Paraphrasing: the skill behind every part of the test
Saying the same thing in different words — for reading, listening, writing and speaking.
15 minutes · A free lesson from Vocabulary for IELTS
Paraphrasing is tested everywhere. Reading and Listening questions paraphrase the text; Task 1 and Task 2 introductions paraphrase the question; and in Speaking, repeating the examiner's words does not show your range.
Question: Some people believe that university education should be free for every student.
Paraphrase: It is sometimes argued that higher education should be available to all students without charge.
Synonyms (university education → higher education; free → without charge) and a new structure (Some people believe → It is sometimes argued).
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: Which paraphrase changes the structure?
- “shows” → “illustrates”
- “increase” → “an increase”
- “Many people believe that…” → “It is widely believed that…”
Show the answer
C: “Many people believe that…” → “It is widely believed that…” — The others change one word, or a word's form.
Quick check: Why is “children → kids” a poor paraphrase in an essay?
- It changes the tone
- It is spelt wrongly
- It changes the number
Show the answer
A: It changes the tone — Not every word has a safe synonym. Keep technical words as they are.
Quick check: Which is a word-form change?
- people → individuals
- popular → popularity
- “Some people believe” → “It is sometimes argued”
Show the answer
B: popular → popularity — Changing a verb to a noun, or an adjective to a noun, is a word-form change.
Quick check: Where is paraphrasing tested?
- Only in Writing
- In every part of the test
- Only in Reading
Show the answer
B: In every part of the test — Questions paraphrase the texts, introductions paraphrase the question, and in Speaking you show your range.