How to score high bands using idioms in reading, speaking tasks

IELTS coaching for reading and speaking tasks will tell you that using idiomatic expressions is very beneficial for your scoring high grades. It’s that part of presenting your idea effectively and with a feel of a good command of regular English usage at a more than average level.

If you learn to use idiomatic phrases wisely and appropriately during your IELTS training, it will surely add to your ability to pull off an excellent performance in the test.

Idioms are words or phrases that indicate a certain situation, action, or experience, but aren’t meant to be taken literally. E.g., “beat around the bush”. The idiom means saying irrelevant things instead of coming straight to the point. It doesn’t make any sense if taken literally. Such idioms used in sentences can enhance the appeal of a matter that you present.

A few idioms that can help increase your chances at scoring a Band 7 in your reading or speaking tests are as follows:

• To pull yourself together - to return to a calm state and behave normally
• To be under the weather – being in low spirits
• So far so good – that something has happened well till the present moment
• The best of both worlds – all the advantages of 2 different situations without any disadvantages
• To be the last/final straw – an annoyance or a problem that finally pushes a person over the edge emotionally
• To be on the ball – to be attentive and ready for action
• To pull someone’s leg - to convince someone of something untrue as a joke
• Time flies when you’re having fun - time passes quickly
• To make matters worse - make a situation worse
• To get bent out of shape - to be angry

Surely use these idioms in your content while speaking or reading and you can impress the evaluators enough, meaning you stand a good chance to score a better band.

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