Professional Documents
Culture Documents
IELTS Tip
Recognising signpost words and using them to anticipate what a speaker will be
doing next can help you follow the conversations and talks in the four listening
passages more readily and identify answers more successfully. Practise using these
signpost words in your conversations and discussions. Be careful though, because
some signpost words are more appropriate for informal situations.
Functions and signpost words
Signpost words have a range of functions. The most common functions and the most
frequently used signpost words are examined below.
Beginning
Function
Signpost words and phrases
OK, okay, now, right, well
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initiating a conversation
Example: conversation, talk, discussion, lecture
Well, I think planes are the safest form of transportation and, you know, its the quickest way to get
from A to B.
Reformulating ideas
Function
modifying ideas
giving an example
expanding on a meaning
Resuming
Function
Signpost words and phrases
so, anyway, as I was saying, where was I?, what
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introducing a digression
talking of , speaking of , that reminds me, oh
Sequencing
Function
organising
Example: discussion
What we really need to discuss is A, the timing of junk food advertisements on TV and B, what were
going to do about it.
Adding something
Function
Contrasting
Function
Signpost words and phrases
instead, conversely, then, on the contrary, but, on
opposing
Example: conversation, talk, discussion, lecture
Travelling the world is always exciting but nothing can beat the joy of coming home.
Concession
Function
Signpost words and phrases
while, (al)though, however, nonetheless,
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timing
Function
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