Listening · Unit 3: Core strategies
L29: Signpost words that tell you what is coming
Target band 6.5 to 7
Imagine driving on a highway with no road signs. You'd get lost quickly. Speakers in IELTS use "road signs" too. They're called signpost words. They tell you when a new point is starting, when a contrast is coming, or when the talk is ending. If you learn these words, you'll always know where you are.
Why this matters
Signpost words are your best friend in Parts 3 and 4. They warn you that an answer is near. They also help you recover if you get lost, because they tell you when the speaker moves to the next section.
The main signpost words
| What the speaker is doing | Signpost words |
|---|---|
| Starting | Today I'd like to talk about..., Let's begin with... |
| Ordering | First, Secondly, Next, Then, After that, Finally |
| Adding | Also, In addition, What's more, Another point is... |
| Contrasting | However, But, On the other hand, Although, In contrast |
| Giving an example | For example, For instance, such as, like |
| Giving a reason | because, since, This is due to... |
| Giving a result | So, As a result, This means that..., Therefore |
| Changing topic | Moving on to..., Now let's turn to..., Another aspect is... |
| Emphasising | The key point is..., What's really important is..., In fact |
| Ending | To sum up, In conclusion, So, overall... |
The most important ones for IELTS
Contrast words are the most important. After "however" or "but", the speaker often changes direction. The answer is usually after the contrast, not before.
"Many people think owls are clever. However, research shows they're not as intelligent as crows."
If the question asks which bird is more intelligent, the answer comes after "however": crows.
Changing topic words are the second most important. When you hear "Moving on to...", look at the next heading in your notes.
Emphasis words often come right before an answer. "The key point is..." means: write this down.
A worked example
Read this lecture extract. Find the signposts.
"First, let's look at why cities are getting hotter. The main reason is that concrete absorbs heat during the day. In addition, there are fewer trees to provide shade. Now, let's turn to solutions. One idea is green roofs. However, these are expensive to build. A cheaper option, for example, is painting roofs white."
Signposts: First, The main reason, In addition, Now let's turn to, One idea, However, for example.
If a question asked for a cheap solution, the signposts take you straight to it: painting roofs white, after "A cheaper option".
How to practise
- Read a Part 4 transcript and highlight every signpost word.
- Listen to the same audio while reading. Notice how the speaker's voice changes at each signpost.
- Then listen again without the transcript. Try to hear each signpost.
Try it yourself
What comes next after each signpost?
- "To sum up..."
- "On the other hand..."
- "For instance..."
Show the answers
1) a summary or conclusion. 2) a different or opposite idea. 3) an example.
Honest note
Some speakers use very few signposts, and some use unusual ones. Don't panic if you don't hear them. Use the headings in your notes as backup.
Your task today
Take one Part 4 transcript. Highlight every signpost word in one colour. Count them. Then listen again and try to hear each one.