What role do discourse markers play in the Speaking test?

What role do discourse markers play in the Speaking test?

• A. They increase speech speed.
• B. They help connect ideas, show coherence, and manage turn-taking.
• C. They confuse listeners and reduce clarity.
• D. They replace the need for vocabulary.

Answer: (B)

Discourse markers are small words or phrases that guide a listener through what you’re saying. In the Speaking test, they help connect ideas and show how sentences relate to each other, making your overall message more coherent. They also help manage turn-taking by signaling when you’re shifting to a new point, returning to a topic, or inviting a response, which makes the conversation flow more naturally. Using them well supports clear organization and pacing, which examiners look for as signs of effective communication. They aren’t about speeding up speech, they don’t replace vocabulary, and when used appropriately they reduce ambiguity rather than confuse the listener.

Discourse markers are small words or phrases that guide a listener through what you’re saying. In the Speaking test, they help connect ideas and show how sentences relate to each other, making your overall message more coherent. They also help manage turn-taking by signaling when you’re shifting to a new point, returning to a topic, or inviting a response, which makes the conversation flow more naturally. Using them well supports clear organization and pacing, which examiners look for as signs of effective communication. They aren’t about speeding up speech, they don’t replace vocabulary, and when used appropriately they reduce ambiguity rather than confuse the listener.