What this skill is and why it works
Rephrasing is restating the examiner’s question in your own words so you confirm the topic and buy two to three seconds to think. It is not stalling, because you add clarity, focus, or scope. A buffer line is a short sentence that gives you a breath and signals your plan. A clarifying question is a polite request that narrows an unclear prompt. Synonym choice means swapping words while keeping the same meaning. Signposting means guiding the listener with linking phrases like "overall", "for instance", "however", and "as a result". When you combine these moves, your opener sounds confident and your answer starts on rails.

Timing targets and drill design
Aim for a buffer that lasts one natural breath, usually 2 to 3 seconds or 6 to 9 words. Your full answer in Part 3 should be 40 to 60 seconds. Train with a 0.05-50 routine: 3 seconds to breathe, 5 seconds to rephrase, 50 seconds to answer. Do six questions per session, three times a week. Track three numbers: buffer length in seconds, words per answer, and whether you used one signpost and one hedge. Try to improve one metric by 10 percent each week.

Four rephrase moves to bank

1. Buffer line: set up your stance. "That is a relevant question for cities like mine."
2. Clarify scope: limit the time, place, or group. "Are we talking about young adults or all age groups?"
3. Reframe by function: restate the goal. "If the point is public safety, I would look at education first."
4. Synonym and structure swap: change keywords and order. "In other words, you want me to weigh benefits against costs."

How to build your bank
Create nine cards. For each of the four moves, write two to three sentences you like, plus one card of safe hedges. Record yourself and check that each line is under three seconds and sounds natural at your usual speed. Keep one Bangladesh focused version for local topics such as traffic management, online learning access, and waste reduction.

Example 1 - using clarify scope
Question: "Do you think governments should make public transport free?"
Rephrase: "Do you mean completely free for everyone, or just for students and seniors?"
Buffer line if needed: "Either way, cost strongly shapes people’s choices."
Answer start: "If we focus on students and seniors, targeting them seems fair and affordable. It builds ridership without overloading the budget, although quality must rise with demand."

Example 2 - using synonym and structure swap
Question: "Why do some people avoid reading news?"
Rephrase: "So the issue is reluctance to keep up with current events."
Buffer line: "From what I observe, two factors stand out."
Answer start: "First, headlines can feel sensational, which reduces trust. Second, long articles compete with short video. If schools teach media literacy, and newsrooms reduce clickbait, more people will engage."

Mini case - Rafi in Dhaka
Rafi spoke fast and jumped into answers, which led to three interruptions in mock tests. He built a bank of twelve rephrase lines and drilled them with a metronome set to his natural pace. After ten days he kept buffers near 3 seconds, raised average answer length from 55 to 95 words, and reduced interruptions to zero. The change was not magic, it was muscle memory from quick rephrases plus cleaner structure.

Common mistakes

• Repeating the whole question word by word. This sounds mechanical and wastes time.
• Using vague filler like "it depends" without adding a focus. Always add a because or a lens.
• Asking too many clarification questions. One is fine, two is risky.
• Overusing the same buffer line. Rotate three versions so you do not sound rehearsed.

Edge cases and safe fixes

• If the examiner rejects your clarification, answer immediately with your best frame and say, "In that case, I will take a broader view."
• If the topic is unknown, reframe by function and add a hedge. "I am not an expert on crypto, but if the goal is consumer safety, transparency rules make sense."
• If you blank, use a rescue buffer. "Let me approach this from the daily life angle." Then give one reason and an example.

Glossary
Buffer line, a short opener that buys a breath.
Clarifying question, a polite request to narrow the scope.
Hedging, softening a claim so it stays accurate.
Signposting, guiding the listener with linking words.
Scope, how wide or narrow your claim is.

Next steps
Write three buffers, three clarifiers, and three reframes tonight. Tomorrow record a 10 minute session with six questions. At the weekend swap scripts with a partner, rate each buffer for clarity and length, and keep only the top five lines. In week two, add two local versions for Dhaka topics and one academic version for technology or education.

1. Actionable closing — Myth vs fact

• Myth: Rephrasing is just filler.
  Fact: It confirms scope and reduces misunderstandings. Keep it under 3 seconds and add one focus word like time, place, or group.
• Myth: You must rephrase every question.
  Fact: Use it when you need clarity or a breath. If the question is simple, answer directly and save time.
• Myth: Clarifying sounds weak.
  Fact: One precise question sounds analytical. Limit yourself to one clarification per prompt.
• Myth: Longer buffers buy more time.
  Fact: Long buffers signal memorisation. Aim for 6 to 9 words, then move into reasons and an example.
• Myth: Synonyms are enough.
  Fact: Pair synonyms with a structure swap. Change the order or the lens so your answer does not echo the question.
• Myth: Rephrasing stops follow ups.
  Fact: It sets up better follow ups. End with a hint like "the main trade off is cost", then be ready to expand.