How to Buy Time on the Speaking Test with 6 Key Phrases

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!
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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!
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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.

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Other simple and common English time-fillers:

-Wow, let me think about that.--

-I-ve never thought about that before.--

-Let-s see.-

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Which phrases do you plan to use, and why?
Tell us what you think in the comments section below!
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6 Phrases to Buy Yourself Time in English

Do you need some English phrases to slow things down?

Today, Lindsay and Michelle share 6 phrases to buy you some time in a rushed, stressful situation!

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How to Dress for Success on the IELTS Exam

What should you wear for the IELTS exam?
Today, Lindsay and Jessica talk about how to dress for success on exam day!
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Our clothes affect how we feel, and how we-conduct our behavior.-Other people-can sense if we appear confident and comfortable.-Not only that, they might even reflect what they see in us.
On test day, it-s-important to project an image that says you-re intelligent, that you take the exam seriously, and that you-re relaxed.-You want to be comfortable-while sitting through-the Writing and Reading sections of the test, but you also want to show your best self to the Speaking section examiner.
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In order to do both, consider the following -business casual- items:
Slacks: These are the formal pants that would go with a suit.-If they-re black, they can go with almost anything.
Boots and leggings: For women, remember to stick-with something comfortable - no high heels.
Blouse or collared shirt:-For men,-there-s probably no need for a necktie, but a nice button-up shirt can allow you to look and feel relaxed while appearing professional.
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You might want to stay away from:
Sweat pants or suits: These might look lazy, even if-they are-comfortable.
Blue jeans:-While-jeans are-better than sweat pants,-you might look better-and feel just as relaxed-in a nice pair of slacks.
T-shirts: This might-come off as-too casual - especially if its a t-shirt with images or text on it.
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What-are you thinking of wearing-for your IELTS exam?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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Why Ignorance is Bliss When It Comes to Learning English

Can ignorance help you learn English?

On today-s Deep Thoughts Thursday, learn-the secret to success, and how you can apply it to learning English!

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How to Connect, NOT Perfect on the IELTS Speaking Section

Should you-connect not perfect-your English for-the IELTS exam?
Today, learn how to connect with the examiner, and something you probably don-t know about the exam day schedule!
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In the IELTS, you-re not graded for being perfect.-You-re graded for communication ability.-It-s important to understand that this is connection, not perfection.
After you complete the Reading and Writing sections, there will probably be some waiting time before the Speaking section of your test.-While you-re waiting, don-t get nervous!-Instead, keep in mind that the examiner is not expecting you to be perfect.-He or she only wants you to communicate your ideas the best you can.-They want you to be able to connect with them.
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Does connection not perfection work for you and your English learning?
How will you use it with your IELTS examiner?
Tell us about it in the comments section below!
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Don't Let the Rules Rule Your Life

Are you stuck on the rules of English?

Today,-Lindsay and Michelle discuss how to go-from obsessing over the rules,-to freeing your mind to get more creative with your English!

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How to Impress the IELTS Examiner with 5 English Phrasal Verbs

Do you need some phrasal verbs for-the IELTS exam?
Today, Lindsay and Jessica share 5 English phrasal verbs you can use to stand out and get the score you need!
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You will probably be asked to talk about the topics of home, shopping, food and studying in Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking Section.-You need to prepare for this.-One way you can do-that is have some phrasal verbs.
Phrasal verbs are a way to sound more natural and native when speaking informally.-Though there are many of these to choose from, you only need to use of a few to stand out.
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Here are five that are easy to use and will impress your examiner:
Bone up on: This means to learn.-It-s not only a phrasal verb, but also an idiom.--I had to bone up on my English studies.-
Figure out: This means to learn the details of something, or discover how it works.--I figured out how to fix the television.-
Goof off:-When you are having fun, but not working or studying, you can say--I spent the afternoon goofing off.-
Clam up: This is another phrasal verb and idiom.-It means that you-re so nervous you couldn-t think of what to say.--I clammed up when she asked me to answer the question.-
Catch up: If you-re behind, and you-re trying to shorten the distance, you might need to catch up.--This-can be used physically, like you-re chasing someone, or with your studies.--I fell behind in my homework-and have to catch up.-
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Do you have any other phrasal verbs you-d like to use in-the IELTS exam?
Let us know what they are in the comments section below!
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How to Arrive at a More Natural English Level without Using the Verb "ARRIVE"

Are you using the-verb -arrive- correctly?
On today-s Tear Up Your Textbook Tuesday, learn when to (and when not to) use the verb -arrive- with native speakers!
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For a native English speaker,--arrive- is not always the most natural-sounding word to use.-It probably fits best in formal situations, such as a job interview or a speech.
Instead of -When did you arrive?- a native speaker might ask -When did you get here?--or -When did you get in?--Both mean the same thing as -arrive-, but are more common.
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How can you use -get- instead of arrive?
Show us what you-ve got in the comments section below!
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The United States of Paranoia

Are Americans paranoid?
Today, Lindsay and Michelle discuss why a few towns in the United States are banning a common winter activity for kids!
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Most Americans live in places that get snow in the winter.-As children, they probably went sledding at least a few times. But today, some places are trying to ban sledding because it-can be-dangerous!-Towns with sled hills are afraid somebody will get hurt, and the town will be sued.
Some lawsuits are justified, but there is such a thing as a -frivolous lawsuit,- which is a lawsuit that has little merit but is being pursued for money, rather than justice.
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What do you think about banning sledding?
What do think about suing a -haunted house- park because it-s too scary?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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Think You Need to Speak Fast on the IELTS? It's a Myth!

Do you try to speak fast to sound like a native English speaker?
Today, Lindsay and Jessica discuss why you shouldn-t leave your heart behind on the IELTS Speaking Section!
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Nobody expects you to sound exactly like a native speaker.-People just want to understand you.-So if you-re talking too fast and trying to sound like a native, you might actually become more difficult to understand.
Speed is not important.-If you speak with clarity and confidence, you will always sound better than if you-re in a rush.-You have to be able to relax, pause between sentences, and-use intonation and emotion.
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If you want a high score on the Speaking Section, the examiner must be able to understand what you-re saying.-Intonation is important --practice expressing your-feelings-so you DON-T sound-like a robot!
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How are you going to speak English with your heart?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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