Chapter 9 · English Grammar

IELTS Grammar

Advanced ⏱ 45–55 minutes 🎓 Competitive & Beyond

What you will be able to do

  • Understand how grammar affects the IELTS band score
  • Use the right language to describe trends (Task 1)
  • Use complex structures and cohesion in Task 2
  • Use conditionals and modals fluently in Speaking
  • Show grammatical range and accuracy
Builds on / Related chapters
Grade 12 · Academic Writing Grammar Grade 11 · Cohesion & Coherence Grade 11 · Register & Style

1 Quick Introduction

English

IELTS scores you on Grammatical Range and Accuracy — a quarter of your Writing and Speaking marks. 'Range' means using a variety of structures (not just simple sentences); 'accuracy' means using them correctly. This chapter targets the exact grammar each part of IELTS rewards: trend language for Task 1, complex cohesion for Task 2, and conditionals/modals for Speaking.

हिन्दी

IELTS आपको Grammatical Range and Accuracy पर अंक देता है — आपके Writing और Speaking अंकों का एक-चौथाई। 'Range' का अर्थ है विविध संरचनाओं का प्रयोग (केवल सरल वाक्य नहीं); 'accuracy' का अर्थ है उन्हें सही प्रयोग करना। यह अध्याय IELTS के हर भाग द्वारा पुरस्कृत व्याकरण को लक्षित करता है: Task 1 के लिए trend language, Task 2 के लिए जटिल cohesion, और Speaking के लिए conditionals/modals।

2 A Real-Life Situation

Imagine this

Two ways to describe a graph (Task 1):

Band 5: Sales went up. Then they went down.
Band 7+: Sales rose steadily before declining sharply towards the end of the period.

Why this form? The higher-band version uses precise trend verbs ('rose', 'declining'), adverbs ('steadily', 'sharply') and a complex structure ('before + gerund'). That range and accuracy is exactly what lifts the band score.

3 The Grammar Rule

Rule & Formula
SkillGrammar focus
Task 1trend verbs, adverbs, comparatives, passive
Task 2complex sentences, hedging, cohesion
Speakingconditionals, modals, a range of tenses
Show RANGE (varied structures) + ACCURACY (used correctly)
If governments invested more, pollution could be reduced. (Task 2 conditional + modal)

4 Band Descriptors & Task 1 (Describing Trends)

Band descriptors for grammar:

  • Band 6: a mix of simple and complex sentences, with some errors.
  • Band 7: a variety of complex structures; the majority of sentences error-free.
  • Band 8: a wide range of structures; only occasional, minor errors.
  • Band 9: full flexibility and control; errors are rare.

Writing Task 1 (describing a graph/table) needs precise trend language:

DirectionVerbs / Nouns
Uprise, increase, climb, surge, grow (a rise, an increase)
Downfall, decline, drop, plummet, decrease
No changeremain stable, level off, plateau
Adverbssharply, steadily, gradually, dramatically, slightly

Use the passive for processes ('the data was collected') and comparatives ('higher than', 'the highest').

Visual — Band Descriptors & Task 1 (Describing Trends)
rose sharplypeakeddeclined
1
Worked Example
Describe (Task 1): the line goes up quickly then is flat.
Solution

The figure rose sharply before levelling off.

2
Worked Example
Use a noun form: 'Prices increased.' → noun phrase.
Solution

There was an increase in prices.

Key Points

  • Higher bands need a range of complex structures, used accurately
  • Task 1: trend verbs (rise/fall), adverbs (sharply/steadily), passive, comparatives
  • Vary verb and noun forms (rose / a rise in)

5 Task 2 & Speaking Grammar

Writing Task 2 (an essay) rewards:

  • Complex sentences: relative clauses, conditionals, subordination — While some argue that…, others believe that…
  • Cohesion: connectors and reference (however, therefore, this, such) used accurately.
  • Hedging: cautious claims — it may be argued that…, this could lead to…
  • Accuracy: consistent tense, agreement and articles.

Speaking rewards grammatical range in spontaneous speech:

  • Conditionals for speculation: If I had more time, I would travel.
  • Modals for opinion/possibility: It might be better to…, I'd say it can be…
  • A range of tenses: past for narration, present perfect for experience, future forms for plans.

Aim for natural complexity — a few well-handled complex sentences beat many simple ones.

1
Worked Example
Make it Task-2 complex: Cities are crowded. People move there for jobs.
Solution

Cities are crowded because people move there in search of jobs.

2
Worked Example
Speaking conditional: speculate about winning the lottery.
Solution

If I won the lottery, I would invest most of it.

Key Points

  • Task 2: complex sentences, cohesion, hedging, consistent accuracy
  • Speaking: conditionals for speculation, modals for opinion
  • Use a range of tenses naturally; a few good complex sentences beat many simple ones

6 Vocabulary Builder

WordMeaningहिन्दी
Rangevariety of structuresविविधता
Accuracycorrectnessशुद्धता
Trenda general directionप्रवृत्ति
Hedgingcautious languageसतर्क भाषा
Cohesionlinking of ideasसुसंबद्धता
✎ Vocabulary Quick Test0 / 1
Q.'Grammatical Range and Accuracy' rewards:
Explanation: Both range (variety) and accuracy (correctness) matter.

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗ IncorrectSales went up and then went down. (Band 5)
✓ CorrectSales rose before falling sharply.
Use precise trend language and a complex structure.
✗ IncorrectI think it is good because it is good. (circular)
✓ CorrectIt may be beneficial, as it could reduce costs.
Hedge and give a real reason in Task 2.
✗ IncorrectIf I win the lottery, I would travel. (mixed)
✓ CorrectIf I won the lottery, I would travel.
Keep the conditional consistent (Type 2).
✗ IncorrectUsing only simple sentences throughout.
✓ CorrectMix simple and complex sentences for range.
Range lifts the band score.

8 Practice Exercises

Fill in the BlanksLevel 1
Choose the better (higher-band) trend expression.
  1. Sales ______ sharply. (went up / surged)
  2. Prices ______ steadily. (rose / went up)
  3. The figure ______ off after 2010. (became flat / levelled)
  4. Numbers ______ dramatically. (fell / went down)
  5. There was a slight ______ in demand. (increase / going up)
Answer Key
  1. surged
  2. rose
  3. levelled
  4. fell
  5. increase
Fill in the BlanksLevel 2
Rewrite as a higher-band complex sentence.
  1. Cities are crowded. People move for jobs.
  2. Many support online learning. Others disagree.
  3. Pollution is rising. Governments must act.
  4. Speaking (Type 2 conditional): I am not rich, so I can't travel.
  5. Hedge this: This will solve the problem.
Answer Key
  1. Cities are crowded because people move there in search of jobs.
  2. While many support online learning, others disagree.
  3. As pollution is rising, governments must act.
  4. If I were rich, I would travel.
  5. This may help to solve the problem.
Error Detection
  1. Sales was increased sharply.
  2. If I will have time, I would help.
  3. The graph show a rise.
  4. There was a increase in prices.
Answer Key
  1. Sales increased sharply. (error: was increased)
  2. If I had time, I would help. (error: will have)
  3. The graph shows a rise. (error: show)
  4. There was an increase in prices. (error: a increase)
Sentence Correction
  1. The figures goes up between 2000 and 2010.
  2. While some agrees, others disagrees.
  3. If governments invested more, pollution will reduce.
Answer Key
  1. The figures rose between 2000 and 2010.
  2. While some agree, others disagree.
  3. If governments invested more, pollution could be reduced.
Rearrange the Words
  1. before / sharply / rose / sales / falling
  2. argue / while / some / others / disagree
  3. rich / were / I / if / travel / I / would
Answer Key
  1. Sales rose sharply before falling.
  2. While some argue, others disagree.
  3. If I were rich, I would travel.
Match the Following
Column AColumn B
1. rise / surgea. adverbs of degree
2. fall / plummetb. upward trend
3. level offc. no change
4. sharply / steadilyd. downward trend
Answer Key
rise / surge → upward trendfall / plummet → downward trendlevel off → no changesharply / steadily → adverbs of degree

9 Micro Quiz

✎ Quick Check — 5 questions0 / 5
Q1.Higher-band word for 'went up sharply':
Explanation: 'surged' is precise and strong.
Q2.'remain stable' describes:
Explanation: No change.
Q3.Type 2 conditional: 'If I ___ rich, I would travel.'
Explanation: 'were' for all subjects.
Q4.Hedging phrase:
Explanation: 'it may help to' is cautious.
Q5.Noun form of 'increase' in 'There was an ___ in sales':
Explanation: 'an increase in'.

10 Reading Practice

IELTS Task 1 model sentence and Task 2 model sentence:

Task 1: Between 2000 and 2010, the number of users rose steadily, peaking in 2008 before declining slightly. Overall, the figure was higher at the end of the period than at the start.
Task 2: While some argue that technology isolates people, it could equally be said that it connects them across distances. If used wisely, it may strengthen, rather than weaken, human relationships.

Comprehension Questions
  1. Identify the trend language in the Task 1 model.
  2. What complex structures appear in the Task 2 model?
  3. Why is 'higher … than' effective in Task 1?
Answer Key
  1. 'rose steadily', 'peaking', 'declining slightly', 'higher … than' (comparative).
  2. A 'While …' subordinate clause, a passive ('it could be said'), a conditional ('If used wisely'), and hedging ('may strengthen').
  3. It uses a comparative to summarise the overall change accurately.

11 Speaking, Writing & Daily Use

Say these aloud
  • Sales rose steadily before levelling off.
  • While some support it, others are against it.
  • If I had more time, I would learn another language.
  • It might be better to invest in education.
  • There was a sharp increase in demand.
Write three IELTS-style sentences: one Task 1 trend sentence, one Task 2 complex/hedged sentence, and one Speaking conditional.
Example: Task 1: Prices rose sharply before stabilising. Task 2: It may be argued that exams encourage hard work. Speaking: If I lived abroad, I would miss my family.

12 Challenge Zone

🔥 Higher-Level Questions — 30 / 3
Q1.Choose the highest-band Task 1 sentence.
Explanation: Precise verbs, data, and complex structure.
Q2.Choose the best Task 2 opener.
Explanation: Complex, balanced, academic.
Q3.Choose the correct Speaking conditional for a hypothetical.
Explanation: Consistent Type 2: 'If I got …, I would …'.

13 Chapter Mind Map

Mind Map
           IELTS GRAMMAR
                |
   +------------+------------+
   |                         |
 RANGE + ACCURACY        BY TASK
 band 6: mix             Task 1: trends
 band 7: variety, few    (rise/fall/adv/passive)
   errors                Task 2: complex +
 band 8-9: wide, control hedging + cohesion
                         Speaking: conditionals/modals

14 One-Minute Revision

Remember these

  • Grammar is a quarter of Writing & Speaking marks: range + accuracy
  • Task 1: trend verbs (rise/fall), adverbs (sharply), passive, comparatives
  • Task 2: complex sentences, cohesion, hedging, consistent accuracy
  • Speaking: conditionals for speculation, modals for opinion, varied tenses
  • A few well-handled complex sentences beat many simple ones