🧠 How can contrast Clauses improve your score?

✔️ Give balanced opinions
✔️ Sound more thoughtful and natural
✔️ Show control of complex grammar
✔️ Expand answers smoothly
✔️ Add nuance—a key feature of Band 7+

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Let’s take a look at the main contrast clauses that are useful for IELTS Speaking!

1. Although / Even though

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2. Though

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Exercise 1: Short Speaking Prompts (Use although / Even Though / Though)

Task: Try answering these aloud using one of the three contrast words.

1) Talk about a movie you enjoyed even though it had some flaws.
E.g. I really loved Stranger Things even though I’m not that into spooky movies and series.

2) Describe a time you did something difficult although you didn’t want to.
3) Say something you like doing, though not everyone enjoys it.
4) Talk about a habit you keep even though it’s not good.
5) Describe a goal you achieved, but it took a long time.
6) Talk about a place you enjoy visiting, although it’s quite far from your home.
7) Describe a decision you made that turned out well, although you weren’t sure at first.
8) Explain a situation where you helped someone even though you were busy at the time.
9) Say something you learned that was useful, although it was challenging.
10) Describe an activity you do regularly, even though it’s tiring.
11) Talk about a person you get along with, although you don’t always agree.
12) Describe a time you had to be responsible, even though you were nervous.
13) Explain something you enjoy eating, although many people find it strange.
14) Talk about a risk you took, even though you were scared at first.

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Exercise 2: Rewrite the sentences

1. I like the city. It’s very noisy.
E.g. I like the city; it’s very noisy though.

2. I went for a walk. It was really cold.
3. I love spicy food. It gives me stomach problems sometimes.
4. She bought the dress. It was extremely expensive.
5. He passed the test. He didn’t study at all.
6. I got up early, although I didn’t sleep well last night.
7. I enjoyed the concert; the crowd was a bit noisy, though.
8. I tried the new restaurant, although I wasn’t very hungry.
9. I finished the project on time; it was pretty stressful, though.
10. I bought the book, although I wasn’t sure I’d have time to read it.
11. I joined the gym; I’m not really a sporty person, though.
12. I stayed at the party, although I didn’t know many people.
13. I cooked dinner; it didn’t turn out perfectly, though.
14. I visited the museum, although I’d already been there before.
15. I agreed to help him; I was quite busy that day, though.

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Exercise 3: Part 2 Starters

Task: introduce the part 2 questions with a contrast clause.

1) Describe a difficult decision you had to make.
E.g. Well, even though I didn’t speak the language, I decided to move to Colombia.

2) Talk about an activity you do regularly.
3) Describe a person who has influenced you.
4) Describe a time you overcame a challenge.
5) Talk about a place where you like to spend your free time.
6) Describe a hobby you started recently.
7) Talk about something you want to improve about yourself.
8) Describe a memorable journey you went on.
9) Talk about a time you helped someone.
10) Describe something you enjoy, even if others don’t.