Complex Sentences to get 8+ on CELPIP Speaking / Writing Part

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Today, we’re going to transform your writing / speaking  from simple to spectacular. To excel in your essays, presentations, or any form of communication, you must learn to craft complex, engaging sentences. Basic sentences won’t earn you top marks, so let’s dive into the tools and techniques to make your writing / speaking shine!

1. Mastering Connective Words

Connectors are like bridges that link your ideas smoothly and logically. Pay close attention, students, as these words will elevate the flow of your writing. Here’s a categorized list to guide you:

• Adding Ideas: Furthermore, Moreover, In addition, Additionally, Beyond this

• Sequencing Points: Firstly, Next, Finally

• Comparing Ideas: Similarly, By contrast, In comparison, Whereas

• Contrasting Ideas: However, Nevertheless, On the contrary

• Showing Cause or Conclusion: Therefore, Consequently, As a result, Due to, Hence

• Conditional or Relational Links: Given that, In light of, Provided that, Either…or, Neither…nor

Tip: Use "Although" or "Despite" at the start of a clause to introduce a contrasting idea. Practice these in your next assignment!

2. Building Complex Sentences

Complex sentences combine a main idea with supporting details, making your writing more dynamic. Start your sentences with these subordinating conjunctions or phrases to add depth. Let’s try these together:

• Although [situation], [outcome]

• When [event], [result]

• Before [action], [consequence]

• While [ongoing action], [effect]

• Until [condition], [result]

• If [condition], [outcome]

• Since [reason/time], [effect]

• Because [cause], [effect]

• Due to [reason], [result]

• Considering [factor], [conclusion]

• Based on [evidence], [statement]

• Whether [option], [implication]

Your turn: Pick speaking or writing practice questions below to practice complex sentences 

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CELPIP Speaking Task 1-8: Practice Questions for Complex Sentence Structures

 Each question encourages you to combine a main idea with supporting details for clear, dynamic responses. Record your answers, aim for 60-90 seconds per response, and use at least one complex sentence starter in each.

Task 1: Giving Advice

Question: Imagine a friend is nervous about starting a new job. What advice would you give to help them feel confident, and why is this advice important?

Tip: Use "If" or "Because" to explain the reasoning behind your advice.

Task 2: Talking About a Personal Experience

Question: Describe a time when you faced a challenge while traveling. What happened, and how did you overcome it?

Tip: Start with "When" or "While" to describe the situation and its outcome.

Task 3: Describing a Scene

Question: Think of a place you enjoy visiting, like a park or café. Describe what makes this place special and why you like spending time there.

Tip: Use "Although" or "Considering" to contrast or highlight specific aspects of the place.

Task 4: Dealing with a Difficult Situation

Question: Suppose a coworker is not completing their share of a group project. How would you handle this situation, and what would be the potential outcome?

Tip: Incorporate "Due to" or "Until" to explain the cause or resolution timeline.

Task 5: Making a Choice

Question: Would you prefer to live in a big city or a small town? Explain your choice with reasons.

Tip: Use "Whether" or "Based on" to weigh options or justify your preference.

Task 6: Persuading Someone

Question: Convince a friend to join a community volunteer program. What reasons would you give to persuade them, and why is volunteering valuable?

Tip: Start with "Since" or "Because" to emphasize the reasons for your argument.

Task 7: Talking About a Future Goal

Question: Describe a goal you want to achieve in the next five years. What steps will you take to accomplish it, and what challenges might you face?

Tip: Use "Before" or "If" to outline steps or potential obstacles.

Task 8: Expressing an Opinion

Question: Some people believe technology makes life more stressful, while others think it simplifies tasks. What is your opinion, and why do you feel this way?

Tip: Incorporate "Although" or "Considering" to present a balanced view or reasoning.

Practice Instructions

• Record Your Responses: Use a voice recorder or your phone to practice each task. Aim for clear pronunciation and a natural pace.

• Time Yourself: Keep responses between 60-90 seconds, as per CELPIP guidelines.

• Use Complex Sentences: Include at least one complex sentence starter (e.g., Although, When, If) in each answer to demonstrate advanced structure.

• Review and Reflect: Listen to your recordings. Check if you used the complex sentence starters effectively and varied your vocabulary.

• Bonus Challenge: For each question, try using two different starters from the list to build confidence in varying your sentence structures.

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CELPIP Writing Task for Complex Sentence Structures

Writing Task 1: Writing an Email

Question 1: Requesting a Refund

Question: You recently purchased a defective product from an online store. Write an email to the customer service department requesting a refund. Explain the issue with the product and why you believe a refund is justified.

Tip: Use "Due to" or "Because" to explain the issue and "If" to propose a solution or consequence.

Question 2: Complaining About Poor Service

Question: You had a disappointing experience at a local restaurant due to slow service and incorrect orders. Write an email to the restaurant manager describing the situation and suggesting how they can improve.

Tip: Incorporate "Although" or "Considering" to contrast expectations with reality and "Until" to suggest a timeline for improvement.

Question 3: Requesting Information

Question: You are interested in joining a community fitness program but need more details about the schedule and fees. Write an email to the program coordinator asking for specific information and explaining why you are interested.

Tip: Use "Since" or "Based on" to justify your interest and "Whether" to inquire about options.

Question 4: Canceling a Booking

Question: You booked a hotel room for a weekend trip but need to cancel due to unexpected circumstances. Write an email to the hotel explaining the situation and requesting a cancellation or rescheduling.

Tip: Start with "Due to" or "Because" to explain the reason and "If" to propose a resolution.

Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions

Question 5: Public Transportation vs. Private Vehicles

Question: A city council is conducting a survey on transportation preferences. Should residents rely more on public transportation or private vehicles? Choose one option, explain your reasons, and discuss the benefits.

Tip: Use "While" or "Although" to compare options and "Because" to support your choice.

Question 6: Work-from-Home Policies

Question: Your company is surveying employees about work-from-home policies. Should employees be allowed to work from home full-time, part-time, or not at all? State your opinion and provide reasons for your preference.

Tip: Incorporate "Considering" or "Based on" to justify your stance and "Whether" to discuss options.

Question 7: Community Center Activities

Question: Your local community centre is asking for suggestions on new activities for residents. Should they offer art classes or sports programs? Choose one, explain why it’s preferable, and describe its potential impact.

Tip: Use "When" or "Since" to describe the impact and "Although" to acknowledge the alternative.

Question 8: Environmental Initiatives

Question: A survey asks whether your city should invest in recycling programs or renewable energy projects to address environmental concerns. Choose one option, explain your reasoning, and discuss its importance.

Tip: Start with "Due to" or "Considering" to highlight the issue and "If" to outline potential outcomes.

Practice Instructions

• Word Count: Aim for 150-200 words per response, as per CELPIP Writing Task guidelines.

• Use Complex Sentences: Include at least two different complex sentence starters (e.g., Although, When, If) in each response to demonstrate advanced structure.

• Structure Your Response: For Task 1, use a formal email format (greeting, introduction, details, request, closing). For Task 2, include an introduction, your position, reasons, and a conclusion.

• Review Your Work: Check for clarity, grammar, and proper use of complex sentence starters. Ensure your ideas are well-organized and supported.

• Bonus Challenge: Try using three or more complex sentence starters in each response to build confidence in varying your sentence structures.

  
  

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3. Polishing with Sophisticated Phrases

To make your writing stand out, incorporate elegant, context-specific phrases. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula here, so tailor your word choice to the topic. I’ll show you how to apply this in the examples below.

4. Practice Time: Transforming Basic Sentences

Let’s take some simple sentences and rework them into advanced ones. Watch how these transformations add clarity and sophistication. Try following along with your own sentences!

1. Original: I am writing this letter because I need to make a complaint.

Revised: I am compelled to pen this letter, as it is necessary to formally address a grievance.

2. Original: Education should be free of cost because it is considered a basic human right. 

Revised: Since education is universally regarded as a fundamental human right, it must be accessible without financial barriers.

3. Original: The weather outside is really chilly and it can give me a frostbite and that will be really bad for my skin. 

Revised: Given the bitterly cold weather outdoors, there is a risk of frostbite, which could severely harm my skin’s condition.

4. Original: Democracy is better than dictatorship because it guarantees that everyone will have a voice and that is really important. 

Revised: Unlike authoritarian regimes, democracy ensures that every individual’s voice is heard, a cornerstone of societal fairness.

5. Original: Everybody says that it is important to reduce taxes to help people.

   Revised: It is widely acknowledged that reducing tax rates, in view of economic benefits, greatly supports citizens’ financial well-being.

6. Original: The environment these days is getting bad and worse by the minute. 

Revised: The environment is experiencing rapid degradation, with conditions deteriorating by the moment.

7. Original: You should really go to the gym and workout since it is important for you. It will help you become good in terms of your health. 

Revised: It is essential that you commit to regular gym workouts, as they are critical for improving your overall health and vitality.

8. Original: We need better leaders in the world. They will help us. Governments can do good things for people. We need politicians to do a better job. 

Revised: The world urgently requires principled leaders who, through effective governance, can enact policies that uplift communities.

9. Original: If you do your best at school, you can get a good mark. Then you can get better career opportunities. 

Revised: Provided you dedicate yourself to academic excellence, high grades can pave the way for enhanced career prospects.

10. Original: Your department needs to work on the sanitary conditions because you are violating health standards right now and it’s bad for your customers.

Revised: Due to current violations of health standards, your department must promptly improve sanitary conditions to protect customer well-being.

Your writing / speaking reflects your thinking. By weaving in advanced connectors, complex sentence structures, and polished phrases, you can express your ideas with precision and flair.