{"id":52629,"date":"2016-01-27T22:55:40","date_gmt":"2016-01-27T22:55:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/127.0.0.1\/aee\/linking-words-ielts-speaking\/"},"modified":"2022-01-18T17:51:03","modified_gmt":"2022-01-18T17:51:03","slug":"linking-words-ielts-speaking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allearsenglish.com\/linking-words-ielts-speaking\/","title":{"rendered":"Appropriate Linking Words for IELTS Speaking Test Parts 1, 2 and 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you know which linking words to use? Do you know\u00a0where<\/em> to use them?<\/p>\n

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Linking for IELTS Speaking Part 1<\/strong><\/h3>\n

First off, you need to be clear on a very important aspect of scoring highly in this part for Fluency and Coherence.<\/p>\n

Yes, you must use a variety of linking words, but, as Speaking Part 1 is made of informal, personal questions, you cannot use high-level, formal linking words.<\/p>\n

Using the wrong linking words in Speaking Part 1 can actually lower your score<\/a>!<\/p>\n

For example, if the examiner asks, \u201cDo you enjoy exercising outside?\u201d<\/p>\n

An\u00a0inappropriate<\/i>\u00a0response would be, \u201cTo begin, I love running outside. Furthermore, I try to run for half an hour in the park near my house every morning. In conclusion, moving around outside is an essential activity for me.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

That was terrible!! Those linking words are too formal, and, thus, they sound very unnatural and grating to a native speaker, and the examiner.<\/p>\n

A better, more natural response would be, \u201cActually, I love running outside. In fact, I try to run for half an hour in the park near my house every morning. Honestly, moving around outside is an essential activity for me.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

So, in IELTS Speaking Part 1, you should use linking words and transition phrases like\u00a0actually, in fact, to be honest, you know, well, for example<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>and another thing is that<\/i><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Linking for IELTS Speaking Part 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For the most fluent, coherent, and natural sounding response in Speaking Part 2, you should try and tell a story<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This is the best strategy for every topic the examiner gives you.<\/p>\n

So, that means that your answer will naturally be organized by time, and you can use linking words such as\u00a0firstly, at first, after that, following this, and then, next, finally<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0at long last<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

How you choose to introduce your answer is another opportunity to impress the examiner, as I talk about in this video.<\/p>\n

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