
To score a higher (6+) band on the IELTS exam, candidates need to be familiar with (AND skilled at using…) HEDGING.
Hedging is using CAUTIOUS language, to draw the reader’s/listener’s attention to differences between facts and claims.
If a writer/speaker doesn’t use enough of these linguistic devices to express HESITATION and uncertainty, they’ll come across as either rude, unprofessional, and/or not nuanced enough in their critical thinking and reasoning skills.
INDIRECTNESS can be expressed using both vocabulary and grammar.
For example:
I don’t really think
appears to
a bit
tends to
is likely to
in some ways
Allegedly,
could
probably
might
It is claimed that
in some cases
perhaps
typically
prone to
had better
Can you add to the list?
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Hi. I’m Fatime. I’m an IELTS Teacher Trainer, helping CELTA-qualified English language teachers become better at teaching SKILLS, as opposed to just testing them.
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