Lesson 3 of 4 · 12 min

Connect ideas and vary your sentences

Make the relationship between sentences easy to follow.

Choose the relationship first

Ask whether the next idea adds information, contrasts with it, explains a cause, or shows a result. Then choose a connector if one is needed: 'also', 'however', 'because', or 'therefore'. A connector cannot repair a connection that does not make sense.

Carry familiar information forward

A phrase such as 'this extra hour' can refer back to a later closing time. Give pronouns a clear noun to refer to. Repeating a key term is often clearer than replacing it with a distant synonym.

Use sentence length deliberately

Join closely related ideas when the connection helps: 'Because the room is small, we can try four desks first.' Keep a short sentence for a key point. When joining two complete sentences with 'however', use a full stop or a semicolon before it, not just a comma.

See it in practice

Starting point

The new timetable would help students. However, students could borrow books after clubs. It costs money, it needs planning.

Using this skill

The new timetable would help students borrow books after clubs. This extra hour would give them time to browse. However, staffing would cost money, so the school could begin with a four-week trial.

'This extra hour' carries the idea forward. 'However' introduces a real drawback, and 'so' connects that drawback to a practical response.

01 / Check your understanding

Try the skill

Choose an answer for each question. You can try again after reading the feedback.

1. Choose the best connector: 'The room is small. ___, it can hold only six desks.' As a result In contrast For example

2. Which version correctly links two complete sentences? The plan is useful, however, it is expensive. The plan is useful. However, it is expensive. The plan is useful however it is expensive.

02 / Put it into words

Make it your own

Write two connected paragraphs about your recommendation: one about the benefit, one about a possible difficulty and a practical response. Use a clear reference such as 'this change' and a connector that matches the meaning.

Write at least 50 words. Use the checklist and example to review your writing; this exercise does not give an automatic writing score.

Your writing:

0 / 50 words minimum Save your response with the button below.

Before you finish

Each paragraph has a distinct job.
My connectors express the actual relationship.
My pronouns and phrases such as 'this change' have clear references.

I have checked my writing against the checklist.

Read one possible response

Compare the choices this writer made with your own. Many different responses can work.

Keeping the library open later on Wednesdays would give students time to borrow books after clubs. This extra hour would be especially useful during busy project weeks.

However, the school would need to arrange staff cover. A four-week trial could show how many students use the service before the school commits to a permanent change. Staff could then adjust the timetable using that information.

Complete the lesson by answering both questions correctly, reaching the writing minimum, and reviewing your draft.