Speaking: Fluency & Coherence B1
Using a Wider Range of Connectors
Listen to the examples here.
Upgrading Your Connecting Words 🔗
At the A2 level, you learned basic connectors like "and" and "but". To improve your fluency at B1, you can upgrade these words to show more complex relationships between your ideas.
"Although it was raining, we still went to the park."
(Shows a surprising contrast)
"We still went to the park, even though it was raining."
"My brother likes watching football, while I prefer reading."
(Directly contrasts two things)
"She speaks Khmer and English, as well as a little French."
(A more formal way to add information)
Grammar & Pronunciation Tips
🗣️ Pausing with Clauses
When you start a sentence with a connector like "Although" or "While", you create an introductory clause. It is very important to make a short pause (like a comma in writing) after this clause.
- Although I was very tired, [pause] I finished all of my homework.
- While my sister loves pop music, [pause] I prefer rock music.
This pause makes your long, complex sentence much easier for the listener to understand.
💡 Sentence Position of Connectors
"Although" / "Even though"
These can start a sentence or be in the middle. Starting the sentence often emphasizes the contrast.
- Although it was expensive, I bought the phone.
- I bought the phone although it was expensive.
- Even though it was expensive, I bought the phone.
- I bought the phone even though it was expensive.
"While"
This is usually used in the middle of a sentence to directly compare two different things or people.
- He is very tall, while his brother is quite short.
"as well as"
This phrase is used to add another item to a list, often sounding a bit more formal or emphatic than just "and".
- We packed snacks and drinks, as well as our swimming clothes.
Practice Your Connectors 🎯
Activity 1: Choose the Best Connector
Read the sentence and choose the best connecting word. Click your choice.
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(As well as / Although / While) he is very rich, he is not very happy.
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My father likes to wake up early, (while / as well as / although) my mother prefers to sleep in.
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The restaurant serves delicious noodles (while / although / as well as) fantastic coffee.
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(Even though / While / As well as) the exam was difficult, she passed easily.
Activity 2: Rewrite the Sentence
Combine the two simple sentences into one longer, more fluent sentence using the B1 connector in parentheses. Click "Show Answer" to check.
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I like living in Siem Reap. It is sometimes too quiet for me. (Although)
Show Answer
Although I like living in Siem Reap, it is sometimes too quiet for me.
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The university has a great library. It has a modern sports center. (as well as)
Show Answer
The university has a great library as well as a modern sports center.
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He studied hard for the test. He didn't get a good score. (Even though)
Show Answer
Even though he studied hard for the test, he didn't get a good score. / He didn't get a good score, even though he studied hard for the test.
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Some people prefer city life. Others enjoy the countryside. (while)
Show Answer
Some people prefer city life, while others enjoy the countryside.
Your Fluency Toolkit
- Connector A word or phrase that joins ideas, phrases, or sentences together.
- although / even though Used to show a surprising contrast, like "but". Often used at the start or middle of a sentence.
- while Used to directly contrast two different people or situations, usually in the middle of a sentence.
- as well as A way to add another item or idea, similar to "and" or "also", often sounds more formal.
- Contrast A difference between two or more people or things.
- Clause A part of a sentence that has its own subject and verb (e.g., "Although it was raining, we went out.")
Your Fluency Mission ⭐
This week, your mission is to upgrade your connectors. Try to use one of the B1 connectors from this lesson in a real conversation or in your writing.
For example, instead of saying "I like coffee, but my friend likes tea," try saying, "I like coffee, while my friend likes tea." Or, "Although I'm tired, I need to finish this report."