Hi, almost every student worries about if he\she can't understand the question or don't have any idea about how to answer the question, certainly will get nervous. How to deal with the stiuation? Here comes some useful expressions that you might consider to use in Speaking test ...
Useful expressions
1. When you are confusing whether you understood examiner’s question correctly or not, you can use the following sentences to ask the examiner about the question again:
l Sorry, I’m not sure if I understand. Do you mean…?
l Does that mean…?
l If I follow you rightly, then you are asking me…?
l You mean…, right?
l Do you mean…?
2. If you don’t understand a word in examiner’s question, you can ask examiner to give you a little explain by saying that:
l I’m sorry, but could you explain what you mean by…?
l I’m afraid I’m not quite clear about the word…?
l I’m sorry, could you rephrase the word…?
l I’m afraid I don’t understand what you said by…, could you explain it?
3. If you are not familiar with the topic, you can ask examiner by saying that:
l I’m sorry, I don’t know anything about that.
l I wish I know something about this issue, but I’m really sorry I can’t tell anything.
l I have to admit I don’t know much about that.
l I’m afraid I have to say I know very little about that.
l I’m sorry I really have no idea about that. I’ve not paid much attention to this matter.
l I’m sorry, I’m not very interested in it, so I really have no idea about that.
l Well, you know, I’m really no expert on this, but I think…..
l Well, let me see…, I’m really not sure, but….
4. If you didn’t hear the question, you can say:
l Sorry, could you please repeat the question again, I think I missed it.
l Pardon.
l Pardon me.
l Excuse me.
l I’m sorry I didn’t hear what you said.
l I didn’t quite catch what you said.
l I missed that.
l Could you repeat what you said, please?
l Could you say that again, please?
l Would you mind repeating that, please?
5. If you don’t understand the question, you can ask examiner by saying that:
l Sorry, I don’t quite follow you.
l I don’t quite see what you mean.
l I don’t catch your meaning.
l I don’t understand what you’ve just said.
During whole conversation, one should feedback all the time by saying that:
l You’re right.
l That’s it.
l That’s right.
l Certainly.
l Quite right.
l Sure.
l Right.
l Of course.
l Exactly.
If you need to think a bit before answering the question, you can say:
l Well, let me see…
l Well, now…
l Oh, let me think for a minute.
l I’m not sure; I’ll have to check…
l That’s a very interesting question.
