The “be worth + gerund” structure is a powerful and sophisticated grammatical tool that can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. This construction is particularly useful in expressing value or worthiness of an action, making it a valuable asset for both the Writing and Speaking sections of the IELTS exam. Let’s delve into the intricacies of this structure and explore how you can leverage it to boost your IELTS score.
Understanding the “Be Worth + Gerund” Structure
The “be worth + gerund” structure is used to express that something is valuable or deserving of a particular action. It’s a concise way to convey the idea that an action is worthwhile or beneficial.
Formula and Grammatical Analysis
The basic formula for this structure is:
[Subject] + [be] + worth + [gerund]
- Subject: Can be a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase
- Be: Conjugated to match the subject and tense (is, are, was, were, will be, etc.)
- Worth: Always remains in this form
- Gerund: The -ing form of a verb, functioning as a noun
For example:
- “The museum is worth visiting.” (Simple present)
- “The book was worth reading.” (Simple past)
- “The conference will be worth attending.” (Future simple)
In each of these examples, the gerund (visiting, reading, attending) acts as the object of “worth,” indicating the action that is considered valuable or worthwhile.
Applying “Be Worth + Gerund” in IELTS Writing
Incorporating this structure in your IELTS Writing tasks can demonstrate your command of complex grammatical structures, potentially boosting your score in the Grammatical Range and Accuracy criterion.
Task 1 (Academic) – Report Writing
While less common in Task 1, you might use this structure to emphasize significant data points:
“The increase in renewable energy usage is worth noting, as it represents a 50% growth over the five-year period.”
Task 2 – Essay Writing
This structure is particularly useful in Task 2 essays, allowing you to express opinions and evaluations concisely:
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“Despite its initial costs, investing in education is worth considering for long-term economic growth.”
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“The environmental benefits of public transportation are worth acknowledging, even if implementation poses challenges.”
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“While controversial, the new policy is worth implementing due to its potential to reduce unemployment rates significantly.”
Enhancing IELTS Speaking with “Be Worth + Gerund”
In the Speaking test, using “be worth + gerund” can showcase your ability to express complex ideas fluently:
Part 1 – Introduction and Interview
Examiner: “Do you enjoy visiting museums?”
You: “Absolutely! I believe museums are worth visiting because they offer a unique glimpse into history and culture.”
Part 2 – Individual Long Turn
When describing a memorable place:
“The ancient temple I visited last summer was definitely worth seeing. Its intricate architecture and rich history were worth learning about, making the long journey worth undertaking.”
Part 3 – Two-way Discussion
Discussing the value of travel:
“While traveling can be expensive, I believe the experiences gained are worth investing in. The cultural understanding and personal growth are worth considering when planning one’s budget.”
Advanced Usage for Higher Band Scores
To aim for higher band scores (7+), consider these more sophisticated applications:
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Negative form: “The event wasn’t worth attending due to poor organization.”
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Question form: “Is the exhibition worth seeing, given the high entrance fee?”
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With modifiers: “The documentary is definitely worth watching, especially for its insightful analysis.”
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In passive constructions: “The project is considered worth funding by the committee.”
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With infinitives: “The experience is worth taking the time to appreciate.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Using “to + infinitive” instead of gerund:
Incorrect: “The book is worth to read.”
Correct: “The book is worth reading.” -
Omitting “be”:
Incorrect: “The museum worth visiting.”
Correct: “The museum is worth visiting.” -
Using an adjective after “worth”:
Incorrect: “The film is worth interesting.”
Correct: “The film is worth watching.” (Or: “The film is interesting.”) -
Confusing “worth” with “worthy”:
Incorrect: “The cause is worthy supporting.”
Correct: “The cause is worth supporting.” (Or: “The cause is worthy of support.”) -
Using a noun instead of a gerund:
Incorrect: “The painting is worth a look.”
Correct: “The painting is worth looking at.”
Conclusion
Mastering the “be worth + gerund” structure can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. It allows you to express value and worthiness concisely and eloquently, demonstrating a high level of grammatical proficiency. Practice incorporating this structure into your writing and speaking to make your language more sophisticated and impactful. Remember to use it naturally and appropriately, and you’ll likely see an improvement in your IELTS scores.
To further hone your skills, try creating sentences using this structure about topics commonly found in IELTS, such as education, technology, environment, and cultural experiences. The more you practice, the more natural and effective your use of this structure will become in the exam setting.