Cohesion and Coherence

Cohesion
1. How you link to things you have just written.
2. Using referents and synonyms.
3. Referents: these, their, his, her, the, those etc.
4. Using referents helps to avoid using same words again.
Coherence
1. Organizing and developing your ideas logically.
2. Using paragraphs such as Introduction, 2or 3 body paragraphs, conclusion.
3. There should be a clear transition from one paragraph to the next, linking the ideas between paragraphs.
4. Link sentences with transition words.

IELTS Writing Task 2

3 grading criteria for the second writing test:

1. Content: addressing the question appropriately, supporting or justifying opinions, giving personal examples etc.
2. Cohesion and coherence: how your content is organised; whether it 'flows', paragraphs etc
3. Language :( grammar, variety and complexity of sentence structure etc.).

IELTS Sample Essay

Even though globalization affects the world’s economies in a positive way, its negative side should not be forgotten. Discuss.

In the present age, globalization is playing an increasingly important role in our lives. But in the meantime whether it is a blessing or a curse has sparked a heated debate. Some people argue that globalization has a fundamentally beneficial influence on our lives, while many others contend that it has a detrimental effect as well.

A convincing argument can be made about globalization not only playing a pivotal role in the development of technology and economy, but also promoting the cultural exchange between different countries. To start with, it is the globalization that impelled many corporate to become an international group, thereby making a contribution to the local technology and employment. Specifically, when a multinational group establish a factory in a developing country, the new equipment, the new management skills and the job vacancies are all in the best interest of the local society. Moreover, people worldwide can get to know each other better through globalization. It is easy to see that more and more Hollywood blockbusters show cultures different from American, some recent examples are ‘Kungfu Panda’ and ‘The Mummy’.

Admittedly, profit driven globalization has severely affected young people. Today, in the metropolises in different countries, it is very common to see teenagers wearing NIKE T-shirts and Adidas footwear, playing Hip-Hop music on Apple iPods and eating at KFC. The culture that took a thousand years to form just seems similar in these cities; it is looks like you can only distinguish them by their language. Meanwhile, in some developing countries, sweat workshops are always a concerning issue. For instance, reports show that some teenagers employed by NIKE’s contractors work in smelly factories over 14 hours a day, but are only paid fifty cents per hour.

In summary, I would concede that globalization does come with some adverse effects. Despite that fact, benefits created by it far outweigh the disadvantages. Overall, I am convinced that we should further promote globalization and meanwhile the local government should take measures to combat culture assimilation and sweat workshops.

This essay is extremely long (338 words instead of the advised 250-265). It has a sound structure, your position is clearly expressed, the information is well-organized, and structure-wise the sentences are fine. The vocabulary is impressive and there only were a few grammatical errors (see comments underlined in blue). Overall, looks like a band 7.5 + essay.

IELTS Speaking

Part One
1. Settle you down and get you used to the test situation.
2. General Questions such as on studies, travel, sports, family, foods, exercise etc.
3. Tests the candidate’s identifying skills, giving opinion, comparing, describing, expressing preferences and giving reasons.
4. Have to be conscious on using verb tense agreement.
Part Two
1. A prompt card to discuss on a topic for one or two minutes.
2. Will be allowed to spend one minute to take notes.
3. Should follow the order in which the topics in prompt card are organized.
Part Three
1. Discussion related to the issues on part two.
2. Will assess ability to develop ideas in depth.
3. Ability to expressing opinion.
4. Whether he can speculate.
5. How well he can compare.
6. Tests how well he can identify.
7. Should read current affairs, variety of language functions such as describing, explaining and comparing and practice discussing topics.
Some Tips
1. Fluency does not mean speaking quickly.
2. Fillers (Um, like, you know, I guess, Well) are necessary for fluency. Don’t use too much.
3. Fluency means to speak at an effective speed (a relaxed and natural pace).
4. Fluency is most important in part two.

Finally vs. Eventually

Both mean lastly in a way.

Finally simply means in the end.

Eventually also means finally but after a long series of delays.

Example: "We locked all the doors and shut all the windows and finally left for the airport at 6 am but when we got there we found there was a strike, then the plane needed to be serviced again, then we discovered that there were no stewards available and we had to get off the plane. Eventually we took off at 1130 in another plane."