Level C1 (approx. band 7-8) · Academic and General Training In simple terms, the public descriptors describe band 8 grammar as a wide, flexible range in which most sentences are error-free. Inversion and cleft sentences are part of that range. But many candidates memorise "Not only ... In this episode: • Not only ... but also • Negative adverbials: rarely, seldom, never, only when • Cleft sentences: what ... is, it is ... that • Natural emphasis or showing off? • Listening lab • Language bridge • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key points: • when not only starts a sentence, put the auxiliary before the subject, as in a question. • after a fronted negative word such as rarely or only when, use question word order. • a cleft sentence spotlights one element, and it often makes a contrast clear. • use inversion and clefts once or twice, where you really want contrast or focus, and only when they are error-free. IELTS Complete Course: a self-study podcast from A1 to C2 for Academic and General Training. Listen, pause and answer, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair. Independent course, not affiliated with the IELTS test owners.