Easy linkers and openers to use in Cambridge speaking and writing exams

Hi everyone.

Welcome to today’s video.

My name is Angela.

Today I would like to begin the video by taking a close-up look

at words and phrases that will help you to express

your ideas really clearly in speaking and writing.

If you're taking any Cambridge exam,

or you are thinking about it, stay tuned,

because this is going to be of interest.

Please do not forget to subscribe to the channel

if you don’t want to miss any of the upcoming videos.

Let's begin.

What is the difference between these two examples?

I don’t like playing golf.

It is boring.

I like playing basketball.

I like playing team sports.

I don’t like playing golf because I think it's boring.

However, I like playing basketball.

The reason I love it is because I love team sports.

Can you spot any difference?

We have connected three ideas, golf, boring and basketball,

just using two simple linkers, because and however.

Let's keep on watching this video to identify

the elements which make these two sentences different.

In speaking and writing, one of the things that you

have to show is that you can use language appropriately

to do things such as agreeing or disagreeing,

giving opinions, giving information or explanations,

giving reasons, giving examples, comparing and contrasting

ideas and opinions and drawing conclusions.

These phrases will help the listener and the reader to

understand the connection between your ideas.

Now we are going to a couple of sentence openers and linkers

regarding its function.

We start in three, two, one, go.

Let's start with giving your opinion.

These sentence openers are great.

Look.

Does homework promote learning?

In my opinion it helps children to

develop positive study skills.

I fully agree that homework teaches children to take

responsibility for their work.

Secondly, structuring and sequencing your ideas.

In order to follow the logic of your ideas

and understand the real point, try using the following phrases.

Look.

I have two reasons for wanting to go camping.

Firstly, I love the countryside and secondly, I have a tent

and a sleeping bag.

Let's move on to adding ideas.

There is a wide range of phrases we can use.

Pay attention to the examples.

Another reason why I am studying English is because I would like

to pass the B2 FIRST exam.

Listening to podcasts is useful and, moreover,

it is an effective way to improve your English.

Linkers are a great way to contrast different ideas.

Sometimes we want to link two ideas that

are different from each other.

For example, one is positive and one is negative,

as in this example.

I love London despite the bad weather.

Last but not least, cause and effect.

One of the functions of language is to explain.

In order to do that there are certain phrases that

can be of help.

I passed my test because I studied hard.

They trained hard for the game, consequently they won easily.

The game has been cancelled owing to bad weather.

Their English has improved since they

started doing their homework.

Let's recap.

In today’s video I have mentioned different types

of phrases and sentence openers.

Do you remember how many types?

Did you say five?

Yes, you are right.

Choose the odd one out.

Did you say in my view?

You are right.

In my view is a phrase we use to express our opinions.

Choose the correct option.

Correct.

The answer is consequently, which we use to express

cause and effect.

What do you like the most about learning English?

Write your answers in the comments,

trying to use as many phrases as possible.

I hope these ideas help.

If they do, please do not forget to subscribe to

the channel and like the video.

Thank you very much for watching this video and see you all in

the next one.

See you soon.