Do you remember that awkward moment when you find yourself at a loss for words and end up staring at the examiner? How can we prevent this from happening?

Have you ever encountered a situation during the speaking test where you didn’t fully grasp the question posed by the IELTS examiner and had no clue how to begin your next sentence? What should you do in such a scenario? How can you avoid finding yourself in this uncomfortable situation?

Instead of saying “Pardon?” or “Hmmmm” repeatedly or struggling to find the right words, let’s explore some useful tips that can assist you during the speaking test:

1. How should you respond if you don’t fully understand the question?

In such cases, try utilizing the following sentences and phrases:

– If I understand correctly, …

– I’m sorry, but I’m not entirely sure I understand. Are you asking about …?

– I apologize, but I didn’t quite catch that. When you say …, do you mean …?

– I’m not entirely certain how to answer that question, but maybe …

– That’s quite a challenging question, but perhaps …

– Could you kindly rephrase the question or topic?

2. What should you say if you find yourself stuck?

It’s common to encounter moments of uncertainty during the conversation. To demonstrate that you are actively thinking rather than having nothing to say, consider using the following words and phrases:

– Well, …

– Actually, …

– In fact, …

– You see, …

– How shall I put it, …

– Let me think for a second, …

– Give me a few seconds, …

Instead of using the phrase “I think,” try incorporating the following phrases:

– As far as I’m concerned, …

– It seems to me that …

– From where I stand, it is …

– What I reckon is …

– I’d like to point out that …

– If I may say so, this is …

– I’m convinced that …

– Personally, I consider …

3. What should you do if you forget how to pronounce certain words?

a. Use Vaguer Words

While we aim to utilize complex vocabulary to impress the examiner, there are instances where we may forget how to pronounce a specific word. In such cases, try substituting it with a vaguer word.

For example, if you intended to say:

“Mike experienced a terrible hard time.”

But you can’t recall the word “experience,” you can rephrase it as:

“Mike had a terrible hard time.”

b. Use Synonyms

Another approach is to employ synonyms. Use your imagination to find words that convey similar meanings.

For instance, if you struggle with saying:

“This woman is talkative.”

You can use a synonym:

“This woman is never quiet.”

c. Expand on the Words

Many complex words can be “expanded” or “explained” using simpler phrases. If you feel uncomfortable using certain words, keep it simple. You may score higher marks for fluency and correct grammar.

For instance, if the following phrase proves challenging:

“I’ve never seen such a stubborn person.”

You can rephrase it as:

“I’ve never seen someone who never listens to others’ advice.”

4. How should you start and end your speech?

In addition to feeling comfortable during your speech, it’s important to make a strong start and end. There’s nothing worse than being left speechless and mumbling, “Yeah, that’s it…”

Consider using the following sentences to begin your speech, buying yourself some time to gather your thoughts:

– It appears that you have a knack for asking challenging questions.

– That’s an intriguing question.

– Well, it’s quite difficult to say.

– Actually, I don’t quite remember.

To conclude your speech, you can employ phrases such as:

– In other words, I am …

– And that means …

– Let me put it another way, …

– What I’m suggesting is …

– All I’m trying to say is …

– What I’m getting at is …

– If I can rephrase that, …

– Perhaps I should make that clearer by saying …

– Perhaps it would be more accurate to say …

Wishing you all the best for your speaking test, and may none of these awkward moments arise!