Hi

A question about the IELTS Speaking test that I get asked a lot is whether or not it’s okay to ask the examiner to repeat or explain a question if you don’t hear or understand it.

A short answer to this question is ‘Yes, it’s okay, but in Parts 1 and 2 of the speaking test the examiner may only repeat a question rather than explain it’.

Here’s a longer answer:

You should ask your examiner to repeat or explain a question when you need to because…

• …if you don’t understand what the examiner is asking, you may hesitate for some time before answering or you may be unable to provide an answer
• …it says on the official IELTS website that the candidate should tell the examiner if they don’t understand a question or Part 2 task

So now you know that it’s okay to ask, here are three different ways of doing so.

If you don’t hear one of the examiner’s questions, you could ask one of these questions:

1. Could you repeat that, please?
2. Could you say that again, please?

If you don’t understand one of his/her questions, you could ask one of these questions:

1. What do you mean?
2. Could you explain what you mean, please?

If you think you understand a question but want to make sure you understand it correctly, you could paraphrase what the examiner asked you (i.e. repeat the question in your own words):

1. Do you mean…?
2. Are you asking me…?

Of course, you could also use some of these questions to buy yourself some thinking time if you get asked a difficult question.

Have a good weekend.

Pete

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