GRAMMAR MATTERS

Improving your IELTS score with the use of Grammar. 

According to the Criteria and requirements for Band 7 Grammar, the candidate must use a RANGE of GRAMMAR STRUCTURES. 
What does this mean? 
The candidate must use simple as well as complex sentences. By the way, complex and complicated (which is what most students/candidates do) are two very different things. 
Complex refers to Grammar whereas Complicated often leads to confusion and lack of readability. 

Someone, somewhere told candidates that the best way to get a high score was to use COMPLICATED sentences and HIGH-LEVEL VOCABULARY even though they had no idea how to use these words with precision. 
The RESULT Band 5.5-6 


Now, let's take a look at what a complex sentence is?
It does not mean complicated, long or impressive. 
They are just two or more simple sentences put together. 
Putting them together makes the essay more coherent and cohesive.

Because my coffee was too cold, I heated it in the microwave. (There are two clauses joined together) 
Although he was wealthy, he was still unhappy.
She returned the computer after she noticed it was damaged.
Whenever prices goes up, customers buy less products.

At this point, I suggest that you read a BBC news article or one from a quality publication and IDENTIFY the complex sentences. 

TIP : Use a simple sentence for the first sentence of the paragraph.  
This will highlight the MAIN IDEA. 
Thereafter, use complex sentences to PULL/ JOIN two ideas together. 

CONJUNCTIONS

Contrast
although
though
even though
while
whereas

The US failed to ratify the Kyoto treaty although/though it supported the UN’s objectives on global warming.
Clean water is scarce in the poorest countries while Western consumers have abundant supplies.

Reason
because
since
as


Time
when
as soon as
while
as
once
until
after
before

Purpose
so that

Condition
if
unless

Place
where

Adding information about a person
who
whose

Adding information about a thing
which
that

Introducing reported information
that
whether
how

I have underlined all the conjunctions in the article below. 
Have I missed any out?  

The coronavirus outbreak has been labelled a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the number of cases outside China had increased 13-fold in two weeks. He said he was "deeply concerned" by "alarming levels of inaction".
A pandemic is a disease that is spreading in multiple countries around the world at the same time.
Hours later Italy said that all shops except food shops and pharmacies would close.
Announcing the toughest lockdown seen yet in Europe, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said bars, hairdressers, restaurants and cafes that could not guarantee a metre's distance between customers and non-essential company departments would also close.

TEST PREP NAS CEE TIP: 
The best way to become a great writer is to be a good reader!