Module 06 —Linkers & Reference Words
Reading Part 4 (gapped text) · this/that/these · linking words in context
PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral
Why this lesson now? Second pass at Reading 4 from Lesson 06.
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
Read this pair of sentences: 'I bought a new bike. This made my brother jealous.' What does 'this' refer to?
In pairs, build a chain of 4 sentences where each one starts with 'This/That/It' referring back to the sentence before.
Discuss: why can't you just put paragraphs of a text in any order and still make sense?
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minReference words: this, that, these, it, one
'This/that/it' point back to an idea already mentioned; use them to check a sentence fits its neighbours.
Good writers don't repeat the same noun again and again — they use short reference words like 'this', 'that', 'these', 'it' and 'one' to point back to something already mentioned. In Reading Part 4, a text has five sentences removed, and your job is to put them back in the right gaps. The biggest clue is often a reference word in the sentence itself, or in the sentence that follows the gap. If a missing sentence starts with 'This meant that…', ask yourself: what idea, just before, does 'this' describe? Reference words link ideas across sentences and paragraphs, so checking them carefully is the fastest way to find the correct gap.
→ Maria failed her first driving test. This didn't stop her from trying again the next month.
→ The company launched a new app. It quickly became one of the most downloaded tools that year.
→ We looked at three flats. These were all in the same street, but only one had a balcony.
Question 1.'Tom lost his phone. This meant he couldn't call anyone.' What does 'this' refer to?
Question 2.Which word usually refers to a single object mentioned before, replacing it?
Question 3.'These' usually refers back to:
Question 4.'I need a pen. Can you lend me ____?' (any pen, not a specific one)
Question 5.In Reading Part 4, the best strategy for reference words is to:
Quick check 1.'She passed her exam. That surprised everyone.' What surprised everyone?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
used to add extra information
Add one extra reason using 'in addition' to: 'The flat is cheap.'
used to introduce a contrasting point of view
Give two opinions about homework, joined by 'on the other hand'.
used to explain why something happens, referring back
Complete: 'The road was closed. For this reason, ____.'
used to show something happens even though there was an obstacle
Complete: 'It was freezing outside. Despite this, ____.'
after a period of time, in the end
Tell a partner about something you eventually achieved.
at the same time, used to link two things happening together
Describe two things happening at once using 'meanwhile'.
used to show that one thing is like another already mentioned
Compare two hobbies using 'similarly'.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Practise linking words in full sentences before you meet them in the gapped text.
"I studied all night before the exam. As a result, ______."as a result
Ask your partner
- Tell your partner about a plan that changed. Use 'however'.
- Add an extra detail to a story using 'in addition'.
- Describe a challenge you overcame, using 'despite this'.
Is it better to study alone or in a group? Give your opinion, then a contrasting point with 'on the other hand'.
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 40 words about a time something went wrong and how it was fixed.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minPausing before and after linking words
A short pause before 'however' or 'as a result' signals a new, connected idea.
- • I was tired. However, I kept working.
- • It started to rain. As a result, we went home early.
- • The film was long. Despite this, I enjoyed it.
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minThe city that banned cars
Pontevedra, a small city in Spain, made a decision in 1999 that seemed almost impossible at the time: it removed nearly all cars from its historic centre. [[1]] The mayor argued that streets belonged to people, not to vehicles, and that children should be able to walk to school safely.
At first, many shop owners were furious, convinced that customers would simply stop coming into the centre. [[2]] Instead, foot traffic increased, and small businesses reported higher sales than before the change.
The project did not happen overnight. [[3]] Underground car parks were built on the edges of the centre, and public transport was improved so that residents could still reach the area easily.
Today, Pontevedra is often used as a model for other cities considering similar changes. [[4]] Local officials say that air quality has improved dramatically and that road accidents in the centre have almost disappeared. [[5]] For a city of only 80,000 people, that is a remarkable achievement.
Question 1.What did Pontevedra do in 1999?
Question 2.Why did the mayor make this decision, according to the text?
Question 3.What did shop owners fear at first?
Question 4.What actually happened to shops after the change?
Question 5.How did the city help residents reach the car-free centre?
Question 6.What is Pontevedra's overall result described as?
Read the whole text once before choosing, then check the sentence before and after each gap.
Sentence options
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minA class discussion about a project
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Mr Wren:Right, before we finish, let's check the running order for the presentation. Sofia, you're starting with the introduction, aren't you?
Sofia:Yes, I'll explain the topic first. Then I'll hand over to Ben for the background research.
Ben:That's right. After that, I think Priya should come in with the survey results, since she collected them.
Priya:Sure, that works. I'll link back to what Ben said about the background, and then explain what we actually found.
Mr Wren:Good — that's a nice clear structure. Make sure each of you refers back to the previous speaker, so it flows as one talk, not four separate ones.
Sofia:Right, so I could say something like 'Following on from that point...' when I start my section.
Mr Wren:Exactly. And Priya, at the end, can you summarise everything and suggest what we should look at next?
Priya:Yes, I'll finish with 'As a result of these findings, we think schools should...' — something like that.
Ben:Sounds good. Should we practise the whole thing together tomorrow lunchtime?
Mr Wren:That would be sensible. Room 12 is free at half twelve.
Question 1.Who starts the presentation?
Question 2.What does Ben present?
Question 3.Why should Priya present the survey results?
Question 4.What does Mr Wren say is important for the presentation to flow?
Question 5.What will Priya do at the end of the talk?
Question 6.When and where will they practise?
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minReading Part 4 — gapped text
Check the sentence before AND after every gap, not just one side.
Task
Five sentences have been removed from a text of about 250–350 words. You choose the correct sentence for each gap from eight options; three are extra and don't fit anywhere.
Example
If the sentence after a gap starts with 'Instead, foot traffic increased...', the missing sentence probably describes an expectation that turned out to be wrong — look for an option that sets up a contrast.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Complete: 'She trained every day. ____, she won the competition.' (consequence)
Q2.Which reference word replaces a plural noun already mentioned?
Write a short paragraph (about 60 words) describing a change in your town or city, using at least two linking words (however, as a result, in addition, despite this).
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Last year our council closed the main street to traffic. Many shop owners were worried at first. However, the number of visitors actually increased, and several new cafés opened. As a result, the street is now much busier at weekends. In addition, it's a lot quieter and safer for pedestrians than before.
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
In pairs, discuss a change that happened in your school or town, describing cause and effect clearly with linking words.
Examiner
"Now talk together about whether more towns should remove cars from their centres."
Talk together about
Should more town centres remove cars, like Pontevedra did?
Share opinions, agree and disagree — you do not have to talk only about yourself.
Ideas you could discuss
- People who need to drive, e.g. for work
- Shops and businesses
- Air quality and safety
Round off the discussion
Agree on one advantage and one disadvantage of removing cars from town centres.
Useful discussion language
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Use if the gapped-text practice finishes early. ~14 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Complete a gapped-text exercise at home using the sentences provided.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Text
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Write five sentences, each using a different linking word from today's lesson.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Words to use
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Listen again to the class discussion script and note down every linking phrase used.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Task
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Reference words (this, that, these, it, one) point back to ideas already mentioned in a text.
- In Reading Part 4, check the sentence before AND after each gap for reference and linking clues.
- Linking words show relationships: contrast (however), consequence (as a result), addition (in addition).
- Good speakers and writers refer back to previous points to make their ideas flow as one connected piece.