Master ‘Keep on’ to Boost Your IELTS Speaking Score

Understanding ‘Keep on’ and Its Importance in IELTS

The phrasal verb ‘keep on’ is a versatile and commonly used expression in English that can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. As an IELTS examiner, I’ve noticed that candidates who effectively use phrasal verbs like ‘keep on’ often score higher, particularly in the Speaking test. Let’s dive into how you can master this phrasal verb and apply it in your IELTS preparation.

Definition and Explanation

‘Keep on’ primarily means to continue doing something or to persist in an action. It’s often used to emphasize the continuation of an action, especially in the face of challenges or for an extended period.

Synonyms: continue, persist, carry on, maintain

Understanding the phrasal verb 'keep on'

Usage in Context

1. “Despite the difficulties, she kept on studying for her IELTS exam.”
2. “The rain kept on falling throughout the night.”
3. “Keep on practicing your English, and you’ll see improvement soon.”

‘Keep on’ can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it suitable for various parts of the IELTS test.

Grammar Analysis

‘Keep on’ is a separable phrasal verb, meaning that in some cases, you can insert an object between ‘keep’ and ‘on’:

• “She kept on working.” (No object)
• “She kept her hat on.” (Object inserted)

However, when used with a gerund (verb + -ing), it’s typically not separated:

• “He kept on talking during the movie.”

Application in IELTS

Speaking Section

In the IELTS Speaking test, ‘keep on’ can be effectively used to describe persistence or continuous actions. For example:

Question: “How do you stay motivated when learning English?”
Sample Answer: “I believe the key is to keep on practicing regularly. Even when I face challenges, I keep on pushing myself to improve. By keeping on with my studies, I’ve seen significant progress in my language skills.”

Writing Section

In IELTS Writing, ‘keep on’ can add depth to your essays, particularly when discussing trends or personal habits:

“Despite economic fluctuations, the company kept on expanding its operations globally.”

Remember to use it judiciously in formal writing tasks like Task 2 essays, as it may be considered slightly informal in some contexts.

Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Carry on /ˈkæri ɒn/: To continue doing something
   Example: “Despite the interruption, the speaker carried on with his presentation.”

2. Go on /ɡəʊ ɒn/: To continue or proceed
   Example: “The meeting went on for hours.”

3. Press on /pres ɒn/: To continue in a determined way
   Example: “We must press on with our preparations for the exam.”

4. Soldier on /ˈsəʊldʒər ɒn/: To continue despite difficulties
   Example: “Even when tired, she soldiered on with her studies.”

5. Persevere /ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪə/: To continue trying to do something despite difficulties
   Example: “If you persevere with your English practice, you’ll see improvement.”

Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

1. Despite the rain, the football match __ __.
2. She __ __ working until she finished the project.
3. The noise __ __ all night, making it difficult to sleep.
4. __ __ smiling, even when times are tough.
5. The researchers __ __ with their experiments despite the setbacks.
6. He __ __ talking, ignoring all interruptions.
7. The company decided to __ __ with its expansion plans.
8. __ __ practicing your pronunciation to improve your accent.
9. The storm __ __ for days, causing significant damage.
10. They __ __ dancing until the early hours of the morning.

Sentence Transformation

1. She continued studying despite feeling tired.
   She __ __ studying despite feeling tired.

2. The children persisted in asking questions throughout the journey.
   The children __ __ asking questions throughout the journey.

3. Although it was late, they continued their discussion.
   Although it was late, they __ __ with their discussion.

4. He maintained his exercise routine despite his busy schedule.
   He __ __ exercising despite his busy schedule.

5. The company persevered with the project despite financial difficulties.
   The company __ __ with the project despite financial difficulties.

6. She didn’t stop complaining about the service.
   She __ __ complaining about the service.

7. They continued searching until they found the lost item.
   They __ __ searching until they found the lost item.

8. The musician continued playing despite the audience’s reaction.
   The musician __ __ playing despite the audience’s reaction.

9. We must persist in our efforts to improve the environment.
   We must __ __ our efforts to improve the environment.

10. The dog wouldn’t stop barking at the mailman.
    The dog __ __ barking at the mailman.

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

1. kept on
2. kept on
3. kept on
4. Keep on
5. kept on
6. kept on
7. keep on
8. Keep on
9. kept on
10. kept on

Sentence Transformation:

1. She kept on studying despite feeling tired.
2. The children kept on asking questions throughout the journey.
3. Although it was late, they kept on with their discussion.
4. He kept on exercising despite his busy schedule.
5. The company kept on with the project despite financial difficulties.
6. She kept on complaining about the service.
7. They kept on searching until they found the lost item.
8. The musician kept on playing despite the audience’s reaction.
9. We must keep on with our efforts to improve the environment.
10. The dog kept on barking at the mailman.

Explanation: In all these sentences, ‘keep on’ is used to express the continuation of an action, replacing words like ‘continued’, ‘persisted’, or ‘didn’t stop’. This phrasal verb emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action, often implying persistence or determination.

Memory Tips

To remember ‘keep on’, visualize a persistent action:

• Imagine a battery-powered toy that keeps on moving, symbolizing the continuous action.
• Think of the phrase “Keep on keeping on,” a popular motivational saying that embodies persistence.

Visualizing 'keep on' for better retention

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Incorrect separation: “He kept working on” instead of “He kept on working.”
   Correction: Always keep ‘on’ next to ‘keep’ when followed by a gerund.

2. Overuse in formal writing: While ‘keep on’ is versatile, use it sparingly in formal IELTS Writing tasks.
   Tip: In formal contexts, consider alternatives like ‘continue to’, ‘persist in’, or ‘maintain’.

3. Forgetting the ‘-ing’ form: “She kept on to study” instead of “She kept on studying.”
   Remember: ‘Keep on’ is always followed by the ‘-ing’ form of the verb.

4. Misusing with state verbs: “I keep on knowing the answer” is incorrect.
   Correct usage: Use ‘keep on’ with action verbs, not state verbs.

5. Incorrect tense: “I will kept on practicing” instead of “I will keep on practicing.”
   Remember: ‘Keep’ changes tense, not ‘on’.

Conclusion

Mastering ‘keep on’ can significantly enhance your IELTS performance, particularly in the Speaking test. By understanding its usage, practicing with the provided exercises, and avoiding common mistakes, you’ll be well-equipped to use this phrasal verb effectively. Remember, the key to improvement is to keep on practicing and using these expressions in your everyday English. As you prepare for your IELTS exam, keep on incorporating phrasal verbs like this into your language repertoire, and you’ll likely see a noticeable improvement in your fluency and overall score.

For more tips on improving your IELTS skills, check out our guide on how to stay connected with others, which can help you develop your speaking abilities further. Additionally, learning about the role of international organizations in global peacekeeping can provide valuable content for your Writing and Speaking tests. Keep on exploring these resources, and you’ll be well on your way to IELTS success!