The “be cleared of + noun” structure is an important grammatical pattern that frequently appears in IELTS exams, particularly in the Reading and Listening sections. Understanding and using this structure correctly can significantly enhance your performance in the test. Let’s delve into its usage, significance, and application in IELTS.
Understanding the “Be Cleared of + Noun” Structure
The “be cleared of + noun” structure is typically used to express that someone has been officially declared not guilty of a crime or accusation. It’s a passive construction that emphasizes the result rather than the action itself.
Here are some examples to illustrate its use:
- “The defendant was cleared of all charges after new evidence emerged.”
- “The company was cleared of any wrongdoing in the environmental scandal.”
- “The athlete was cleared of doping allegations following a thorough investigation.”
In each of these sentences, the subject (the defendant, the company, the athlete) is passively receiving the action of being cleared. The noun following “of” represents the accusation or charge that the subject is no longer associated with.
IELTS Grammar Structure
Formula and Grammatical Analysis
The formula for this structure is:
[Subject] + [be (in appropriate tense)] + cleared + of + [noun phrase]
Let’s break down the components:
- Subject: The person or entity being cleared
- Be: The verb “to be” in the appropriate tense (was, were, has been, etc.)
- Cleared: The past participle of “clear”
- Of: Preposition connecting “cleared” to the noun phrase
- Noun phrase: The accusation, charge, or negative association
This structure is particularly useful in IELTS Writing and Speaking tasks when discussing legal matters, scandals, or situations where someone’s reputation is at stake.
Application in IELTS Sections
IELTS Reading
In the Reading section, you might encounter this structure in passages about legal cases, corporate scandals, or historical events. For example:
“After a lengthy trial, the former minister was cleared of corruption charges, restoring public faith in the government’s integrity.”
Understanding this structure will help you quickly grasp the meaning and answer questions accurately.
IELTS Listening
The “be cleared of + noun” structure might appear in news reports or dialogues about current events. For instance:
“In breaking news, the popular actress has been cleared of tax evasion following a two-year investigation by the revenue service.”
Recognizing this pattern will aid in comprehending the audio and answering related questions correctly.
IELTS Writing
For Writing Task 2, you can use this structure to discuss topics related to justice, crime, or social issues. Here’s an example paragraph:
“In recent years, several high-profile cases have emerged where individuals were cleared of serious crimes due to advancements in DNA testing. This trend highlights the importance of continually improving forensic technologies to ensure justice is served accurately.”
Using this structure demonstrates a sophisticated command of English grammar, potentially boosting your score in the Grammatical Range and Accuracy criterion.
IELTS Speaking
In the Speaking test, you can employ this structure when discussing news events, personal experiences, or hypothetical situations. For example:
“I remember a case in my hometown where a local businessman was cleared of fraud charges. It was a big relief for the community as he was well-respected and contributed a lot to local charities.”
Using this structure naturally in your responses can impress the examiner and contribute to a higher score in the Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range categories.
Achieving Higher Bands with “Be Cleared of + Noun”
To achieve higher band scores in IELTS, it’s crucial to use this structure accurately and in appropriate contexts. Here’s how you can elevate your usage:
Band 6-7: Use the basic structure correctly in simple contexts.
Example: “The suspect was cleared of the crime last week.”Band 7-8: Incorporate more complex noun phrases and use in varied tenses.
Example: “The multinational corporation has been cleared of all allegations of environmental negligence after a thorough investigation.”Band 8-9: Use the structure in complex sentences with advanced vocabulary and in less common tenses.
Example: “Had the whistleblower not come forward, it’s unlikely that the officials would have been cleared of the longstanding accusations of electoral fraud, which had plagued the administration for years.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When using the “be cleared of + noun” structure, learners often make the following mistakes:
Incorrect preposition: Using “from” instead of “of”.
Incorrect: “He was cleared from the charges.”
Correct: “He was cleared of the charges.”Active voice confusion: Mistakenly using it in active voice.
Incorrect: “The jury cleared him of the crime.”
Correct: “He was cleared of the crime by the jury.”Tense inconsistency: Mixing tenses inappropriately.
Incorrect: “He has been cleared of the accusations last year.”
Correct: “He was cleared of the accusations last year.” or “He has been cleared of the accusations recently.”Incorrect noun usage: Using verbs instead of nouns after “of”.
Incorrect: “She was cleared of stealing.”
Correct: “She was cleared of theft.”Overuse: Applying the structure in contexts where it’s not appropriate.
Incorrect: “The student was cleared of failing the exam.”
Correct: “The student passed the exam.” or “The student’s initial failure was overturned.”
By avoiding these common errors, you can use the “be cleared of + noun” structure effectively in your IELTS exam.
Conclusion
Mastering the “be cleared of + noun” structure can significantly enhance your performance across all sections of the IELTS exam. Its proper use demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of English grammar and can help you achieve higher band scores. Remember to practice using this structure in various contexts and tenses to become more comfortable with it. As you prepare for your IELTS exam, look out for this structure in news articles, legal reports, and practice materials to further reinforce your understanding and usage.
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