Cohesion involves the smooth connection between sentences and paragraphs. In Writing Task 1, this is typically achieved using cohesive devices — words or phrases that help guide the reader from one point to the next. Examples include words like “in contrast,” “however,” and “therefore,” which show relationships between the data you’re describing. In a task, where you might describe trends in a graph or chart, cohesive devices serve as signposts that let the reader know if you’re talking about increasing or decreasing trends, comparisons, or conclusions.

A common example might be, “While the distance traveled by car increased, the distance traveled by cycling decreased.” Here, the word while signals a comparison. Mastery of these linking words is essential to keeping your writing fluid, allowing your ideas to flow naturally.