[IELTS] Opinion linkers

Expressing and justifying opinions

Exercise 1
Read these sentences showing some linkers which express and justify
opinions. Look out for when you need to use commas and also when you need
a verb in the opinion you are giving.
a) In my opinion, capitalism has serious weaknesses.
b) I think that women will become increasingly powerful in society.
c) I would say that the age of the monarchy is dead.
d) I believe this to be the case because there is so much evidence to support it.
e) I hold this view because of the quality of the research of Smith and Johnson.
f) I am of this opinion due to the recent events in Bosnia.

Exercise 2
Look at this summary of the construction of sentence a):

In my opinion + comma + clause.

and of sentence e):

Clause + because of + noun phrase.

Note
You need to decide whether you need to write clause or a noun phrase for each one.
A noun phrase is a pronoun or any group of words that can be replaced by a
pronoun, e.g. it or the dog in the park
A clause contains a subject, a verb, and sometimes more information, e.g. John
drives or John plays rugby
Now do the same for:
b) ...........................................................................................................................................................
c) ...........................................................................................................................................................
d) ...........................................................................................................................................................
f) ............................................................................................................................................................

2008 www.teachitworld.com

9124

Page 1 of 3

[IELTS] Opinion linkers

Exercise 3
Put a correct linker in each gap.

a)

I think this is the case ............................................................ the number of people

without passports.

b)

............................................................, modern poetry is very difficult to penetrate.

c)

............................................................ the situation in the Middle East will be very

difficult to solve.

d)

I dont believe in Marxism ........................................................... so many countries have

turned their backs on it.

Exercise 4
Use the prompts below to express your opinion. You also have to justify each
one!
a)

Third World debt

....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................

b)

the drugs trade

....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................

c)

the fashion industry

....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................

d)

prostitution
....................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................

2008 www.teachitworld.com

9124

Page 2 of 3

[IELTS] Opinion linkers

TEACHER'S NOTES & KEY
Aim: (IELTS writing skills) to revise and practise the linkers which express and justify
opinions.
Topics: various
Lesson timings: exercises 12: 10 minutes; exercise 3: 5 minutes; exercise 4: 10 minutes;
Total: 25 minutes

Exercises 1 and 2
Write the first sentence (with a gap) on the board and ask students what they would link
the ideas with. Hand out the worksheets and ask students to look at exercises 1 and 2 in
pairs.
b) I think that + clause.
c) I would say that + clause.
a) Clause + because + clause.
b) Clause + due to + noun phrase.

Exercise 3
a)
b)
c)
d)

because of
In my opinion
I think that
Because

Exercise 4 (suggested answers)

a) I think Third World debt should be written off because people in poorer countries are
starving.
b) In my opinion, the drugs trade is one of the most serious threats to society. I hold this
view because of what Ive read in newspapers about Colombia.
c) I would say that the fashion industry is a very significant employer in developed
countries. I believe this to be the case because fashion houses like Gucci are very
important in Italy.
d) I think that prostitution is inevitable. I hold this view because it so widespread
throughout the world.

2008 www.teachitworld.com

9124

Page 3 of 3