Are you struggling to express your ideas clearly and effectively in your IELTS writing and speaking? One common area where candidates lose marks is the lack of parallelism in their lists. Using parallel structures not only enhances the clarity of your writing but also demonstrates a higher level of grammatical proficiency to the examiner, ultimately boosting your band score.
Take a look at these examples:
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Incorrect: My hobbies are reading books, playing the guitar, and to go for walks in the park.
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Correct: My hobbies are reading books, playing the guitar, and going for walks in the park.
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Incorrect: The government should invest in renewable energy, improving public transport, and to reduce pollution.
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Correct: The government should invest in renewable energy, improve public transport, and reduce pollution.
Do you see how the corrected sentences flow more smoothly and logically? That’s the power of parallel structures. In this article, we will delve deeper into understanding and utilizing this essential grammatical tool for achieving a band 7+ in your IELTS exam.
Understanding Parallel Structures
In essence, parallelism refers to using the same grammatical structure to present a series of related ideas. This consistency in structure improves the readability and coherence of your writing, making it easier for the examiner to follow your train of thought. It also adds a sense of elegance and sophistication to your language, showcasing your command over grammar.
Parallel structures frequently appear in IELTS writing tasks, particularly in Task 1 when describing trends or comparing data, and in Task 2 when presenting arguments or examples. They are also valuable in the speaking module, enabling you to deliver fluent and well-structured responses.
Using Parallel Structures: The Formula
Parallel structures can be achieved by ensuring that the elements in your list share the same grammatical form. This can be:
- Nouns: The recipe requires flour, sugar, and eggs.
- Verbs: He enjoys swimming, hiking, and camping.
- Adjectives: The film was exciting, engaging, and thought-provoking.
- Adverbs: She spoke clearly, confidently, and persuasively.
- Phrases: The company is committed to providing excellent customer service, developing innovative products, and creating a positive work environment.
- Clauses: I believe that climate change is real, that we need to take action, and that everyone has a role to play.
Parallelism in IELTS: Examples and Analysis
1. IELTS Writing Task 1
Let’s consider an example from IELTS Writing Task 1, where you might describe a graph showing changes in population over time:
- Without parallelism: The graph illustrates the population of city A increased sharply, while city B saw a gradual decline, and city C remained stable.
- With parallelism: The graph illustrates that the population of city A increased sharply, the population of city B declined gradually, and the population of city C remained stable.
By using parallel verb structures (“increased,” “declined,” “remained”), the sentence becomes much clearer and easier to understand.
2. IELTS Writing Task 2
In Task 2, you might use parallelism to present arguments supporting your opinion:
- Without parallelism: Studying abroad provides opportunities for personal growth, language acquisition is another benefit, and it can enhance career prospects.
- With parallelism: Studying abroad provides opportunities for personal growth, enhances language acquisition, and boosts career prospects.
The parallel structure created by using gerunds (“providing,” “enhancing,” “boosting”) makes the sentence concise and impactful.
3. IELTS Speaking
Parallel structures can also enhance your spoken responses:
- Examiner: What are the benefits of living in a big city?
- Candidate: Living in a big city offers easy access to amenities, exposure to diverse cultures, and greater job opportunities.
Here, the use of noun phrases in parallel form creates a clear and coherent response.
Achieving a Higher Band Score: Advanced Parallelism
To score highly, consider these tips:
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Use correlative conjunctions: Not only…but also, both…and, either…or, neither…nor
- Example: Not only does regular exercise improve physical health, but it also enhances mental well-being.
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Emphasize contrast: While…whereas, although…nevertheless
- Example: While some people believe that technology isolates us, others argue that it connects us in unprecedented ways.
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Use parallelism for stylistic effect: This can create a sense of rhythm and emphasis in your writing.
- Example: To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. – Alfred Tennyson
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Inconsistent verb tenses: Ensure all verbs in a parallel structure maintain the same tense.
- Incorrect: The company is expanding its operations, hired new staff, and will launch a new product line.
- Correct: The company is expanding its operations, hiring new staff, and launching a new product line.
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Mixing parts of speech: Maintain consistency in the grammatical form of elements in your list.
- Incorrect: The ideal candidate will be responsible, creative, and have excellent communication skills.
- Correct: The ideal candidate will be responsible, creative, and communicative.
Conclusion
Mastering parallel structures is an essential step towards achieving a higher band score in your IELTS exam. By using this grammatical tool effectively, you can present your ideas with clarity, fluency, and sophistication, leaving a lasting impression on the examiner. Keep practicing and pay close attention to the grammatical structures you use, and you will see a significant improvement in your writing and speaking skills.