Linking Words

Mistake #3 - Weak Linking Words Using “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly” in every paragraph produces a mechanical feel. ❌ Example “Firstly, people eat unhealthy food. Secondly, they lack exercise.” Technically correct but low-quality cohesion. 🎯 Why Examiners Penalise This Weak or template linking words = memorised structure. Examiners want natural, logical continuity. ✅ Band-8 Fix Method: “Semantic Linking” Use meaning-based connections instead: “One key factor is the growing availability of fast food. Another contributing issue is the decrease in daily physical activity.” ...

Mistake #4 - Too Many Linking Words Some candidates believe more connectors = higher score. The result is the opposite. ❌ Example “Firstly, obesity is increasing. Moreover, additionally, furthermore, people are also eating more sugar.” Overuse = mechanical = Band-6. 🎯 Why Examiners Penalise This IELTS specifically warns against: mechanical cohesion excessive connectors forced transitions ✅ Band-8 Fix Method: “Link with Logic, Not Labels” If the logic is clear, you don’t need many linking words. ...