✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Linking Words for Comparison

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you prefer cities or the countryside? (Make a comparison)

2. Do you think men and women have similar hobbies?

3. Do you study better alone or with others?

4. Do you think schools today are different from the past?

5. Do you think young people and old people share similar interests?

---

Part 2: Cue Card

Describe two things that are similar.
You should say:

• what they are

• how they are similar

• why they are similar
  and use at least three linking words for comparison.

---

✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1

1. Cities are busy, whereas the countryside is calmer. But in the same way, both offer opportunities for relaxation.

2. Men enjoy football; likewise, women also play it more nowadays.

3. Studying alone helps me focus; in common with many students, I sometimes prefer group study too.

---

Part 2 Sample Answer
I’d like to compare English and Spanish. Just as English is spoken widely around the world, Spanish is also an international language. Similarly, both languages have many regional accents. In a similar fashion, learning either one requires practice in reading, writing, and speaking.

---

✦ Comprehension Test: Linking Words for Comparison

1. "Cities face housing problems; similarly, rural areas struggle with healthcare."
Q: What problem do rural areas face?

2. "Technology is advancing rapidly; likewise, education methods are changing."
Q: What else is changing like technology?

3. "Exercise improves health; in the same way, meditation benefits the mind."
Q: What benefits the mind?

4. "Just as reading improves vocabulary, speaking improves fluency."
Q: What improves fluency?

5. "Both skills are equally important for IELTS success."
Q: What two skills are important?

6. "The company expanded in Europe, in a similar fashion to its growth in Asia."
Q: Where did the company expand?

7. "Prices increased, and correspondingly, demand fell."
Q: What happened to demand?

8. "As with many modern cities, traffic is a serious issue here."
Q: What issue is common in modern cities?

9. "The cost of living in London is comparable to New York."
Q: What is being compared?

10. "In common with most students, I find listening practice challenging."
Q: What skill do many students find difficult?

---

✦ Answer Key

1. Healthcare.

2. Education methods.

3. Meditation.

4. Speaking.

5. Reading and speaking.

6. Europe.

7. It fell.

8. Traffic.

9. Cost of living.

10. Listening practice.

 

📖 Tom Sawyer – Chapter 13 (Adapted)

Title: Pirates on the Mississippi

---

Tom’s Restlessness

After the drama of the trial, Tom felt both proud and uneasy. People praised him for saving Muff Potter, but the shadow of Injun Joe haunted him. Tom needed escape—something bold and adventurous to clear his mind.

He dreamed of being free, far from school, Aunt Polly, and the troubles of St. Petersburg. He wanted to be a pirate.

---

Gathering the Crew

One afternoon, Tom whispered his idea to Joe Harper, his loyal friend. Joe’s eyes lit up. “A pirate! That’s better than being a soldier or a robber. Where do we go?”

“An island,” Tom answered. “In the middle of the Mississippi River. We’ll take food, fish, and live like real pirates.”

Huckleberry Finn joined them eagerly. He had nothing to lose and loved the thought of adventure. The three boys met secretly, planning their escape. They gathered stolen ham, bacon, bread, hooks, and fishing line. They even “borrowed” a small raft.

---

The Escape

Late one night, under a sky full of stars, the boys slipped quietly out of town. They pushed the raft into the wide, dark river and let the current carry them. The water shone in the moonlight. The boys felt free, wild, and important.

They laughed, told pirate stories, and made plans. Tom declared himself “Captain Sawyer,” Joe was “Lieutenant Harper,” and Huck was “Chief of the Crew.” They promised never to return until they were famous pirates.

---

The Island Life

At dawn, they landed on a small island covered with trees. Birds sang, and the river whispered around them. It was their kingdom.

They built a campfire, cooked meat, and ate with great hunger. They swam in the river, explored the woods, and shouted pirate songs until their throats were sore.

That night, they lay on the ground, looking at the stars. The fire cracked beside them. “This is the best day of my life,” Huck said.

Tom agreed. For the first time in weeks, he felt truly happy.

---

But Not Without Doubt

Yet, as the fire died and the forest grew dark, Tom’s thoughts turned to Aunt Polly. He pictured her searching for him, worried. For a moment, he felt guilty.

But then he reminded himself: pirates do not worry about old aunts. With that, he pulled his jacket tighter and drifted into sleep, dreaming of gold, ships, and freedom.

---

📘 Glossary

Word	Meaning
Restless	Unable to relax, wanting change or excitement
Pirate	A robber who travels by ship, often stealing on the seas
Raft	A flat boat made of wood tied together
Current	The natural flow of a river
Kingdom	A land or place ruled by someone
Crew	The group of people working on a ship
Drifted	Moved slowly with the flow of water or sleep

---

❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Why did Tom want to escape after the trial?

2. Who joined Tom in his plan to become pirates?

3. How did the boys prepare for their adventure?

4. What did they call themselves when they reached the island?

5. What made Tom feel guilty at night?

---

✅ Answers

1. Because he wanted freedom and to escape the fear of Injun Joe.

2. Joe Harper and Huckleberry Finn.

3. They gathered food, fishing gear, and a raft.

4. Captain Sawyer, Lieutenant Harper, and Chief of the Crew.

5. He thought about Aunt Polly worrying about him.

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

1. If
   e.g., If you study regularly, you will improve quickly.

2. Unless
   e.g., Unless you practise speaking, your fluency won’t improve.

3. Provided that
   e.g., You can join the course provided that you register before Friday.

4. As long as
   e.g., I’ll help you as long as you finish your part of the work.

5. Only if
   e.g., You’ll succeed only if you stay motivated.

6. In case
   e.g., Take an umbrella in case it rains.

7. On condition that
   e.g., The manager agreed on condition that we arrive on time.

8. Whether or not
   e.g., I’m going to the party whether or not it rains.

9. Supposing
   e.g., Supposing you moved abroad, how would your life change?

10. Even if
    e.g., I’ll go for a run even if it’s cold outside.

---

✦ Why These Words Are Important in IELTS

• They allow you to discuss possibilities, conditions, and consequences, which is very common in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays (solutions, causes, effects).

• In Speaking Part 3, they make your answers more complex and natural (e.g., “Even if people are busy, they should make time for exercise”).

• They boost your Coherence & Cohesion and Grammatical Range scores.

---

✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Linking Words for Condition

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Would you study abroad if you had the chance?

2. Would you exercise more if you had more free time?

3. Do you carry an umbrella in case of rain?

4. Would you change jobs as long as the salary was higher?

5. Do you think students will learn better if they use technology?

---

Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a situation where you had to make a decision depending on a condition.
You should say:

• what the situation was

• what the condition was

• what you decided
  and explain how the condition affected your choice.

---

✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1

1. Yes, I would study abroad if I had the chance.

2. I’d definitely exercise more unless I was too busy.

3. Yes, I usually take an umbrella in case it rains.

4. I’d change jobs as long as the salary and conditions were better.

5. Yes, students will improve provided that they use technology effectively.

---

Part 2 Sample Answer
A few years ago, I wanted to buy a new laptop. I decided to get one only if I could find a good discount. In case I didn’t, I planned to wait until the sales. Supposing I found a cheaper option, I was ready to buy it immediately. In the end, I bought it during a special promotion, which was a good decision.

---

✦ Comprehension Test: Linking Words for Condition

1. "If you study regularly, you will improve quickly."
Q: What will happen if you study regularly?

2. "Unless you practise speaking, your fluency won’t improve."
Q: What happens without practice?

3. "You can join the course provided that you register before Friday."
Q: What must you do before Friday?

4. "I’ll help you as long as you finish your part of the work."
Q: What condition must be met for help?

5. "You’ll succeed only if you stay motivated."
Q: What is required for success?

6. "Take an umbrella in case it rains."
Q: Why should you take an umbrella?

7. "The manager agreed on condition that we arrive on time."
Q: What condition did the manager set?

8. "I’m going to the party whether or not it rains."
Q: What will the speaker do even if it rains?

9. "Supposing you moved abroad, how would your life change?"
Q: What is the speaker asking you to imagine?

10. "I’ll go for a run even if it’s cold outside."
Q: What will the speaker do despite the cold?

---

✦ Answer Key

1. You will improve quickly.

2. Fluency won’t improve.

3. Register for the course.

4. Finish your part of the work.

5. Staying motivated.

6. Because it might rain.

7. Arrive on time.

8. Still go to the party.

9. Imagine living abroad.

10. Go for a run.