Mastering ‘Deal with’ to Ace Your IELTS Speaking Test

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “deal with” is a versatile and commonly used expression in English. It generally means to handle, manage, or cope with a situation, problem, or person. In the context of IELTS, understanding and using this phrasal verb correctly can significantly enhance your language proficiency and score.

Primary meanings:

1. To handle or manage a situation or problem
2. To take action to solve a difficulty
3. To interact with or treat someone in a particular way

Synonyms:

• Handle
• Manage
• Cope with
• Tackle
• Address

2. Usage in Context

“Deal with” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning that in some cases, you can put the object between “deal” and “with.” However, when using pronouns, they must come between the two parts.

Examples:

• “I need to deal with this issue immediately.” (Not separated)
• “I’ll deal with the problem later.” (Not separated)
• “The manager will deal it with promptly.” (Separated)
• “I’ll deal with it.” (Must be separated when using a pronoun)

Dealing with problems in IELTS Speaking

3. Grammar Analysis

“Deal with” is a transitive phrasal verb, meaning it requires an object. The object can be a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun.

Structure:

• Subject + deal with + object
• Subject + deal + object + with (when separated)

Note: When using pronouns, they must come between “deal” and “with.”

4. Application in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking:

“Deal with” can be effectively used in various parts of the IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing problem-solving, challenges, or interpersonal relationships.

Example question: “Can you describe a difficult situation you’ve had to deal with recently?”

Sample answer: “Recently, I had to deal with a challenging project at work. The deadline was tight, and we were short-staffed. To deal with this situation, I prioritized tasks, delegated responsibilities effectively, and worked overtime when necessary. By dealing with each problem systematically, we managed to complete the project on time.”

In IELTS Writing:

While “deal with” is more commonly used in spoken English, it can also be incorporated into your writing to add variety and demonstrate your vocabulary range. However, be mindful of the formality level required in your essay.

Example: “Governments must deal with the growing issue of urban pollution promptly to ensure the health and well-being of city dwellers.”

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Cope with /kəʊp wɪð/: To manage a difficult situation successfully
   Example: “She’s coping well with the stress of her new job.”

2. Put up with /pʊt ʌp wɪð/: To tolerate or endure something unpleasant
   Example: “I can’t put up with his constant complaining anymore.”

3. Get over /ɡet ˈəʊvər/: To recover from an illness or a difficult experience
   Example: “It took him months to get over the loss of his pet.”

4. Sort out /sɔːt aʊt/: To resolve a problem or difficult situation
   Example: “We need to sort out this misunderstanding before it gets worse.”

5. Tackle /ˈtækl/: To make efforts to deal with a problem or difficult task
   Example: “The new mayor promised to tackle the city’s traffic congestion.”

Phrasal verbs practice in IELTS Speaking

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks:

1. The company needs to __ __ the increasing customer complaints.
2. How do you usually __ __ stress at work?
3. The government is trying to __ __ the issue of homelessness.
4. It’s important to learn how to __ __ difficult people in the workplace.
5. Can you __ __ this problem while I’m away?
6. The new manager is excellent at __ __ crisis situations.
7. We need to __ __ the root cause of the issue.
8. She’s learning to __ __ her fear of public speaking.
9. The committee will __ __ your request next week.
10. How do you plan to __ __ the challenges of remote working?

Sentence Transformation:

1. The team managed the crisis effectively.
   The team __ __ the crisis effectively.

2. I can’t tolerate his behavior any longer.
   I can’t __ __ his behavior any longer.

3. We need to address this issue immediately.
   We need to __ __ this issue immediately.

4. The new policy aims to tackle unemployment.
   The new policy aims to __ __ unemployment.

5. How do you handle stress in your daily life?
   How do you __ __ stress in your daily life?

6. The company is addressing the environmental concerns raised by activists.
   The company is __ __ the environmental concerns raised by activists.

7. She’s learning to manage her time more efficiently.
   She’s learning to __ __ her time more efficiently.

8. We must confront these challenges head-on.
   We must __ __ these challenges head-on.

9. The government is working on resolving the housing crisis.
   The government is working on __ __ the housing crisis.

10. How do you cope with the pressure of exam preparation?
    How do you __ __ the pressure of exam preparation?

Answers and Explanations:

Fill in the blanks:

1. deal with
2. deal with
3. deal with
4. deal with
5. deal with
6. dealing with
7. deal with
8. deal with
9. deal with
10. deal with

Sentence Transformation:

1. dealt with
2. put up with
3. deal with
4. deal with
5. deal with
6. dealing with
7. deal with
8. deal with
9. dealing with
10. deal with

Explanation: In all these sentences, “deal with” is used to express the idea of handling, managing, or addressing various situations, problems, or challenges. This phrasal verb is versatile and can be applied in many contexts, making it a valuable addition to your IELTS vocabulary.

7. Memory Tips

To remember the phrasal verb “deal with” and its usage, try these memory techniques:

1. Visualization: Imagine a person at a desk, literally dealing cards to represent different problems or situations they’re handling.

2. Acronym: D.E.A.L. – Directly Engage And Learn (to handle situations)

3. Context Association: Think of common situations where you need to “deal with” something, like dealing with stress, dealing with difficult customers, or dealing with unexpected changes.

4. Practice in daily life: Make a conscious effort to use “deal with” in your everyday conversations to reinforce its usage and meaning.

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Using “deal” without “with”
   Correct: “I need to deal with this problem.”
   Incorrect: “I need to deal this problem.”

2. Mistake: Incorrect word order when using pronouns
   Correct: “I’ll deal with it.”
   Incorrect: “I’ll deal it with.”

3. Mistake: Overusing “deal with” in formal writing
   Tip: In academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives like “address,” “manage,” or “resolve.”

4. Mistake: Confusing “deal with” and “deal in”
   Remember: “Deal with” means to handle or manage, while “deal in” means to buy and sell a particular product.

5. Mistake: Using the wrong tense
   Correct: “I dealt with the issue yesterday.”
   Incorrect: “I deal with the issue yesterday.”

To avoid these mistakes, practice using “deal with” in various contexts and tenses. Pay attention to its usage in authentic materials like news articles, podcasts, and English language learning resources focused on IELTS preparation.

9. Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb “deal with” can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS test, particularly in the Speaking and Writing sections. Its versatility allows you to express how you handle various situations, problems, or challenges, which are common themes in IELTS questions.

Remember to practice using “deal with” in different contexts and tenses. Incorporate it into your everyday English usage, and don’t hesitate to use it in your IELTS responses when appropriate. By doing so, you’ll demonstrate a more natural and diverse command of the English language, potentially boosting your IELTS score.

For more tips on improving your IELTS performance, check out our guides on how to deal with IELTS Listening difficult sections and how to deal with the challenges of climate-related natural disasters, which provide valuable insights into handling complex topics in your IELTS preparation.