Why Comparison & Modality Matter (কেন গুরুত্বপূর্ণ)
Two grammar areas quietly decide many Band 7 scores. Comparison structures are unavoidable in Task 1 (you must compare data) and useful in Task 2. Modal verbs and hedging give the cautious, academic tone that Band 7 writing needs — a good writer rarely says "X is true"; they say "X is likely to be true".
দুটি ব্যাকরণ-ক্ষেত্র নীরবে Band 7 নির্ধারণ করে। তুলনা কাঠামো Task 1-এ অপরিহার্য; modal ও hedging সতর্ক, একাডেমিক সুর দেয় — ভালো লেখক "X is true" নয়, "X is likely to be true" বলে।
Overstating loses marks. Absolute claims ("technology always improves life", "this will definitely happen") sound naïve. Hedging shows a mature, balanced mind — and improves both your grammar and your Task Response.
অতিরিক্ত জোর নম্বর কমায়। "always/definitely" ধরনের নিরঙ্কুশ দাবি সরল শোনায়। hedging পরিণত, ভারসাম্যপূর্ণ ভাবনা দেখায়।
Part of the Band 7+ grammar series: Complex Sentences · Conditionals · Passive · Articles · Cohesion.
Comparatives & Superlatives (তুলনা — মৌলিক)
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| short (1 syllable) | cheaper, higher, larger | the cheapest, the highest |
| long (2+ syllables) | more expensive, more significant | the most expensive |
| ending in -y | happier, easier, busier | the happiest, the easiest |
| irregular | better, worse, further, more | the best, the worst, the most |
Task 1 Comparison Structures (উন্নত তুলনা)
These lift a Task 1 report from Band 6 to Band 7+. Learn them as fixed patterns. এগুলো Task 1-কে Band 7+-এ তোলে। প্যাটার্ন হিসেবে শিখুন।
| Structure | Example (Task 1) |
|---|---|
| times as many/much as | Group A bought twice as many cars as Group B. |
| double / triple / half | Spending in 2020 was double that of 2000. |
| by + amount (size of change) | Sales rose by 30% / by a factor of three. |
| far / slightly + comparative | The figure was far higher / slightly lower than before. |
| the + comp …, the + comp (correlation) | The higher the income, the greater the spending on leisure. |
| compared with / in contrast to | Compared with 2000, far more people travelled abroad. |
| whereas / while (contrast) | Product A rose, whereas Product B declined. |
| the gap between … widened/narrowed | The gap between rich and poor widened. |
Modal Verbs — Degrees of Certainty (নিশ্চয়তার মাত্রা)
Modals let you show exactly how sure you are. This "certainty scale" is essential for predictions (Task 2) and speculation (Speaking Part 3). Modal দিয়ে আপনি ঠিক কতটা নিশ্চিত তা দেখান। এই "certainty scale" পূর্বাভাস ও অনুমানে অপরিহার্য।
| Function | Modals & phrases | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Prediction | will, is likely to, is expected to | Automation is likely to replace routine jobs. |
| Possibility | may, might, could | This could lead to higher unemployment. |
| Obligation / advice | should, ought to, must, need to | Governments should invest in public transport. |
| Ability | can, be able to | Cities can reduce congestion through planning. |
| Deduction (past) | must have, may have, cannot have | Early humans must have used fire for warmth. |
Hedging & Cautious Language (সতর্ক ভাষা)
Hedging "softens" a claim so it is defensible. It is one of the clearest markers of an educated, Band 7–8 writer. Hedging দাবিকে "নরম" করে যাতে তা রক্ষণযোগ্য হয় — শিক্ষিত, Band 7–8 লেখকের স্পষ্ট চিহ্ন।
| Hedging device | Examples |
|---|---|
| Modal verbs | may, might, could, would, can |
| Lexical verbs | tend to, appear to, seem to, suggest, indicate |
| Adverbs | arguably, possibly, generally, largely, relatively, apparently |
| Quantity softeners | some, many, a number of, in some cases, to some extent |
| Frequency | often, usually, in most cases (not "always"/"never") |
| Impersonal | it seems that, it could be argued that, there is a tendency for |
Balance hedging with a clear position. Task 2 still needs an opinion — hedge the supporting claims, but keep your overall stance firm: "While there are exceptions, I firmly believe that…".
hedging + স্পষ্ট অবস্থান। Task 2-তে মত লাগে — সহায়ক দাবি নরম করুন, কিন্তু মূল অবস্থান দৃঢ় রাখুন।
Band 6 → Band 7 Errors (সাধারণ ভুল)
Your Turn — Compare & Hedge (অনুশীলন)
Show a model answer
In 2000, Group B bought twice as many as Group A. (or: Group A was half that of Group B.)
Show a model answer
Social media may harm the concentration of some young people. (may + some)
Show a model answer
…prices will / are likely to rise sharply.
Show a model answer
The higher the income, the greater the spending on leisure.
Show a model answer
Nuclear power is arguably one of the most effective solutions to climate change. (arguably + one of)
Last guide: Cohesion, Linking & Referencing. Practise comparison language with the Writing vocabulary charts.
শেষ গাইড: Cohesion।