IELTS Bangladesh

Importance of Paraphrasing in IELTS

Paraphrasing refers to express the meaning of (something written or spoken) using
different words.
A good paraphrase includes the following elements: totally different words and sentence
structure from the original.

Steps to Paraphrase:

 Read and Understand: Read the original text until you fully understand its meaning.
 Take Notes: Note down key points without copying the exact words.
 Rewrite: Use your own words to rewrite the text, focusing on expressing the same ideas in a new
way.
 Compare: Check your paraphrased version against the original to ensure the meaning is the same
and you haven't copied phrases directly.

In a word, paraphrasing is a valuable skill that helps in learning, communication, and avoiding plagiarism by
expressing ideas in a new and personal way.

Importance of paraphrasing in IELTS

Paraphrasing plays a vital role in each module of the IELTS exam, helping candidates
showcase their language skills effectively. Here's how paraphrasing is important in each
module:

Listening

1. Understanding Questions: The questions in the listening module often use different words and
phrases from those in the recordings. Paraphrasing helps you match the questions with the correct
parts of the recording.
2. Note-taking: During the listening test, paraphrasing can help you take quick notes in your own
words, making it easier to remember key points.
3. Answering Accurately: By paraphrasing the information you hear, you can provide accurate
answers without copying words, which might not always be possible or correct.

Reading

1. Identifying Synonyms and Paraphrases: The reading module often tests your ability to recognize
synonyms and paraphrases. Questions may rephrase information from the text, so understanding
paraphrasing helps you locate the right answers.
2. Summarizing Information: Paraphrasing helps in summarizing long passages or paragraphs,
making it easier to grasp the main ideas and details.
3. Matching Information: Many questions require you to match information or headings to
paragraphs. Paraphrasing skills help you to understand different ways the same idea can be
expressed.
Writing

1. Task 1 (graphs and charts): Paraphrasing the prompt in your introduction shows that you
understand the task. It also helps in varying your language while describing data and trends.
2. Task 2 (Essay Writing): Paraphrasing the essay question in your introduction demonstrates
comprehension and sets up your response. Throughout the essay, paraphrasing helps in expressing
ideas clearly and avoiding repetition.
3. Vocabulary and Range: Effective paraphrasing showcases your ability to use a wide range of
vocabulary and different sentence structures, contributing to higher scores in lexical resource and
grammatical range.

Speaking

1. Answering Questions: During the speaking test, paraphrasing the examiner’s questions before
answering can help clarify your thoughts and ensure you understand the question correctly.
2. Fluency and Coherence: Paraphrasing helps maintain the flow of conversation by avoiding
repetition and keeping the dialogue engaging.
3. Expanding Answers: When asked to elaborate on your answers, paraphrasing allows you to explain
your points in different ways, showing a deeper understanding and command of the language.

Top strategies of Paraphrasing

1. Use Synonyms

Replace words in the original text with their synonyms.

1.Original: "The manager was happy with the project's progress."

Paraphrased: "The supervisor was pleased with the project's advancement."

2.Original: "She quickly adapted to the new environment."

Paraphrased: "She rapidly adjusted to the new surroundings."

3.Original: "He was nervous before the interview."

Paraphrased: "He was anxious before the meeting."

2. Change Sentence Structure

Alter the structure of the sentence while keeping the original meaning.

 Complex to compound

1.Original (Complex): "Since he loves reading, he visits the library often."

Paraphrased (Compound): "He loves reading, and he visits the library often."

2.Original (Complex): "When the sun set, they started the campfire."
Paraphrased (Compound): "The sun set, and they started the campfire."
3.Original (Complex): "If you study hard, you will pass the exam."
Paraphrased (Compound): "Study hard, and you will pass the exam.

4.Original (Complex): "Even though she was late, she managed to catch the bus."
Paraphrased (Compound): "She was late, but she managed to catch the bus."

5.Original (Complex): "Because the car broke down, they took a taxi."
Paraphrased (Compound): "The car broke down, so they took a taxi."

 Compound to complex

1.Original (Compound): You can take this route, or you can follow the one recommended by
the guide.
Paraphrased (Complex): If you do not want to take this route, you can follow the
one recommended by the guide.

2.Original (Compound): The weather was pleasant, so we decided to go for a hike.

Paraphrased (Complex): Since the weather was pleasant, we decided to go for a hike.

3.Original (Compound): I will call you later, or I will send you a message.
Paraphrased (Complex): If I cannot call you later, I will send you a message.

4.Original (Compound): She wanted to buy the dress, but it was too expensive.
Paraphrased (Complex): Even though she wanted to buy the dress, it was too
expensive.

5.Original (Compound): The team won the championship, and they celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Paraphrased (Complex): After the team won the championship, they celebrated with great
enthusiasm.

3.Changing the Voice

 Active to passive

1.Original: "The chef prepared a delicious meal."

Paraphrased: "A delicious meal was prepared by the chef."

2.Original (Active): "The committee will review the application next week."
Paraphrased (Passive): "The application will be reviewed by the committee next
week."

3.Original (Active): "The teacher explained the lesson to the students."

Paraphrased (Passive): "The lesson was explained to the students by the teacher."

4.Original (Active): "They built the house in 2010."

Paraphrased (Passive): "The house was built in 2010 by them."
  Passive to Active

1.Original (Passive): "The book was written by the famous author."

Paraphrased (Active): "The famous author wrote the book."

2.Original (Passive): "The flowers were planted by the gardeners."

Paraphrased (Active): "The gardeners planted the flowers."

3.Original (Passive): "The project will be completed by the team next month."
Paraphrased (Active): "The team will complete the project next month."

4.Original (Passive): "The problem was solved by the engineer."

Paraphrased (Active): "The engineer solved the problem."

5.Original (Passive): "The letter was sent by Mary."

Paraphrased (Active): "Mary sent the letter."

4. Alter the Form of Words

Change the form of words, such as turning verbs into nouns or adjectives into adverbs.

 Changing Verb Forms

1.Original: "She decided to visit her parents."
Paraphrased: "Her decision was to visit her parents."

 Changing Adjective Forms

1.Original: "Her performance at the concert was excellent."
Paraphrased: "She gave an excellent performance at the concert."

2.Original: "His explanation of the problem was clear."

Paraphrased: "He explained the problem clearly."

 Changing Adverb Forms

1.Original: "He answered the questions accurately."
Paraphrased: "His answers were accurate."

 Changing Possessive Forms

1.Original: "The car belonging to my friend is red."
Paraphrased: "My friend's car is red."

2.Original: "The apartment owned by the landlord is spacious."

Paraphrased: "The landlord's apartment is spacious."

3.Original: "The cat belonging to Tom is missing."

Paraphrased: "Tom's cat is missing."

 Combining Simple Sentences

1.Original: "She loves to read books. She also enjoys watching movies."
Paraphrased: "She loves to read books and enjoys watching movies."

2.Original: "He finished his homework. Then he went for a walk."

Paraphrased: "After finishing his homework, he went for a walk."

3.Original: "He missed the bus. As a result, he arrived late to work."

Paraphrased: " He missed the bus and so he arrived late to work.”

5. Change the sequence of sentences

1.Original: "To improve their skills, the athletes practiced every day."
Paraphrased: "The athletes practiced every day to improve their skills."

2.Original: "Because the weather was bad, the event was postponed."
Paraphrased: "The event was postponed since the weather was bad.

3.Original: "He studied hard, so he passed the exam with flying colors."
Paraphrased: "He passed the exam with flying colors because he studied hard.

4.Original: "She enjoys reading mystery novels in her free time."

Paraphrased: "In her free time, she enjoys reading mystery novels."