Understanding reference words for IELTS

Understanding Reference Words in IELTS Reading

What’s wrong with this sentence?

Some people believe that a university education should be available to everyone as a university education will help with employment.

The problem is that ‘university education’ is repeated. It is better to use a reference word like this: Some people believe that a university education should be available to everyone as this will help with employment.

Reference words (words that refer back to a previous word or phrase without repeating it) are common in many reading texts and can be confusing. Understanding how they relate to other words, phrases, or sentences is important.

Tip 1: Subject or object reference words

Reference words can change depending on whether they are the subject or object. For example:

• They often find university courses difficult. (subject)
• Overseas students often find them difficult. (object)
• Mr Smith works with Mr Jones every day:
• He works with Mr Jones every day. (subject)
• Mr Smith works with him every day. (object)

Tip 2: Singular and plural

Sometimes singular nouns take a plural reference word. For example: A teacher (singular) should always be prepared. They (plural) should also be punctual.

Tip 3: The dummy subject

Sometimes ‘it’ appears but does not refer to anything specific. This is called a dummy subject. For example:

It is commonly accepted that people with higher education work in higher paid jobs.

Practice: Decide if ‘it’ is a reference word or dummy subject

• Look at those dark clouds in the sky. It’s going to rain soon.
  Click to show answer In this sentence, ‘it‘ is a dummy subject because it does not refer to anything specific; it just introduces the statement about the weather..
• Homework is essential for learning. It allows students to review and reinforce what they have studied during class.
  Click to show answer In this sentence, ‘it‘ is a reference word as it refers back to ‘homework’..
• Few people talk openly about their feelings, but it is important to express them to avoid stress.
  Click to show answer Here, ‘it‘ is a reference word as it refers back to the idea of talking openly about feelings..
• Completing a university degree can be challenging. It can take up to four years of full-time study to finish.
  Click to show answer ‘It‘ is a dummy subject because it does not refer to anything specific; it introduces the statement about duration..
• Otago is a popular university in New Zealand. It was the first university established in the country, in 1869.
  Click to show answer Here, ‘it‘ is a reference word as it refers back to ‘Otago’..
• The conference was very informative. It covered topics from technology to education policy.
  Click to show answer ‘It‘ is a reference word because it refers back to ‘the conference’..
• It is often said that practice makes perfect.
  Click to show answer ‘It‘ is a dummy subject because it does not refer to anything specific; it introduces the general statement..
• The book was difficult to understand at first. It became clearer after rereading.
  Click to show answer ‘It‘ is a reference word as it refers back to ‘the book’..
• It seems that many students enjoy online learning.
  Click to show answer ‘It‘ is a dummy subject because it does not refer to anything specific; it introduces the observation..
• The project was challenging but rewarding. It required careful planning and teamwork.
  Click to show answer ‘It‘ is a reference word because it refers back to ‘the project’..

BOOST YOUR VOCABULARY! Here’s a glossary of key words from this post: