Understanding Parallel Expressions in IELTS Reading
One of the key skills tested in the IELTS reading section is the ability to identify parallel expressions – two sentences that have the same meaning but are written using different structures, vocabulary, or grammar. This is especially important for TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN and Headings style questions, which often assess your understanding of parallel expressions.
Parallel expressions involve changing words or phrases to have the same meaning as the original. This can be done in two ways:
1. Using different word families
Our cities are becoming increasingly polluted.
Can change to:
Pollution is increasing in our cities.
2. Using different vocabulary
Yet the reality is nowhere near as appealing.
Can change to:
The truth, however, is far less attractive.
Examples of Parallel Expressions
Original: The environmental impact of the increasing number of cars on the road is devastating.
Parallel: The rise in the volume of cars being used is highly destructive to the environment.
Original: Without a convenient and economical public transport system, most people will continue to use their cars to get to work.
Parallel: The majority of commuters will not abandon their own private vehicle until mass transit options become more flexible and better priced.
Original: The situation is intensified by the rising number of two-car families.
Parallel: The problem has been heightened by the increasing number of households that own two vehicles.
Original: Car-sharing schemes, where people travel together in one vehicle, have not been particularly successful.
Parallel: Reducing the number of single occupant cars has not been a great success.
Original: Although contaminants in petrol have been reduced, they still pose a significant threat.
Parallel: Despite now having lower levels of contamination, petrol is still a notable concern.
Original: The lack of government legislation to control exhaust fumes, especially from older cars, has exacerbated the problem.
Parallel: The problem has been heightened, to a large extent from older vehicles, because there are insufficient laws to govern this.
Original: In addition to environmental damage, increased air pollution has direct health consequences.
Parallel: Airborne pollutants can have a clear impact on health as well as the effect on the environment as a whole.
Original: Respiratory diseases have increased, especially within inner-city areas.
Parallel: Those residing in urban areas are increasingly likely to suffer from breathing-related conditions.
Original: Benzene, a by-product of the combustion of petrol, has been linked to birth defects.
Parallel: Complications arising from birth have been connected to benzene, a specific secondary result of burning gas.
Original: Yet while the car retains its image of freedom and individuality, it is unlikely that people will opt to take the bus.
Parallel: Public transport will probably not be used commonly until the use of private vehicles is no longer considered to represent a feeling of being unique and allowing people to travel freely.
IELTS Reading Parallel Expressions – Essential for a Good Result
BOOST YOUR VOCABULARY! Here’s a glossary of key words from this post:
| Word | Word Group | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Parallel expression | Noun | Two sentences that say the same thing in a different way |
| Transform | Verb | To change something into a different form |
| Vocabulary | Noun | The words you know and use in English |
| Grammar | Noun | The rules for making correct sentences |
| Synonym | Noun | A word with the same or similar meaning as another word |
| Clause | Noun | A small group of words with a subject and verb |
| Exacerbate | Verb | To make a problem worse |
| Commuter | Noun | A person who travels to work or school |
| Contaminant | Noun | Something that makes air, water, or food dirty or dangerous |
| Impact | Noun | The effect or result of something |