Introduction:
The thought of studying or moving abroad gives you butterflies in your stomach, but this excitement seems to be short-lived when you have to prove your proficiency in the English language. The IELTS exam is the most preferred test for showing your expertise in the language. In the IELTS, the Writing portion requires the highest amount of effort, and hence, students often face hesitation and stress when performing this skill. This blog will let your writing flow smoothly after you get to know about the importance of collocation and linking words in IELTS Writing and the application of such words in the examination
Difference between collocations and linking words
There is a thin line of variance between collocations and linking words; it is:
- Collocation: The words or phrases that are spoken or written together to make the statement sound more natural are used as collocation.
For example, cool breeze, take a break, keep in touch, calm down, and many more.
- Linking Words: As the name suggests, the words or phrases that express some connections or links between sentences, paragraphs, or clauses are termed linking words.
For instance, such as, furthermore, in contrast, at the outset, to follow through, so on and so forth.
Do not confuse yourself while using these words, as there is a stark contrast between knowing the word and employing it in the writing skill.
Significance of collocation
Collocation holds a key position in IELTS Writing tasks as it reflects multiple components. These elements are:
- Conveys Genuineness: In order to influence the examiner to feel the originality of your write-up, these words come to your rescue. As you make use of such words quite intelligently, your tasks do not leave any stone unturned to display simplicity linked with logic. The more the use, the more natural it sounds.
- Showcases Perfection: The accurate usage of collocations helps to make the examiner aware of the exactness of your ideas presented through your drafts, and also positively impacts the band score.
- Represents Good Hold on Vocabulary: Perfect use of collocation reveals the candidate’s knowledge of relevant lexicons while placing them in an organized way in a sentence.
Value of linking words
The expression of linking words in writing tasks aids in demonstrating the correlation between the statements, paragraphs, or clauses. These words are crucial to draw the attention of the examiner when wanting to pinpoint the change of opinion or the addition of the notion(s). The following are the reasons why you should include linking words in your IELTS writing tasks.
- To Maintain Logical Bond: When you pen down words like nevertheless, additionally, at the end, to embark on, to continue further, on the flip side, and so on, the assessor is able to find the interconnection in your tasks finely and makes his work of checking run easily.
- Exhibits Structured Flow in Writing: Coherence and cohesion are mandatory parts of the writing skill assessment. A well-organized writing is one that represents the connectivity of ideas and keeps the examiner glued throughout the demonstration of the skill.
- Confirms Transparency: Linking words are the best source to establish clarity in your writing task. When the examiner is able to clearly notice your standpoints and arguments, the chances of getting a high score in IELTS Writing shoot up.
How to apply both in IELTS writing
As the popular saying goes, practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired; you also need to practice the utilization of these words on a regular basis. Try doing the below-mentioned points to deploy collocation and linking words in your IELTS test.
- Learn and Make a List of Such words: While reading an article or listening to any podcast, you come across and word that is used in a pair, then list it down. This will help you in building strong relationships within paragraphs and sentences.
- Use a Distinct Word Each Time You Exercise: Whenever you sit to practice, ensure that you place new words so that you do not have to waste your time thinking about the connectors. Also, you will have the upper hand to put creativity in place.
- Understand Contextual Reference: Always read the topic first, brainstorm the ideas, and then initiate writing. Avoid the blind application of words that you know, as it can interrupt the flow of your opinions. Use the words that are relevant to the situation.
Conclusion
Both collocation and linking words carry major weight in IELTS Writing tasks. As you are now fully informed of the importance of their implications, you must now, without any delay, begin learning new words. Furthermore, contact Global Colliance, where the experienced faculty will assist you in imbibing the word lists that can improve your and support you in scoring 7+ bands in IELTS Writing.
