Understanding and effectively using advanced grammatical structures like “be predisposed to + noun/gerund” can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. This phrase is particularly useful in expressing inherent tendencies or natural inclinations, which can be applied across various sections of the IELTS exam. Let’s delve into its meaning, usage, and application in IELTS contexts.
Understanding “Be Predisposed to + Noun/Gerund”
The phrase “be predisposed to + noun/gerund” is used to describe a natural tendency, susceptibility, or inclination towards something. It’s a more formal and sophisticated way of expressing likelihood or proneness to certain behaviors, conditions, or actions.
Grammatical Structure and Usage
The structure follows this pattern:
[Subject] + [be] + predisposed + to + [noun/gerund]
Here are some examples to illustrate its usage:
- “Scientists are predisposed to skepticism when evaluating new theories.”
- “Some individuals are predisposed to developing certain health conditions due to genetic factors.”
- “As an introvert, Sarah is predisposed to avoiding large social gatherings.”
- “Children raised in bilingual households are often predisposed to learning new languages easily.”
- “The company’s culture is predisposed to innovation, encouraging creative thinking among employees.”
In each of these sentences, “predisposed to” is followed by either a noun (skepticism) or a gerund (developing, avoiding, learning), indicating a natural tendency or inclination.
Applying “Be Predisposed to” in IELTS Writing
In IELTS Writing, using this structure can demonstrate a high level of language proficiency and help you achieve a higher band score. Here’s how you can incorporate it into your essays:
Task 2 Essay Example
Consider this Task 2 question: “Some people believe that certain individuals are born with leadership qualities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
Sample paragraph:
While some argue that leadership is an innate quality, I believe that effective leaders are shaped by both natural predispositions and acquired skills. It’s true that certain individuals may be predisposed to exhibiting leadership traits such as confidence and decisiveness. However, these natural tendencies alone are insufficient. Even those predisposed to leadership must cultivate their abilities through experience and education. Conversely, individuals not initially predisposed to taking charge can develop leadership skills through dedicated effort and training.
Analysis: In this paragraph, we’ve used the structure three times, demonstrating versatility in its application. This usage showcases a sophisticated grasp of English, likely contributing to a higher band score in the Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range criteria.
Incorporating “Be Predisposed to” in IELTS Speaking
Using this phrase in the Speaking test can impress the examiner and potentially boost your score. Here are some examples of how you might use it:
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Part 2 (Cue Card): Describe a person you know who is a good leader.
“My manager, Sarah, is an exceptional leader. She seems predisposed to motivating others, always finding ways to inspire the team…” -
Part 3 (Discussion):
Examiner: “Do you think leadership skills can be taught?”
You: “While some people might be naturally predisposed to leadership, I believe that many essential skills can be learned. Even those not initially predisposed to taking charge can develop…”
Advanced Usage and Variations for Higher Band Scores
To aim for band 8 or 9, consider these more sophisticated applications:
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Using with abstract nouns: “The human mind is predisposed to pattern recognition, which aids in language acquisition.”
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In passive constructions: “Certain personality types are widely believed to be predisposed to success in entrepreneurial ventures.”
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With modifiers: “Research suggests that extroverts are somewhat more predisposed to experiencing positive emotions in social situations.”
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In complex sentences: “Although some individuals may be genetically predisposed to developing certain skills, environmental factors play a crucial role in determining ultimate proficiency.”
Common Errors to Avoid
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Incorrect preposition: “She is predisposed for success.” (Incorrect)
Correct: “She is predisposed to success.” -
Using an infinitive instead of a gerund: “They are predisposed to to learn quickly.” (Incorrect)
Correct: “They are predisposed to learning quickly.” -
Misusing with adjectives: “He is predisposed to intelligent.” (Incorrect)
Correct: “He is predisposed to intelligence.” or “He is predisposed to being intelligent.” -
Overuse: While it’s a sophisticated structure, using it too frequently can seem unnatural. Aim for once or twice in an essay or speaking response.
Conclusion
Mastering the “be predisposed to + noun/gerund” structure can significantly enhance your IELTS performance across both Writing and Speaking tasks. It allows you to express complex ideas about tendencies and inclinations with precision and sophistication. Remember to practice using this structure in various contexts, and always ensure you’re using it correctly and naturally. As you prepare for your IELTS exam, consider how you might incorporate this phrase into responses about personal characteristics, societal trends, or scientific phenomena, as these are common themes where this structure can be particularly effective.