE : The most common way of giving examples is by using for example or for instance.
Namely refers to something by name.
EXAMPLE : "There are two problems: namely, the expense and the time."
Adding information: And, In addition, As well as, Also ,Too ,Furthermore ,Moreover ,Apart from , In
addition to , Besides
USAGE :
1. Ideas are often linked by and. In a list, you put a comma between each item, but not before and.
EXAMPLE: "We discussed training, education and the budget."
2. Also is used to add an extra idea or emphasis. "We also spoke about marketing." You can use
also with not only to give emphasis.
EXAMPLE : "We are concerned not only by the costs, but also by the competition."
3. We don't usually start a sentence with also. If you want to start a sentence with a phrase that
means also, you can use In addition, or In addition to this… As well as can be used at the
beginning or the middle of a sentence.
EXAMPLE: "As well as the costs, we are concerned by the competition."

"We are interested in costs as well as the competition."
4.Too goes either at the end of the sentence, or after the subject and means as well.
EXAMPLE : "They were concerned too." "I, too, was concerned."
5. Apart from and besides are often used to mean as well as, or in addition to.
EXAMPLE : "Apart from Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer."
"Besides Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer."
7. Moreover and furthermore add extra information to the point you are making.
EXAMPLE : "Marketing plans give us an idea of the potential market. Moreover, they tell us about the
competition."
Summarising : In short, In brief, In summary , To summarise, In a nutshell, To
conclude,In conclusion
USAGE :We normally use these words at the beginning of the sentence to give a summary of what
we have said or written.
Sequencing ideas The former, … the latter; Firstly, secondly, finally ; The first point is ;
Lastly ;The following
USAGE :
1.The former and the latter are useful when you want to refer to one of two points.
EXAMPLE : "Marketing and finance are both covered in the course. The former is studied in the first
term and the latter is studied in the final term."
2. Firstly, … secondly, … finally (or lastly) are useful ways to list ideas.
EXAMPLE : It's rare to use "fourthly", or "fifthly". Instead, try the first point, the second point, the
third point and so on.
3 .The following is a good way of starting a list.
EXAMPLE : "The following people have been chosen to go on the training course: N Peters, C Jones
and A Owen."
Giving a reason Due to / due to the fact that .., Owing to / owing to the fact that…,
Because…., Because of….. , Since…, As….. .
1.Due to and owing to must be followed by a noun.
EXAMPLE : "Due to the rise in oil prices, the inflation rate rose by 1.25%."
"Owing to the demand, we are unable to supply all items within 2 weeks."
If you want to follow these words with a clause (a subject, verb and object), you must follow the
words with the fact that.
EXAMPLE : "Due to the fact that oil prices have risen, the inflation rate has gone up by 1%25."
"Owing to the fact that the workers have gone on strike, the company has been unable to fulfil all its
orders."
2. Because / because of
Because of is followed by a noun.
EXAMPLE : "Because of bad weather, the football match was postponed."
Because can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.

For example, "Because it was raining, the match was postponed."
"We believe in incentive schemes, because we want our employees to be more productive."
3. Since / as
Since and as mean because.
EXAMPLE : "Since the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff."
"As the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff."
Giving a result Therefore , So, Consequently, This means that, As a result,
USAGE :
1. Therefore, so, consequently and as a result are all used in a similar way.
EXAMPLE :"The company are expanding. Therefore / So / Consequently / As a result, they are taking
on extra staff."
2. So is more informal.
Contrasting ideas But, However, Although / even though, Despite / despite the fact
that, In spite of / in spite of the fact that, Nevertheless, Nonetheless,
While, Whereas, Unlike, In theory… in practice…,
USAGE :
1.But is more informal than however. It is not normally used at the beginning of a sentence.
EXAMPLE : "He works hard, but he doesn't earn much."

"He works hard. However, he doesn't earn much."
2. Although, despite and in spite of introduce an idea of contrast. With these words, you must
have two halves of a sentence.
EXAMPLE : "Although it was cold, she went out in shorts."

"In spite of the cold, she went out in shorts."
3. Despite and in spite of are used in the same way as due to and owing to. They must be
followed by a noun. If you want to follow them with a noun and a verb, you must use the fact that.
EXAMPLE : "Despite the fact that the company was doing badly, they took on extra employees."
4. Nevertheless and nonetheless mean in spite of that or anyway.
EXAMPLE : "The sea was cold, but he went swimming nevertheless." (In spite of the fact that it was
cold.) "The company is doing well. Nonetheless, they aren't going to expand this year."
5. While, whereas and unlike are used to show how two things are different from each other.
EXAMPLE : "While my sister has blue eyes, mine are brown."
"Taxes have gone up, whereas social security contributions have gone down."
"Unlike in the UK, the USA has cheap petrol."
6.In theory… in practice… show an unexpected result.
EXAMPLE : "In theory, teachers should prepare for lessons, but in practice, they often don't have
enough time."
Linking words
When writing academic essays you will be expected to present coherent arguments by linking ideas together.
You will also be required to point out similarities; highlight differences; justify statements and provide examples
and conclusions. The following words are useful for developing linkage in your writing.
1.When you want to add to your argument or emphasise a statement :
...and, also, as well as, moreover, further, furthermore, in addition, additionally, next, secondly, thirdly.
2. When you want to make comparisons
...similarly, likewise, in the same way, equally.
3. When you want to highlight contrast
...although, for all that, however, on the contrary, conversely, otherwise, yet, but, even so, despite.
4. When you want to show differences or similarities
...yet, even so, despite, notwithstanding.

5. When providing reasons
...for this reason, to this end, for this purpose, because, since, so that.
6 .When explaining results
...as, as a consequence, as a result, hence, therefore, thus, inevitably, so.
7.When providing examples
...for example, for instance, in other words, by way of illustration, such as, this demonstrates.
8.When drawing conclusions
...as has been noted, finally, in brief, in short, to summarise, consequently, therefore, in conclusion, so, in other
words, accordingly
Reporting verbs
When introducing references into the text (citing) you should choose suitable 'reporting' verbs as these can:
 strengthen the arguments you are presenting

 help the reader understand why the source is relevant.
1.Some verbs are neutral:
 Smith (2004) describes...

 Jones (1999, p 3) states...
 Green (2002) defines...
2. Some verbs draw attention to the author's viewpoint:
 Harris (2001) argues...

 O'Neill (1997) disputed...
 Jackson (2003) conceded...
3. Some verbs give information about the author's work:
 Holmes (2000) investigated...

 Church (1998) evaluated...
 McColl (2002) estimated...
4.Some verbs highlight the author's viewpoint:
 Brown (2001) believes...

 McAllister (1996) recognised...
 Smith (2004) predicted...
5. Other useful reporting verbs (use present or past tense as appropriate)
 analyse/analysed
 compares/compared
 comments/commented
 concludes/concluded
 criticises/criticised
 demonstrates/demonstrated
 discusses/discussed
 illustrates/illustrated
 indicates/indicated
 notes/noted
 observes/observed
 points out/pointed out
 reports/reported
 shows/showed
 suggests/suggested
 validates/validated
 verifies/verified
Transitional Devices
Transitional devices are like bridges between parts of your paper. They are cues that help
the reader to interpret ideas a paper develops. Transitional devices are words or phrases
that help carry a thought from one sentence to another, from one idea to another, or
from one paragraph to another. And finally, transitional devices link sentences and
paragraphs together smoothly so that there are no abrupt jumps or breaks between
ideas. There are several types of transitional devices, and each category leads readers to
make certain connections or assumptions. Some lead readers forward and imply the
building of an idea or thought, while others make readers compare ideas or draw
conclusions from the preceding thoughts.
Here is a list of some common transitional devices that can be used to cue readers in a
given way.
To Add: and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore,
nor, too, next, lastly, what's more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc.)
To Compare: whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the
contrary, by comparison, where, compared to, up against, balanced against, vis a vis,
but, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, although this may be true
To Prove: because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore,
moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is
To Show Exception: yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once
in a while, sometimes
To Show Time: immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously,
formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then
To Repeat: in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted
To Emphasize : definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely,

positively, naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, perennially, eternally, never,
emphatically, unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation
To Show Sequence: first, second, third, and so forth. A, B, C, and so forth. next, then,
following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward, subsequently, finally,
consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore,

hence, next, and then, soon
To Give an Example: for example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this
occasion, in this situation, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an
illustration, to illustrate
To Summarize or Conclude: in brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in

conclusion, as I have shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a
result, consequently, on the whole
. Cohesive devices and lexis for the IELTS essays .

1.Opening
I’d like to point out right at the beginning that…
How by way of introduction I would go as far as to say that……..
Just at the beginning I would go as far as to say that…
It should be pointed out right as the beginning that…
Let’s talk briefly about…
2. Continuing
But right now our attention turns to…
Now, let’s look at the situation in…
And now let’s turn to…
I think what we can hope to do now is…….
What is likely to happen is…
Let’s move to another question.
3. Opinion phrases
I am tempted to think that…
I don’t honestly think that…
And now I’d prefer to talk about… rather than…
I hold the view that…
Well, my personal feeling is…
It’s my firm believe that…
As far as I am concerned…
I’ve got an impression that…
4. Contrasting point of view

On the other hand…
There are different views of…
It would be a mistake to think that…
It is not a final word on the matter.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that…
Well, there’s been a debate about this.
I take a different view at…

Opponents argue that…
5. Agreement
Yes, you’re quite right to say that…
Well, exactly. That’s precisely what I was going to say.
I have almost no doubt that…
I am 100% certain that…
I have little doubt that…
6. Disagreement, uncertainty
I can disagree.
I express strong objection to the idea that…
I don’t think it’s fair to say that…
That’s where you are wrong about it.
This does not seem to be so.
There has been much disagreement over…
It looks very unlikely that…
It’s an impossible question to answer.
I doubt it very much, because…
7. Clearing up, emphasizing.
Nobody would want to deny the fact that…
I’d like to remind you that…
We have to bear in mind that…
One has to bear in mind…
What we have to look forward to is…
It must be admitted that…
The other thing that we should keep in mind is…
8. Giving examples, facts
Let me give you a brief example…
What we have seen now is a kind of a perfect example of…
It’s a problem that will only increase in time.
Nobody doubts that…
What’s more difficult to explain is…
There’s enough evidence that…
9. Concluding
To draw to a close I’d like to say that…
To have the final say in the matter…
Let’s have a final look at…
It only remains for me to say…
I would like to sum up the chief points of what has just been said.
All in all, it is evident…..
To sum it up I’d like to say…

Summarizing, we may say that…
.Some rules and vocabularies

How to express essential ideas

List of collocations
LIST OF
COLLOCATIONS 2
List of words that are
considered to be high
scoring in the IELTS

(100 words in all)

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Grammar for Process and Cycle diagrams

STRUCTURE AND VOCABULARY AID

 This essay will discuss both sides of view

Some linking words and phrases

To summarise or conclude  Finally, ...

 Firstly, ... (or ‘The first point to note is ...’)

Giving examples : For example….. , For instance……, Namely……….

EXAMPLE: "We discussed training, education and the budget."

EXAMPLE: "As well as the costs, we are concerned by the competition."

EXAMPLE : "They were concerned too." "I, too, was concerned."

"Besides Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer."

Summarising : In short, In brief, In summary , To summarise, In a nutshell, To

3 .The following is a good way of starting a list.

1.Due to and owing to must be followed by a noun.

Because of is followed by a noun.

EXAMPLE : "Because of bad weather, the football match was postponed."

Because can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.

Since and as mean because.

EXAMPLE : "Since the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff."

"As the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff."

Giving a result Therefore , So, Consequently, This means that, As a result,

EXAMPLE : "He works hard, but he doesn't earn much."

EXAMPLE : "Although it was cold, she went out in shorts."

4. Nevertheless and nonetheless mean in spite of that or anyway.

EXAMPLE : "While my sister has blue eyes, mine are brown."

"Unlike in the UK, the USA has cheap petrol."

6.In theory… in practice… show an unexpected result.

1.When you want to add to your argument or emphasise a statement :

2. When you want to make comparisons

...similarly, likewise, in the same way, equally.

3. When you want to highlight contrast

4. When you want to show differences or similarities

...yet, even so, despite, notwithstanding.

5. When providing reasons

6 .When explaining results

...as, as a consequence, as a result, hence, therefore, thus, inevitably, so.

7.When providing examples

8.When drawing conclusions

 strengthen the arguments you are presenting

1.Some verbs are neutral:

 Smith (2004) describes...

2. Some verbs draw attention to the author's viewpoint:

 Harris (2001) argues...

3. Some verbs give information about the author's work:

 Holmes (2000) investigated...

4.Some verbs highlight the author's viewpoint:

 Brown (2001) believes...

5. Other useful reporting verbs (use present or past tense as appropriate)

To Repeat: in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted

To Emphasize : definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely,

consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore,

To Summarize or Conclude: in brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in

. Cohesive devices and lexis for the IELTS essays .

4. Contrasting point of view

I take a different view at…

To sum it up I’d like to say…

.Some rules and vocabularies

How to express essential ideas

List of words that are