Simple Connectors to use in most questions: and
or
but
Complex Connectors:
1. ADDING MORE INFORMATION Another reason is
Also
As well as
2. TIME PHRASES If you need to describe ‘time’ in your speaking task, you can use any of the following linkers.
At present
Now
These days
Nowadays
Before
Back in the day
Years ago
At that time
Then
When I was little
3. CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS Because
I suppose the best way to deal with this problem is
The main reason is
It was caused by
One way to solve this could be
4. EXPRESSING IDEAS / STATING AN OPINION I think one important thing is
I suppose the main difference is
In my view, the key point is
I believe that
5. GIVING EXAMPLES For instance
Like
For example
Such as
6. CONTRASTING/OPPOSITE But
While
On the other hand
Although
Or
7. TO AGREE OR EXPRESS DISAGREEMENT I couldn’t disagree more
I can’t agree with that
I quite agree that
Well, exactly
8. SIGNPOST WORDS Signposting words and phrases will help guide the examiner through the information, especially for longer answers.
Do you want to be able to pronounce the English Th sound clearly? It is completely normal as an English learner to struggle with the Th sound. There are two different TH sounds: the voiceless Th, and the voiced Th. A lot of people will try to say these sounds by replacing them with sounds they have in their own language. If you want to master this sound, watch the video below to hear Gabby explain how to pronounce “TH” properly in English.
When making a voiceless Th sound there is no vibration in the vocal cords because all the sounds are made at the front of the mouth with the tongue between the lips. Just the mouth is working. The sound is made by lightly blowing out against teeth and tongue. If you want to see if your tongue is in the right place hold your finger up and down across your lips (like you are saying shhh!). Make the front of your tongue have light contact with the with
the back of your finger. Relax the back of your tongue and keep it low and flat. Blow out and let the air pass through your teeth and tongue. Don’t use your vocal cords.
Practice these words: Theatre, thief, worthwhile, thunderstorm, mouth, teeth, bath, three, worthwhile, thank, nothing, myth, thin, Thursday, underneath, Ethiopia, broth. Quick tip: Practice by being exaggerated until the sound becomes easier to pronounce.
THE VOICED TH SOUND
When making a voiced Th sound there is a vibration in the throat because vocal cords are in action. Additionally, there is a slight buzz sound carried through the sound. So be sure to make the voiced Th sound with your tongue held lightly between your teeth, blow air out, and engage your vocal cords.
Practice these words: Then, than, those, worthy, Mother, Father, farther, northern, nevertheless, breathe. THE, Clothes Quick tip: Feel your throat across your voice box to make sure it is in action.
MINIMAL PAIRS TO PRACTICE
Voiceless Th sound: tanks/thanks, torn/thorn, tick/thick, boat/both Voiced Th sound: ten/then, tease/these, toes/those, tan/than
