Importance of Prepositions in the IELTS Speaking Task

 

In the IELTS speaking task, you may be asked about your favorites or your recent trips. Answering such questions without the use of prepositions is almost impossible. It’s not just the usage of prepositions that affects your band score; it’s the incorrect usage of prepositions that can change the meaning of your sentences, leading to a lower band score.

 

How do Prepositions help in the IELTS?

 

Prepositions are an essential element of English grammar. They are words that help convey the exact position of a thing or person and talk about precise time. Let’s look at sample prompts and how prepositions are used in the responses:

 

Sample prompt: Describe your favorite restaurant.

You should say:

– where it is located

– what kind of cuisine they serve

– what does the place look like

 

Sample prompt: Describe a party or event you recently attended.

You should say:

– what the party was for

– who was the host

– what was the best part about it

– what was your relationship with the host

 

In the responses to these questions, prepositions are used to talk about the location and time of the restaurant and the party. Incorrect usage of prepositions can completely change the meaning of sentences and affect your band score.

 

Common Errors Made by Students:

 

1. Using redundant prepositions: Avoid constructing sentences with redundant prepositions. For example, “Which school did you go to?” should be answered as “I did my schooling from.”

 

2. Prepositions and ‘Ask’: Use the verb ‘ask’ with the preposition ‘for’ when asking somebody to give something. Use ‘ask’ without ‘for’ when asking somebody to say something. For example, “When was the last time you asked someone for help?” should be answered as “I asked for some money from my friend.”

 

3. Prepositions and ‘Prevent’: The word ‘prevent’ should be followed by the preposition ‘from’ and a verb with ‘-ing’ form. For example, “I prevented the two vehicles from colliding” is correct.

 

4. Prepositions and ‘Meet’: The verb ‘meet’ normally means ‘come face to face with somebody or something’ and should not be used with the preposition ‘with’. For example, “I met Amitabh Bacchan once” is correct.

 

Vocabulary Exercise of Prepositions:

 

1. She asked for my pen.

 

2. The walls prevented rainwater from entering the house.

 

3. I met with an accident today.

 

4. We insisted on them staying.