"Practice Exercise: Using Linking Phrases to Describe Changes in IELTS Writing Task 1"

"Practice Exercise: Using Linking Phrases to Describe Changes in IELTS Writing Task 1"

Writing Task 1: Cohesion & Coherence

Connecting Ideas with Linking Phrases

Task: The sentences below present data accurately but lack flow. Use linking phrases (e.g., Despite, However, After which, Having...) to join them into a smooth, high-scoring paragraph.

Original Notes (Disconnected):

  • The income of Lovely loaves began at just over $ 80,000 in 2000.
  • There was a slight rise to around $ 95,000 in 2001.
  • The figure went down steadily to $ 80,000 in 2003.
  • There was a slight increase to around $ 90,000 in 2004.
  • There was a sharp fall to just under $ 60,000 in 2007.
  • Income fell considerably to $ 40,000 in 2008.
  • The figure levelled off in the last two years.
Reveal Model Answer

improved Paragraph:

Despite a slight rise to around $95,000 in 2001, the income of Lovely Loaves went down steadily to $80,000 in 2003. However, there was a slight increase to around $90,000 in 2004. After which, there was a sharp fall to just under $60,000 in 2007. Having fallen considerably to $40,000 in 2008, the figure then leveled off in the last two years.

Note: Observe how sentences 1 & 2 were combined using "Despite", and the final two points were combined using the participle clause "Having fallen".