English Language Test Prep Radio: EPISODE 41
English Language Test Prep Radio-Episode
41
Episode Webpage: https://englishlanguagetestprep.com/eltpr041 3 ways-paraphrase/
INTRODUCTION
3 Ways to Paraphrase
SLIDE 2
Lead In Comment: Use these 3 Paraphrase Techniques to Boost Your TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS Target Score
SLIDE 2
Hello and welcome to Episode 41 of the English Language Test Preparation Radio podcast – you’re going to learn how to paraphrase better.
I’m Professor Winn, a CELTA certified English instructor for more than 12 years helping candidates like you to maximize your score on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam..
I’m the host of English Language Test Preparation Radio and author of the englishlanguagetestprep.com blog – the blog dedicated to strengthening both your English and test skills so you’re ready for the big exam day.
Question have you been watching ELTP TV as well as listening to the podcast?
Every Wednesday and Thursday you get a new video full of test tips or vocabulary like collocations, idioms, or phrasal verbs.
Don’t miss any episode visit the ELTP TV page and sign up for updates at: https://bit.ly/eltptv
Question - Are you ready for the challenge of paraphrasing vocabulary on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam?
Now, let’s take a look at these 3 ways to use your own words instead of those in the test prompt – see, I just gave you a paraphrase!
This is the same advice I give my own students when I help them reach their target score.
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Why Paraphrase
Paraphrasing is when you use your own words, for our purposes, on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam.
You’re attempting to equate meaning – that the word or phrase you use to replace the keyword has the same meaning.
The grading systems for these exams are clear candidates need to use their own words and not the vocabulary given in the test prompts.
This is exactly why I encourage my own students to start immediately to fortify their word power.
Visit http://bit.ly/303vocab to learn more about how you can quickly increase your lexicon.
How strong would you say is your vocabulary right now?
Really, no matter how strong you think it is it probably can be better. And remember you need to learn less common vocabulary terms to use on the Speaking sections of these tests.
Plus, collocations for the writing tests and idioms and phrasal verbs for the Speaking sections.
There are two (2) ways to increase your word power.
First – read! Read as much as possible and as often as possible. Read outside your comfort zone.
I often suggest my students read usatoday.com.
You can read about travel, sports, finance, and technology, for example, all in one place.
Second – study vocabulary lists or even better – take a video vocabulary course especially the one I’ve created!
One way you can get a “crash course” on vocabulary is to study the video e-course I have created at Teachable.
You get 50 terms 20 less common vocabulary terms plus 30 collocations, idioms, and phrasal verbs that you learn in videos showing you exactly how to pronounce the words, their definitions, and how to use them in sentences.
Simply check it out at https://bit.ly/teach50vocab
Now, I’ve got three (3) ways for you to paraphrase so you can use your new vocabulary in an effective way to boost your score on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam.
Let’s get started so you can maximize your score!
BUMPER2
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Way to Paraphrase #1 Synonyms
I’d say this is the #1 way candidates think about using their own vocabulary to replace the keywords in a TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS speaking or writing prompt.
And it’s the easiest except when it doesn’t work.
Let’s say you have “brave.”
What’s a synonym of “brave?”
Well, one word that comes to mind is – well, what do you say?
I’d say “courageous.”
“Courageous” is a word for word exchange for “brave.”
But it is sometimes not possible to give a quick one word replacement. Then, what do you do?
SLIDE 5
Way to Paraphrase #2 – Give an Example
Well, when you’re given a word that does not neatly fit a synonym in your vocabulary, then you can instead give an example.
For example – social media.
Is there a word or phrase that comes to mind that you can use besides these two words?
Why not give an example.
Of course, we’re familiar with some of the popular ones like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Well, they are social media. And bingo! You’ve got your paraphrase.
SLIDE 6
Way to Paraphrase #3 – Change the word form
This could be your go to solution if you can’t find a synonym for the keyword.
Just use a different part of speech.
If you know the noun form of analyze– analysis– then make your sentence using that noun instead.
This leads me to another point about building your word power.
When you learn a new word, you want to also know its other forms.
For example, analyzeis the verb. Analysisis the noun. Analyticalis the adjective. You’ve already tripled your word power by branching out to the other parts of speech.
So, if you know the noun form of a word. What’s its verb form? Adjective? Adverb form?
You never know which form of the word you’re going to need. Finally, as I’ve said, that’s why you need to strengthen your lexicon to score high on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam.
SLIDE 7
RECAP
Paraphrasing is a key skill that you need to develop during your test preparation.
Today you learned 3 ways to paraphrase:
1) Give a synonym – probably the easiest – if you have a strong lexicon
2) Give an example
3) Give a different word form by changing the part of speech
Congratulations! Now you are better prepared for paraphrasing whether you are presenting the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam.
SLIDE 8
Conclusion
Thanks for being with me today to be better prepared paraphrasing on these exams.
For the presentation and link to the show notes, please visit bit.ly/eltpr041. Have you subscribed to the podcast?
If not, please go to englishlanguagetestprep.com/podcast so you don’t miss any of the episodes.
SLIDE 9
I’m Professor Winn. Good luck paraphrasing on the TOEFL, TOEIC, and IELTS test!
