Hello! Welcome back to our series on IELTS Speaking strategies.
In our last lesson, you learned the powerful Opinion-Reason-Example (O-R-E) structure to build developed, coherent answers for Speaking Part 3. This is a fantastic tool for showing the examiner your ability to discuss topics in depth.
But what happens when the examiner asks a question that is so difficult or unexpected that you can't immediately think of an opinion? A long, silent pause can hurt your fluency score. Today, we'll address this exact situation. Our goal is to use filler phrases to gain thinking time when faced with unfamiliar questions. This will help you maintain your speaking flow, sound more natural, and feel more confident.
1. Good Fillers vs. Bad Fillers
Everyone needs a moment to think, even native speakers. However, in the IELTS test, how you fill that moment is important. Simply repeating "umm..." or "ahhh..." can signal to the examiner that you are struggling with the language, which can lower your fluency score.
Instead, we want to use verbal fillers—words and phrases that fill the silence while your brain is working.
To understand this better, let's look at a short article that explains the impact on your score.
Saying Umm Ahh in IELTS Speaking: Using Fillers
This article from IELTS Liz clearly explains why relying on 'umm' and 'ahh' is risky and what you should do instead.
Please read the first three sections of the article, down to the heading 'Native Speaking Umms and Ahh’s'. Pay close attention to the comparison between the two sample answers. Notice how the second answer uses phrases to build a much stronger response.
The key idea is that verbal fillers are a form of communication. You are still producing language, which demonstrates fluency, while hesitation sounds represent a complete stop.
2. Simple Phrases to Acknowledge the Question
One of the most effective ways to gain thinking time is to start your answer by commenting on the question itself. This shows the examiner you have understood it and just need a second to formulate your thoughts.
Let's watch a video that introduces some excellent phrases for this purpose.
IELTS Speaking– Most Common Ways to Start Your Answer
This video from IELTS Advantage demonstrates how top-scoring candidates begin their answers to difficult Part 3 questions.
Watch the section from 09:31 to 10:54. The speaker explains how phrases like 'That's an interesting question' or 'That's a tough one' acknowledge the question's complexity and give you a moment to think.
These "bridging phrases" are your first line of defense against a tricky question. They create a smooth transition into your main answer.
3. Building Your "Thinking Time" Toolbox
Now let's expand our collection of these useful phrases. There are different phrases you can use depending on the situation, whether you're unsure, need to consider two sides, or just need a second to find the right words.
First, let's see how these phrases work for different parts of the speaking test.
Essential Phrases to Help Your FLUENCY in IELTS Speaking
This video from English Speaking Success provides examples of filler phrases for both the difficult questions in Part 3 and the more personal questions in Part 1.
Watch from 11:36 to 14:50. Notice the phrases used for a future-prediction question in Part 3 (e.g., 'That's hard to predict...') and for a 'favorites' question in Part 1 (e.g., 'When it comes to...').
Here is a list of common and effective filler phrases you can practice and add to your speaking "toolbox." You don't need to learn all of them! Just pick 3-4 that feel natural for you.
| Phrase | When to Use It |
|---|---|
| That's an interesting/a good question. | A general-purpose phrase for almost any Part 3 question. |
| That's a tough one. | When the question is genuinely difficult or complex. |
| I haven't really thought about that before, but... | When the topic is new or unexpected for you. |
| Well, it depends on... | When the answer isn't simple and has multiple factors or sides. |
| I'm not entirely sure, but if I had to guess... | When you don't have a strong opinion but want to attempt an answer. |
| Let me see... / Let me think... | A simple, direct way to signal you need a second. |
| To be honest... | To introduce a candid or personal viewpoint. |
These phrases are taken from the resources we've looked at, including the helpful article "The Best Phrases to Use in IELTS Speaking" on IELTSMaterial.com.
4. Practice Time
Let's put this into practice. Imagine the examiner asks you the following Part 3 question.
Question: "Some people say that governments should not spend money on arts, like music and painting, but should spend more on public services like healthcare and education. What is your opinion?"
Your task is to write only the opening sentence of your answer. Use one of the filler phrases we've learned today to give yourself time to think before launching into your full O-R-E response.
Take a few minutes to write your opening sentence.
Click here to see some model opening sentences.
Here are a few different ways you could start your answer. All of them are effective for gaining thinking time.
- "That's a really interesting question, as it touches on a major debate about societal priorities. I think..."
- "To be honest, that's a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides. On one hand..."
- "Well, it really depends on the economic situation of the country. For developing nations..."
- "I haven't thought about it in exactly those terms before, but my initial feeling is that both are essential for a healthy society."
Conclusion
Well done! Today you've learned a crucial skill for maintaining fluency and confidence in the IELTS Speaking test. You now know how to handle difficult questions without resorting to silent pauses or hesitation sounds.
Key Takeaways:
- Avoid overusing "umm" and "ahh" as they can suggest a breakdown in your language ability and lower your fluency score.
- Use verbal filler phrases like "That's an interesting question" or "I haven't really thought about that before" to gain thinking time.
- These phrases show the examiner you've understood the question and are preparing a thoughtful response.
- Choose a few phrases that you feel comfortable with and practice using them.
In our next lesson, we'll continue looking at strategies for difficult questions. We'll explore how to relate abstract or unfamiliar topics to your personal experience or familiar subjects, giving you even more tools to handle anything the examiner asks.