Category: IELTS

Does your writing have sentence variety?

The image is a painting by Matisse. There is an open window showing boats on water.
Open Window by Henri Matisse

This is probably my favourite painting by Matisse. It is full of colour, energy, and emotion. A fresh perspective on the world. The vibrancy and variety of colours is mesmerizing. Orange, green, and red tilting lines shooting up from the boats. The left window frame containing mixtures of pink and purple.

What does this have to do with writing, I hear you ask. Well, writing also requires variety. When you write articles, stories, essays, and even reports, there should be sentence variety. Some sentences may be short, while others may be long and descriptive. Complex sentences may be used to express complex concepts or arguments. Sentence fragments may be used to bring out a particlar mood, emotion, or energy.

Let’s look at some common sentence structures. We’ll take it slow, starting from the start. And we will keep it simple. Promise.

Five different types of sentences

1. Simple sentence

A simple sentence expresses a complete thought. Here is an example: I like chocolate ice-cream. (It’s hot right now, and I really could do with some ice-cream.) Now, a simple sentence need not be restricted to a few words. You could write: I really like almond covered, chocolate ice-cream served in a big, crunch cone. What is the essence of that sentence? Yes, I like chocolate ice-cream. Clear and simple. Even though there are many words, the long sentence expresses a complete thought. It is a simple sentence.

2. Compound sentence

A compound sentence joins two simple sentences. To join these sentences, we use co-ordinating conjunctions such as: and, but, or, so, and yet. Here is an example: I like chocolate ice-cream, but I’m too lazy to go to the market. Here we have two seperate thoughts. Thought one — I like ice-cream. Thought two — I’m too lazy to buy it. What is interesting is that both these thoughts have equal grammatical importance. They both can stand on their own two feet. Why I say this will be clearer in the next type of sentence we will look at.

3. Complex sentence

A complex sentence has two parts. One part can stand on its own two feet. The other part cannot stand on its own. It requires support. Let’s look at this example: I like chocolate ice-cream which is from the Mambo Ice-Cream Cafe. In this sentence there are two parts. Part one: I like chocolate ice-cream. It makes sense, by itself. Doesn’t it?

Part two: which is from the Mambo Ice-Cream Cafe. Does that make sense? What is from Mambo Ice-Cream Cafe? No idea. Not a clue. This part only makes sense when it is linked with Part one. So, let’s read the sentence again — I like chocolate ice-cream which is from the Mambo Ice-Cream Cafe. Do you see it now? The sentence has two parts. One part can stand on its own two feet. The other part needs to lean on someting. By itself, Part two’s meaning is not complete.

Apart from using which, in a complex sentence you can use words such as that, who, and when.

4. Sentences starting with ing-words

How does this sound? Having decided to buy chocalate ice-cream, he left for the market. Or: Meeting his friends at the market, they decided to go to the Mambo Ice-Cream Cafe. Do you like this sentence variation? It’s a change from the usual run of the mill sentences. Try it, sometime.

5. Fragments

Ice-Cream? Chocolate? Where to go? Then he remembered Mambo. The one and only Mambo Ice-Cream Cafe. This type of writing should not be used in a formal setting, neither at work nor university. But, you can use sentence fragments in more informal contexts, such as writing a blog post. These bursts of words may not always be grammatically correct, but they do bring a certain energy to the page.

Putting it all together

Let’s put all these different types of sentences in one paragraph:

Looking out the window, he saw the fishing boats bobbing in the harbour. He peered at the name on one of the boats. It was MAMBO. Mambo. Mambo Ice-Cream Cafe. He remembered the strong flavour of chocolate which exploded in his mouth. He called out to his wife and they crossed the harbour. Mambo Ice-Cream Cafe was waiting patiently for them.

In the above paragraph we have different types of sentences. The first sentence starts with an ing-word (Looking out the window…). Then there is a simple sentence. Another simple sentence — It was MAMBO. Followed by sentence fragments (Mambo. Mambo Ice-Cream Cafe.) Followed by a complex sentence (the one with which). Followed by a compound sentence (the one with and). And the last sentence is a simple sentence.

What do you think? Does this kind of sentence variety provide rhythm and pace to the writing? How would it be if there were only simple sentences? Would it be less interesting for the reader? I think it would.

Now, look at your writing. Do you use a variety of simple, compound, complex, and other types of sentences? Do you use a mix of short, medium, and long sentences?

Whether you are writing a page in a diary or a report for work, see how you can vary your sentences. It will bring more zest into your writing. Who knows? Maybe your writing will exude energy, freshness, and a sense of purpose, just like the Matisse painting.

How to approach IELTS writing

Here is my advice for IELTS writing, task 2.

This advice is useful if you have to write essays for other tests as well.

The advice is simple: Don’t write.

Yes, you read that correctly. Don’t write.

In everyday life, the writing you do is confined to the demands of your job. You may write emails informing clients about new products. But, I doubt you write about the need for the government to fund artists, or on the effectiveness of language translation technology.

By the way, those two topics could be in your IELTS exam. So, let’s transport ourselves to test day. Sitting in a hall with paper and pencil, you must write intelligently about a topic that you never considered before. The clock is ticking.

Tik-tok-tik-tok.

What do you do? You put pencil to paper.

You may have learnt some tips a few days ago.

Tips about the need for paragraphs. Tips about the types of adverbs to use (e.g. nevertheless). You may be overflowing with tips and tricks told to you by YouTube videos, trainers, and previous IELTS candidates.

In this post we will focus on how to approach the task of writing.

Follow these seven steps

Let’s start the journey on the right foot. Leave the stress-inducing exam hall behind, and enter the safety of your home.

We go step by step. Ready?

Step one

Read the prompt. Have you read the prompt correctly? Many candidates believe they are answering the prompt, when in reality, they are answering a prompt that wasn’t even asked!

So, read the prompt at least twice. Make sure you understand it.

Underline key words. Underline. Underline. Underline. Don’t be lazy.

Step two

Don’t write. Activate your grey cells.

Let’s take the example of this prompt – Some people think that it is necessary for the government to fund the arts.

What are your views? 

What do you feel about funding the arts? Don’t say what you think other people want to hear.

What is your authentic reaction?

Step three

Don’t write. Speak. Remember, you are home–safe and sound.

Let’s say you are in favour of government funding. Now, state your argument for it. You may have this thought: funding the arts helps to promote the culture of a country.

Okay, that’s a good start.

Ask yourself, why is that important? You could say: in today’s globalized world, local culture is being marginalised by western culture. 

Hmm… Good point. But what is so important about local culture? Why save it? And then a brilliant thought flashes through your alert mind—culture is the identity of a country. It is what makes a place unique, special.

Step four

Don’t write. Find other reasons to support your view.

Does culture attract tourists? Why? Will it lead to higher employment? How so?

Will there be an increase in tax revenue for the government? How would that happen? Can you cite a real-world example? For instance, is there a region you know that has benefited from tourism?

Step five

Don’t write.

Collect your thoughts. Say them out loud.  

Record yourself on your cell phone. How does it sound? Is there a logical flow? Does each sentence build on the previous one?

I am currently reading a book, On Writing Well, by William Zinsser. His advice for good writing is: think in paragraphs. That is fabulous advice!

Don’t think in terms of sentences. Go for the big picture. See all the jigsaw pieces snugly fitting together, completing the puzzle.

Step six

Don’t write. Refine your arguments. Is everything you say aligned to the prompt? Are you focused like a laser?

Ask questions such as:

What is the central idea for the first paragraph? How about for the second one? Third one? Dig deeper into a paragraph. Is this the best supporting argument I can come with? Is this the most relevant example I can think of?

Do you have a friend who is preparing for IETLS? Do you know someone who is good at writing or speaking? If yes, ask them to listen to your recorded response. Ask for advice on how to improve your answer. They may come up with some interesting insights.

Step seven

It’s now time to write.

Write words; write sentences; write paragraphs.

There is a lot to keep in mind when writing. You must focus on grammatical accuracy. You need to use a wide range of vocabulary. In other words, make sure you use a variety of words. Don’t use the same words from the prompt. Use synonyms.

There are many, many steps hidden in this seventh step. For instance, you need to make sure your essay is coherent. There is not enough space in this post to cover them. We will touch on them in later posts.

The takeaway

When you are face to face with a prompt, don’t immediately start filling the page or screen.

Mull over the prompt.

Once you have some thoughts in your mind: speak.

Be sure to record your ‘speech’. Listen critically to what you have said. This will clarify your thinking. It will help you organise your essay–paragraph by paragraph.

Only after you are confident that you have a good essay in your mind: write.

If you sincerely practice these steps for three or four prompts, you will see an improvement in the content and structure of your essays.

And you will agree with me when I say that the act of writing is much more than putting words on a page.

Why is IELTS writing so hard?

For many candidates the writing module is the most difficult section of IELTS.

Why is this so?

Four reasons why IELTS writing is hard

Essay writing is not a priority at school

When I was at school, decades ago I admit, I don’t remember writing any essays. Things may have changed since then, but I doubt that there have been any drastic alterations to the educational system. Indian schools do not teach academic writing–at least not in any meaningful way.

Young Indians do not learn how to systematically analyze an issue, form opinions, and then defend those opinions. Our educational system rewards memorization and not critical thinking.

IELTS rewards critical thinking.

No habit of reading

After college, there is a mad scramble to get that dream job. For new recruits, the work pressure can be high. If one hasn’t developed the habit of reading in childhood, it is difficult to become a reader later in life.

In general, people have limited exposure to issues outside their domain of expertise. An engineer may know very little about the public healthcare system. A marketing associate may have never read a single article on music or theatre. A chemistry teacher may not be aware of the importance of studying sociology.

People who have a broader understanding of the world find it easier to tackle the wide range of topics in IELTS.

Hardly any meaningful conversations about the news

Often, our conversations tend to be superficial. When the conversation is about politics, culture, or society, we rarely discuss the underlying causes of an issue.

Consider the quality of debate on our national news channels. I rest my case.

People who explore issues in-depth tend to do better in IELTS.

Over-confidence in writing skills

This may be the most difficult point for us to acknowledge. Some people are convinced that their writing skills are quite good. In fact, some are under the impression that their essays are excellent!

Self-evaluation is a tricky business.

When it comes to language skills, we naturally compare our performance with that of our peers. That is a slippery slope for many reasons. One, you may be making errors that you are not aware of. Two, you may have a false sense of security because you feel that you are superior to the person sitting next to you. (That person’s language level may be very low.)

Beware of the illusion of competence.

What do you need to do?

To do well in IETLS (Writing Task 2) you need to form an opinion about the prompt, clearly state that opinion, and present supporting arguments in a persuasive, coherent manner. For that to happen, you need to be familiar with the structure of academic writing. And you need to have a good level of general knowledge.

For example, if the prompt in Task 2 is about space exploration, and you have never, ever in your life thought about the topic, then writing about it under examination conditions will be challenging. No doubt about it.

Start reading on a broad range of topics.

The way forward

There are deep, systemic reasons why candidates from India, and possibly other countries with similar educational systems, find IELTS writing so difficult. That is why it is hard to become an effective writer overnight.

It takes time, patience, practice, and some more practice.

The first step to improving your band score is to understand why you find writing so hard. Consider the four points above. Are there any points you relate to?

Take your time–introspect.

It will help you become a better writer.

Interested in improving your writing for IELTS? Read how following these seven steps can help.

Since vs. for

 

since

 

At times, I have heard: “I’ve been working here from 2015.”

Actually it should be: “I’ve been working here since 2015.”

Or one can say: “I’ve been working here for two years.”

Here is how since and for are used:

since + point in time       (since 1906)

for + period of time        (for 10 years)

We do use from with time expressions, but in a different sense. Here are some examples:

The conference starts from tomorrow. 

The shop is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

And yes, by now you know why the ad is correct: Trusted since 1906.

In fact, from now on, you know the difference between since and for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IELTS Preparation Resources

Many candidates find IELTS to be challenging. If you prepare well, you can do well. Here are some tips:

  • Practice your paraphrasing skills. This will especially help you in the writing section.
  • Use simple language. You do not have to use fancy words to do well. If you do use advanced vocabulary, make sure that you know what it means.
  • Read the question! Many times, candidates start answering the question they are expecting, and not the question that has been asked. When you do this, you go completely off topic.

Many candidates ask: What should I study to prepare for IELTS? 

There is a lot of material out there, and it can get overwhelming at times. Here are some IETLS resources that I strongly recommend.

If you are serious about getting a high band, do consider purchasing this book:

Official Guide to IELTS It’s published by Cambridge. And it will give you a good idea as to what types of questions to expect and how to answer them.

Here are some helpful websites:

The official IELTS website has sample tests and other resources. I highly recommend it. 

 IELTS Liz is a popular website with tips and practice lessons.

TakeIELTS from British Council has many helpful videos. Do visit. 

This British Council post has useful tips and strategies for succeeding in IELTS.

Watch this video for IELTS reading: