Paraphrasing: What I Mean Is - Functional Language
Practise paraphrasing: what i mean is at A2–B1 level with useful phrase patterns and short situation-based responses. A separate page of suggested answers supports checking and discussion of other appropriate responses.
What’s in the worksheet?
- Useful phrase patterns
- Situation-based response practice
- Space for written responses
- Suggested answers on page 2
Explain an everyday idea in simpler words, an example or a helpful comparison.
Worksheet preview
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Page 1 of 2 · A4 printable PDF
Page 2 of 2 · Answer key · A4 printable PDF
A simple way to teach it
Before the lesson
Give learners page 1; use the suggested answers on page 2 after they have written and compared their own responses.
- Compare defining exhausted with explaining expense or delay; choose the kind of restatement needed.
- Write clearer responses for the restaurant, project, smartphone and other situations.
- Read the original idea and paraphrase to a partner, who checks that the central meaning remains.
Support and extension
Offer plain synonyms and one short sentence. Extend with an example after restating. It is like introduces an analogy, not a complete definition; avoid repeating the same difficult wording after Let me explain.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
