Original BandLadder material
Along the way you get worked examples with the key words marked, before-and-after fixes that show why the first version loses marks, a one-page visual summary, a quick check to test yourself and a recap of the rules to remember. Each card holds one idea, so you can read it on a phone between practice sessions.
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The first 3 of 9 cards
join the ideas, mind the punctuation
A linking word joins ideas and decides the punctuation. Miss either and the sentence breaks.
Although the tickets are cheap.left hanging Many people still drive because ofbecause + clause it saves time, thereforecomma can't join the roads stay busy.
Band 6 (Writing): complex structures are less accurate.
each kind has its own punctuation
However and therefore never join ideas alone: give them a semicolon or a full stop.
the idea is fixed; the pattern moves
| Pattern | Same two ideas |
|---|---|
| Word + comma | Fares rose, but demand held. |
| Leaning word first | Although fares rose, demand held. |
| Leaning word second | Demand held although fares rose. |
| Semicolon + however | Fares rose; however, demand held. |
| Full stop + However | Fares rose. However, demand held. |
Pick by meaning, then punctuate to match.
Card 4 of 9 onwards
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