How To Use Linking Words In Your PTE Essay (Part 1)
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To get a high score in your essay you need to use linking words to connect (or link) your ideas and sentences in a clear, logical way. When you use linking words correctly it makes it easier for the reader to follow what you have written. If the reader has difficulty following your writing how can you expect to get a high score?
The below list contains important types of linking words and how you can use them.
1. Listing words
These are used to put your paragraphs in order, or within a paragraph to put your points in order.
Example 1 uses listing words to start a sentence.
There are several reasons why I believe cars should be banned from city centres. Firstly, their exhaust fumes pollute the air, which reduces air quality. Secondly, …. Thirdly,…. Lastly, ….
Example 2 shows how 2 linking words can be used within one sentence.
I believe cars should be banned from city centres because, firstly, they…… and, secondly, they ….
2. Words to add information
These words tell the reader you are about to provide more information.
Examples:
Market research gives us an idea of our target market. Furthermore / Moreover, it tells us who our target customer is.
In addition to our London branch, we have branches in Dubai and Sydney.
Additionally, we can give you a 10% cash discount.
Apart from / Besides Samsung, we are the biggest television manufacturer in Asia.
Carsin cities generate a lot of noise, as well as air pollution.
3. Results and consequences
Use these words to explain the consequences or results of something.
Examples:
Using a computer for too long may cause eye strain in children. Consequently, many kids end up wearing glasses.
If the population in cities is increasing too quickly we should, therefore, look at ways to minimize it.
As a result of lack of sports at school, many kids are becoming overweight. For this reason, they need to play sports at least twice a week.
4. Highlighting and stressing
These words help you to emphasize certain points to give clear meaning.
Examples:
Clearly / obviously, it is not good for the natural environment when factories dump toxic waste into nearby rivers.
It is particularly / especially important for governments to provide public parks and gardens in cities.
When tourists visit small towns and spend money it, of course, benefits local people such as shopkeepers and restaurant owners.
