Master ‘Sort out’ to Ace Your IELTS Speaking Test

Understanding ‘Sort out’: Definition and Usage

The phrasal verb ‘sort out’ is a versatile expression that can significantly enhance your IELTS Speaking performance. It generally means to resolve or organize something, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary arsenal.

Core Meanings

1. To resolve a problem or difficult situation
2. To organize or arrange things in a systematic way
3. To separate things into different groups or categories

‘Sort out’ is often used interchangeably with phrases like ‘resolve’, ‘settle’, or ‘organize’, depending on the context.

Contextual Usage

In Formal Settings

“The management team needs to sort out the budget discrepancies before the end of the fiscal year.”

In Informal Conversations

“Can you help me sort out this mess in my room? I can’t find anything!”

In Written Communication

“Once we sort out the logistics, we’ll proceed with the project implementation.”

'Sort out' usage examples for IELTS Speaking

Grammar Analysis

‘Sort out’ is a separable phrasal verb, meaning you can place an object between ‘sort’ and ‘out’:

• “I need to sort out this problem.” (Standard form)
• “I need to sort this problem out.” (Separated form)

When using pronouns, separation is mandatory:

• “I need to sort it out.” (Correct)
• “I need to sort out it.” (Incorrect)

Application in IELTS

Speaking Section

Incorporating ‘sort out’ in your IELTS Speaking responses can demonstrate your command of idiomatic English. Here are some examples:

1. Describing problem-solving:
   “When faced with challenges at work, I always try to sort out the most critical issues first.”

2. Discussing organization:
   “Before any trip, I make sure to sort out all the necessary documents to avoid any last-minute stress.”

3. Talking about personal growth:
   “Moving away from home helped me sort out my priorities and become more independent.”

Writing Section

While ‘sort out’ is more commonly used in spoken English, it can also be effectively used in IELTS Writing Task 2, particularly when discussing solutions to problems:

“To address urban congestion, city planners need to sort out public transportation issues and implement more efficient traffic management systems.”

Remember to use it judiciously in formal writing, as it may be considered slightly informal in some contexts.

Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Work out /wɜːk aʊt/: To solve or calculate
   Example: “We need to work out a solution to this problem.”

2. Figure out /ˈfɪɡər aʊt/: To understand or solve after thinking
   Example: “It took me a while to figure out how to use the new software.”

3. Clean up /kliːn ʌp/: To tidy or make neat
   Example: “Let’s clean up the kitchen before our guests arrive.”

4. Straighten out /ˈstreɪtn aʊt/: To resolve confusion or problems
   Example: “We need to straighten out this misunderstanding.”

5. Iron out /ˈaɪərn aʊt/: To resolve minor problems or differences
   Example: “The team is ironing out the final details of the contract.”

Related phrasal verbs for IELTS vocabulary enhancement

Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

1. Before the party, we need to the guest list.
2. Can you help me these files by date?
3. The manager is trying to the conflict between team members.
4. We need to our finances before applying for a mortgage.
5. It took hours to the misunderstanding with the client.
6. The government must the healthcare system’s issues.
7. Let’s the details of our trip before booking anything.
8. She always helps her friends their problems.
9. We need to the truth from the rumors.
10. The committee is working to the new policy implementation.

Sentence Rewriting

1. Original: We need to resolve this issue immediately.
   Rewrite: We need to _____.

2. Original: Can you organize these documents by category?
   Rewrite: Can you _____.

3. Original: The team is working on solving the technical glitches.
   Rewrite: The team is _____.

4. Original: It’s important to clarify any misunderstandings before the meeting.
   Rewrite: It’s important to _____.

5. Original: We must arrange the schedule to accommodate everyone.
   Rewrite: We must _____.

6. Original: They’re trying to find a solution to the budget deficit.
   Rewrite: They’re trying to _____.

7. Original: Let’s resolve our differences and move forward.
   Rewrite: Let’s _____.

8. Original: The government is working on fixing the economic problems.
   Rewrite: The government is _____.

9. Original: We need to separate the important items from the rest.
   Rewrite: We need to _____.

10. Original: Can you help me organize my closet this weekend?
    Rewrite: Can you help me _____.

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

1. sort out
2. sort out
3. sort out
4. sort out
5. sort out
6. sort out
7. sort out
8. sort out
9. sort out
10. sort out

Sentence Rewriting:

1. We need to sort out this issue immediately.
2. Can you sort out these documents by category?
3. The team is working on sorting out the technical glitches.
4. It’s important to sort out any misunderstandings before the meeting.
5. We must sort out the schedule to accommodate everyone.
6. They’re trying to sort out the budget deficit.
7. Let’s sort out our differences and move forward.
8. The government is working on sorting out the economic problems.
9. We need to sort out the important items from the rest.
10. Can you help me sort out my closet this weekend?

These exercises demonstrate the versatility of ‘sort out’ in various contexts, from problem-solving to organizing and clarifying. Practice using this phrasal verb in different situations to enhance your fluency and naturalness in English.

Memorization Tips

To effectively memorize and use ‘sort out’, try these strategies:

1. Visual Association: Imagine a messy room being transformed into a tidy space. This visual represents ‘sorting out’ a situation.

2. Contextual Learning: Create personal examples using ‘sort out’ in your daily life, such as “I need to sort out my study schedule for IELTS.”

3. Phrasal Verb Family: Group ‘sort out’ with related phrasal verbs like ‘work out’, ‘figure out’, and ‘clean up’ to create a memorable word family.

4. Mnemonic Device: Remember “S.O.S. – Sort Out Situations” to associate the verb with problem-solving.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Incorrect Separation: Remember that ‘sort out’ is separable, but when using pronouns, they must come between ‘sort’ and ‘out’.
   Incorrect: “I need to sort out it.”
   Correct: “I need to sort it out.”

2. Overuse in Formal Writing: While ‘sort out’ is versatile, it may be too casual for very formal contexts. In academic IELTS Writing, consider alternatives like ‘resolve’ or ‘address’ where appropriate.

3. Misusing Prepositions: ‘Sort out’ doesn’t require additional prepositions.
   Incorrect: “We need to sort out with this problem.”
   Correct: “We need to sort out this problem.”

4. Confusing with ‘Sort’: ‘Sort’ alone means to categorize, while ‘sort out’ implies resolving or organizing.
   Incorrect: “Can you sort the misunderstanding?” (if you mean resolve)
   Correct: “Can you sort out the misunderstanding?”

By avoiding these common errors, you’ll use ‘sort out’ more accurately and effectively in your IELTS exam and everyday English communication.

Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs like ‘sort out’ can significantly enhance your IELTS performance, particularly in the Speaking test. Its versatility in expressing problem-solving, organization, and clarification makes it a valuable addition to your vocabulary. Remember to practice using ‘sort out’ in various contexts and incorporate it naturally into your language use. By doing so, you’ll not only improve your IELTS scores but also your overall English fluency.

For more tips on improving your IELTS performance, check out our guide on how to work out effectively for IELTS preparation. Additionally, to enhance your speaking skills, read about how to describe a time when you complained about something, which can provide excellent practice for using phrasal verbs like ‘sort out’ in context.

Remember, consistent practice and exposure to natural English usage are key to mastering phrasal verbs and achieving success in your IELTS journey. Keep sorting out your language skills, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your desired IELTS score!