IELTS Grammar & Vocabulary: Linking Words Practice Questions
Test yourself on Linking Words with 14 original IELTS practice questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback and a full explanation.
Free original practice questions for study purposes. Open Exam Prep is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the makers of IELTS.
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Answer the questions below — you get instant feedback and a full explanation for each.
1. Choose the best word to complete the sentence: 'The project was delayed; ______, the team still met the final deadline.'
Explanation. 'Nevertheless' signals contrast despite a difficulty, which fits the unexpected result that they still met the deadline. 'Therefore' and 'so' show result, and 'because' introduces a cause—none express the contrast required.
2. Select the correct linker: 'She studied hard ______ pass the exam.'
Explanation. 'In order to' + base verb expresses purpose and fits 'pass'. 'So that' needs a clause with a subject and verb (so that she could pass). 'Because of' and 'despite' are followed by nouns, not the bare infinitive here.
3. Which option correctly completes: '______ the heavy rain, the match continued as scheduled.'
Explanation. 'Despite' is a preposition followed by a noun phrase ('the heavy rain'). 'Although' needs a clause; 'However' is an adverb that links sentences with punctuation; 'Because' indicates cause, not contrast.
4. Choose the most appropriate linker: 'Renewable energy is clean; ______, it is becoming cheaper to produce.'
Explanation. 'In addition' adds a supporting point, which matches the two positive facts about renewable energy. 'Instead' and 'otherwise' suggest alternatives, and 'whereas' shows contrast.
5. Complete the sentence: 'He missed the bus; ______, he was late for work.'
Explanation. 'Consequently' expresses a result (being late) of a cause (missing the bus). 'Nonetheless' shows contrast, and 'although'/'while' introduce subordinate clauses, not a follow-up independent clause after a semicolon.
6. Which linker fits best: 'You should book early; ______, you may not get a seat.'
Explanation. 'Otherwise' means 'if you do not do this', signalling a negative consequence of failing to book. 'Moreover' adds information, 'therefore' shows logical result, and 'such as' introduces examples.
7. Choose the correct option: 'The city has grown rapidly. ______, its public transport has not kept pace.'
Explanation. 'In contrast' highlights the opposition between rapid growth and lagging transport. 'As a result' indicates the transport problem caused the growth (illogical), 'For example' introduces an instance, and 'Similarly' shows likeness.
8. Complete the sentence correctly: '______ being tired, she finished the report on time.'
Explanation. 'Despite' is followed by a noun or gerund ('being'), so it correctly precedes 'being tired'. 'Although' requires a full clause (Although she was tired), 'However' is an adverb, and 'Because' shows cause.
9. Which choice best completes: 'Many students enjoy group work ______ it builds communication skills.'
Explanation. 'Because' introduces a reason, explaining why students enjoy group work. 'Despite' and 'in spite of' need nouns/gerunds and show contrast; 'whereas' contrasts two ideas rather than giving a reason.
10. Select the best linker: 'The new policy reduced costs. ______, it lowered employee satisfaction.'
Explanation. 'On the other hand' introduces a contrasting drawback (lower satisfaction) to the benefit (reduced costs). 'Furthermore' and 'Likewise' add similar points, and 'Thus' indicates a logical result.
11. Choose the correct word: 'We can either travel by train ______ rent a car.'
Explanation. The correlative pair is 'either ... or', so 'or' is required. 'Nor' pairs with 'neither', while 'and'/'but' do not work with 'either'.
12. Which option correctly completes: 'The experiment failed ______ the careful preparation involved.'
Explanation. 'In spite of' shows contrast: the failure happened even though preparation was careful. 'Because of' and 'due to' indicate cause (illogical here), and 'so that' shows purpose with a clause.
13. Complete the sentence: 'Tourism boosts the local economy; ______, it can damage the environment.'
Explanation. 'However' signals a contrasting negative effect after a positive statement. 'Accordingly', 'hence', and 'therefore' all express result or consequence, which does not fit the contrast between benefit and damage.
14. Choose the most natural linker: 'I want to improve my writing; ______, I read English articles every day.'
Explanation. 'For this reason' links the goal (improve writing) to the action taken (reading daily), expressing purpose/cause. The other options show contrast and do not connect the desire with the supporting action.
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FAQ
Why does using varied linking words matter for IELTS Writing?
Cohesion and coherence is a scoring criterion. Accurate, varied linkers show you can connect ideas logically, but overusing them or using them wrongly can lower your band. Aim for natural, correct usage rather than cramming many connectors into every sentence.
How do I know whether a linker is followed by a noun or a clause?
Prepositional linkers (despite, in spite of, because of, due to) take a noun or gerund. Subordinating conjunctions (although, because, while, whereas) take a full clause with a subject and verb. Conjunctive adverbs (however, therefore, moreover) usually join sentences with a semicolon or start a new sentence.
What's a common mistake test-takers make with linking words?
Confusing meaning categories—e.g. using 'therefore' (result) where 'however' (contrast) is needed, or mixing 'despite' with a clause. Always check whether you need contrast, addition, cause, result, or purpose, then choose the grammatically correct form for that meaning.