IELTS SPEAKING

Lesson 26
Parts 1, 2 & 3
Target Level 6.5
Paraphrasing
Background
Background

Paraphrasing will help your band score for the criteria of vocabulary.
• Level 5 – Minimum range of vocabulary
Frequent errors cause problems with meaning
• Level 6 – Adequate range of vocabulary
Some errors but the meaning is clear
• Level 7 – Sufficient range of vocabulary
Few errors
• Level 8 – Wide range of vocabulary
Most sentences are error free
Paraphrasing is really important in the criteria of lexical resource
• Level 4 – Rarely attempts to paraphrase
• Level 5 – Attempts to use paraphrase with mixed success
• Level 6 – Generally paraphrases successfully
• Level 7 – Uses paraphrase effectively
• Level 8 – Uses paraphrase effectively as required
Maximise your marks!
• When you answer the questions in part 1 & part 3.
• The first sentence – the one in which you give information – must be 90% paraphrased. 
• That is, you try not to use the words that the examiner used in the question but should say
it differently. 
• Doing this in the first sentence is already an impressive score.
• Firstly, paraphrasing the question is important for vocabulary. If you simply copy the
question in the beginning of your answer, it shows a lack of lexical flexibility and
knowledge.
• Thus, utilizing other words to express the topic is an excellent way to show the examiner
that you have a range of vocabulary.
• You do not need to change all words. The examiner is not going to check or count how
many synonyms you have used, or how you changed the order of the words. All that
matters is that it sounds natural and most importantly that it is correct.
• Make the changes you feel most comfortable with. Like mentioned above, correctness is
important, so if you are not sure about the correct synonym, word form, spelling, grammar
structure, then don’t change it. Only use the techniques you are comfortable with.
Techniques
• 1. Synonyms
Take note of the most important nouns and verbs in the question and see which synonyms
may be available to replace them.
The diagram below shows the process by which bricks are manufactured for the building
industry.
Here you have to find some new words which you can change in order to paraphrase
effectively.
The diagram illustrates the way by which bricks are made for the construction industry.
Use synonyms only when you are 100% sure about the meaning.
Is food important to you?
Needless to say, food is indispensable to me.
What kinds of movies do you like?
I'm big on cartoons/ I'm into science fiction films.
Which one do you prefer? Shopping at a store or shopping online?
Oh…Each has its own perks, but I lean towards / have an inclination towards shopping through e-
commerce.
Techniques

• 2. Use a different word form

Simply change the forms of the words in the questions. You may need a good understanding of
word families to do this effectively.
Change nouns to verbs - Change verbs to nouns - Change adjectives to nouns
The line graph below shows the consumption of four kinds of meat in a European country from
1979 to 2004
The line graph below shows how one European country consumed four types of meat from
1979 to 2004
Changed consumption (noun) to consumed (verb)
Note: also changed kinds to types (synonym)
Do you think men and women are different in shopping habits?
Yes, I do agree that there are some big differences in the way males and females buy things.
Do you think that to study a new language is important ?
Absolutely, learning a second language is of paramount importance to everyone, especially to
young people.
Which one do you prefer? Living in an apartment or a house?
Oh…Each has its own perks, but I have a preference for staying in a flat over a house.
Techniques

• 3. Change the grammar structure in the sentences

Change from the active to the passive voice
The real estate developers invested over 40 million dollars into
the development of a new senior living community.
40 million dollars was invested into a new senior living
community by real estate developers.
Invested (active) changed to was invested (passive)
Techniques

• 4. Change the word order

Sometimes it’s easy to change where the words stand in the
sentence.
The line graph below shows the consumption of four kinds of
meat in a European country from 1979 to 2004.
The line graph below shows how four different types of meat
were consumed over a 25 year period in one European
country.
Techniques

• 5. Combine several different techniques

Relying on one type of paraphrasing can be difficult, stressful,
and not very effective.
You can use two or three different techniques at the same time.
You can combine synonyms with changing the word order or the
grammar structures can have a dramatic effect on paraphrasing
skills.
Techniques
• 6. The Definition Of The Word Or Express It Differently But With The Same Idea
The hardest way but will score the most points. To use this method, it is still best to learn idioms
and phrases.
Example: What comes to my mind ( = I think)
Well, My favourite leisure activity is surfing Facebook. What comes to my mind when talking about
Facebook is the fan page Sai Gon Cua Toi. In English, it means “My Saigon”. This page is my
must-visit spot whenever I open the FB app because it has numerous interesting and entertaining
posts featuring surprising facts about Saigon that I have never known, even though I have spent
my whole life living in this city.
Example: It's not the case to someone/ something ( = it's different to so/s.th)
Well, I'm not really a collector, you know. For the most part, many people are keen on collecting
things and expanding their collections. But it's not the case to me because collecting seems kinda
boring and time-consuming.
Example: [Something] can be attributed to [some reasons] ( = because)
Being able to speak fluently a new language can be attributed to three main factors.
Example: play a crucial role ( = important)
Because immigrants do jobs that many people do not want to do, they play a crucial role in the
economy.
Techniques – Writing task 1

• Using synonyms safely

Not all synonyms can be used in the same situation.
That will increase the number of mistakes and thereby reduce you band score.
You need to be careful.
Consume = use
People = humans
Teenagers = …
The amount of fuel consumed …. fuel consumed = collocation
The amount of fuel used … fuel/energy used = collocation
The amount of meat consumed …
The amount of meat used … = X Cannot use “used” with meat
The amount of meat eaten …. = Correct
This tests your understanding of the use of synonyms.
You need to understand collocations and in which situations verbs can be used with
certain nouns.
Techniques - Writing task 2

• Here we are looking at the word human

Human activities, such as deforestation and fossil fuel consumption, have led to
serious environmental problems.
Due to traffic congestion, humans should make an effort to use more public
transport in urban areas.
Humans = people, but can it be used as a synonym?
You need to look at the topic. Human activities used to differentiate between
people and animals. The topic is about the environment and the impact humans
and not animals have on it.
Second topic is about city life and transport. Can the reader get confused about
the different species, e.g. humans and animals =no. You cannot use humans as
it is completely wrong. Must use the word people. There will be certain words
that you will have to use repeatedly because there is no other option. Here the
examiner is not looking at the repetition of words, but to see if you can
paraphrase effectively where necessary. You need to show the examiner an
understanding of when you can use paraphrasing.
Techniques - Writing task 2

• Synonyms
Teenager = adolescent = youth = same meaning
The growth in teenage crime … = right
The growth in adolescent crime … = right
The growth in youth crime … =XX
The number of youths/ teenagers/adolescents committing crime has grown
…
You need to change the structure of the sentence in order to use the word
youth.
Learning synonyms isn’t just about learning their meanings, you need to
understand when you can and can’t use them. What situations are for what
topics. In terms of collocations, which nouns match which verbs. It’s also
about grammar to know when you need to change the sentence structure in
order to use the word appropriately.
Techniques – Speaking part 1

• Paraphrase the question

The examiner will be impressed if you can paraphrase the question rather than repeating the
question asked.
You don’t need to do this for every question.
Paraphrase when key words can easily be replaced with synonyms.
• Which is the best answer?
Question: Have you visited any foreign countries?
Yes, I’ve visited two foreign countries, the UK and Egypt. My favourite foreign country was
the UK because it’s so different to my own country. Another country I want to visit is France.
Yes, I’ve been abroad a few times, first to the UK, then to Egypt. I particularly enjoyed the UK
because it’s so different to my own country. I’d also love to travel to France.
Answer 1 repeats the words foreign, country, and visit several times. Those words are all
included in the question. Abroad replaces the word foreign and to travel to replaces another
country.
The last sentence isn’t really necessary, but it is within the scope of the question. Note the
change in the tense to the future tense. Note the grammar used to express the word like and the
level of fluency required to answer the second answer. The grammar, together with the fluency,
will earn extra marks.
Techniques – Speaking Part 1

Do you live in a house or a flat?

I’m living in a four story house at the moment and I have no intention of ever moving
anywhere else. I really like it. (note present continuous)
How long have you lived there?
I’ve been there for about two years. I remember the first time I moved there, I hated it, but
now I absolutely love living there and I think we’ll stay there permanently. (Note the changes
in tenses. This earns extra marks)
Who do you live with?
I’m living with my wife, but in fact, next week my parents are coming and they will be living
with us.
What is your favourite room in your house?
I really love my kitchen. In fact, my wife and I spend a lot of time there. We have everything
necessary to prepare our food which we really like to do. We even have a television to keep
ourselves occupied while the food is cooking.
How is it decorated?
Well, the walls are painted bright green because I’m a green person. Most of the walls have
a green tinge apart from the kitchen which is light grey.
Examples

“Do you like birds?”

“Oh, birds are simply adorable.”
Both the sentence structure and the vocabulary are modified
without changing the meaning.
Describe a special celebration you hosted 10 years ago.
“Let me tell you about a remarkable birthday party I arranged a
decade ago“.
Paraphrasing is most helpful in answering task 3 of the Speaking
exam. This is because the questions require abstract reasoning,
imaginative discussion, and a detailed explanation. So, use of
paraphrasing in a candidate’s introduction would create a good
impression in the mind of the examiner.
Examples

Why do you need to wait for 2 hours for the test?

Why do you need to wait for a couple of hours for the assessment?
Popularity of sports varies in different regions of the world.
Popularity of sports is varied in different regions of the world.
As there is a huge revolution in recent communication technology, people
are worried about losing their ethnic identity.
People are afraid of losing their ethnic identity as there is a revolutionary
development in communication technology.
An international construction giant funded this massive project.
This massive project was funded by an international construction giant.
Do you think men and women are different in shopping habits?
Yes, I do agree that there are some big differences in the way males and
females buy things.
Exercises

Do you study in a private or a public school?

How long have you studied there?
Who do you study with?
What’s your favourite subject at school?
How is your classroom decorated?
Who is your favourite celebrity in Vietnam?
What is the busiest part of the day for you?
Do you think friendship is important?
As for you? Which one is more important? Happiness or money?
Do you like any foreign celebrities?
Do you prefer foreign films or Vietnamese films?
What kinds of movie do you like best?