17 great idioms for discussing problems in IELTS speaking part 3
Discussing problems, and solutions to those problems is something that can often appear in IELTS speaking part 3 questions. As with comparing and contrasting, it is something that the examiner may not directly ask you, but you will almost certainly have the chance to bring it into your extended answers in part 3, and help to achieve IELTS speaking part 3 success.
If the examiner asks you a question about a problem in part 3, it will almost certainly be followed by a question asking you about a possible solution to that problem.
Do people in your country prefer to rent or to buy a home?
“Generally speaking, most young people in (my country) rent or share apartments with others, because they cannot afford to buy their own apartment.”
How do you think this problem could be solved?
“In my view, there are a number of ways the government could deal with this problem, although there is no quick fix……. I think the powers that be in the government must take the bull by the horns, and firstly develop more affordable housing for young people………furthermore they should lower the deposit needed to buy a new apartment, which is a real stumbling block for young people today.
What truly distinguishes native English speakers from language learners are idioms, which are inextricably linked to fluency. A higher band score will be earned if you use idioms or idiomatic language correctly in your IELTS speaking exam.
17 useful idioms for discussing problems in IELTS speaking part 3
- No quick fix
To say that there is no quick fix to a problem means that there is no simple solution to the problem.
“There is no quick fix to pollution, and it’s going to take years of reforms and hard work to solve the problem.”
- The powers that be
The powers that be refers to the people who are in charge of, or control a situation, and decide what should be done.
“The students wanted to have a big party in the school, but the powers that be wouldn’t allow it.”
- Take the bull by the horns
To take the bull by the horns means that a person decides to act decisively in order to deal with a difficult situation or problem.
“I think the powers that be in the government must take the bull by the horns, and do more to solve the problem of air pollution.”
- A stumbling block
A stumbling block is a problem or obstacle that prevents you from achieving something.
“Having to get a band score of 7 or more in the IELTS exam is a real stumbling block, if you want to study abroad.”
- A last resort
To say that you would do something as a last resort means that it would be the very last thing you would do after everything else had failed.
“In my opinion, children should only be punished as a last resort.”
- Light at the end of the tunnel
If you see light at the end of the tunnel, it means that you can see signs of hope after a difficult period.
“There are still many new covid cases everyday, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
- A necessary evil
A necessary evil is something that we don’t like, but we understand it is needed, and we must accept it.
“I really hate having to wear a face mask due to the covid pandemic, but I do understand it’s a necessary evil.”
- An uphill battle
An uphill battle is something that requires a great deal of effort and determination.
“After breaking his leg in an accident, he faced an uphill battle to recover in time for the holiday he had planned.”
- A vicious circle
If the solution to a problem actually creates another problem similar to the original problem, or maybe even makes it worse, we have to start the process all over again. Sometimes people are trapped in a vicious circle and can find no escape, especially if living in poverty.
“I borrowed money from my friend, and now I must borrow money from the bank to pay back my friend, as well as paying interest to the bank…. It’s a vicious circle.”
- Take the easy way out
To take the easy way out is to choose the easiest way to deal with a problem, even if it is not the best way to deal with it.
“To study in the UK required an IELTS band score of 7, but she took the easy way out, and decided to stay and study in her own country.”
- Spiral out of control
When problems get worse or keep increasing, and the situation becomes too difficult to manage or control.
“If we don’t start doing more to protect the environment, the problems are going to spiral out of control.”
- Come to a head
When a problem reaches a stage where something must be done about it.
“If we keep ignoring these issues and problems, they will soon come to a head.”
- Asking for trouble
When someone behaves in a silly or irresponsible way, they are asking for trouble.
“If you don’t study and prepare for your exams, you are asking for trouble.”
- Get one’s act together
When somebody needs to become serious and more responsible, we can say they need to get their act together.
“John hasn’t been attending classes or studying lately, and really needs to get his act together or he’s going to fail his exams.”
- Don’t know which way to turn
When somebody is in a very difficult situation and really has no idea of what to do or where to look for help.
“When he suddenly lost his job, he didn’t know which way to turn.”
- Get to grips with
To start to understand a problem and be able to deal with it.
“We really need to get to grips with the problem of drug addiction before it spirals out of control.”
- Red tape
When official rules and processes which often seem unnecessary delay results, or make something difficult to complete.
“To get a study visa for a foreign country usually involves a lot of red tape.”
It’s never a good idea to try to learn a large number of idioms at once; instead, focus on one or two at a time. You’ll gain confidence in using them if you practice using them, making sentences and speaking into a mirror while doing so. Make sure you truly understand the meaning and application of each idiom, and don’t try to impress the IELTS examiner by using a random idiom in a sentence. Idioms must be used correctly or they will do more harm than good in terms of increasing your band score.
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