Test-takers of the IELTS Speaking test often face several common challenges. Here are some of the greatest ones:
​1. Nervousness and anxiety

• Challenge: Feeling nervous or anxious can affect fluency and overall performance.
• Solution: Acknowledging your anxiety instead of pretending it's not there may be a useful first step in finding ways to function alongside it. What is the source of your anxiety? What is the worst thing that could happen if you don't get the band score you're aiming for? One thing is for sure: it won't be the end of the world. You can certainly try again, and countless test takers have retaken the test--with more insight from having fallen short previously. The act of recognizing your fears and accepting the worst case scenario may clear the way for you to give your full effort without your inner voice distracting you so much. 
• Practice speaking English regularly and try relaxation techniques like deep breathing to calm nerves before the test. It may also help to remember that the examiner is another human being who, most of the time, will actually want you to do well, and will do what they can to help you get comfortable with the exam.

2. Limited vocabulary

• Challenge: Struggling to find the right words to express ideas can lead to pauses and reduced clarity.
• Solution: Expand your vocabulary by reading, listening to English media, and testing out new words in conversations. Remember that this kind of preparation takes time--think long term, like months or even years.  Most importantly, you can't expect to just read word lists and be able to use them correctly and immediately--what we need to do is to encounter words repeatedly in different contexts and in their different forms (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) before we can fully understand when and how to use them. And this is why reading and listening to 'authentic' materials are critical for you to see words in their natural environment. 'Authentic' materials are texts, audio and video materials that are made for native English speakers, compared to ESL materials, or those designed for an English learner. ESL materials are of course useful to begin with, but an English learner has to eventually move on to authentic materials in order to understand English in the wider world, especially in casual, everyday settings. 
• The tricky part about vocabulary is that we have to learn both their written form and their spoken form and it's highly recommended to always listen to what a word sounds like, instead of guessing its pronunciation based on its spelling, which often leads to pronunciation errors. These days we can do this easily through dictionary apps and websites. There's  also the popular website Youglish.com where you can enter a word and it will look up videos for you so that you can listen to this word used in context. With the availability of apps to help people learn vocabulary, it is highly recommended to find what works for you and maximize the benefits of these tools. 

3. Pronunciation issues

• Challenge: Mispronunciation or unclear speech can make it difficult for the examiner to understand your responses or ideas.
• Solution: Practice speaking slowly and clearly first before trying to speed up, and consider working with a language coach to improve your pronunciation. Pronunciation also goes beyond just making correct individual sounds but also involves how you stress words (rhythm) and the rise and fall of your tone (intonation). One way to improve your rhythm and intonation is to listen to and imitate native speakers. There are many helpful channels on YouTube such as Ted-Ed, SciShow, Nat Geo Kids, Khan Academy and other educational and general interest channels that you can use as practice materials. 

​4. Fluency and coherence

• Challenge: Speaking smoothly without long pauses and organizing thoughts logically can be difficult.
• Solution: Practice speaking about various IELTS topics, which you can find on the websites of Cambridge, IDP and the British Council. Can you speak fluently about environmental issues, education, social media, technology and all sorts of topics involving your personal experiences and general society as a whole? Besides familiarity with common topics, coherence also requires the use of linking words to connect ideas, so that your response is easy to follow. Practice speaking in complete sentences with clear signal words to tell the listener whether you are explaining something, giving examples, adding more points or wrapping up your response. 

​5. Grammatical accuracy

• Challenge: Making frequent grammatical errors can lower scores. Examples of grammatical errors include forgetting to use the correct verb tense, and subject-verb agreement or using a singular verb with a singular subject or a plural verb after a plural subject.
• Solution: Review grammar rules, especially the most basic ones. Get feedback from a teacher about what your habitual grammar mistakes are and dedicate a certain amount of time working on them. If your typical mistake, for example, is about forgetting to use the past tense, read aloud stories written in the past tense so that you can internalize using the past tense in a natural way. Look at your own photos in the past and describe where you were, what you were doing in the photo, who you were with, etc, all while being mindful of using the past tense.
• Grammar is a contentious issue with people on one side telling you that you don't need to study it specifically and another side advocating explicit study. I'd say adopt a balanced approach--do language immersion as much as you can, AND consult a grammar book when you're confused about a grammar rule, or do sentence drills if you are told that you often make a mistake with a certain grammar structure. It doesn't have to be just one way or the other. Maximizing all the advantages from multiple approaches would certainly make studying more efficient, wouldn't it? Start by being able to know what your common mistakes are and then look for both drills and materials that will help you internalize the correct structures. 

6. Misunderstanding questions

• Challenge: Misunderstanding the examiner’s questions can lead to off-topic responses. This would signal low comprehension or low listening skills on your part. 
• Solution: Listen carefully, and if necessary, ask the examiner to repeat or clarify the question.   
• Examples of ways to ask for repetition or clarification:
  "Could you please repeat the question?"
  "Could you please explain what you mean by...?"
  "Are you asking about...?"
  "Just to make sure I understand, are you asking if...?"
  "Could you rephrase the question, please?"
  "Could you ask the question in a different way?"
  "Could you clarify the last part of the question, please?"

​7. Developing Ideas

• Challenge: Coming up with ideas quickly, especially for abstract topics.
• Solution: Cambridge has said that all IELTS topics and questions are widely tested before they are included in the actual tests. This is to make sure that most test takers, despite coming from different cultures, have come across such  themes, experiences or scenarios, if not personally, then from various types of media such as from movies, stories, TV series, books, etc. Reassure yourself that you have ideas about the world from your own experiences, no matter how limited those may be. Speak from your own viewpoint and develop responses using examples from personal experiences or even from that of your family, friends and acquaintances. You can use expressions like "I'm not sure how it would be like in other places/countries/families/etc, but from my own experience, I would say that..." 
• In Part 3 of the Speaking Test, which deals with abstract topics, you may get asked about a social issue that's not a common problem in your country, for example. Or you might get asked about your opinion on nuclear power plants, artificial intelligence or a topic you never think about. What you can do in such cases would then be to explain why this issue or topic is alien to you. Why do you never come across this topic or why is your experience about it limited? Is it too technical, not something you are interested in, or something you never got around to reading or doing? Additionally, you can speculate or try to come up with possible answers as best as you can, using expressions like, "I don't have a lot of in depth knowledge/experience about this but if I were to come up with an answer, I'd say..." or "This is not familiar ground for me, but based on what I've heard/read/seen on TV, I'd say..."

8. Lack of Practice

• Challenge: Not practicing speaking enough can lead to a lack of confidence and fluency.
• Solution: Engage in regular speaking practice with friends, language partners, or through language exchange platforms. If you have nobody to practice with, compile a list of questions for Part 1, 2 and 3 and then use a mobile phone to record your responses. Find our list of Speaking Part 1 Questions here.
• Prepare to be disappointed in your first recordings and prime yourself to get over this disappointment fast. Remember that even the most well-known eloquent speakers our there have had to hone their speaking skills behind the curtain, way before their fame. Speaking is a skill, much like a sport or playing a musical instrument, and depending on where you are now, it may need huge inputs of time and continuous practice to see some improvement. Watch or listen to your recorded responses and see if you can spot grammar errors and unclear pronunciation. Perhaps your response could be organized better, conveyed with more descriptive language or you might even come up with ideas you haven't thought of in your previous response. 

​All of these challenges usually intersect, that is, they may all affect each other. Lack of practice worsens your anxiety and inability to think under pressure, and a lack of vocabulary will certainly affect your fluency if you're struggling to think of the correct word to describe your ideas. On the upside, lots of practice and getting to know the ins and outs of the test will also make you more confident and comfortable on test day.

Start somewhere, perhaps on getting to know common topics and seeing if you can answer typical IELTS questions on those topics. Keep track of the questions that stump you--the questions you can't answer--and find useful materials about them. Then go back and try again. As they say, rinse and repeat, which is a good way to say repeat a process that works for you.  Through knowing your weaknesses, and doing targeted practice and preparation, you can improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking test.

In the IELTS Speaking test, you'll be asked to give your opinion on a variety of topics, such as the following:

• What kinds of jobs do you think require the most patience?
• Why has convenience food become so popular in the past few years?
• Do you think it is true that in today's society money cannot buy happiness?

When answering such questions, using varied expressions can show a higher level of language proficiency and also make your responses more engaging. Additionally, you'll want to use expressions that convey how strongly or how cautiously you want to sound like when stating your ideas. Here are some alternatives to "I think" that can give variety to your speech as well as add nuance to your sentences in terms of your tone or attitude.

1. I believe... "I believe" is a strong alternative that implies conviction--you firmly believe that something is true. It suggests that you are confident in your opinion.

• Example: "I believe that world peace is the most pressing issue that world leaders should address." 

2. In my opinion... This phrase is a direct substitute for "I think" if you want to sound a bit more formal. It is commonly used to introduce personal viewpoints yet it is appropriate for different contexts.

• Example: "In my opinion, self-education is the key to personal and professional growth."

3. I’m convinced that... Unlike the word "seems," the expression "I’m convinced that" is a strong phrase to imply a firm belief. It’s useful when you want to emphasize the strength of your opinion.

• Example: "After listening to some experts who have done lots of research, I'm convinced that exercise is essential for maintaining mental health."

4. From my perspective...This phrase emphasizes that what you're about to say is subjective and based on your personal viewpoint. 

• Example: "From my perspective, younger generations will likely have a harder time achieving financial independence compared to previous generations.

5.To my mind...Though it may be slightly less common, this expression is very similar to "in my opinion"  and is equally effective. It suggests that you have considered or thought about the topic more deeply. 

• Example: "To my mind, investing in renewable energy is crucial for our future."

6. As far as I’m concerned... This is a great phrase to use when you want to state your personal stance on an issue. It’s useful when you want to underscore that others may likely have different opinions.

• Example: "As far as I’m concerned, working from home has more advantages than disadvantages for the employee."

7. I feel that / I feel like... "I feel that" or "I feel like" can be used to express a more emotional response. It’s suitable for discussing topics that involve personal or emotional elements.

• Example: "I feel that these human rights issues are not being given enough attention."

8. I reckon..."I reckon" is a more common expression in British English that's used more informally and suggests that you have thought about the topic and come to a conclusion.

• Example: "I reckon that it's really up to parents to figure out what kind of art and creative activities their child can participate in. 

9. In my view... This is similar to "in my opinion" but it can add variety to your language use.

• Example: "In my view, governments should prioritize healthcare and education in their budgets."

10. It seems to me that...This phrase suggests that your opinion is based on your observations or experiences. The word "seems" is useful for softening your statement because it makes it sound less assertive or less pushy when you're talking about controversial topics.

• Example: "It seems to me that people are becoming more and more insensitive, even cruel, when leaving comments on social media."

11. I guess that / I'm guessing that... These are useful phrases to use when you are making a tentative statement or assumption. It implies a moderate level of uncertainty and has a more conversational tone.

• Example: I'm guessing that some people are just tired of the unending grind of city life and they just want to get away from that. 

12. Perhaps... Similar to "I guess that," using "Perhaps..." in your response allows you to offer ideas without asserting them too strongly. "Perhaps" is a really versatile word to make suggestions, give opinions, and introduce alternatives in a tentative and polite manner.

• Example: Perhaps future generations will embrace diversity more quickly since they are more exposed  to and even get to interact with people from different countries through the internet.

Using a variety of expressions can make your speech more dynamic and interesting.  Choose the phrase that best fits the context of the question and especially the tone you want to convey. For example, "I reckon" is more suitable for informal topics and a casual tone, while "From my perspective" or "In my opinion" works well in a formal discussion.
Practice using these alternatives early on in your study sessions to help you become more comfortable using them during the actual test.

In the IELTS Speaking test, you will often get asked about your preferences, and expressing what you like and don't like clearly yet flexibly is part of the scoring criteria. At the same time, being polite is  a great way to demonstrate higher level vocabulary and grammar. Directly saying "No" or "I don't like..." can sometimes come across as too blunt, impolite and even too basic. It can also become repetitive if you don't know other ways to say something in the negative sense. Here are some alternative phrases and expressions that can help you convey the same meaning in a more nuanced and sophisticated way, along with examples to illustrate their use.

The words and phrases in italics  are useful vocabulary that you can use to talk about such topics. 

Alternative Ways to Say "No"
1. Not really

• Example: "Do you think it is very expensive to make a home look nice?
• Sample negative response: "Not really. I think there are many other ways to make a home look nice without spending too much money on décor.  The most important thing, I think, is to keep a home clutter-free and organized. In my mind, just keeping a house clean makes it look great.  Another affordable way would be to have a plant or two inside the house. For me, having a bit of greenery, even just small ones in a pot, really make a space look refreshing and relaxing."

2. I'm afraid not.

• Example: "Do you know your neighbors well?"
• Sample negative response: "I'm afraid not.  Ever since I moved to my current apartment, I haven't had many chances to chat or get to know my neighbors. We almost never see each other. I think they're also as busy as I am. We all get out of our apartments early in the morning and come home late at night. I don't even know most of their names, to tell you the truth. 

3. Unfortunately, no...

• Question: "Do you enjoy cooking?"
•  Sample negative response: "Unfortunately, no.   I know that cooking is such an important part of our health and that it's cheaper to cook food at home but at this point in my life, I'm not yet that interested in cooking to spend time learning how to cook more than the usual fried egg and boiled noodles. I live in a city where takeout is available everywhere and food delivery service is quite fast and saves me a lot of time."

4. I wish I could ________ but...

• Example: "Did you enjoy doing music lessons as a child?"
•  Sample negative response: "I wish I could say yes, but I really didn't. It was my parents who had wanted me to learn how to play the piano. I had no interest in it. Don't get me wrong, now that I'm all grown up, I do appreciate the fact that I know how to play the piano and especially that my parents had paid for expensive lessons, but at the time, I would rather have been spending all that time playing at the park with my friends. 

5. Not at This Time

• Example: "Do you have any plans to buy your own car?"
• Sample negative response: "Not at this time, no, since public transport in my city is reliable enough. However, if I ever move to the suburbs where it becomes harder to commute to work, maybe I will consider buying my own car. 

Alternative Ways to Say "I Don’t Like..."
1.  I'm not really interested in...

• Example: "Do you like classical music?"
• Sample negative response: "I'm not really interested in classical music, although of course I don't mind listening to it. I have a friend who once took me to a classical music concert, and even though I appreciated the different performances, I kind of found it strange how formal it was. I prefer modern music, especially electronic dance music or EDM, which I guess is on the opposite side of the spectrum to classical music."

2. I'm not a fan of...

• Example: "Do you like spicy food?"
• Sample negative response: "I'm not really a fan of spicy food. In fact, I've only started to learn to eat mildly spicy food in the last few years because most of my friends like it. However, I can't usually eat what they eat, I mean, if they order something spicy, I usually ask the restaurant if they could prepare a portion that is mildly spicy just for me."

3. It's/they're not my cup of tea.

• Example: "How do you feel about horror movies?"
• Sample negative response: "Oh, they're not my cup of tea. When I was young, I always avoided horror movies because after watching one, I couldn't go to the bathroom by myself at night. Now that I'm older, I still avoid watching horror movies because they just become a distraction. I mean, my mind would keep going back to scary scenes even when I'm working and doing chores, and I think it just affects my mood negatively."

4. I prefer something else...

• Example: "Do you enjoy camping?"
• Sample negative response: "I prefer something else, like staying in a cozy cabin. I like the recent outdoors trend that people call "glamping" which is a word blend of "glamorous" and "camping." There are campsites that offer luxury tents already set up for you. I mean, if you can enjoy the outdoors in style, why not? Right?"

5. I'm not keen on...

• Example: "How do you feel about extreme sports like bungee jumping?"
• Sample negative response: "I'm not keen on doing any extreme sport, especially bungee jumping, because I have a fear of heights.  I prefer to just watch other people do it. The only extreme sport that I've ever done was whitewater rafting with my friends and I was only able to do that because I was part of a group and it felt safer."

6. ​​I'm not into...

• Example: "Do you play video games?"
• Sample negative response: "I'm not into video games even though many of my friends are kind of addicted to them. I have played a few games in the past--again mostly because my friends ask me to try a new game out, but I really try not to spend too much time on them. Video games are a huge time-suck and I already have too much to do at home and at work. 

7. I don't (really) care for...

• Example: "Do you care about looking fashionable?"
• Sample negative response: "These days, I don't really care for fashion as much as I care about comfort and quality in what I wear. I must admit that when I was younger, like in high school and university, I did care a lot about looking trendy and stylish,  but as I've gotten older, I've realized that what I wear has become less and less of what I am, or more importantly, what I can do.  I think it is more important to just look neat and to be dressed appropriately for the occasion, rather than caring too much about being fashionable. 

By using these alternative phrases, you can not only improve your conversational English in general but also demonstrate a higher level of language in your speaking exam. Remember that practicing these expressions way before your test will help you to sound more natural during the interview as well as in various social situations outside of the IELTS test. Find questions where you can practice these expressions, and you can even put them in the comments if you want feedback. Happy learning!

Here are a few questions related to past struggles. Practice answering them first and then you can refer to the sample responses at the end of the article to see additional useful phrases and sentence structures. 
​

• Describe a challenging task you completed.
  • What was the task?
  • Why was it challenging?
  • How did you feel after completing it?

• Discuss a time when you failed at something.
  • What did you fail at?
  • What did you learn from the failure?
  • How did it impact your future actions?

 

• Talk about a time when you had to make a tough decision.
  • What was the decision?
  • Why was it tough?
  • What was the result of your decision?

​

Describing Actions Taken:

• I decided to... Ex: To cope, I decided to attend extra tutoring sessions a few times a week. 
• I took steps to... Ex: I took steps to network with former colleagues and find suitable positions.
• I managed to... Ex: I managed to secure a new job that I enjoyed even more than the previous one.
• I tried to... Ex: I tried to apply to numerous positions online.

​​
Discussing Emotions:

• I felt overwhelmed by... Ex: I felt overwhelmed by the sudden financial insecurity after losing my job.
• I was anxious about... Ex: I was anxious about what my family and friends would think. 
• It was frustrating because... Ex: It was frustrating because I thought I already had the necessary experience and yet I was not getting good job offers. 
• I felt relieved after... Ex: I felt relieved after receiving my test results showing that I passed with flying colors. 

​
​Reflecting on Outcomes:

• Eventually,... Ex:  Eventually, I improved and passed my exams with good grades.
• I learned that... Ex: I learned that there are no shortcuts to achieving something worthwhile.
• It taught me... Ex: It taught me the value of nurturing positive relationships in the workplace.
• As a result,... Ex: As a result, even though I had to wait for one more year to get promoted, I learned to be patient and to accept adversities as they come, especially in terms of my career. 
• In the end,... Ex: In the end, I didn't get the job I was aiming for but I got to start from a parallel position that taught me so much more than I expected. 

1. Describe a challenging task you completed:

• Completing my final year project at university was a challenging task. It required extensive research and long hours of work. I found it difficult to balance the project with my other classes. I nearly stopped going out with friends and going home to my hometown to visit my parents, which I used to do every month.  However, I managed to create a schedule, set clear goals, and stay dedicated to the task. I tried to motivate myself by thinking about what it would be like when I finally got the project done. I was actually able to finish my project two weeks earlier than scheduled so I was one of the students who presented their projects early. The defense was quite difficult in itself but I was able to explain the rationale behind the decisions I made for the project. After the successful presentation and defense, I felt a great sense of accomplishment, and it was as if a great burden was lifted off my shoulders. I could finally breathe. Every time I think about those days, I get reminded that I am capable of undertaking long-term, grueling projects, and I get inspired. I know that the workplace may actually present even more challenging projects and I am prepared to take them on. 

2. Discuss a time when you failed at something:

• I failed my driving test on the first attempt. It was disappointing because I had practiced a lot and I thought I was ready. However, on the day of the exam, I was so nervous that I actually failed to remember and follow some important rules. For example, the examiner told me that I had failed to observe both sides more thoroughly before emerging from an unmarked intersection.  I think what happened was, I was just so nervous that I just slowed down and then drove out onto the highway when I saw there were no cars approaching. I broke some other rules that were minor violations but everything added up and I failed the test. I understand now that, statistically, a lot of first attempts result in a fail rather than a pass, but I was just so disappointed in myself at the time. My driving instructor tried his best to encourage me and we discussed and reviewed what happened during the practical test. I also realized that I needed to remain calm and focused under pressure. I practiced more and really focused on the errors that the examiner had pointed out.  After a few weeks, I retook the test and I passed successfully. This experience taught me the importance of persistence and resilience.
  

3. Talk about a time when you had to make a tough decision:

• I had to make a tough decision about whether to move to a new city for a job opportunity. It was difficult because it meant leaving my family and friends behind. After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to take the job. It was kind of lonely at first, and on the first few months, I went back to my hometown nearly every weekend to see my friends and family. However, I eventually made new friends from work and also with people around my neighborhood. I also met people at the gym and got interested in hiking and other outdoor activities. As a result, I was able to feel more comfortable, and perhaps even happier, in my new city. By moving to this new place, I could say that I grew both professionally and personally.

​Discussing past struggles in the IELTS Speaking test allows you to showcase your ability to reflect on personal experiences and use complex language structures. By practicing with these sample questions and using the provided expressions, you'll be better prepared to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently. Even though it may feel like a complex task, past and present struggles that you can share are an opportunity to demonstrate your resilience and language skills.

If you want to practice your own responses, feel free to leave them in the comments and we will try our best to give you feedback. 

Talking about the first time you did something is a common topic in the IELTS Speaking test. Many students struggle with this, often making grammatical errors, for example, "I first time see this movie in 2020." This article will help you understand how to correctly structure your sentences when describing your first experiences.

Basic sentence grammar
When describing the first time you did an activity, you typically use the past tense because you're talking about a completed action. Going back to the previous example, 
          "I first time see this movie in 2020."
the correct verb should then be "saw" instead of see.
          Correct: I saw the movie [for the first time] in 2020.

Word order when using "the first time" 
You probably noticed that we changed the word order of the corrected sentence above. The phrase "the first time" cannot be used directly before the verb like in "I first time see the movie..." Many students make errors by misplacing "first" or by structuring the sentence incorrectly. Here are some examples and corrections:

Incorrect: I first time went to a concert last year.
Correct: The first time I went to a concert was last year.
Correct: I went to a concert for the first time last year.

Incorrect: I first time tried sushi was when I was 15.
Correct: I first tried sushi when I was 15.
Correct: The first time I tried sushi was when I was 15. 

You could also use "the first time" as an introductory phrase followed by a clause that describes the action.
Examples:
The first time I visited Paris, I was amazed by the Eiffel Tower.
The first time I took the test, I didn't pass.
The first time I read the book, I had a hard time understanding it.

The above sentences could also be rewritten in a different word order where the time clause is at the end. Note that a comma is no longer needed in this structure: 

I was amazed by the Eiffel Tower the first time I visited Paris.
 I didn't pass the first time I took the test.
I had a hard time understanding it the first time I read the book.

Using "when" to describe the first time
You can also use the word "when" to introduce the time clause. This often comes after a main clause.

Example: I was excited when I first visited Bali. 
I was in sixth grade when I got my first mobile phone.
Or:  When I was in sixth grade, my parents gave me my first mobile phone. 

More Examples
Let’s practice with a few more examples to solidify your understanding:

• Talking about a travel experience:

Incorrect: I first time traveled alone in 2019.
Correct: The first time I traveled alone was in 2019.
Correct: I traveled alone for the first time in 2019.

• Talking about a new hobby:

Incorrect: I played this video game first time when I was ten.
Correct:  I played this video game for the first time when I was ten.
Correct: I was ten when I first played this video game.

• Talking about trying new food:

Incorrect: I first time ate blue cheese at an Italian restaurant.
Correct: The first time I ate blue cheese was at an Italian restaurant.
Correct: I ate blue cheese for the first time at an Italian restaurant. 

Think about various "firsts" in your life and how you would describe them. Regular practice will help you become more comfortable with the correct structures.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively talk about your first experiences while avoiding common errors.

A review of the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors would show that repetition is something that would give a test-taker lower band scores of around 4 or 5 in fluency and coherence. This is because frequent repetitions demonstrate limited vocabulary and communication skills. Here are some strategies to minimize repetition in your responses:

1. Describe and specify.

• Instead of saying something is "good," describe why it's good and give a short list of its positive qualities. For example, if you're discussing a movie, talk about its plot, characters, acting, cinematography, and so on.
• Example, if you hear a question like, "Which movies do you think are good for children to watch?" you can't just say, "I think movies that teach a lesson are ideal for children." You could add specific details and say, "Let's take the movie 'Inside Out', for example. It's  a great movie for kids to watch because not only is it entertaining,  but it also teaches children to become more aware of their emotions. The movie's themes of growing up, dealing with change, and coping with complex emotions are topics that resonate with both children and teenagers as they go through the challenges of adolescence."

​
2. Learn to paraphrase.

• Practice paraphrasing your statements. When you've made a point, rephrase it using different words. This is a valuable skill to express the same idea in various ways.
• Example: "I take great pleasure in gardening and tending to plants" could be restated as "My favorite way to relax is by spending time in my balcony/garden taking care of my plants." 

3. Use pronouns and references.

• Rather than repeating the same noun, use pronouns and references. For example, if you're talking about your friend Bob, instead of saying "Bob" each time, use "he," "his," "they,"  or the appropriate pronoun when referring to that person.

4. Provide examples.

• Supporting your points with examples not only enriches your response but also reduces repetition. For instance, instead of saying "I enjoy outdoor activities," provide examples such as "I like hiking, cycling, and camping."

5. Avoid filler words.

• Minimize the use of filler words like "um," "uh," "well," and "you know." Overusing these can make you sound less confident and may lead to repetition. This may be one of the more difficult habits to change (I know this based on personal experience) so you'll need to be intentional and to consciously just pause instead of saying "um".

6. Expand your vocabulary.

• Continually work on expanding your vocabulary. Learn synonyms and antonyms for common words. For instance, instead of repeatedly using "good," you can say "excellent," "outstanding," "superb," or "great." Instead of using "important," consider using "crucial," "significant," or "vital."
• Learn to enjoy reading to acquire new words, or even if it's something that you don't typically enjoy, at least regard it as a useful exercise to expose yourself to new words and phrases.

 7. Use transition words.

• Transition words can help you connect ideas and avoid repeating the same phrases. For example, use words like "also," "what's more,"  "moreover," "in addition," "besides," or "on the other hand" to transition between points.

Of course, some degree of repetition is normal in conversation, and examiners understand this. The key is to avoid excessive and unnecessary repetition by employing the strategies mentioned above while maintaining natural and fluent speech.