Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing — restating someone else's idea in your own words — is one of the most tested skills in CELPIP. It shows up in Reading (recognizing paraphrased answers), Writing (restating prompts), and Speaking (rephrasing questions in your responses). Master it and you gain an edge across all four sections.
Why Paraphrasing Matters in CELPIP¶
- Reading: Correct answers are almost always paraphrases of the passage, not exact quotes
- Writing: Repeating the prompt word-for-word lowers your score; restating it in your own words raises it
- Speaking: Echoing the question back shows comprehension and buys thinking time
- Listening: Answer options rephrase what you heard — you need to recognize the match
Five Paraphrasing Techniques¶
1. Synonym Swap¶
Replace key words with synonyms while keeping the meaning.
| Original | Paraphrased |
|---|---|
| The city implemented new rules | The city introduced new regulations |
| This significantly reduced costs | This substantially lowered expenses |
| Children benefit from outdoor play | Children gain advantages from playing outside |
Watch Out
Not all synonyms are interchangeable in every context. "Make" and "manufacture" are synonyms, but you don't manufacture a decision. Always check that the swap sounds natural.
2. Change the Word Form¶
Shift between nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
| Original | Paraphrased |
|---|---|
| The decision was difficult | Deciding was difficult |
| They responded quickly | They gave a quick response |
| The program is beneficial | The program provides benefits |
| She contributed generously | Her contribution was generous |
| The results were surprising | The results came as a surprise |
3. Change the Sentence Structure¶
Rearrange clauses, switch active/passive, or flip the order.
| Original | Paraphrased |
|---|---|
| Because it rained, the event was cancelled | The event was cancelled due to the rain |
| The company fired 200 workers | 200 workers were let go by the company |
| Students enjoy the new library | The new library is enjoyed by students |
| After finishing the report, she left | She left once the report was finished |
| The manager approved the plan before the deadline | Prior to the deadline, the manager approved the plan |
4. Break or Combine Sentences¶
Split a long sentence into two, or merge two short ones.
Splitting: - Original: "The new policy reduces waste and saves the company approximately $50,000 per year." - Paraphrased: "The new policy cuts down on waste. It also saves around $50,000 annually."
Combining: - Original: "The park was renovated last year. It now attracts more visitors." - Paraphrased: "Since the park was renovated last year, it has been attracting more visitors."
5. Use Different Connectors¶
Swap the linking words while keeping the logical relationship.
| Original Connector | Paraphrased Connector |
|---|---|
| because | due to / since / as a result of |
| but | however / nevertheless / yet |
| so | therefore / consequently / as a result |
| although | despite / even though / in spite of |
| if | provided that / as long as / assuming |
Paraphrasing Examples by CELPIP Section¶
For Reading (Recognizing Paraphrases)¶
Train yourself to spot these matches:
| Passage Says | Correct Answer Says |
|---|---|
| "Residents expressed frustration with the noise" | "People living nearby were unhappy about the sound levels" |
| "The program may help reduce wait times" | "The initiative could potentially shorten delays" |
| "Only members who registered before March can attend" | "Attendance is limited to those who signed up prior to March" |
| "The cost has increased substantially over the past decade" | "Expenses have risen significantly in the last ten years" |
| "Several experts questioned the findings" | "A number of specialists raised doubts about the results" |
For Writing (Restating the Prompt)¶
Prompt: "Some people believe that working from home is more productive than working in an office."
- Bad (copies the prompt): "Some people believe that working from home is more productive than working in an office. I agree."
- Good (paraphrased): "There is a growing view that remote work leads to higher productivity compared to traditional office settings. I share this perspective."
Prompt: "Your neighbour's renovation is causing excessive noise. Write an email to your building manager."
- Bad: "I am writing because my neighbour's renovation is causing excessive noise."
- Good: "I am reaching out regarding the ongoing construction work next door, which has been creating significant disturbance."
For Speaking (Rephrasing the Question)¶
Question: "Do you think governments should invest more in public transportation?"
- Bad: "Do I think governments should invest more in public transportation? Yes."
- Good: "I strongly believe that increasing public funding for transit systems is a wise decision."
Question: "Describe a time when you had to solve a difficult problem."
- Bad: "A time when I had to solve a difficult problem was…"
- Good: "One situation where I faced a real challenge and had to find a solution was…"
Common Paraphrase Pairs (Study These)¶
These word swaps appear frequently in CELPIP:
| Word/Phrase | Paraphrase Options |
|---|---|
| important | significant, crucial, essential, vital |
| problem | issue, challenge, concern, difficulty |
| help | assist, support, aid, facilitate |
| increase | rise, grow, go up, expand, surge |
| decrease | decline, drop, fall, diminish, shrink |
| expensive | costly, pricey, high-priced, overpriced |
| cheap | affordable, inexpensive, economical, budget-friendly |
| old | elderly (people), aged, outdated (things), ancient |
| new | recent, modern, up-to-date, novel, fresh |
| hard | difficult, challenging, demanding, tough |
| easy | simple, straightforward, effortless, manageable |
| happy | pleased, satisfied, delighted, content |
| sad | unhappy, disappointed, disheartened, upset |
| show | demonstrate, indicate, reveal, illustrate |
| get | obtain, acquire, receive, gain |
| give | provide, offer, supply, grant |
| make | create, produce, generate, develop |
| use | utilize, employ, apply, make use of |
| enough | sufficient, adequate, ample |
| a lot of | numerous, a great deal of, a significant number of |
| fast | rapid, swift, prompt, speedy |
| slow | gradual, sluggish, unhurried, leisurely |
| start | begin, commence, initiate, launch |
| end | finish, conclude, complete, terminate |
| stop | cease, halt, discontinue, suspend |
| people | individuals, residents, citizens, the public |
| place | location, area, site, venue |
| money | funds, finances, budget, capital |
| rules | regulations, guidelines, policies, requirements |
The 3-Step Paraphrase Method¶
Use this when you need to paraphrase on the spot:
- Read the original and identify the core meaning (ignore exact words)
- Look away and say the idea in your own words
- Check that your version keeps the same meaning, strength, and scope
Three Paraphrasing Traps
- Changing the meaning — "may help" paraphrased as "will solve" changes the strength
- Just swapping one word — "The city implemented new rules" → "The city implemented new regulations" is too close; change the structure too
- Making it longer than the original — Good paraphrases are roughly the same length or shorter
Practice Drill¶
Take any sentence from a news article and:
- Identify 3 key words → find synonyms
- Change at least one word form (noun → verb, adj → adverb)
- Restructure the sentence (swap clause order or switch active/passive)
- Read your version aloud — does it sound natural?
Do this with 5 sentences a day and paraphrasing will become automatic within two weeks.