Did the IELTS examiner ask you a difficult question? Did your mind just go blank? Today, Lindsay and Jessica-share 6 phrases to help you fill that time void! Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now If you get asked a question that you can-t immediately answer-during your IELTS exam,-you don-t want to go silent.-It-s important to keep speaking even if you need a moment to decide how to answer the actual question. Native English speakers-use many different phrases to help them do this.-It-s important to understand that using a time-filling phrase won-t hurt your score.--In fact, it-s-likely to improve it! - Here are-a few-phrases-to use if-you need a moment to think about how to answer a question during your IELTS exam: -Honestly, I am a little bit nervous right now and my mind just went blank.--This says that you-re being honest, and trying.--My mind went blank- is also an idiom. -Frankly, this isn-t something I-m used to talking about.--Again, this is honest, and sounds like something a native speaker would say. -That-s a good question.--This welcomes good intonation, and that will help your pronunciation score. - Other simple and common English time-fillers: -Wow, let me think about that.-- -I-ve never thought about that before.-- -Let-s see.- - Which phrases do you plan to use, and why? Tell us what you think in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices