101Helpful Hints for IELTS

101 Helpful Hints for IELTS
CAUSE AND EFFECT & COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
In most essays and reports, you will need to refer to the cause of some particular situation and its
effect. Note that, when constructing sentences, either the cause or the effect can be mentioned first.
CAUSE
Overpopulation
causes
is the cause of
EFFECT
a considerable number of problems.
EFFECT
is the reason
behind
for
A number of serious problems are caused by
due to
the result
consequence
One
The
CAUSE
effect
consequence(s)
result(s)
effect(s)
of
CAUSE
overpopulation
EFFECT
is famine.
of
are famine and disease which
CAUSE
overpopulation.
result in
lead to
EFFECT
death.
EFFECT
Overpopulation is a problem in parts of Africa. Asa result
consequence
As a
Owing to
result
consequence
of
CAUSE
overpopulation,
an increase in population,
Consequently,
For this reason,
Hence,
So,
Therefore,
Thus,
Africa faces
(of this),
EFFECT
famine is
widespread.
a number of problems.
Here are some sentences and clauses from the model answer for Task 2 of Writing Test Two which
also show cause and effect relationships. Work out which is the cause and which is the effect in each
case. Study the model answer to see how they help develop the essay by providing evidence to
support the arguments made:
72
... an increase in population simply makes the situation worse ...
The environment also suffers when there are too many people living on the land.
Moreover, there is usually a great deal more crime which is often due to high rates of
unemployment.
Further large increases in population only cause more overcrowding, unemployment and crime.
In China, couples are penalised financially if they have more than one child.
... the "one-child policy" is beginning to have an effect...
... if the population explosion continues, many more people will die of starvation in poor
countries,...