CAN I ASK THE IELTS EXAMINER TO REPEAT
CAN I ASK THE IELTS EXAMINER TO REPEAT THE QUESTION?
Yes, in the IELTS Speaking test, you are allowed to ask the examiner to repeat a question if you didn’t hear it clearly or if you need clarification. It is a common situation, and examiners are accustomed to such requests. However, there are certain things you should keep in mind when doing so:
1. Requesting Clarification Politely
If you don’t fully understand the question or need it repeated, it’s important to ask politely. For example, you can say:
– “Sorry, could you please repeat the question?”
– “Could you say that again, please?”
– “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. Could you repeat it?”
This helps ensure that you are polite and shows your ability to handle communication in English in a respectful manner.
CAN I ASK THE IELTS EXAMINER TO REPEAT
2. Asking for Clarification is Fine
The IELTS examiners are there to assess your ability to communicate in English, not your ability to understand every question immediately. Asking for clarification demonstrates your ability to handle the situation in real life, where sometimes people may not understand what is being asked and need to seek clarification.
However, you should aim to avoid doing this too frequently. Asking once or twice during the speaking test is acceptable, but if you ask repeatedly or seem to misunderstand most questions, it might negatively impact your performance.
CAN I ASK THE IELTS EXAMINER TO REPEAT
3. When to Ask for Repetition
You may want to ask the examiner to repeat the question in certain situations:
– If you didn’t hear the question because of background noise.
– If you didn’t understand a word or phrase in the question.
– If you are unsure of the context of the question.
For example, if the examiner says a word that you don’t understand, you can ask them to repeat it or rephrase it:
– “Sorry, I didn’t understand the word ‘XXXX’. Could you explain or say it in a different way?”
This is better than answering the question incorrectly because you misunderstood it.
CAN I ASK THE IELTS EXAMINER TO REPEAT
4. Don’t Overdo It
While it’s perfectly fine to ask for clarification, it’s important not to overdo it. Repeatedly asking for clarification can make it seem like you aren’t comfortable with English, which could potentially affect your band score. The examiner is looking for your ability to express yourself clearly and to respond to a variety of questions in English, so try to answer even if you are not completely sure, as long as you can understand the general idea of the question.
5. Focus on the Content of the Question
Once you have asked for clarification, focus on providing a thoughtful, clear, and detailed answer. The quality of your response matters more than the number of questions you ask for repetition. The examiner will assess your fluency, coherence, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, so even if you ask for clarification, make sure your response is relevant and well-organized.
CAN I ASK THE IELTS EXAMINER TO REPEAT
6. Examiner’s Response
Examiners are trained to repeat or rephrase questions when necessary, and they will often do so in a way that helps you understand the question more clearly. If they do rephrase it, take note of the new wording and try to answer based on that.
Asking the examiner to repeat or clarify a question is allowed in the IELTS Speaking test, but it should be done thoughtfully and respectfully. Aim to do so only when necessary, and make sure that once the question is clear, you respond confidently and appropriately. Your ability to navigate misunderstandings in English, along with your communication skills, will contribute positively to your performance in the test.
CAN I ASK THE IELTS EXAMINER TO REPEAT
