✦ IELTS Topic: Linking Words for Examples – 10 Useful Phrases

1. For example
   e.g., Many people enjoy outdoor activities; for example, hiking and cycling are popular.

2. For instance
   e.g., Some countries, for instance, Japan, have very efficient public transport.

3. Such as
   e.g., I enjoy sports such as tennis and badminton.

4. Like (informal in speaking)
   e.g., I love sweet desserts like chocolate cake and ice cream.

5. Namely
   e.g., Three students, namely Sarah, Alex, and Priya, won the award.

6. In particular
   e.g., I enjoy reading; in particular, historical novels.

7. To illustrate
   e.g., To illustrate the problem, the speaker showed photos of the flooded area.

8. As an illustration
   e.g., As an illustration, the teacher shared a story from her own life.

9. Especially
   e.g., I like music, especially jazz and blues.

10. Including
    e.g., The museum has many famous works, including pieces by Picasso.

---

✦ Why These Words Are Important in IELTS

Giving examples makes your answers richer, more specific, and more convincing.

• In Speaking, they help you explain your ideas clearly.

• In Writing Task 2, examples show evidence and strengthen arguments.

• They improve Coherence & Cohesion, which is essential for a higher band score.

Without examples, your answers might sound too general or abstract.

---

✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Linking Words for Examples

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. What hobbies do you have? (Give examples)

2. What kinds of food do you like? (Give examples)

3. Do you like sports? (Give examples)

4. What types of movies do you watch? (Give examples)

5. What do you do in your free time? (Give examples)

---

Part 2: Cue Card

Describe an activity you enjoy doing. Give examples of why you enjoy it.
You should say:

• what the activity is

• how often you do it

• why you like it
  and give examples to support your answer.

---

✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1

1. I enjoy outdoor sports, such as hiking and cycling.

2. I love Italian food, for example, pasta and pizza.

3. Yes, I like many sports, especially badminton.

4. I prefer action movies, like the Marvel series.

5. I spend my free time reading; in particular, historical novels.

---

Part 2 Sample Answer
One activity I enjoy is photography. I go out most weekends to take pictures of nature. For example, I often visit the local park to photograph flowers and birds. In particular, I enjoy capturing early morning light, which gives photos a warm tone. Including photography in my routine helps me relax and be creative. To illustrate the benefits, last month I won a small local competition for one of my pictures.

---

✦ Comprehension Test: Linking Words for Examples

1. "For example, hiking and cycling are popular."
Q: What activities are popular?

2. "Some countries, for instance, Japan, have very efficient public transport."
Q: Which country is mentioned?

3. "I enjoy sports such as tennis and badminton."
Q: What sports are given as examples?

4. "I love sweet desserts like chocolate cake and ice cream."
Q: What desserts are mentioned?

5. "Three students, namely Sarah, Alex, and Priya, won the award."
Q: Who won the award?

6. "I enjoy reading; in particular, historical novels."
Q: What type of novels is mentioned?

7. "To illustrate the problem, the speaker showed photos of the flooded area."
Q: What did the speaker show?

8. "As an illustration, the teacher shared a story from her own life."
Q: What did the teacher share?

9. "I like music, especially jazz and blues."
Q: Which types of music are mentioned?

10. "The museum has many famous works, including pieces by Picasso."
Q: Which artist’s work is mentioned?

 

📖 Tom Sawyer – Chapter 5 (Adapted)

Title: A Distraction in Church

The next Sunday, Tom was again dressed in his stiff, uncomfortable “Sunday clothes” and marched off to church with Aunt Polly, Sid, and Mary. The summer sun was hot, and Tom already felt bored before the service even began.

Tom had no interest in the sermon. He shifted in his seat, looked around, and wished for something—anything—to happen.

---

The Pinch-Bug

In his pocket, Tom carried a little wooden box. Inside was a shiny black-and-yellow bug called a pinch-bug, which could give a sharp bite with its jaws. He quietly opened the box and placed the bug on the floor between the pews.

At first, the bug just sat there. Tom watched it with interest. Then a small dog wandered into the church. It noticed the bug, sniffed it, and gave it a gentle push with its nose.

The bug responded with a bite! The dog jumped and barked, spinning in circles. People in the pews began to notice. The dog tried to bite the bug, then yelped and pawed at its mouth.

---

Trouble in the Aisle

The congregation struggled to keep quiet, but soon there was laughter. The minister tried to keep speaking, but the dog was now rolling on the floor, whining and barking. Finally, it grabbed the bug in its mouth, ran down the aisle, and disappeared out the door.

Tom sat back in his seat, trying to look innocent. Aunt Polly gave him a sharp glance but said nothing.

---

The rest of the service went smoothly, but for Tom, the pinch-bug had made it far more entertaining than the sermon.

---

📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Sermon	A religious talk given in church
Pew	Long bench where people sit in church
Pinch-bug	An insect that can bite or pinch
Congregation	The group of people attending church
Aisle	Space for walking between seats
Innocent	Not guilty of doing something wrong

---

❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Who went to church with Tom that Sunday?

2. What was inside Tom’s wooden box?

3. What did the dog do when it found the bug?

4. How did the congregation react?

5. What made the service more interesting for Tom?

---

✅ Answers

1. Aunt Polly, Sid, and Mary.

2. A pinch-bug.

3. Sniffed it, pushed it, got bitten, and rolled around barking.

4. They struggled to keep quiet but then laughed.

5. Watching the dog and the pinch-bug.

 

✦ IELTS Topic: Linking Words for Addition – 10 Useful Phrases

1. In addition
   e.g., In addition to good grades, you also need strong communication skills.

2. Furthermore
   e.g., Furthermore, the study revealed a connection between diet and memory.

3. Moreover
   e.g., Moreover, these measures will benefit the environment.

4. As well as
   e.g., She enjoys painting as well as photography.

5. Along with
   e.g., Along with the report, you must submit a presentation.

6. Also
   e.g., He is also applying for a scholarship.

7. Plus
   e.g., It’s affordable, plus it comes with a warranty.

8. Not only… but also
   e.g., The hotel was not only comfortable but also very affordable.

9. Coupled with
   e.g., Coupled with high interest rates, inflation is making life expensive.

10. What’s more
    e.g., The location is perfect, and what’s more, the rent is reasonable.

---

✦ Why These Words Are Important in IELTS

In both IELTS Writing and Speaking, linking words help you:

• Make your ideas flow logically.

• Connect sentences smoothly.

• Add extra points without sounding repetitive.

• Show a range of vocabulary and coherence (important for your Coherence & Cohesion score).

Without linking words, your ideas may sound disconnected, and your score could drop.

---

✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Linking Words for Addition

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you like reading books? (Add another reason why)

2. Do you enjoy cooking? (Add more information)

3. What kind of music do you like? (Add another style)

4. Do you think technology makes life better? (Add a second benefit)

5. Do you like travelling? (Add an extra place you want to visit)

---

Part 2: Cue Card

Describe something you enjoy doing in your free time.
You should say:

• what it is

• how often you do it

• why you enjoy it
  and add more information using at least three linking words for addition.

---

✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I love reading novels. In addition, I read travel blogs to learn about new cultures.
2. Yes, I enjoy cooking, plus it helps me save money.
3. I listen to pop music, as well as jazz.
4. Yes, technology saves time. Moreover, it helps people connect easily.
5. Yes, I love travelling. What’s more, I’m planning to visit Italy next year.

---

Part 2 Sample Answer

One thing I enjoy in my free time is photography. I usually go out on weekends to capture nature. In addition, I like experimenting with editing software to improve my pictures. Furthermore, I share my photos on social media, which allows me to connect with other photography enthusiasts. Along with taking pictures, I also enjoy writing short descriptions to tell a story about each photo. This hobby is relaxing, and what’s more, it helps me see the world from a different perspective.

---

✦ Comprehension Test: Linking Words for Addition

1. "In addition to good grades, you also need strong communication skills."
Q: What else is needed besides good grades?

2. "Furthermore, the study revealed a connection between diet and memory."
Q: What did the study reveal?

3. "Moreover, these measures will benefit the environment."
Q: What is an extra advantage of the measures?

4. "She enjoys painting as well as photography."
Q: What two hobbies does she enjoy?

5. "Along with the report, you must submit a presentation."
Q: What must be submitted in addition to the report?

6. "He is also applying for a scholarship."
Q: What is he applying for besides something else he has done?

7. "It’s affordable, plus it comes with a warranty."
Q: What extra feature does it have?

8. "The hotel was not only comfortable but also very affordable."
Q: What two positive qualities did the hotel have?

9. "Coupled with high interest rates, inflation is making life expensive."
Q: What is making life expensive along with high interest rates?

10. "The location is perfect, and what’s more, the rent is reasonable."
Q: What extra advantage does the place have?

---

✦ Answer Key

1. Strong communication skills.

2. A connection between diet and memory.

3. Environmental benefits.

4. Painting and photography.

5. A presentation.

6. A scholarship.

7. A warranty.

8. Comfort and affordability.

9. Inflation.

10. Reasonable rent.