Recognising paraphrase- IELTS

The speakers you will hear in the Listening paper often use different words to those in the questions. For example, you may hear a synonym (a word with a similar meaning).

2.1. Match words/phrases 1-8 with their synonyms a-h.

1 a price                    a money

2 a location               b to carry

3 funding          c a drawback

4 dangerous  d a fee

5 a solution e a place

6 to transport f risky

7 disadvantage g an impact

8 an effect h an answer

The questions may paraphrase an idea that you will hear (express the same idea in a different way).

2.2. Listen to more extracts from each Listening Section. Complete the first column by choosing the correct answer.

		Synonyms/paraphrase	Reasons the other options are incorrect
1	What do they decide to organise first? A a place to stay B their airfares C car hire
2	What change will they make in the garden? A improve the shade B remove plants C add a water feature
3	What do the students agree they need to do with their Project? A do more Research B make some cuts C add some visual effects
4	The Scientist are studying A  how snow forms in different conditions B the effect that snow C the effect different clouds have on snow

2.3. Listen again and complete the table on the previous page. First. write the synonyms or paraphrases you hear for the underlined words and phrases. Then explain why the other possible answers are incorrect.

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ANSWERS

2.1. 

1 d

2 e

3 a

4 f

5 h

6 b

7 c

8 g

2.2. 

1. A

2. A

3. C

4. B

2.3.

		Synonyms/paraphrase	Reasons the other options are incorrect
1	A place to stay	Accommodation/hotel
	their airfares	flights	They´ll do it in the morning
	car hire	transport	They´ll borrow a car
2	improve the shade	Plant tress
	remove plants	Take out	They don´t want to do this
	add a water feature	pond	They already have one
3	do more Research	(find) information	They have plenty
	make some cuts	Reduce any of it	They don´t want to do this at all
	add some visual effects	Include graphics
4	how snow forms in different conditions	Process, is created	They already know this
	the effect that snow	Influences weather patterns
	the effect different clouds have on snow	impact	They want to do the opposite, see if snow affects clouds

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SCRIPT

Recording 14

1.

A: We really need to organise our trip, you know.

B: I know, I was thinking the same. We need to arrange accommodation and flights.

A: And we´ll need transport while we´re there-we could hire a car?

B: My dad said we could borrow his.

A: Well, that´s one less thing to worry about.

B: I´m a bit worried that hotels will all get booked up.

A: OK, let´s sort that out straight away.

B: Yes, then I can contact the travel agent and book out lights in the morning.

A: Great

2.

I just wanted to tell you about some of the recent changes we´ve made to the garden at the back of the complex, which we all have access to. As you know, there are some attractive and well-established plants in there and we didn´t want to take any of these out. But many of these are struggling in the harsh sun, which falls directly on that area. To solve this we´re going to plant trees along the western edge of the garden, just near the pond. This should also become a very pleasant place to sit and watch the ducks in the water. 

3.

A: It´s nearly there. I think we´ve found plenty of information.

B: Yes, lots, in fact do you think we need to reduce any of it?

A: Not at all, in fact I was thinking we could try and include some of those nice graphics you found.

B: OK, it would certainly make in look a bit more interesting.

4.

Studying ice cores in the South Pole can tell us a lot about the past climate, which, in turn, can help us understand how today´s climate is changing. My particular area of study is snow. While we scientist understand the process of how snow is created, very little is known about how snow interacts witch the atmosphere and influences our weather patterns. One of the things we´re trying to do is to link what we already know about meteorology and clouds and determine the impact that snow has on that.

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DICTIONARY

booked up: unable to offer any appointments or accept any reservations, etc; fully booked; full up

For example: The hotel was fully booked up./ The theatre/theater is booked up for the season

sort out: to make arrangements for something to happen, or to decide how it will happen. For example: Danny’s organizing the food and the music’s already sorted out.

straight away: If you do something straight away, you do it immediately and without delay.  For example: I should go and see a doctor straight away. 

book out: To leave a location very quickly. For example: He booked on out the back door as soon as he saw his ex-girlfriend walk into the party.

light: the brightness that comes from the sun, fire, etc. and from electrical devices, and that allows things to be seen. For example: Light was streaming in through the open door. The bomb exploded in a flash of yellow light.

complex: involving a lot of different but related parts- a large building with various connected rooms or a related group of buildings. For example: They live in a large apartment complex.

struggling: unsuccessful but trying hard to succeed. For example: It's the story of a struggling artist who marries a rich woman.

If you struggle to do something, you try hard to do it, even though other people or things may be making it difficult for you to succeed. For example: They had to struggle against all kinds of adversity

A struggle is a long and difficult attempt to achieve something such as freedom or political rights. For example: Life became a struggle for survival./ ...a young lad's struggle to support his poverty-stricken family

harsh: unpleasant, unkind, cruel, or more severe than is necessary: / too strong, bright, loud, etc.

For example: "There is no alternative," she said in a harsh voice. / He said some harsh words (= spoke unkindly) about his brother.

edge: the outer or furthest point of something

pond: an area of water smaller than a lake, often artificially made. For example: The children enjoy floating their boats on the pond in the park.

plenty: (the state of having) enough or more than enough, or a large amount. For example: Would you like some more wine? -No thanks, I've had plenty.

patterns: a particular way in which something is done, is organized, or happens. For example: A pattern is beginning to emerge from our analysis of the accident data./ Many behaviour(al) patterns have been identified in the chimp colony.