22. IELTS Task 2: "Using referencing language for cohesion and coherence"

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Another skill that is going to help us get a high score on the cohesion and coherence part of the IELTS test is making good use of referencing, which means words like pronouns and determiners. These words can replace nouns or noun phrases. The main referencing words in English are:

1. Personal and possessive pronouns (you, I, yours, mine)

2. Reflexive pronouns (yourself, myself)

3. It

4. You and We

5. They

6. One/Ones

Today let’s focus on numbers 3-6 above, and see how we can use this referencing language to really improve our CC score in a task 2.

‘it’ can be used in two ways.

i. to start sentences when the real subject is an infinitive or –ing form.

It can be good to have professional economists in charge.

ii. to refer to phrases, whole sentences, or ideas.

When a young person starts studying at a university for the first time, it can be a big change from high school.(it = when a young person starts university)

‘You’ and ‘we’ are used to talk about everybody in general.

In Australia you don’t often have rice for breakfast.

‘They’ is used to talk about experts or authority figures.

They have discovered a new way to clean mould off concrete.

‘One’ is used to avoid repeating a countable noun.

Let’s make a few points about poverty, the first one is that it stops people getting an education.

Now let’s look at these referencing words in action. Let’s look at part of a task 2 style essay and analyse all the examples of referencing so we know exactly what is happening.

There are many reasons why we should donate money to people in need. The most important one is to create a society where no one is in need. On the other hand, some people do not believe that it is necessary to do this. This essay will present both sides of this case.

'we' – all people in general

'one' – a reason

'it' – a society where no one is in need

If people become more generous and donate a part of their income each month, it could lead to a much better society for all. For example, how can you see a person in need and not do something to help them? It is not fair to simply walk by and do nothing. In addition, there is also the argument that from a moral standpoint, if people with a lot of money donated at least ten per cent of it to those with less, the government would not even have to give welfare payments.

'it' – donating a part of a person’s income each month

'you' – all people in general

'it' – to walk by and do nothing

'it' – money

OK guys so I think you get the idea about how to use referencing a bit now. Please try to use it because the IELTS examiners really love this and will give you a good CC score it you try to use it.

If you need to know more about writing awesome IELTS tasks, please visit my website at www.goldcoastielts.com. I have podcasts, a blog, and all the Cambridge exams for you to practice online along with MP3s. See you next time!