"Using 'Despite' and 'Having' Sentence Structures in IELTS Writing Task 1: Practice Exercises"

"Using 'Despite' and 'Having' Sentence Structures in IELTS Writing Task 1: Practice Exercises"

Complex Structures: "Despite" & "Having"

Boost your Grammatical Range Score in Task 1

⚠ Grammar Tip:

  • The "Having" Structure: This requires the Past Participle (Verb 3).
    Example: "Having fallen..." (Not "falling")
  • The "Despite" Structure: Can be followed by a Gerund (-ing) or a Noun Phrase.

Exercise 1: Choose the correct form

1. Despite [ falling / fall ] sharply to just above $40,000, the figure then rose in 2010.

2. Having [ remained / remaining ] stable at $55,000, income then rose sharply in 2008.

Click to Check Answers
1. Despite falling sharply...
2. Having remained stable...

Exercise 2: Rewrite the sentences

Rewrite the sentences using the word in brackets to join the ideas.

1. Original: There was a steady decline to $80,000, and then income recovered to $90,000 in 2004. (Despite)

2. Original: Earnings dropped sharply to just over $60,000, but then rose slightly. (Having)

Click to Check Answers

1. Despite a steady decline to $80,000, income recovered to $90,000 in 2004.

2. Having dropped sharply to just over $60,000, earnings then rose slightly.