Understanding and using advanced grammatical structures like “Be Conscious Of + Noun/gerund” can significantly enhance your IELTS score. This phrase is particularly useful in expressing awareness or mindfulness of something, which is a common theme in both the Writing and Speaking sections of the IELTS test.
Meaning and Usage in IELTS
The phrase “be conscious of + noun/gerund” means to be aware of or mindful about something. It’s a sophisticated way to express awareness, which can help you achieve a higher band score in IELTS. This structure appears in various IELTS tasks, especially in Writing Task 2 and Speaking Parts 2 and 3.
IELTS exam preparation
Grammar Formula
The structure follows this pattern:
[Subject] + [be] + conscious of + [noun/gerund]
Examples:
- “Students are conscious of the importance of time management in exams.”
- “Many people are conscious of reducing their carbon footprint.”
Application in IELTS Writing
In IELTS Writing, using “be conscious of” can help you express complex ideas about awareness and responsibility, which are common themes in Task 2 essays.
Task 2 Essay Example
Topic: Environmental Awareness
“In recent years, people have become more conscious of environmental issues. However, some argue that individual actions have little impact on the environment.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
Sample paragraph:
“It is undeniable that individuals are increasingly conscious of their impact on the environment. This heightened awareness has led to significant changes in personal behaviors. For instance, many people are now conscious of reducing their plastic usage, opting for reusable bags and containers. Moreover, consumers are becoming more conscious of their carbon footprint, choosing public transportation or electric vehicles over traditional gas-powered cars. These examples demonstrate that being conscious of environmental issues can indeed lead to meaningful individual actions.”
Analysis:
- The phrase is used three times, showing variety in sentence structure.
- It’s combined with different nouns and gerunds (impact, reducing, carbon footprint) to express various aspects of environmental awareness.
- The usage demonstrates a high level of vocabulary and grammatical accuracy, which are key factors in achieving a high band score in IELTS Writing.
Application in IELTS Speaking
In the Speaking test, using “be conscious of” can help you express your thoughts more eloquently, especially in Part 3 where you discuss abstract ideas.
Speaking Part 3 Example
Question: “Do you think people are more conscious of their health nowadays compared to the past?”
Sample answer:
“Absolutely, I believe people are far more conscious of their health today than they were in the past. This increased awareness is evident in various aspects of modern life. For instance, many individuals are conscious of their diet, carefully selecting organic or locally sourced foods. Additionally, people are more conscious of the importance of regular exercise, with gym memberships and fitness apps becoming increasingly popular. Moreover, there’s a growing trend of being conscious of mental health, with more people seeking therapy or practicing mindfulness techniques. This shift towards being health-conscious is largely due to better education and the wide availability of health-related information online.”
Analysis:
- The phrase is used multiple times with different nouns (health, diet, importance of exercise, mental health).
- The answer demonstrates a range of vocabulary related to health and wellness.
- The structure is used to build complex sentences, showing a high level of grammatical control.
Tips for Achieving Higher Band Scores
To score higher in IELTS using this structure:
- Use it in combination with a variety of nouns and gerunds to show lexical resource.
- Incorporate it into complex sentences to demonstrate grammatical range.
- Use it to express abstract ideas or opinions, especially in Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 3.
- Combine it with other advanced structures for more sophisticated expression.
Example for Band 7-8:
“Governments should be conscious of implementing policies that balance economic growth with environmental protection.”
Example for Band 8-9:
“While being conscious of the need for technological advancement, policymakers must also remain vigilant about potential ethical implications, striking a delicate balance between progress and moral considerations.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Incorrect preposition: “conscious about” instead of “conscious of”
Incorrect: “She is conscious about her appearance.”
Correct: “She is conscious of her appearance.”Using “conscience” instead of “conscious”
Incorrect: “They are conscience of the risks involved.”
Correct: “They are conscious of the risks involved.”Forgetting to use a gerund or noun after the phrase
Incorrect: “We should be conscious of to protect the environment.”
Correct: “We should be conscious of protecting the environment.”Overusing the phrase in a single paragraph or answer
Avoid: Using “be conscious of” more than twice in a short paragraph, as it may sound repetitive.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “be conscious of + noun/gerund” can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. It allows you to express awareness and mindfulness effectively, which are valuable in discussing various IELTS topics. Practice incorporating this structure into your writing and speaking to improve your grammatical range and accuracy. Remember to use it naturally and in conjunction with other advanced structures for the best results in your IELTS preparation.
