Test Prep Tips: Sentence Variation
Practice composing different styles of sentence structure to boost your score in the IELTS and CELPIP Writing Test!
A common writing challenge that many of us face is when we notice that almost every sentence we wrote in a paragraph starts the same way! From writing cover letters and essays to text messages and personal journals, a lot of sentences we write tend to start with the subject “I.”
Let’s take a look at a variety of sentence structure types including different ways to start sentences. for these examples, we’ll consider a sample topic for IELTS Writing - Task 2:
Many people leave their home country to study abroad nowadays.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
Compound sentence: “I believe that the biggest advantage to studying abroad is that it exposes you to a different culture, but students have to be prepared to deal with challenges as well.”
Complex sentence: “When students decide to study in a different country, it is usually because they are interested in learning another language or because they want to live independently from their families.”
Prepositional phrase: “Before applying to international colleges and universities, students should create a budget because international student fees are much higher than attending post secondary school in your own country.’
Infinitive phrase: “To be an international student, you have to be willing and excited to get out of your comfort zone.”
Participle phrase: “Considering disadvantages like culture shock, students who intend to study abroad would benefit from travelling to different countries before pursuing their formal studies.”
Subordinating conjunction: “Although studying abroad has disadvantages, it can also be a life-changing experience for students because they will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture.”
Adverbial phrase: “In my opinion, there are both advantages and disadvantages to studying abroad.”
Gerund phrase: “Studying abroad is a dream for many youth, but it is important for them to make a realistic plan in order to fulfill their goals.”