BACKBONE OF WRITING - 11 SUPER-IMPORTANT GRAMMAR

TOPICS IN IELTS//MULTI-LEVEL
Grammar Topic Description
Reason Clauses Explain why something happens (because, since, as, due to the fact that).
Result Clauses Show the consequence of an action (so, therefore, as a result, such…that).
Contrast Clauses Highlight differences between ideas (although, whereas, while, even though).
If Clauses (+Synonyms) Express conditions and their outcomes (if, provided that, unless, as long as).
Time Clauses Indicate when an action happens (when, while, before, after, since, until).
Provide essential or extra information about a noun (who, which, that, whose,
Relative Clauses
where).
Cleft Sentences (Emphasis) Emphasize specific parts of a sentence (It was…, What…, The reason why…).
Purpose Clauses Explain the reason behind an action (so that, in order to, for the purpose of).
Noun Clauses Function as nouns in sentences (what, whether, why, that).
Groups of words built around a noun (a well-balanced diet, the main problem, an
Noun Phrases
interesting idea).
Noun/Adjective/Verb + Prepositions Fixed combinations (interested in, capable of, rely on, access to).
Word Formation (Nominalization,
Changing words into different forms (analyze → analysis, strong → strengthen).
Adjective/Verb Making)
Participle Clauses (Advanced Sentence Reduce clauses efficiently (Having finished his work, he left / The man standing
Reduction) by the door is my professor).
Inversion (Advanced Emphasis & Formality) Used for emphasis and formal writing (Not only did he…, Never have I…).
Show certainty/uncertainty in academic writing (may, might, must, could,
Modal Verbs for Hedging & Boosters
should).
Ensure logical structure (The more you practice, the better you get / Not only A
Complex Comparisons & Parallel Structures
but also B).

STEP 1️⃣ Emergency Grammar Fix: The "IELTS Sentence

Builders" Approach (20 mins)
📌 Topic: Crime, Punishment & Law (Real 🔥 The Essential Question Words for Expansion
IELTS Writing Task 2 Contexts) (With Step-by-Step Examples)

💡 Goal: Teach students to expand simple 📌 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Example:
sentences step by step using key question words, "Some people believe that criminals should receive
helping them build strong, detailed sentences for the harshest punishments, while others argue that
IELTS Writing Task 2. rehabilitation is a better solution. Discuss both
views and give your opinion."
Step 1: Understanding Sentence Expansion –
The "Building Block" Approach (5 mins) ✅ 1. Who? (Adds a Subject or Specific Group)
Basic Sentence: "People commit crimes."
📌 Why Is This Important?
 Who specifically? → "Young offenders
 Many IELTS candidates write too short or commit crimes."
underdeveloped sentences, leading to low  Who else? → "Young offenders from
coherence & cohesion scores. disadvantaged backgrounds commit
 Expanding simple sentences ensures clarity, crimes."
precision, and complexity—all crucial for  Final Expanded Sentence: "Young
Band 7+ writing. offenders from disadvantaged backgrounds
 commit crimes due to a lack of education  Final Expanded Sentence: "Juvenile crime
and economic opportunities." is a problem in urban areas with high
poverty rates where young people lack
✅ 2. What? (Adds Details About the access to education and job opportunities."
Issue/Event)
Basic Sentence: "Courts punish criminals." ✅ 5. Why? (Explains Cause or Reason)
Basic Sentence: "Some people support the death
 What type of punishment? → "Courts penalty."
punish criminals with imprisonment."
 What else? → "Courts punish criminals  Why do they support it? → "Some people
with imprisonment or rehabilitation support the death penalty because they
programs." believe it deters crime."
 Final Expanded Sentence: "Courts punish  Why else? → "Some people support the
criminals with imprisonment or death penalty because they believe it deters
rehabilitation programs depending on the crime and delivers justice to victims."
severity of the crime."  Final Expanded Sentence: "Some people
support the death penalty because they
✅ 3. When? (Adds a Time Context) believe it deters crime and delivers justice to
Basic Sentence: "Crime rates increase." victims by ensuring criminals face the most
severe consequences."
 When does this happen? → "Crime rates
increase during economic recessions." ✅ 6. How? (Describes Process or Method)
 When else? → "Crime rates increase Basic Sentence: "Rehabilitation programs help
during economic recessions and in regions offenders."
with high unemployment."
 Final Expanded Sentence: "Crime rates  How do they help? → "Rehabilitation
increase during economic recessions and in programs help offenders by providing
regions with high unemployment due to education."
financial desperation."  How else? → "Rehabilitation programs
help offenders by providing education and
✅ 4. Where? (Adds a Location Context) psychological counseling."
Basic Sentence: "Juvenile crime is a problem."  Final Expanded Sentence: "Rehabilitation
programs help offenders by providing
 Where exactly? → "Juvenile crime is a education and psychological counseling,
problem in urban areas." enabling them to reintegrate into society
 Where else? → "Juvenile crime is a successfully."
problem in urban areas with high poverty
rates."
Step 2: Guided Expansion (5 mins) – "Stretch the Sentence" (Teacher-Led Practice)

💡 Basic Sentences vs. Expanded Sentences

Real-Exam Crime & Punishment Examples

Basic Sentence Expanded Sentence (Step by Step)

"The government enforces

"The government enforces laws to maintain social order." (Why?)
laws."

"Judges give punishments." "Judges give punishments to criminals who break serious laws." (Who?)
 Basic Sentence Expanded Sentence (Step by Step)

"Crime rates are rising in many urban areas due to social inequality."
"Crime rates are rising."
(Where? & Why?)

📌 Guided Exercise (Teacher-Led)

Expand the following basic sentences step by step with the class:

1️⃣ "Prison is a punishment." 3️⃣ "Rehabilitation programs help offenders."

2️⃣ "Juvenile crime is a concern." 4️⃣ "Strict laws reduce crime."

✅ Example Expansion for #4:

1. "Strict laws reduce crime." (Basic Sentence)

2. "Strict laws reduce crime by discouraging potential offenders." (How?)
3. "Strict laws reduce crime by discouraging potential offenders who fear severe consequences." (Who?)
4. "Strict laws reduce crime by discouraging potential offenders who fear severe consequences such as
long prison sentences or heavy fines." (What kind of consequences?)

✅ Final Expanded Sentence:

"Strict laws reduce crime by discouraging potential offenders who fear severe consequences such as long
prison sentences or heavy fines."

Step 3: Student Practice (10 mins) – "Expansion Challenges"

Activity 1: "The Crime Sentence Growth" Game (Pair Work)

📌 Task:

 Each pair receives a simple sentence based on a real IELTS Writing Task 2 topic.
 Students take turns expanding it step by step, adding details based on the question words.
 The final sentence should be rich in detail but still simple and clear.

📌 Sentences for Students to Expand:

1️⃣ "Juvenile offenders should be punished." 3️⃣ "Rehabilitation programs can be effective."
2️⃣ "Some criminals receive the death penalty." 4️⃣ "Judges make legal decisions."
(TOGETHER) 5️⃣ "Cybercrime is a growing issue."
 Step 2: Sentence-to-Paragraph Growth – Writing with
Structure
Step 2: Sentence-to-Paragraph Growth – Step 2: Expand to a 3-Sentence Idea (10
Writing with Structure minutes)

🚀 Goal: Now, we will add more details to your sentence by

following these steps:
Now, we are going to learn how to develop well-
structured paragraphs step by step, instead of 1️⃣ Give a reason (Why?)
jumping into writing long essays. This method will 2️⃣ Provide a result (What happens because of
help you build strong, logically connected this?)
arguments that fully support your ideas in IELTS 3️⃣ Give a specific example (What proves this?)
Writing Task 2.
🔹 Example Expansion (Supporting
Rehabilitation)

Step 1: Start with One Sentence (5 minutes) 💡 Main Idea (What?):

"Rehabilitation programs help offenders reintegrate
Let’s start with a simple idea. Look at this IELTS into society."
Writing Task 2 question:
💡 Reason (Why?):
❓ "Should criminals be rehabilitated rather than "This is because they provide skills training, which
punished?" allows ex-criminals to find stable jobs."

Decide which side you support—rehabilitation 💡 Result (What happens because of this?):
(helping criminals change) or punishment (strict "As a result, they are less likely to reoffend and
legal consequences). return to a life of crime."
Now, write ONE correct sentence supporting your
💡 Example (What proves this?):
opinion.
"For instance, Scandinavian countries that focus on
rehabilitation have lower reoffending rates than
🔹 Example 1 (Supporting Rehabilitation): nations with strict punishments."
"Rehabilitation programs help offenders reintegrate
into society."
✅ Now, we have a small but well-developed
argument.
🔹 Example 2 (Supporting Punishment):
"Strict punishments deter criminals from
✍ Your turn! Expand your sentence into a 3-
reoffending."
sentence idea using a reason, a result, and an
example.
Keep your sentence clear and direct—just one
main idea.

Step 3: Build a Full Paragraph (10 minutes)

Now, let’s strengthen the argument by adding more

depth with:
✅ Contrast (What is a different aspect of the same 💡 Step 8: Details (What extra specifics clarify
idea?) your argument?):
✅ Alternative (What is another possible scenario "This is especially important for young offenders,
that supports your idea?) who, if given proper education and psychological
✅ Purpose (Why is this solution necessary?) support, can successfully reintegrate and contribute
positively to their communities."
✅ Details (What extra specifics clarify your
argument?)
✅ Final Paragraph (Full Version):

"Rehabilitation programs help offenders reintegrate

into society. This is because they provide skills
🔹 Example Expansion (Supporting training, which allows ex-criminals to find stable
Rehabilitation – Full Paragraph) jobs. As a result, they are less likely to reoffend and
return to a life of crime. For instance, Scandinavian
💡 Step 1: Main Idea (What?): countries that focus on rehabilitation have lower
"Rehabilitation programs help offenders reintegrate reoffending rates than nations with strict
into society." punishments. Although some argue that
rehabilitation is expensive, investing in it reduces
💡 Step 2: Reason (Why?): prison overcrowding and long-term costs.
"This is because they provide skills training, which Alternatively, societies that rely only on harsh
allows ex-criminals to find stable jobs." punishments often see criminals repeat offenses
because they lack support to change their behavior.
💡 Step 3: Result (What happens because of Rehabilitation is essential to break the cycle of
this?): crime and allow offenders to become productive
"As a result, they are less likely to reoffend and members of society. This is especially important for
return to a life of crime." young offenders, who, if given proper education and
psychological support, can successfully reintegrate
and contribute positively to their communities."
💡 Step 4: Example (What proves this?):
"For instance, Scandinavian countries that focus on
rehabilitation have lower reoffending rates than ✅ Now, we have a fully developed, IELTS-ready
nations with strict punishments." paragraph!

💡 Step 5: Contrast (What is a different aspect of

the same idea?): 🎯 Practice Exercise – "Expand the Sentence"
"Although some argue that rehabilitation is
expensive, investing in it reduces prison
overcrowding and long-term costs." 📝 Instructions:
1️⃣ Choose one sentence from the list below.
💡 Step 6: Alternative (What is another possible 2️⃣ Expand it into a 3-sentence idea (Main Idea +
scenario that supports your idea?): Reason + Result + Example).
"Alternatively, societies that rely only on harsh 3️⃣ Expand it into a full paragraph (add Contrast,
punishments often see criminals repeat offenses Alternative, Purpose, and Details).
because they lack support to change their
behavior." Practice Sentences:

💡 Step 7: Purpose (Why is this solution 1️⃣ Community service is a better alternative to
necessary?): prison for minor offenders.
"Rehabilitation is essential to break the cycle of 2️⃣ Juvenile criminals should be rehabilitated instead
crime and allow offenders to become productive of imprisoned.
members of society." 3️⃣ Capital punishment is necessary for serious
crimes. and education for young offenders, they will
4️⃣ Education prevents crime better than punishment. develop skills needed for lawful employment instead
of resorting to crime."

💡 Step 7: Purpose (Why is this solution

📌 Example Expansion (for "Juvenile criminals necessary?):
should be rehabilitated instead of imprisoned.") "Rehabilitation is crucial for breaking the cycle of
crime among young people and preventing
💡 Step 1: Main Idea (What?): overcrowding in prisons."
"Juvenile criminals should be rehabilitated instead
of imprisoned." 💡 Step 8: Details (What extra specifics clarify
your argument?):
💡 Step 2: Reason (Why?): "This approach is especially effective for first-time
"This is because young offenders are more likely to offenders who made poor decisions due to peer
change their behavior if given proper guidance pressure or difficult circumstances."
rather than facing harsh punishments."
✅ Final Paragraph (Full Version):
💡 Step 3: Result (What happens because of
this?): "Juvenile criminals should be rehabilitated instead
"As a result, they can avoid lifelong criminal of imprisoned. This is because young offenders are
behavior and contribute positively to society." more likely to change their behavior if given proper
guidance rather than facing harsh punishments. As
a result, they can avoid lifelong criminal behavior
💡 Step 4: Example (What proves this?):
and contribute positively to society. For instance,
"For instance, youth rehabilitation programs in
youth rehabilitation programs in Norway have
Norway have significantly reduced juvenile crime
significantly reduced juvenile crime rates. While
rates."
some claim that young offenders should receive the
same punishment as adults, studies show that harsh
💡 Step 5: Contrast (What is a different aspect of treatment increases their likelihood of committing
the same idea?): crimes again. Alternatively, if governments invest in
"While some claim that young offenders should counseling and education for young offenders, they
receive the same punishment as adults, studies show will develop skills needed for lawful employment
that harsh treatment increases their likelihood of instead of resorting to crime. Rehabilitation is
committing crimes again." crucial for breaking the cycle of crime among
young people and preventing overcrowding in
💡 Step 6: Alternative (What is another possible prisons. This approach is especially effective for
scenario that supports your idea?): first-time offenders who made poor decisions due to
"Alternatively, if governments invest in counseling peer pressure or difficult circumstances."

READING PASSAGE 2
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-26 which are based on Reading Passage 2 below.

Bring back the big cats

It’s time to start returning vanished native animals to Britain, says John Vesty
There is a poem, written around 598 AD, which describes hunting a mystery animal called a llewyn. But what
was it? Nothing seemed to fit, until 2006, when an animal bone, dating from around the same period, was
found in the Kinsey Cave in northern England. Until this discovery, the lynx – a large spotted cat with tasselled
ears – was presumed to have died out in Britain at least 6,000 years ago, before the inhabitants of these
islands took up farming. But the 2006 find, together with three others in Yorkshire and Scotland, is compelling
evidence that the lynx and the mysterious llewyn were in fact one and the same animal. If this is so, it would
bring forward the tassel-eared cat’s estimated extinction date by roughly 5,000 years.
However, this is not quite the last glimpse of the animal in British culture. A 9th-century stone cross from the
Isle of Eigg shows, alongside the deer, boar and aurochs pursued by a mounted hunter, a speckled cat with
tasselled ears. Were it not for the animal’s backside having worn away with time, we could have been certain,
as the lynx’s stubby tail is unmistakable. But even without this key feature, it’s hard to see what else the
creature could have been. The lynx is now becoming the totemic animal of a movement that is transforming
British environmentalism: rewilding.
Rewilding means the mass restoration of damaged ecosystems. It involves letting trees return to places that
have been denuded, allowing parts of the seabed to recover from trawling and dredging, permitting rivers to
flow freely again. Above all, it means bringing back missing species. One of the most striking findings of
modern ecology is that ecosystems without large predators behave in completely different ways from those
that retain them. Some of them drive dynamic processes that resonate through the whole food chain, creating
niches for hundreds of species that might otherwise struggle to survive. The killers turn out to be bringers of
life.
Such findings present a big challenge to British conservation, which has often selected arbitrary assemblages
of plants and animals and sought, at great effort and expense, to prevent them from changing. It has tried to
preserve the living world as if it were a jar of pickles, letting nothing in and nothing out, keeping nature in a
state of arrested development. But ecosystems are not merely collections of species; they are also the
dynamic and ever-shifting relationships between them. And this dynamism often depends on large predators.
At sea the potential is even greater: by protecting large areas from commercial fishing, we could once more
see what 18th-century literature describes: vast shoals of fish being chased by fin and sperm whales, within
sight of the English shore. This policy would also greatly boost catches in the surrounding seas; the fishing
industry’s insistence on scouring every inch of seabed, leaving no breeding reserves, could not be more
damaging to its own interests.
Rewilding is a rare example of an environmental movement in which campaigners articulate what they are for
rather than only what they are against. One of the reasons why the enthusiasm for rewilding is spreading so
quickly in Britain is that it helps to create a more inspiring vision than the green movement’s usual promise of
‘Follow us and the world will be slightly less awful than it would otherwise have been.’
The lynx presents no threat to human beings: there is no known instance of one preying on people. It is a
specialist predator of roe deer, a species that has exploded in Britain in recent decades, holding back, by
intensive browsing, attempts to re-establish forests. It will also winkle out sika deer: an exotic species that is
almost impossible for human beings to control, as it hides in impenetrable plantations of young trees. The
attempt to reintroduce this predator marries well with the aim of bringing forests back to parts of our bare and
barren uplands. The lynx requires deep cover, and as such presents little risk to sheep and other livestock,
which are supposed, as a condition of farm subsidies, to be kept out of the woods.
On a recent trip to the Cairngorm Mountains, I heard several conservationists suggest that the lynx could be
reintroduced there within 20 years. If trees return to the bare hills elsewhere in Britain, the big cats could soon
follow. There is nothing extraordinary about these proposals, seen from the perspective of anywhere else in
Europe. The lynx has now been reintroduced to the Jura Mountains, the Alps, the Vosges in eastern France
and the Harz mountains in Germany, and has re-established itself in many more places. The European
population has tripled since 1970 to roughly 10,000. As with wolves, bears, beavers, boar, bison, moose and
many other species, the lynx has been able to spread as farming has left the hills and people discover that it is
more lucrative to protect charismatic wildlife than to hunt it, as tourists will pay for the chance to see it. Large-
scale rewilding is happening almost everywhere – except Britain.
Here, attitudes are just beginning to change. Conservationists are starting to accept that the old preservation-
jar model is failing, even on its own terms. Already, projects such as Trees for Life in the Highlands provide a
hint of what might be coming. An organisation is being set up that will seek to catalyse the rewilding of land
and sea across Britain, its aim being to reintroduce that rarest of species to British ecosystems: hope.

Questions 14-18
Write the correct letter, A, B, C or D, in boxes 14-18 on your answer sheet.
14 What did the 2006 discovery of the animal C It vanished from Britain several thousand years
bone reveal about the lynx? ago.
A Its physical appearance was very distinctive. D It survived in Britain longer than was previously
B Its extinction was linked to the spread of thought.
farming. 15 What point does the writer make about large
predators in the third paragraph?
A Their presence can increase biodiversity. 17 Protecting large areas of the sea from
B They may cause damage to local ecosystems. commercial fishing would result in
C Their behaviour can alter according to the A practical benefits for the fishing industry.
environment. B some short-term losses to the fishing industry.
D They should be reintroduced only to areas C widespread opposition from the fishing industry.
where they were native. D certain changes to techniques within the fishing
16 What does the writer suggest about British industry.
conservation in the fourth paragraph? 18 According to the author, what distinguishes
A It has failed to achieve its aims. rewilding from other environmental campaigns?
B It is beginning to change direction. A Its objective is more achievable.
C It has taken a misguided approach. B Its supporters are more articulate.
D It has focused on the most widespread species. C Its positive message is more appealing.
D It is based on sounder scientific principles.
Questions 19-22 Complete the summary using the list of words and phrases A-F below.
Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 19-22 on your answer sheet.

Reintroducing the lynx to Britain

There would be many advantages to reintroducing the lynx to Britain. While there is no evidence that the lynx
has ever put 19 …………………….. in danger, it would reduce the numbers of certain 20……………………..
whose populations have increased enormously in recent decades. It would present only a minimal threat
to 21…………………….., provided these were kept away from lynx habitats. Furthermore, the reintroduction
programme would also link efficiently with initiatives to return native 22……………………… to certain areas of
the country.
A trees B endangered species C hillsides

D wild animals E humans F farm animals

Questions 23-26 Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 2?
In boxes 23-26 on your answer sheet, write
YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
23 Britain could become the first European country to reintroduce the lynx.
24 The large growth in the European lynx population since 1970 has exceeded conservationists’
expectations.
25 Changes in agricultural practices have extended the habitat of the lynx in Europe.
26 It has become apparent that species reintroduction has commercial advantages.