Cleft sentences with “what happened was” are powerful grammatical structures that can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. These sentences allow you to emphasize specific information and add sophistication to your writing and speaking. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to effectively use this structure to boost your IELTS score.
Understanding Cleft Sentences with “What Happened Was”
Cleft sentences with “what happened was” are used to highlight or emphasize a particular part of a sentence. They are particularly useful in IELTS tasks where you need to explain events, situations, or outcomes clearly and emphatically.
Here are some examples of how this structure can be used in IELTS contexts:
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Writing Task 2: “What happened was that the government implemented stricter environmental policies, leading to a significant reduction in pollution levels.”
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Speaking Part 2: “What happened was that I missed my flight due to heavy traffic, which completely changed my travel plans.”
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Writing Task 1: “What happened was that there was a sharp increase in oil prices between 2005 and 2008, followed by a sudden drop in 2009.”
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Speaking Part 3: “What happened was that the introduction of online shopping revolutionized the retail industry, causing many traditional stores to close.”
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Writing Task 2: “What happened was that the education system underwent a major reform, resulting in improved literacy rates across the country.”
In each of these examples, the cleft structure allows for a clear emphasis on the main event or action, making the information more prominent and memorable.
Grammar and Structure: Mastering the Formula
To effectively use cleft sentences with “what happened was” in your IELTS responses, it’s crucial to understand the grammatical structure:
Formula: What happened was (that) + subject + verb + rest of the sentence
Let’s break down this structure:
- “What happened was” is the introductory phrase that sets up the emphasis.
- “That” is optional and can be omitted without changing the meaning.
- The subject and verb that follow describe the main event or action.
- The rest of the sentence provides additional details or consequences.
Examples and Analysis:
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“What happened was (that) the company launched a new product, which boosted their sales significantly.”
- Subject: the company
- Verb: launched
- Additional information: a new product, which boosted their sales significantly
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“What happened was the climate change conference resulted in a landmark agreement.”
- Subject: the climate change conference
- Verb: resulted
- Additional information: in a landmark agreement
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“What happened was that technological advancements led to increased productivity in various industries.”
- Subject: technological advancements
- Verb: led
- Additional information: to increased productivity in various industries
By mastering this formula, you can create sophisticated and emphatic sentences that will impress IELTS examiners.
Applying Cleft Sentences in IELTS Tasks
Writing Task 1
In IELTS Writing Task 1, cleft sentences with “what happened was” can be particularly useful for highlighting significant trends or changes in graphs and charts.
Example:
“The graph shows changes in global internet usage from 2000 to 2020. What happened was that internet penetration increased dramatically in developing countries, leading to a more than tenfold rise in global users.”
This structure allows you to emphasize the main trend while providing context and consequences.
Writing Task 2
For Writing Task 2, this structure can help you introduce key points or arguments effectively.
Example:
“Many argue that technology has had a negative impact on interpersonal relationships. However, what happened was that social media platforms actually created new ways for people to connect and maintain long-distance relationships.”
Using this structure helps to present your argument clearly and emphatically.
Speaking Part 2
In the IELTS Speaking test, particularly in Part 2 where you’re asked to speak about a specific topic, this structure can help you organize your thoughts and emphasize key events.
Example:
“I’d like to talk about a time when I faced a challenging situation at work. What happened was that our main client suddenly decided to cancel a major project we had been working on for months.”
This introduction sets the stage for your story and immediately captures the listener’s attention.
Speaking Part 3
In Part 3 of the Speaking test, where you’re engaged in a more in-depth discussion, this structure can help you provide clear and detailed responses.
Example:
Examiner: “How has technology changed the way people work in your country?”
You: “That’s an interesting question. What happened was that the widespread adoption of remote work technologies completely transformed traditional office culture. Many companies now offer flexible working arrangements, which has led to increased productivity and job satisfaction.”
This response not only answers the question but also provides a clear explanation of the change and its consequences.
Strategies for Achieving Higher Band Scores
To achieve higher band scores in IELTS, it’s important to use cleft sentences with “what happened was” effectively and in conjunction with other advanced grammatical structures. Here are some strategies:
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Vary your sentence structures: While cleft sentences are powerful, don’t overuse them. Combine them with other complex structures for a more sophisticated response.
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Use them for emphasis: Reserve this structure for the most important points or events in your response.
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Combine with appropriate vocabulary: Pair this structure with advanced vocabulary relevant to the topic to showcase your language proficiency.
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Practice coherence: Ensure that your cleft sentences flow naturally within your overall response.
Comparison of Band Scores:
Band 6 response:
“The graph shows that internet usage increased a lot from 2000 to 2020.”
Band 7 response:
“What happened was that internet usage increased significantly between 2000 and 2020, particularly in developing countries.”
Band 8-9 response:
“What happened was that the proliferation of affordable smartphones and improved infrastructure led to a dramatic surge in internet usage between 2000 and 2020, with developing countries experiencing the most substantial growth.”
The higher band responses demonstrate more sophisticated use of language, provide more detailed information, and use the cleft structure effectively to emphasize key points.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When using cleft sentences with “what happened was,” be aware of these common errors:
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Overuse: Using this structure too frequently can make your response sound repetitive and unnatural.
Incorrect: “What happened was that I woke up. What happened was that I had breakfast. What happened was that I went to work.”
Correct: “What happened was that I had an unusually busy morning. I woke up early, had a quick breakfast, and rushed to work for an important meeting.” -
Incorrect verb tense: Ensure that the verb tense in the clause following “what happened was” matches the overall context of your response.
Incorrect: “What happened was that the company will launch a new product last year.”
Correct: “What happened was that the company launched a new product last year.” -
Forgetting the subject: Always include a subject after “what happened was.”
Incorrect: “What happened was increased pollution levels in the city.”
Correct: “What happened was that pollution levels in the city increased dramatically.” -
Using it for future events: This structure is typically used for past events or current situations, not future predictions.
Incorrect: “What happened will be that the government introduces new policies next year.”
Correct: “It is likely that the government will introduce new policies next year.” -
Mixing up word order: Maintain the correct word order in the clause following “what happened was.”
Incorrect: “What happened was that launched the company a new advertising campaign.”
Correct: “What happened was that the company launched a new advertising campaign.”
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can use cleft sentences with “what happened was” more effectively in your IELTS responses, showcasing your grammatical accuracy and fluency.
Conclusion
Mastering cleft sentences with “what happened was” can significantly enhance your IELTS performance across both the Writing and Speaking modules. This structure allows you to emphasize key information, add sophistication to your language, and present your ideas more clearly and effectively.
Remember to practice using this structure in various contexts related to common IELTS topics such as education, technology, environment, and social issues. By incorporating this advanced grammatical feature into your responses, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a higher band score in your IELTS test.
To further improve your skills, try rewriting simple sentences into cleft structures, and analyze how this changes the emphasis and impact of the information. With consistent practice and attention to detail, you’ll soon be using cleft sentences with “what happened was” confidently and effectively in your IELTS preparations and during the actual test.