Linking words trong Writing VSTEP — 100 từ nối phân loại theo chức năng

Linking words là gì?

Linking words (từ nối) là những từ/cụm từ dùng để kết nối các ý, câu, đoạn văn với nhau một cách logic và mạch lạc. Trong bài thi Writing VSTEP, sử dụng linking words đúng và đa dạng giúp bạn đạt điểm cao ở tiêu chí Coherence & Cohesion (tính liên kết).

1. Phân loại linking words theo chức năng

a) Thêm ý (Addition)

Từ nối	Nghĩa	Ví dụ
Moreover / Furthermore	Hơn nữa	The policy reduces costs. Moreover, it improves efficiency.
In addition (to)	Ngoài ra	In addition to English, she speaks French.
Besides	Bên cạnh đó	Besides, the project creates more jobs.
Also / As well	Cũng	He also volunteers at the hospital.
Not only... but also	Không chỉ... mà còn	She is not only smart but also hardworking.

b) Tương phản (Contrast)

Từ nối	Nghĩa	Ví dụ
However	Tuy nhiên	The plan is good. However, it is too expensive.
Nevertheless / Nonetheless	Tuy nhiên, dù vậy	He failed the test. Nevertheless, he didn't give up.
Although / Even though	Mặc dù	Although it rained, we went out.
Despite / In spite of	Mặc dù (+ N/V-ing)	Despite the rain, we went out.
On the other hand	Mặt khác	City life is exciting. On the other hand, it is stressful.
While / Whereas	Trong khi	While some agree, others disagree.

c) Nguyên nhân — Kết quả (Cause — Effect)

Từ nối	Nghĩa	Ví dụ
Because / Since / As	Bởi vì	Since it was late, we went home.
Because of / Due to / Owing to	Bởi vì (+ N/V-ing)	Due to the storm, the flight was cancelled.
Therefore / Thus / Hence	Do đó, vì vậy	He studied hard. Therefore, he passed.
As a result / Consequently	Kết quả là	Prices rose. As a result, demand fell.
So... that	Quá... đến nỗi	It was so cold that we stayed inside.

d) Ví dụ (Examples)

Từ nối	Nghĩa	Ví dụ
For example / For instance	Ví dụ	Many countries, for example Japan, invest in technology.
Such as	Chẳng hạn như	Sports such as swimming improve health.
Namely	Cụ thể là	Two factors, namely cost and time, affect the decision.

e) Kết luận (Conclusion)

Từ nối	Nghĩa	Ví dụ
In conclusion	Kết luận	In conclusion, education is the key to success.
To sum up / In summary	Tóm lại	To sum up, both sides have valid points.
All in all	Nhìn chung	All in all, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Overall	Nhìn chung	Overall, the policy has been successful.

2. Lưu ý ngữ pháp khi dùng linking words

Cấu trúc	Theo sau bởi	Ví dụ
Although / Even though / While	Mệnh đề (S + V)	Although he is tired, he keeps working.
Despite / In spite of	Danh từ / V-ing	Despite being tired, he keeps working.
Because	Mệnh đề (S + V)	Because he was tired, he stopped.
Because of / Due to	Danh từ / V-ing	Because of his tiredness, he stopped.
However / Therefore / Moreover	Đứng đầu câu mới + dấu phẩy	It rained. However, we went out.

3. Bài tập trắc nghiệm — 15 câu

Chọn đáp án đúng nhất (A, B, C hoặc D).

Câu 1. ______ the heavy rain, the match was not cancelled.

A. Although   B. Despite   C. Because   D. However

Câu 2. She failed the exam. ______, she did not give up.

A. Moreover   B. Therefore   C. Nevertheless   D. Furthermore

Câu 3. ______ he studied hard, he passed the VSTEP test easily.

A. Despite   B. Because   C. However   D. In spite of

Câu 4. The city has many attractions, ______ museums, parks, and theaters.

A. moreover   B. such as   C. therefore   D. however

Câu 5. He is very talented. ______, he is also extremely humble.

A. However   B. Therefore   C. Moreover   D. Nevertheless

Câu 6. ______ the fact that she was ill, she came to work.

A. Although   B. Because of   C. Despite   D. Since

Câu 7. Pollution is increasing. ______, many species are becoming extinct.

A. However   B. As a result   C. Moreover   D. Despite

Câu 8. ______ being very expensive, the course is worth taking.

A. Although   B. Because   C. Despite   D. However

Câu 9. He didn't study at all. ______, he failed the exam.

A. Nevertheless   B. Furthermore   C. Consequently   D. Moreover

Câu 10. ______ technology has many benefits, it also has drawbacks.

A. Despite   B. While   C. Due to   D. Therefore

Câu 11. The project was cancelled ______ lack of funding.

A. because   B. although   C. due to   D. however

Câu 12. She speaks three languages; ______, she can communicate with many people.

A. nevertheless   B. in addition   C. therefore   D. despite

Câu 13. ______, both options have advantages and disadvantages.

A. As a result   B. For example   C. All in all   D. Such as

Câu 14. ______ she earns a high salary, she is not happy.

A. Because   B. Even though   C. Due to   D. Therefore

Câu 15. The new law will reduce crime. ______, it will save the government money.

A. However   B. Nevertheless   C. In addition   D. On the other hand

4. Đáp án và giải thích

Câu	Đáp án	Giải thích
1	B. Despite	"the heavy rain" là danh từ → dùng Despite (không dùng Although vì Although cần mệnh đề S+V).
2	C. Nevertheless	Hai câu tương phản: thi trượt nhưng không bỏ cuộc → Nevertheless (tuy nhiên).
3	B. Because	"he studied hard" là mệnh đề S+V → dùng Because. Despite/In spite of cần danh từ.
4	B. such as	Liệt kê ví dụ cụ thể → such as.
5	C. Moreover	Thêm ý cùng hướng: tài năng + khiêm tốn → Moreover (hơn nữa).
6	C. Despite	"the fact that..." là cụm danh từ → Despite the fact that = Although.
7	B. As a result	Nguyên nhân-kết quả: ô nhiễm tăng → tuyệt chủng → As a result.
8	C. Despite	"being very expensive" là V-ing → dùng Despite (không dùng Although + V-ing).
9	C. Consequently	Nguyên nhân-kết quả: không học → trượt → Consequently (do đó).
10	B. While	Tương phản hai mặt: lợi ích vs hạn chế → While (trong khi).
11	C. due to	"lack of funding" là danh từ → due to. Because cần mệnh đề S+V.
12	C. therefore	Nguyên nhân-kết quả: nói 3 ngôn ngữ → giao tiếp được nhiều người → therefore.
13	C. All in all	Tổng kết cuối bài → All in all (nhìn chung).
14	B. Even though	Tương phản: lương cao nhưng không vui → Even though (mặc dù) + mệnh đề.
15	C. In addition	Thêm ý cùng hướng: giảm tội phạm + tiết kiệm tiền → In addition.