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Cakap English Club

Asking for Clarification
Lesson 24
 Lesson Objectives
After this lesson, students will be able to:
• Analyze different situations where you can ask questions to the examiner
• Distinguish various expressions a candidate can use when asking for
clarification
• Understand Dos and Don’t during the IELTS Speaking Test
• Employ different expressions when asking questions

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 Warm Up
Watch the short clip from the video.
Click:
IELTS Speaking

Share in the
class what
you have
observed.

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 Introduction
Many Students believe that they cannot ask questions in the IELTS speaking test.
Actually, you can ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question.

You can ask the examiner to repeat the question in IELTS

Part 1 (Could you repeat that please?), but that's all. You can't
ask other questions.

You can't ask to change the topic. You must use the topic
Part 2 given to you and try your best. You need to follow the topic
on your card and follow the prompts you understand.

You can ask the examiner to explain words and to explain

Part 3 the question. The examiner will rephrase the question
using different words and make it easier to understand.

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 Useful Expressions
Tick the box of possible expressions you can use when asking for clarification.

Could you explain what X means, Have you been there?

please?
Where do you come from?
Can you change the question?
Can you give me a different topic?
Could you please explain that,
please?

What do you mean exactly? What are your opinion?

What do you think? What does X mean?

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 Answers
Tick the box of possible expressions you can use when asking for clarification.

Could you explain what X means, Have you been there?

please?
Where do you come from?
Can you change the question?
Can you give me a different topic?
Could you please explain that,
please?

What do you mean exactly? What are your opinion?

What do you think? What does X mean?

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 Useful Tips
How to Ask for Clarification in IELTS Speaking
Ask for repeating a question
⮚ Sorry, I didn’t get the question. Could you say it again please?
⮚ Sorry, can you repeat the question please?
⮚ Sorry, would you mind repeating the question?
⮚ Sorry, what was the last word?
Ask for rephrasing a question
⮚ Sorry, could you explain that question in another way?
⮚ Sorry, I didn’t get the question. Could you say it in a different way?

If you still have confusion…

If you still don’t understand the question the second time, do not ask for clarification again. Just talk
about something related to the question because saying something is better than nothing. You can start
your answer by saying: “I’m afraid that I’m not quite familiar with this topic, but I guess…” or “Sorry, I
don’t know much about… because… but I guess…” Then forget this question and try to do your best on
other questions.
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 Asking for Clarification
Why Ask for Clarification
1. You need to understand the question.
2. Show your communication skills.
3. It doesn't negatively affect your score.

When to Ask for Clarification

1. You did no understand something.

2. You did not hear something.
3. You need to check your understanding.

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 Exercise
Asking for Clarification
Place the sentences in their proper column.
1. Ask the examiner to change the question if you don’t understand it
or you don’t know much about the topic. Dos Don’ts
2. Ask the examiner to repeat a question if you don’t understand.
3. Ask the examiner to explain the meaning of one word if you don’t
know it.
4. Ask the examiner personal questions or any questions about the
topics being discussed.
5. Ask the examiner to explain what a whole sentence means.
6. Attempt an answer for every question.
7. Use some of the phrases below.
8. Ask the examiner to repeat every question.
9. Ask the examiner to explain one word for every question.
10. Wait for the examiner to help you.
11. Simply repeat the question to give yourself more time to think.

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 Answers

Dos
Ask the examiner personal questions or any
questions about the topics being discussed.
Ask the examiner to explain what a whole sentence
means.
Ask the examiner to change the question if you don’t
understand it or you don’t know much about the topic.
Don’ts
Ask the examiner to repeat a question if you don’t
understand.
Ask the examiner to explain the meaning of one word
if you don’t know it.
Attempt an answer for every question.

Ask the examiner to repeat every question. Use some of the phrases below.
Ask the examiner to explain one word for every
question.

Wait for the examiner to help you.

Simply repeat the question to give yourself more

time to think.

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 Role Play
Complete the IELTS Speaking Test. You can ask for some clarification.

What is the
difference
between the way
young people and
older people spend
their free time?

Examiner Candidate

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