Hi, I’m Daniel Hughes, and in this guide we’ll explore one of the simplest ways to boost your IELTS Speaking score — using useful connectors and transitions naturally.
These small words — and, because, on the other hand, — help your ideas flow smoothly.
According to the British Council’s Speaking band descriptors, examiners give higher scores to candidates who speak coherently — that means your sentences connect logically.
Let’s see how to do that like a Band 8 candidate.
Connectors act as bridges between your ideas.
Without them, speech sounds robotic; with them, it feels conversational.
As IELTS.org explains, “Coherence & Fluency” assesses how ideas link naturally — not how complicated your grammar is.
A confident speaker uses transitions effortlessly to guide the listener through their story.
Purpose | Examples | When to Use Them |
Adding ideas | and also / besides / as well as / what’s more | To expand or list points |
Giving examples | for example / for instance / such as | To support a statement |
Sequencing | first / then / after that / finally / later on | To tell events in order |
Contrasting | but / however / although / on the other hand | To show difference |
Explaining reasons | because / since / as / so that | To give causes or effects |
Emphasising | actually / in fact / to be honest | To highlight or correct |
Concluding / Reflecting | overall / in the end / so / that’s why | To summarise your opinion |
💡 Tip: use one or two connectors per sentence — too many can sound unnatural.
Without Connectors (Band 6) | With Connectors (Band 8) |
I visited Paris. It was amazing. I saw the Eiffel Tower. | I visited Paris last year, and it was amazing because I finally saw the Eiffel Tower in person. |
I like reading. It is relaxing. I also watch films. | I like reading because it helps me relax, and I also enjoy watching films in my free time. |
I study English. It is important for my career. | I study English since it’s essential for my career growth and communication with international clients. |
Smooth connectors = fluent, confident answers.
In Part 2, you can use connectors to organise your talk clearly:
1️⃣ Opening: I’d like to talk about…
2️⃣ Adding detail: Another thing that stood out was…
3️⃣ Explaining feelings: It made me feel so relaxed because…
4️⃣ Ending: Overall, it was a really memorable experience.
This natural flow is what examiners love — it sounds like storytelling, not memorisation.
Describe a special gift you received.
Model Answer (≈ 1 min 40 sec)
I’d like to talk about a watch my parents gave me for my birthday. First, I was surprised because I wasn’t expecting anything expensive. Then, when I opened the box, I felt really touched since they had it engraved with a personal message. Also, I wear it every day because it reminds me of their support. Overall, it’s not just a gift — it’s something that keeps me motivated.
✅ The speaker uses connectors (first, then, since, also, overall) to guide the listener smoothly.
Category | Common Phrases |
Introducing topic | I’d like to share / I’d like to describe / Let me tell you about |
Moving to next point | Another thing I remember is / In addition to that / What’s more |
Explaining reasons | because / as a result / that’s why |
Giving examples | for example / for instance / to illustrate |
Expressing contrast | however / although / on the other hand |
Ending your talk | finally / overall / so to sum up |
You can find additional examples in the IDP IELTS Speaking practice materials
“I visited Spain, and then we travelled to Portugal.”
Practise rhythm and stress with short audio clips from BBC Learning English.
Take a random cue card and practise using at least five connectors:
Mistake | Fix |
Using too many connectors in one sentence | One per idea is enough. |
Forcing complex linkers | Choose simple ones like because or also. |
Forgetting to pause between ideas | A short pause keeps speech clear. |
Relying on “and” too much | Mix in also, besides, what’s more. |
Memorising phrases robotically | Practise them until they sound natural. |
After each cue card practice, ask yourself:
1️⃣ What are connectors in IELTS Speaking?
They’re words or phrases that join ideas to make your speech flow logically.
2️⃣ Do I need advanced linkers for a high band?
No — simple ones used accurately are better than complex ones used incorrectly.
3️⃣ Can I use the same connectors in Part 1 and Part 2?
Yes, but in Part 2 you’ll need more variety to link a longer answer.
4️⃣ How many connectors should I use?
Around 5–8 per two-minute talk is ideal.
5️⃣ Where can I see official examples?
Visit IELTS.org’s sample questions or the British Council Speaking samples.
Using connectors and transitions effectively helps you sound fluent, organised, and natural — key ingredients for Band 7+.
Practise them daily with short cue cards until they become automatic.
Next, move on to Vocabulary for Describing People, Places & Events to learn topic-specific language that fits perfectly with these connectors.
Or revisit the IELTS Speaking Overview for a complete criteria review.
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