✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Linking Words for Result

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Why do you study English? (Give a result)

2. What happens if people don’t exercise?

3. What are the results of eating too much junk food?

4. What happens if students don’t do homework?

5. What happens when the weather is bad?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a time when your effort led to a result.
You should say:

• what you did

• what the result was

• how you felt about it
  and use at least three linking words for result.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1

1. I study English; as a result, I can communicate with people around the world.

2. People don’t exercise; therefore, they may have health problems.

3. Eating junk food regularly is unhealthy; consequently, people gain weight.

4. If students don’t do homework, they get poor grades. That’s why teachers insist on it.

5. The weather was bad; hence, the outdoor event was cancelled.

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Part 2 Sample Answer
Last year, I prepared very hard for the IELTS exam. I took practice tests every week and improved my writing skills. As a result, I became much more confident. I also worked on my pronunciation; therefore, I was able to speak fluently in the test. Consequently, I achieved the band score I needed.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Linking Words for Result

1. "She studied hard; as a result, she passed the exam with flying colours."
Q: Why did she pass the exam?

2. "It rained all night; therefore, the match was postponed."
Q: Why was the match postponed?

3. "He didn’t prepare well; consequently, he failed the test."
Q: Why did he fail?

4. "The shop was closed, thus we couldn’t buy anything."
Q: Why couldn’t they buy anything?

5. "She lived near the school, hence she was never late."
Q: Why was she never late?

6. "I was hungry, so I made myself a sandwich."
Q: Why did the speaker make food?

7. "The project lacked funding; for this reason, it was cancelled."
Q: Why was the project cancelled?

8. "I didn’t bring an umbrella, that’s why I got wet."
Q: Why did the speaker get wet?

9. "The evidence was clear; accordingly, the judge made his decision."
Q: Why was the decision made?

10. "The roads were icy; in consequence, several accidents happened."
Q: Why did accidents happen?

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✦ Answer Key

1. Because she studied hard.

2. Because of the rain.

3. Because he didn’t prepare.

4. Because the shop was closed.

5. Because she lived near the school.

6. Because he was hungry.

7. Lack of funding.

8. He had no umbrella.

9. Because the evidence was clear.

10. Because of icy roads.

 

📖 Tom Sawyer – Chapter 9 (Adapted for English Learners)

Title: A Secret Oath

Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn could not sleep after what they had seen in the graveyard. Every time they closed their eyes, they saw Doctor Robinson lying dead, and Injun Joe’s fierce eyes shining in the moonlight.

The boys met early the next morning behind the old sawmill, away from everyone’s eyes. They were pale and nervous, whispering instead of speaking out loud.

 

“Huck, we’re in awful trouble,” Tom said.
“Awful? It’s worse than awful,” Huck replied. “If Injun Joe ever finds out we saw him, we’re dead men.”

They both sat in silence, shaking their heads.

“What’ll we do, Huck?” Tom asked finally.
“We swear never to tell,” Huck said. “If we keep our mouths shut, we’ll be safe.”

The two boys agreed that this was the only way. They decided to take a blood oath, the most serious kind of promise they knew.

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The Blood Oath

They found a broken piece of board and used a rusty nail to scratch their words into it:

We, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, swear that we will never tell about this night at the graveyard. If we do, may we drop dead and rot.

Then they each pricked their finger with the nail and pressed them together until the blood mixed. It was painful, but it made the oath real.

“Now it’s done,” Tom said solemnly.
“Forever,” Huck agreed.

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Poor Muff Potter

Later that morning, the town was full of talk. Everyone had heard the news: Doctor Robinson was dead, and Muff Potter was in jail, accused of the murder.

Tom and Huck listened silently as people discussed it in the street. Most said it was no surprise. Muff was always drunk, always getting into trouble. But a few people said they couldn’t believe Muff was a killer.

Tom’s heart ached. He and Huck knew Muff was innocent. But the oath bound them. They couldn’t say a word.

That afternoon, the boys crept to the edge of the jail. Through the bars they saw Muff sitting on a wooden bench, his face sad but strangely calm.

“Boys,” Muff said kindly, “you’ve been good friends to me. Don’t stop visiting, will you?”

Tom nearly burst into tears. He wanted to shout the truth, but Huck gripped his arm. The oath was stronger than their courage. They walked away silently.

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Guilt and Fear

That night, Tom tossed and turned in bed. He dreamed of the graveyard again and again. Each time he saw Injun Joe’s cruel smile. He woke up sweating.

He wanted to tell Aunt Polly, or Sid, or anyone. But the words of the oath echoed in his ears: If we tell, may we drop dead and rot.

The fear and guilt grew heavier each day. Tom became quieter, and Aunt Polly noticed his pale face and worried eyes. She thought he was sick.

But Tom’s sickness was in his heart, not his body. He was carrying a terrible secret—and he didn’t know how long he could bear it.

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📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Oath	A very serious promise
Blood oath	A promise made by mixing blood as a sign of loyalty
Rot	To decay, to break down like something dead
Innocent	Not guilty of a crime
Accused	Said to have committed a crime, but not proven
Guilt	A bad feeling when you know you’ve done wrong
Tossed and turned	Could not sleep, moving around in bed
Bear	To carry or endure something difficult

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Why couldn’t Tom and Huck sleep after the graveyard?

2. What kind of oath did they take, and how did they make it?

3. Who was accused of the murder?

4. How did Muff Potter react to the boys visiting him in jail?

5. Why couldn’t Tom and Huck tell the truth?

6. How did keeping the secret affect Tom?

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✅ Answers

1. Because they kept remembering the murder they had seen.

2. A blood oath—they pricked their fingers and mixed their blood.

3. Muff Potter.

4. He thanked them kindly and asked them to keep visiting.

5. Because they were too afraid of Injun Joe and bound by the oath.

6. He became pale, quiet, and full of guilt and fear.

 

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

1. Because
   e.g., I stayed home because it was raining heavily.

2. Since
   e.g., Since you’re here early, we can start the meeting now.

3. As
   e.g., I didn’t go out, as I was feeling tired.

4. Due to
   e.g., The match was cancelled due to heavy snow.

5. Owing to
   e.g., Owing to his illness, he missed the class.

6. Because of
   e.g., The flight was delayed because of strong winds.

7. For this reason
   e.g., She studied hard. For this reason, she passed the exam.

8. As a result of
   e.g., The river overflowed as a result of torrential rain.

9. So that
   e.g., I spoke slowly so that everyone could understand me.

10. So as to
    e.g., He whispered so as to not wake the baby.

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✦ Why These Words Are Important in IELTS

• They help you explain causes and effects, which is crucial in both Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 3.

• They improve Coherence & Cohesion by clearly linking ideas.

• They allow you to show variety in vocabulary and grammar, boosting your Band score.

Without them, your answers may sound flat or incomplete.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Linking Words for Reason

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Why do you study English?

2. Why do you enjoy your favourite hobby?

3. Why do people in your country like shopping?

4. Why do students use the internet?

5. Why do some people prefer cities over villages?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a decision you made for a specific reason.
You should say:

• what the decision was

• why you made it

• what the result was
  and use at least three linking words for reason.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1

1. I study English because it’s important for my career.

2. I love football since it helps me stay fit.

3. People shop a lot owing to the many modern malls available.

4. Students use the internet so that they can find information quickly.

5. Some prefer cities because of the job opportunities.

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Part 2 Sample Answer
One important decision I made was moving abroad to study. I chose this because I wanted international experience. As a result of this choice, I had to learn to be more independent. I also studied hard, so as to achieve good grades. For this reason, I now feel more confident about my future career.

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✦ Comprehension Test: Linking Words for Reason

1. "I stayed home because it was raining heavily."
Q: Why did the speaker stay home?

2. "Since you’re here early, we can start the meeting now."
Q: What allowed them to start the meeting?

3. "I didn’t go out, as I was feeling tired."
Q: Why didn’t the speaker go out?

4. "The match was cancelled due to heavy snow."
Q: What caused the cancellation?

5. "Owing to his illness, he missed the class."
Q: Why did he miss the class?

6. "The flight was delayed because of strong winds."
Q: Why was the flight delayed?

7. "She studied hard. For this reason, she passed the exam."
Q: Why did she pass the exam?

8. "The river overflowed as a result of torrential rain."
Q: What caused the river to overflow?

9. "I spoke slowly so that everyone could understand me."
Q: Why did the speaker speak slowly?

10. "He whispered so as to not wake the baby."
Q: Why did he whisper?

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✦ Answer Key

1. Because of heavy rain.

2. Arriving early.

3. Because he was tired.

4. Heavy snow.

5. His illness.

6. Strong winds.

7. Because she studied hard.

8. Torrential rain.

9. So everyone could understand.

10. To avoid waking the baby.