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Animal idioms! Yes. You heard it right. Will you believe me if I tell you that animal idioms can make your IELTS speaking test more interesting, engaging, and impressive at the same time? Read on to learn more about animal idioms in English.
Introduction
Idioms are the shortcuts in the IELTS speaking test to score good marks. IELTS is the mandatory test that will help you to prove your English language proficiency. It can add depth and meaning to your speech. Idioms make your speech sound more natural. Idioms give a smooth flow to your speech.
You sound like a native pro-English language user when you use animal idioms in your speech. Incorporating animal idioms based on the context can aid you in becoming more polished and creative while speaking.
Your band score will be automatically boosted once you use the animal idioms in your sentences. The use of the animal idioms can also denote your strong command and grip on language.
You can impress your examiner by smoothly blending animal idioms with the speech. Here you will be introduced to the world of animal idioms, their contexts, and their meanings. You can make your answers more convincing and impressive with the help of animal idioms.
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Why Use Animal Idioms in IELTS Speaking?
1: Most university students ........................ on campus in their first year.
The animal idioms are quite interesting. It aids the listeners to engage in a conversation more effectively. It also helps the users to capture the attention of the audience. While using animal idioms in the conversations, you should know the benefits that they offer.
Demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary
Your diverse use of language will be appreciated by the examiners. You can easily demonstrate the use of language in a smooth manner. The candidates who can use the rich vocabulary in the speech show their command over language.
Makes speech more natural and engaging
Expressive ways of communicating your thoughts and ideas can be effectively done with the aid of animal idioms. More expressive and interesting responses can be conveyed with the help of animal idioms.
Helps you stand out to the examiner
You sound different and impressive while you talk. The examiner will notice your presence in the test. The use of animal idioms in your speech makes you different from other candidates.
Your strong command and authority over the language will be visible once you use idioms in the speaking test. This can tremendously influence your IELTS band scores.
Knowing how to effectively make use of the idioms is a very inevitable skill. You have to familiarize yourself with the animal idioms and their use along with their meanings.
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Once you understand the animal idioms in better terms, you can easily use them in sentences while you take the test. Never overdo idioms in your speech, as it may disrupt the natural flow of the language.
Your speech may sound artificial and unattractive. Animal idioms are known for their vivid expressions. You have to understand the real meaning and nature of the idioms to use them appropriately in your speech. You have to express your ideas more engagingly with the aid of idioms in your speech.
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Start Your IELTS Journey Today!Common Animal Idioms for IELTS Speaking
Here is the list of common animal idioms for IELTS speaking that can be helpful for the aspirants who wish to crack the IELTS speaking test with the best band scores.
Animal idiom | Meaning | Example |
Copycat | A person who imitates another one | She is such a copycat. |
The elephant in the room | An obvious problem that everyone avoids discussing | Climate change is the elephant in the room during political debates. |
Ants in one’s pants | Unable to remain calm | The day before her test, she had ants in her pants |
Holy cow! | Surprised | Holy cow! I can’t believe we are in Korea |
Pig out | When you eat a lot | I pigged out the cutlets |
Let the cat out of the bag | Reveal a secret. | I accidentally let the cat out of the bag at the surprise party. |
Raining cats and dogs | Raining heavily | It’s raining cats and dogs and i forgot my umbrella |
Smell a rat | Suspicion | I could smell a rat when i opened the door and entered the room |
Kill two birds with one stone | Achieve two goals at once | By cycling to work, I kill two birds with one stone: I save money and stay fit |
A fish out of water | Someone who feels uncomfortable in a new situation | On my first day at university, I felt like a fish out of water |
Hold your horses | Wait and be patient. | Hold your horses! Let’s think about this before making a decision. |
The lion’s share | The largest part of something | She did the lion’s share of the work on the project |
A wolf in sheep’s clothing | Someone who pretends to be friendly but is actually dangerous. | Be careful of him; he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. |
Busy as a bee | Very busy. | My mom is always as busy as a bee around the house. |
How to Use Animal Idioms in IELTS Speaking
There are several ways by which animal idioms can be used in your IELTS speaking test to score the best marks. Your skill in using animal idioms determines your proficiency and ability to use language without any hindrance. Your strong command over language can be asserted with the use of interesting animal idioms in your IELTS speaking.
Use idioms appropriately
Make sure that you are using idioms in their natural way and sense. Forcing idioms will disrupt the smooth flow of the language and make it robotic and ineffective at the same time. Make sure that you are using idioms only in places where it is needed.
Avoid overusing idioms
Keep in mind that idioms are phrases that add beauty and meaning to the conversation. Use it wisely. Overloading your response with too many idioms can mislead the listener. Limit the use of idioms to 1-2 per response for its effectiveness.
Practice pronouncing idioms in the right way
Correct pronunciation of idioms adds more value when used in the sentences. Mispronunciation of the idioms may confuse the listeners.
Learn idioms related to the common IELTS topics. Make sure to learn the animal idioms related to each topic and practice them regularly. Learn how to effectively blend and incorporate idioms into the sentences to get a smooth flow of language. Learn idioms related to education, technology, nature, animals, etc., and use them appropriately while responding.
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Examples of using idioms in speaking parts
Part 1- Personal question
In the IELTS speaking test, part 1 revolves around personal questions. The examiner will ask you personal questions, and you have to answer them by incorporating idioms into it. This makes your response more interesting and scoring.
How do you manage your daily routine?
I’m a person you find as busy as a bee but multitasks and manages to complete tasks in a blink of an eye.
Part 2- Cue Card
The second part of the IELTS speaking test involves the cue card questions. The examiner will give you the cue card questions, and you have to answer them with more confidence and clarity.
Describe your first job experience.
When I was being recruited as a sales representative, I found myself as a fish out of water, struggling to find space to breathe. It was the most challenging part of my career life.
Part 3- Discussion
Part 3 of the IELTS speaking test purely involves discussion. You have to actively engage yourself in the discussion topic to score high band scores.
Would you prefer working as a team or an individual? I prefer working as a team to boost the working morale of each individual. Doing a lion’s share of work will disrupt the mental health of the employees working under pressure.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here is the list of common mistakes to avoid while using animal idioms in sentences while you take the IELTS speaking test.
- Inappropriate use of idioms
- Mispronunciation of animal idioms
- Using too many idioms in sentences
- Stuffing responses with the least suitable idioms
- Using idioms in a context that is not appropriate
- Not explaining the purpose of the use of confusing idioms to the examiner.
- Using idioms without understanding the context
- Using animal idioms is unknown about the meaning of idioms.
- Using idioms to disrupt the natural flow of the language
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Start Your IELTS Journey Today!Practice Activities
Practising animal idioms can help the test takers to have a grip on the proper use of idioms. The activities will allow you to memorize the animal idioms more effectively than simply mugging them up.
Practice activities, including creating stories to attach each part of it with an idiom, can be useful while attending the IELTS speaking test. Here are a few activities that may help the test takers to understand and memorize animal idioms more systematically.
- Creating sentences using each animal idiom
- Record yourself using idioms in mock IELTS speaking answers.
- Practice with a partner or teacher to get immediate feedback.
- Practice speaking in front of the mirror.
- Ask mentors to listen to you and point out your mistakes.
- Weave imaginary situations and frame an apt example of responses with animal idioms.
- Connect idioms with animals and learn from their features.
- Practice regularly.
- Note down the interesting animal idioms in your book.
For instance:
Can you explain how you manage your job?
I’m a dedicated employee who is busy as a bee. When I started my first job, I felt like a fish out of water. However I believed that holding my horses may help me kill two birds with one stone. I felt like a lion, ready to take on the world. I became an eager beaver and got promoted last year with a high salary and more experience.
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Conclusion
If you are an aspirant who wishes to crack the IELTS speaking test with the desired scores, you have to include animal idioms in your responses. This will make your responses more interesting and engaging at the same time. While using animal idioms in your sentences, you have to be very careful.
You have to be aware of the meaning of the animal idioms and the context in which they shall be used. Never confuse the examiner with the overuse of animal idioms in inappropriate situations.
Know the context before using the animal idioms. Animal idioms can help you sound like a proficient user of the idioms. Your strong command and grip over the English language can be proved with the appropriate use of animal idioms in suitable contexts.