Understanding Emphatic Structures
Emphatic structures, or cleft sentences, are a sophisticated tool in English that help to add emphasis to certain parts of a sentence, making your speech sound more complex and formal. These structures are particularly useful in the IELTS speaking section, where demonstrating control over such complex structures can significantly boost your score.
Applying Emphatic Structures in IELTS
Ben explains that these structures can be implemented across all parts of the IELTS speaking test. For instance, when asked about personal preferences or experiences, using a cleft sentence like “What I love about the countryside is its tranquility” not only emphasizes your response but also showcases your ability to manipulate sentence structures effectively.
Examples of Emphatic Structures
The tutorial offers several examples to illustrate how to transform simple sentences into emphatic ones:
- Simple: I like summer the most.
Emphatic: What I like the most is summer. - Simple: I feel happy at home.
Emphatic: The place where I feel happiest is at home.
These examples highlight the shift from a straightforward expression to a more focused and impactful statement.
Practical Usage in the Exam
Ben suggests practical applications of these structures in various parts of the speaking exam:
- Part 1: Introduce personal preferences using emphatic starts like “What I really enjoy is…”.
- Part 2: Describe experiences or items with an emphasis, such as “The thing that I admire most about this painting is…”.
- Part 3: Discuss abstract ideas or opinions emphatically, for example, “The reason why I prefer urban living is…”.
Benefits of Mastering Emphatic Structures
Mastering these structures not only aids in elevating your language proficiency in the eyes of the examiners but also helps in making your speech more engaging and persuasive, a key component in achieving a high band score in the speaking section.
For more detailed examples and exercises on using emphatic structures, consider exploring the Advanced IELTS Speaking Techniques on IELTSPodcast. Additionally, enrolling in an Online IELTS Course can provide further guidance and personalized feedback to hone your speaking skills.