When an examiner hears you re-express ideas smoothly—without simply repeating the prompt—you tick every box for Lexical Resource and Fluency & Coherence. Paraphrasing shows range, precision, and the ability to adapt language in real time. In today’s lesson, you will learn why paraphrasing matters, how to do it reliably, and what to practise so that the skill feels natural on test day.
Why Paraphrasing Is Essential
- Demonstrates lexical range. Using synonyms, near-synonyms, and re-structured phrases signals a broad active vocabulary.
- Avoids mechanical repetition. Echoing the examiner wastes precious seconds and sounds scripted.
- Buys thinking time. Reformulating the question aloud gives you an extra heartbeat to plan your answer.
- Increases coherence. Well-chosen re-statements clarify topic focus and help the listener follow your line of thought.
Examiner prompt: “Describe a friend you admire.”
Poor start: “I’d like to describe a friend I admire…”
Better start: “I’d like to talk about a close college mate who’s had a huge impact on my work ethic.”
The second opening paraphrases both verb (“describe → talk about”) and noun (“friend → close college mate”), immediately signalling flexibility.
Core Techniques for Effective Paraphrasing
a) Synonym Shifts
Replace key nouns, verbs, and adjectives with equivalents of the same register.
- busy schedule → hectic timetable
- I enjoy → I’m fond of
Caution: Check that changed words retain the original nuance; “childish” is not a synonym for “youthful”.
b) Grammatical Conversions
Change the part of speech or sentence pattern.
- Noun ↔ Verb: Technological advancement ↔ Technology has advanced rapidly.
- Active ↔ Passive: People speak English worldwide ↔ English is spoken worldwide.
These shifts refresh the sentence while keeping meaning intact.
c) Expansion & Compression
Sometimes the best paraphrase is longer (adding a definition), other times shorter (compressing details).
- Longer: “Climate change” → “the gradual warming of our planet’s atmosphere.”
- Shorter: “The documentary that I watched last night” → “yesterday’s documentary.”
d) Logical Framing
Insert linking expressions or re-order clauses.
- Prompt: “How do weekends differ from weekdays in your country?”
- Paraphrase: “In my part of Canada, the contrast between the weekend and the working week is most obvious in public transport schedules.”
Here, “weekends differ from weekdays” becomes “contrast between the weekend and the working week.”
Avoiding Word-for-Word Repetition
Even good speakers fall into the trap of parroting the cue card. Watch for these common pitfalls:
| Pitfall | Fix |
|---|---|
| Repeating adjectives | Swap big city → metropolitan area, large town |
| Copying abstract nouns | importance of exercise → value of staying active |
| Echoing phrasal verbs | look forward to → anticipate |
Tip: Underline three key words in the prompt, then force yourself to change at least two of them.
Practice Tasks
Task A: Micro-Paraphrase Drill
Write one sentence, then create three paraphrases using a different technique each time. Example:
- “Travelling broadens the mind.”
- “Exploring new places expands one’s perspective.” (synonym shift)
- “The mind is broadened through travel.” (active → passive)
- “Few experiences widen our outlook as much as visiting unfamiliar regions.” (expansion)
Task B: IELTS Cue-Card Sprint
- Draw a random Part 2 card.
- Spend 30 seconds paraphrasing the prompt aloud.
- Record yourself; play it back, marking repeated words.
- Make a second attempt, aiming for zero repetition.
Task C: Partner Reformulation Game
Partner A answers a Part 1 question in one sentence. Partner B immediately restates Partner A’s idea in different words before adding a personal comment. Switch roles every two turns.
5 Integrating Paraphrasing into Full Answers
Below is a model Part 3 response with paraphrases in italics:
Question: “Why do some people prefer to live in rural areas?”
Answer: “Many individuals opt for life in the countryside because they appreciate a slower pace and value proximity to nature. For instance, my aunt left Toronto for a small town so she could be surrounded by greenery instead of skyscrapers.”
Notice how each underlined phrase re-expresses the original idea (“prefer,” “rural areas,” “live close to nature”) without redundancy.
Conclusion
Paraphrasing is not an ornament; it is a core survival skill in the IELTS Speaking room. Master the four techniques, avoid knee-jerk repetition, and rehearse with the drills above. Soon you’ll find yourself reformulating questions effortlessly—turning silent pauses into polished introductions.
Keep practising, record your sessions, and celebrate small wins. The more you paraphrase, the more naturally English will flow on test day.
Vocabulary List
| Word | IPA | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| nuance | /ˈnuː.ɑːns/ | a subtle difference in meaning or tone | “He misunderstood the nuance of her compliment.” |
| reformulate | /ˌriːˈfɔː.mjəˌleɪt/ | to express something in a different way | “She paused to reformulate her argument.” |
| register | /ˈrɛdʒ.ɪ.stər/ | the level of formality or style in language | “Choose a formal register in academic essays.” |
| redundancy | /rɪˈdʌn.dən.si/ | unnecessary repetition of meaning | “Delete redundancies to keep writing concise.” |
| cue card | /kjuː kɑːd/ | the prompt card given in IELTS Part 2 | “Glance at your cue card during the one-minute prep.” |
| compression | /kəmˈprɛʃ.ən/ | the act of making something shorter or more compact | “Headline writing is an exercise in compression.” |
| expansion | /ɪkˈspæn.ʃən/ | the act of adding detail or length | “Provide expansion by giving a concrete example.” |
| lexical | /ˈlɛk.sɪ.kəl/ | relating to words or vocabulary | “Lexical diversity impresses IELTS examiners.” |
| paraphrase | /ˈpær.ə.freɪz/ | to restate a text or passage in other words | “Always paraphrase the task prompt in your introduction.” |
| hypothetical | /ˌhaɪ.pəˈθɛt.ɪ.kəl/ | based on a suggested idea or theory | “Third-conditional sentences describe hypothetical pasts.” |
