Speaking skills · Lesson 11 of 15

Paraphrasing in Speaking and Writing

Answer Part 1 questions without repeating the words in the question, and see how our Writing model answers say the same thing as the question in new words.

50–60 minutes
Level B1+
8 exercises

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In this lesson you will

learn why paraphrasing matters in both Speaking and Writing
avoid repeating the words of a Part 1 question when you answer it
see how our Task 1 and Task 2 model answers paraphrase the question
keep the exact meaning when you change the words

Why it matters

What is paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing means saying the same thing in different words. It shows the examiner your range of vocabulary and grammar.

Test	What the official band descriptors say
Speaking	Higher bands show “effective use of paraphrase”. At Band 6 you are “generally able to paraphrase successfully”, at Band 5 you “attempt” it, “but not always with success”, and at Band 4 you “rarely attempt” it.
Writing	“Any copied rubric must be discounted.” Words you copy from the question do not count, so they cannot show your ability.

There are three main ways to paraphrase, and the best paraphrases combine them:

Change the word (synonym): advantages → merits, friendly → welcoming
Change the word form: advances in technology → technological advances
Change the order of the words: Due to advances in technology, working from home has become more popular. → Working from home has become more popular as a result of developments in technology.

Keep the meaning. A paraphrase must say exactly the same thing. Many people is not the same as everyone. Words with no real synonym, like museum, headphones or a person's name, can stay the same.

Part A

Paraphrasing Part 1 questions

In Part 1, don't repeat the examiner's question. Compare these two answers to Do you like your hometown?

✗ Yes, I like my hometown. I like my hometown because it is nice.
✓ Very much, because it's where I grew up. Even though I live somewhere else now, it'll always feel special to me.

Exercise 1

Find the paraphrase

Each word in bold comes from a Part 1 question. Which phrase did our model answer use instead?

Have you ever lost anything?
Do you often get tired?
Do you usually keep old things for a long time?
Are the people in the city friendly?
What do you usually do when there is a traffic jam?
Do you like to keep things tidy?

Exercise 2

Which answer paraphrases best?

Do you prefer to watch films at home or in the cinema?
A I prefer to watch films at home or in the cinema. I watch films at home and I watch films in the cinema. B For big action films, I prefer the big screen, because the sound and picture are so much better. C I never watch anything at all, because I don't own a television.
Do you have a friend you have known for a long time?
A Yes, my best friend and I have known each other since we were six, so it's a lifelong friendship. B Yes, I have a friend I have known for a long time, and I have known that friend for a long time. C Yes, I made a new friend at the gym last week.
Do you often forget people's names?
A Yes, I often forget people's names. B No, I always remember every name perfectly, and so does everyone else. C Unfortunately, yes. The worst thing is when I meet someone again and their name is on the tip of my tongue, but I just go blank.

Exercise 3

Say it another way

Write the first sentence of an answer to each question without repeating the words in bold.

Do you like shopping?
Do you spend too much time on social media?
Do you like to get up early in the morning?

Now say it. Press the button for a frequently reported Part 1 question and answer it out loud without repeating the examiner's words. Record yourself, then count how many words you copied from the question.

Press “Give me a question”.

Press Record, answer out loud, then listen back.

Part B

Paraphrasing in Writing

Look at how the first sentence of each Task 2 model answer says the same thing as the question, in different words:

The question says	The model answer says
Currently, many people are working from home instead of going to an office.	Nowadays, a significant number of people choose to work remotely from home rather than commute to an office.
Due to advances in technology, working from home has become more popular.	Home-based work has become increasingly common as a result of developments in technology.
Working from home is becoming more popular.	Working from home has become increasingly prevalent.
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?	I believe that the merits of this trend far surpass the drawbacks.

Exercise 4

Match the paraphrases

Use the table above. Which words did the model answers use?

currently
many people
more popular
due to
advances
advantages
disadvantages
outweigh

Exercise 5

Which technique?

advantages → merits
advances in technology → technological advances
Due to the cost, few people buy it. → Few people buy it due to the cost.
people believe → it is a common belief that
disadvantages → downsides

Paraphrase throughout your answer

Paraphrasing isn't only for the introduction. Good writers avoid repeating themselves all the way through:

Task 1: one model overview refers to foreign vacations, trips abroad and overseas holidays, all in three sentences.
Task 2: an introduction says the merits of this trend far surpass the drawbacks, and its conclusion says the benefits of working from home clearly exceed the downsides.

Exercise 6

Complete the conclusion

The introduction said: “I believe that the merits of this trend far surpass the drawbacks.” Complete the conclusion from the same model answer, using new words: benefits, downsides, exceed.

In conclusion, I believe that the of working from home clearly the .

Exercise 7

Does it keep the meaning?

Question: Many people believe working from home is better than going to an office.

Everyone agrees that working from home is the best option.
A large number of people feel that home-based work is preferable to working in an office.
Many people believe offices are better than working from home.
It is widely believed that working remotely is better than commuting to a workplace.
Some people work from home because their offices have closed.

Exercise 8

Write your own paraphrases

Paraphrase each sentence. Use at least two of the three techniques.

Many people believe that social media has made communication easier.
Due to rising prices, fewer young people can afford to buy a home.

Strategy summary

Find the key words in the question.
Change what you can with synonyms, a new word form or a new word order. Combine at least two.
Leave alone words with no real synonym.
Check the meaning. Watch words that show how many or how much, like many, some and most.
Keep going. Use different words for the same idea throughout your answer.

Lesson written for Tips4IELTS. Examples come from our Speaking and Writing model answers.