In the IELTS Speaking test, can you say “I don’t understand, can you repeat that please?” to the examiner. Will you get a lower score if you say that?
It is not uncommon that you might not understand a question that the examiner asks. Or you might not have heard the question properly so you want the question repeated. What is the best way to tackle this situation?
Can I ask the examiner to repeat the question?
Yes, it’s 100% ok to ask for the question to be repeated. See this page: Asking the Examiner Questions for more information about asking the examiner questions during the test.
Will I get a low score if I say “I don’t understand” in IELTS Speaking?
In IELTS Speaking, you are not marked on your ability to understand a question. You are only marked on:
- Fluency & Coherence
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Pronunciation
Each of those marking criterion are worth 25% of your speaking marks. As you can see, understanding or being on topic are not marked. This means if you don’t understand a question or you misunderstand a question, you won’t get marked down. So, feel free to ask for the question to be repeated.
However, do I recommend that you say “I don’t understand“? No, I don’t recommend you say it. It is never a good idea to show that you struggled to understand something in English during an English language test.
What can I do if I don’t understand a question in IELTS Speaking?
The best way to deal with a question you don’t understand is to simply ask for the examiner to repeat it without saying that you don’t understand. For example:
Could you repeat that, please?
Saying this simple line is clear and direct. It doesn’t show your lack of understanding. It is polite and appropriate for the IELTS Speaking test.
Other similar options are:
- Sorry, could you say that again, please?
- Sorry, I missed that. Could you repeat the question, please?
You can also say:
Sorry, I didn’t quite hear you. Could you say that again more clearly?
Sorry, I didn’t quite hear the question. Could you say that again more slowly?
Sorry, what did you say? Could you say that again more loudly?
Alternatively, you could say:
Sorry, I didn’t catch that. Could you repeat that, please?
I didn’t quite catch what you said. Could you repeat that, please?
This is a great way to ask for the question to be repeated because it uses idiomatic language which will boost your score. “to catch something that was said” is idiomatic language. However, don’t say this repeatedly. Try to be flexible with the language you use when you ask for the question to be repeated. Each word you say while the recording is on will be marked.
Be Prepared
It is important that you rehearse these responses so that when you don’t understand something, you are ready with a variety of possible responses to deal with the situation. This will give you confidence in the test and show the examiner a range of language for dealing with misunderstandings. These are things which will help your score.
Can you ask for the question to be explained?
The answer to this question is Yes and No. Let me explain…
In part 1, the examiner is not allowed to explain the question to you. So, in part 1, you can only ask for the question to be repeated.
In part 2, the examiner cannot explain the cue card to you. You must do your best to understand the main topic and follow the prompts as best you can.
In part 3, the discussion, it is fine to ask the question to explain what they mean. The examiner will say the question again using different words so that you can understand more easily. You could say “Sorry, could you explain what you mean?” This won’t affect your score, but try not to say too often.
I hope you have found this page useful. I always thinking that the more you are prepared for IELTS and the more you understand about the test, the better your chances of success. For more tips and free lessons relating to IELTS speaking, click here: Free IELTS Speaking Tips
All the best
Liz 🙂
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What do I do if I can’t relate to the question ?, for example(I have never entered a hotel in my life, and the examiner asked me to describe a hotel that I have been to), can I ask him to change the question?
No, you can’t ask for a change of topic. Lets look at the situation. You haven’t been to a hotel. Does that mean you’ve never seen any pictures and you have no idea at all what a hotel is or what a hotel room looks like? Are there no hotels that you dream one day to visit? If you met a foreigner or stranger who wanted a recommendation for a hotel, could you give them an idea? Where do you stay when you go on holiday? Do you stay in a self-catering place? Even if you haven’t been inside a hotel, do you have opinions? Do other people you know have opinions? Have other people you know been in a hotel? Have you seen their pictures. Just because you haven’t done something personally, doesn’t mean you can’t talk about it or talk about something very similar. You can also add your views – you must have a view because you haven’t been inside one – was it because of availability or price?
So, it is likely you could talk about a hotel whether you’ve stayed in one or not. The examiner isn’t interested in your actual life experiences, the examiner wants to hear your English – that’s all. So, even if you talk about a self-catering place, you can still talk about similar things with similar language, such as room layout, services, facilities, location etc.
Does this help? All topics can be spoken about in one way or another. And remember, the examiner only wants to hear your English language.
Hii Liz, I gave my speaking today and in task 2 when I was describing my cue card the examiner was pointing to the cue card questions and 2to3 times she repeated the questions as i was speaking off the topic in task 1 and follow ups . How badly will this effect my scores.
Your comment has confused me greatly. The examiner can’t speak during part 2 until you have finished your talk. This means the examiner is silent while you talk and only speaks when it’s time to move on to the rounding off questions and then part 3. The cue card doesn’t contain any questions, only prompts. You can use or not use those prompts as you wish. I don’t understand your comment about speaking off the topic in task 1 – there are no tasks in the speaking test, only part 1, part 2 and part 3. Do you mean part 1? Or do you mean prompt number 1 on the cue card. Sorry, I don’t understand.
Hi my dear Liz. Your videos and your website are really useful for IELTS candidates. I’m really so sorry about your illness. I’ll wish you all the best and get well soon 😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘. You are very kind person ☺️☺️☺️
Thanks
I wish you quick recovery my teacher, I pray the treatment you take improves your health condition. I really appreciate all you do for IELTS task takers.
Thank you so much
As usual and as expected from you, it was so helpful and informative. Thanks, Liz.
I’m glad it was useful 🙂
Hi Liz,
I recently came across your youtube channel(IELTS Liz) and the videos are very useful. But I also noticed that last video published there is 5 years old.
Is there any particular reason for that?, where can i see your latest video?
This is because my health got worse in 2015 and I’m still very sick. All the videos are still relevant. When I’m better, I’ll continue making them.
Awww….You will get better soon.
I have been on your website the whole week trying to prepare for IELTS.
Good job you have done.
I’m sure the goodwill of all those you have helped will get you back to full health as soon as possible.
With Love.
Good luck with your test!!
Dear Liz,
I’m sad hear that you are sick. Gel well soon dear teacher. God bless you!
Triple gem bless you!
Thanks 🙂
I 🙏 pray to God for your health. Miss soon you will back to work and help people through sharing your knowledge
Assalomu alaykum. Liz. I indeed want to talk about something to you if I get to the point. I have to book the test after 3 months. but I’m not ready for this. is it enough to prepare for the exam for the test for 3 months in order to get the seven score??? Please respond my question as soon as possible
There are three things will influence your score 1) your level of English 2) how well you know the exam 3) how strong your exam skills are. You should have a good understanding of how strong your English is and if you are at the peak of your language skills. And only you will know how much effort and time you can put into learning about the test so that you are fully prepared. Developing exam skills comes from both analysing errors and practice. Some people find one month enough to prepare and for others it can take many months. Start learning and you will see how quickly you progress. Good luck!
Hi Liz, I gave my IELTS speaking test today. My topic for part two was about a special day out. In part 3, follow up questions, the examiner asked me if I used to sit on floor in my childhood and I answered it. Now that I realise, she might have asked something related to leisure as the topic was about it and I answered totally off topic. How badly will this effect my score?
It makes no difference to your score if you interpret the question one way or the other. It’s up to the examiner to guide you and direct you. Sometimes the examiner might choose to guide you in a different direction – that is their choice. None of these things affects your score. The marking criteria for speaking do not include understanding.
Hope you continue giving us more tips!
Godbless ! 🙏
Thank you Liz!!!
This came at the rightest time! I’ve got the speaking test tomorrow and seeing this is super helpful!
Good luck!!
Thank you Liz, this is helpful
Thank you Liz. I find it so helpful.
You’re welcome