IELTS Reading

Using connecting words and phrases

1. Cause and effect

2. Addition

3. Contrast

4. Explanation

5. Sequence

6. Importance

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1. Cause and effect

Sentence/paragraph connectives Clause connectives

effect

For this reason,

Consequently,

As a consequence,

As a result,

Thus,

Hence,

Therefore, cause

because of

as a result of

due to

attributed to

caused by

effect

lead to

result in

2. Addition

Sentence/paragraph connectives Clause connectives

Additionally,

An additional ... is that

In addition, 

A further ... is that

Moreover,

Also,

Besides (this/that), as well as

in addition to

besides

and

3. Contrast

Sentence/paragraph connectives Clause connectives

On the other hand,

However,

Instead,

Conversely,

In contrast, but

yet

while

whereas

although

though

even though

Let's look at examples of the two types of contrast connective words.

Sentence/paragraph connectives Clause connectives

Studying in a foreign country can be an exciting experience.However, some students may find it very difficult at the beginning. Even though studying in a foreign country can be a very exciting experience, some students may find it very difficult at the beginning.

 

4. Explanation

Look at the following extract from an IELTS reading passage that uses a sentence connective to give an explanation.

Example 1

The Bedouin tribes of the Arabian Peninsula were able to adapt well to the harsh desert conditions in which they lived. Indeed, it was their exceptional management of the desert's limited resources – wells, camels and grazing land that allowed them to live a sustainable lifestyle.

The writer uses the sentence connective 'Indeed' to introduce an explanation of how the Bedouin tribes adapted to harsh conditions ('it was their exceptional management of the desert's limited resources – wells, camels and grazing land').

Let's look at other sentence connective words and phrases used to give an explanation.

The Bedouin tribes of the Arabian Peninsula were able to adapt well to the harsh desert conditions in which they lived. In fact,

That is,

In other words, it was their exceptional management of the desert's limited resources – wells, camels and grazing land that allowed them to live a sustainable lifestyle.

 

5. Sequence

Look at the following extract from an IELTS reading passage that uses clause connectives indicating a sequence or time order.

Example

Coal is transported from the mine to the power station by rail. After arrival, it is stored in bunkers and then, when required, fed into large furnaces where it is burnt.

The connective words 'After' and 'then' indicate a sequence of events, so the relationship between ideas is sequence/time order. Note that these types of connectives are often used to describe a process.

Below is a list of other connective words and phrases used to indicate sequence or time order.

Sequence

Sentence/paragraph connectives Clause connectives

First,

Firstly,

First of all,

Then

Now

Next

Soon

Meanwhile,

After that,

Since then,

Lastly,

Finally, as

after

as soon as

before

until

when

while

Let's look at examples of the two types of sequence connective words.

Sentence/paragraph connectives Clause connectives

First, the telephone number that appears at the back of the international phonecard is dialled and the pin number is entered.Then the destination number is dialled and the call is connected. Before dialling the destination number, the pin number that appears at the back of the international phonecard needs to be entered.

 

6. Importance

Look at the following extract from an IELTS reading passage that uses a sentence connective indicating order of importance.

First and foremost, a reputable agent should represent the interests of the home-buyer, and not the seller. They should also point out the weaknesses and strengths of a property and tell you if they think the home you wish to purchase is overpriced.

In this example, the writer uses a connective phrase 'First and foremost' to indicate that representing the interests of the home-buyer is the most important obligation of an agent.

Below are some other connective words and phrases used to indicate the importance of an idea.

First and foremost,

Above all,

Above all else,

Most importantly,

Most significantly,

Primarily, a reputable agent should represent the interests of the home-buyer, and not the seller. They should also point out the weaknesses and strengths of a property and tell you if they think the home you wish to purchase is overpriced.

 

7. Examples

Look at the following extracts from IELTS reading passages that use sentence and clause connectives indicating an example.

Example 1

In ideal situations, an egalitarian style, as opposed to the traditional pattern, is typified by a more or less equal division in household tasks between the entire family. For instance, one parent does the washing for one week, the other cooks, while children in the family may assist with the dishes or taking out the garbage.

The writer uses the sentence connective 'For instance' to introduce an example ('one parent does the washing for one week, the other cooks, while children in the family may assist with the dishes or taking out the garbage') to support the idea in the previous sentence.

Example 2

Tourists who carry with them items of obvious value like cameras or jewellery are susceptible to theft from locals.

The writer uses the clause connective 'like' to introduce examples of valuable items (i.e., 'cameras and jewellery').

 

Let's look some other connective words and phrases used to indicate examples.

Examples

sentence connectives clause connectives

For example,

For instance,

An example of this is/could be

To illustrate this, for instance

for example,

like

such as

i.e.,

Let's look at examples of these example connective words.

Sentence/paragraph connectives Clause connectives

Smoking can affect people's health. For example, it can cause lung cancer. Several health problems are attributed to smoking likeblindness, loss of hearing and asthma.

Putting it together

Let's review the connective words and phrases we have learnt in Part 4.

Idea Connective words/phrases

Cause and effect due to

because

accordingly

as a result

as a consequence

hence

thus

consequently

therefore

Addition firstly

also

additionally/in addition

besides

furthermore

moreover

Contrast on the other hand

in contrast

however

instead

still

nonetheless

nevertheless

alternatively

conversely

whereas

while

Explanation indeed

in fact

that is

Sequence first

second

first of all

then

next

now

soon

last

finally

meanwhile

gradually

after that

since then

Importance above all

first and foremost

more/most importantly/significantly

primarily

Example for instance

for example

such as

like

 

Part 5: Strategies for understanding unfamiliar words

Introduction

While studying for the IELTS test, you should develop your vocabulary as much as possible. Among other things, this will help you improve your fluency and comprehension skills in reading. Expand your vocabulary by reading magazines, textbooks, newspapers or other sources that interest you. Also, keep a vocabulary book and record any useful words you learn (i.e., words that are commonly used or that you think can be applied to various contexts). Review these words on a regular basis.

Outcomes

It is not possible to learn every English word and during the IELTS Reading test it is likely that you will see words that are unfamiliar. You can prepare yourself for this by practising and using some of the followingstrategies to help you understand these words:

1. Guessing the meaning of the word from the context

2. Looking for a definition in a text

3. Looking for an opposite meaning

4. Understanding prefixes