The IELTS grammar range indicates the quantity or the number for assessing the criteria in the IELTS writing test.
The band descriptors for IELTS speaking are:The above factors are applicable for both writing tasks-task 1 and task 2. Even though it is crucial for the IELTS speaking test too.
The accuracy in the IELTS speaking and writing sections is a reference of being error-free. A test-taker’s band score in that area is related to the presence or lack or recurring errors they produce.
Now look at the Grammar for IELTS in each section:
IELTS writing is one of the major areas where grammar for IELTS plays a crucial role. Writing an essay in IELTS test is quite different from typical essay writing as a part of the university education. The essay must be a clear one in a precise way. It should be at least 250 words in a proper structure.
Grammar for IELTS- let’s have a look at the major writing consequences.
It is essential to understand the 12 verb tenses in the English Grammar for IELTS. They are:
Based on the topic, you have to use the appropriate tense.
Pronunciations- these are the small symbols, which plays a vital role in the grammar of IELTS. Pronunciation helps to convey the correct meaning of the sentence in the right sense. Proper punctuation usage is highly essential to acquire a band above 7 in IELTS.
Here is the list of various types of punctuation:
Practice using correct pronunciation as incorrect usage may change the meaning of the sentence. Underuse or overuse of pronunciation is not a good IELTS practice.
Proper punctuation usage ensures that you are maintaining accuracy. Most used punctuation marks in grammar of IELTS Writing include full stops, commas, semicolons, and hyphens.
[ Also Read: Top 10 IELTS Writing Tips and Tricks ]
The sentence type is one of the major aspects for the grammatical range to be included as a part of the writing section. There are seven major sentence types which are essential for IELTS writing (both academic writing and general writing).
You should have a clear understanding of sentence structures and clauses while appearing for the IELTS test as the examiner will look for them to grade you for grammatical range.
Here are some exercises highlighting the grammar for IELTS.
Types of sentences in the IELTS Writing Test:
It is a clause with a subject and a verb. However, it may consist of more than one subject and verb.
Technology plays a major role in the modern world.
The above sentence consists of one subject “Technology” and the verb “plays”.
Technology and innovation play a major role in the modern world.
The above sentence contains two subjects “Technology”, and “Innovation”, and the verb “play”.
Similarly, it can be one subject and one or more verbs.
These are the most important sentence types for the IELTS writing and speaking sections. The compound sentences were formed by the combination of simple or independent clauses using coordinate conjunctions. The major conjunctions include:
I’m really needed to go to the bank, but I am too sick to drive.
The conjunction used in the above sentence is ‘but’, for connecting the two independent clauses.
The sentences formed with the combination of dependent and independent clauses. A dependent clause is incomplete and has no proper meaning until and unless it is combined with an independent clause.
Dependent clause: I heated it in the Microwave.
Independent clause: My pizza is too cold.
Because my pizza is too cold, I heated it in the Microwave.
A sentence that contains both a compound sentence and a complex sentence within it is termed as the Compound Complex Sentence.
Geetha cried when her puppy got sick, but he soon got better.
Sentences that convey the meaning in a passive manner are known as Passive sentences.
Active Sentence: Ram painted the house
Passive Sentence: The house was painted by Ram
Because my pizza is too cold, I heated it in the Microwave.
Sentences which are not in the direct form are defined as the Sentences in Reported Speech.
I’ve been waiting for 2 hours. She said that she’d been waiting for two hours.
The sentences which start with the words like if, when, unless etc are called conditional sentences. There are four types of conditional sentences.
As we discussed earlier, the grammar for IELTS speaking is the most vital component to consider achieving a higher band 7+. The surprising thing is that it consists of 25% of the IELTS speaking score.
Most candidates believe that the grammar of IELTS speaking only relates to accuracy and error-free speaking. This is only half of the story and even band 7 of IELTS expect some grammatical errors to persist. To avoid making such errors, think of the tenses. Make sure to answer in the same tense that you have been questioned.
Let’s say the question asked is “What did you have for breakfast today?” the verb here is in the past tense. So your answer should also be in the same tense. For example, I had bread.
However, grammar is also about showing a range of grammatical structures. This means going beyond simple sentences (e.g. only using the simple present), and using a variety of tenses and grammatical features.
However, the grammar of IELTS also deals with a wide range of grammatical structures as in IELTS writing module.
Though Grammar for IELTS does not play a crucial role in IELTS Reading and Listening modules, proper grammatical knowledge is still important to select the right answers.
The choice of your answers depends on the grammar which in turn can affect your IELTS band score.
[ Also Read: Tips to Improve IELTS Reading Score ]
Till now, we’ve seen how important Grammar of IELTS is in scoring a good band. Now let’s have a look at some common grammatical mistakes most candidates does in IELTS tests.
For listening and reading sections, check whether you’ve used the right grammar for answering short questions.
For writing, understand how grammar helps you to identify suitable words while writing summaries.
For listening, understand adapting words you listen to the grammar to sentence you’d write.
While speaking, the grammar might decide your IELTS speaking grade.
While writing, the more grammatical mistakes the lower the band score.
While reading, ‘grammatical knowledge’ helps to identify the right answer.
For being judged for the IELTS overall Band score, the essential criteria is for getting Band 7 is “ frequent error-free sentences”, and for getting band 8 is “the majority of the sentences are error-free”