English for Exams Karen Kovacs

O
8
1 
Consonant + vowel
33 
Listen:
CD2
in
^England 
m os^___ jm p o rta n t
Where one word ends in a consonant sound and the next word begins with a vowel sound, 
we do not pause between the words - we link the words.
2 Vowel + vowel
■I I 1
3/> 
a
Listen. What sound is inserted between the two vowel sounds?
CD2
• the 
end
• 
I 
ate
We add an extra sound, / ____ /, to link two vowel sounds when the firs t vowel is / e i / ,
/ a i / , / o i / o r / i : / .
G 
b 
Listen. What sound is inserted between the two vowel sounds? Complete the sentence
35 
below.
CD2 
• too 
often
• 
so 
amazing
We add an extra sound, / ___/, to link two vowel sounds when the firs t vowel is / a u / ,
/ a u / o r / u : / .
8 2
Speaking for IELTS

---

c 
Listen. Which sound links the words below? Complete the sentences below.
• 
fa r 
away
• 
I saw 
it
We add an extra sound, / ____ /, to link a word ending in r or re and a word beginning
with a vowel. (Note that in many English accents, including standard British English, 
final r or re is not pronounced so these words end in a vowel sound.)
Many speakers also add / ____ / t o link two vowel sounds when the firs t vowel is / i a / ,
/e a /, / u a / , / o : / , / 3 : / ,
/ a : /
or / a / .
3 Practise linking a ll the words above correctly.
1
Read Tracks 31 and 32 on page 123 and m ark the words that should be linked.
2 
Check your answers in the Answ er key. Then practise reading the text, linking the 
words appropriately. Remember to pronounce any weak form s correctly, as w ell, 
e.g. 
for, and, were.
Record yourself.
3 Listen to your in itia l recording of the sample answer. Have you improved?
U
Listen to your own Part 1 answers. Then answer the questions again, making ar> 
attem pt to lin k words where appropriate.