IELTS Preparation Online One-on-One: Master Cohesion

A lot of IELTS candidates lose marks not because they lack ideas, but because their ideas don’t connect. The examiner reads a paragraph and thinks: I see what you mean, but how did we get here? That’s a cohesion problem, and it’s very fixable.

This post covers cohesive devices — what they are, how to use them well, and how to stop using them badly. There’s a short practice exercise at the end. If you want the full answer key and extended exercises, those are available to daily coaching subscribers.

What Are Cohesive Devices?

Cohesive devices are the words and phrases that link sentences and ideas together. They show the relationship between what you just said and what you’re about to say. Without them, writing reads like a list of unrelated facts. With them, it reads like an argument.

They fall into a few main categories:

• Addition: furthermore, in addition, also, moreover
• Contrast: however, nevertheless, on the other hand, although
• Cause and result: therefore, as a result, consequently, because of this
• Clarification: in other words, that is to say, to be more specific
• Concession: while it is true that, granted, admittedly

The goal is not to sprinkle these randomly through your writing. The goal is to choose the one that accurately describes the relationship between two ideas.

Where Candidates Go Wrong

The most common mistake is using however when there’s no real contrast. Like this:

Many people work from home. However, technology has improved rapidly.

That’s not a contrast. Those two ideas aren’t in opposition. Using however there confuses the reader and signals to the examiner that you don’t fully understand what the word does.

Another common error is overusing furthermore and moreover as if they’re interchangeable with also. They’re not wrong, exactly, but if every sentence starts with furthermore, your writing starts to feel mechanical. Examiners notice. They read thousands of scripts.

The fix is simple: before you write the linking phrase, ask yourself what the relationship actually is. Contrast? Addition? Result? Then choose accordingly.

Worked Examples

Here are the same ideas written without cohesion, then with it.

Without cohesion:

Remote work has increased productivity for some employees. Many workers report feeling isolated. Companies are investing in digital communication tools.

With cohesion:

Remote work has increased productivity for some employees. However, many workers report feeling isolated as a result of reduced face-to-face contact. Consequently, companies are investing heavily in digital communication tools to bridge this gap.

Notice that each sentence now signals its relationship to the previous one. The reader is never left wondering why we’ve moved to a new point.

Here’s an IELTS Task 2 example on education:

Without cohesion:

Private schools have better resources. Not all students can afford them. Some governments offer scholarships.

With cohesion:

While private schools often have superior resources, not all students can afford the fees. To address this inequality, some governments offer means-tested scholarships to high-achieving students from lower-income backgrounds.

The second version reads like a considered argument. The first reads like notes.

Practising this kind of rewriting is exactly the work we do in one-on-one IELTS preparation online. It’s one thing to understand the concept; it’s another to apply it under timed exam conditions. That kind of targeted, personal feedback is what the daily coaching programme is built around. For more details, click here.

Practice Exercise

Choose the correct cohesive device to complete each sentence. Options are provided in brackets.

1. The report showed a significant rise in sales. ________, the company decided to expand its marketing budget. [However / As a result / In addition]
2. Some employees prefer flexible hours. ________, others find it difficult to maintain a clear boundary between work and personal life. [Furthermore / On the other hand / Consequently]
3. The candidate had strong technical skills. ________, she had limited experience in project management. [Nevertheless / However / Therefore]
4. The new policy aims to reduce carbon emissions. ________, it encourages the use of public transport and cycling. [In other words / As a result / Admittedly]
5. Rewrite this sentence pair using an appropriate cohesive device: The city has excellent public transport. Many residents still commute by car.

The full answer key, plus a second set of exercises with IELTS Writing Task 2 paragraphs to rewrite, is available to subscribers of the daily coaching programme. See what’s included here.

Vocabulary to Know

• cohesive device /kəʊˈhiːsɪv dɪˈvaɪs/ – Level: B2 – a word or phrase used to connect ideas within and between sentences – Example: The essay used cohesive devices effectively to guide the reader through each argument.
• concession /kənˈseʃ.ən/ – Level: C1 – an acknowledgement that something is partly true before making a contrasting point – Example: The writer made a concession that the policy had some benefits before arguing against it.
• nevertheless /ˌnev.ə.ðəˈles/ – Level: B2 – despite what has just been said; used to introduce a contrasting point – Example: The task was challenging; nevertheless, she completed it before the deadline.
• consequently /ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwənt.li/ – Level: B2 – as a result; used to show that one thing follows from another – Example: The team missed the deadline; consequently, the client cancelled the contract.
• means-tested /ˈmiːnzˌtestɪd/ – Level: C1 – describes financial support given only to those who meet a specific income threshold – Example: The scholarship is means-tested, so applicants must provide proof of household income.
• in opposition /ɪn ˌɒp.əˈzɪʃ.ən/ – Level: B2 – in conflict or contrast with something else – Example: The two proposals are directly in opposition; you cannot implement both simultaneously.
• mechanical /məˈkæn.ɪ.kəl/ – Level: B1 – done without thought or originality; routine and repetitive in style – Example: His writing felt mechanical because he used the same sentence structure throughout.
• bridge a gap /brɪdʒ ə ɡæp/ – Level: B2 – to reduce or eliminate a difference or disconnect between two things – Example: The training programme was designed to bridge the gap between academic study and workplace skills.
• under timed conditions /ˈʌndə taɪmd kənˈdɪʃənz/ – Level: B1 – while working within a fixed time limit, as in an exam – Example: Students should practise writing essays under timed conditions before the exam.
• interchangeable /ˌɪn.təˈtʃeɪn.dʒə.bəl/ – Level: C1 – able to be used in place of each other without a difference in meaning or effect – Example: These two expressions are not interchangeable; they carry slightly different connotations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to use more cohesive devices or fewer in IELTS Writing?

Fewer, used accurately, beats many, used carelessly. The IELTS marking criteria reward appropriate use. An examiner would rather see three well-chosen linking phrases than eight random ones. Quality over quantity is the principle here.

Do cohesive devices matter in IELTS Speaking as well?

Yes, though the range is slightly different in speech. In speaking, you’ll use phrases like having said that, mind you, and then again more naturally than you would in writing. The underlying principle is the same: show the examiner how your ideas connect.

Can I prepare for IELTS effectively with online one-on-one coaching?

Absolutely. IELTS preparation online one-on-one is often more effective than classroom study because the feedback is specific to your writing and speaking, not a generic correction that applies to thirty different students. You find out exactly where your marks are going and what to do about it.

Ready to Work on This Properly?

If you found this useful and want to keep improving with structured daily practice, personalised feedback, and exercises built around your actual IELTS goals, the daily coaching subscription is worth a look. Find out more here.