What Gets Sharper the More You Use It: Riddle and Solution

What Gets Sharper the More You Use It is a popular brain-teaser in many IELTS speaking riddles 2025 practice sets. The answer—your mind—is exactly what the IELTS speaking test challenges. This type of question builds fast thinking, clear explanation, and better vocabulary.

The IELTS fun questions and riddles trains your brain to respond quickly and naturally in Part 2 and Part 3. It sharpens your ability to explain ideas, stay fluent, and avoid long pauses.

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Why IELTS Uses Riddles Like “What Gets Sharper the More You Use It”

Riddles are a smart way to test real speaking ability. In IELTS, they check how you explain ideas, how well you think on the spot, and how you speak. That is why trainers often use IELTS speaking riddles 2025 like “What gets sharper the more you use it?” in mock tests and warm-up activities.

They push you to speak naturally, stay logical, and avoid filler words—skills that directly improve your IELTS band score.

How Riddles Build IELTS Speaking Skills

IELTS Skill	How Riddles Help
Fluency and Coherence	You learn to respond smoothly with a clear train of thought
Lexical Resource	You use better topic-related words like “clarity,” “focus,” and “awareness”
Critical Thinking for IELTS Speaking	You get better at explaining deeper meanings and giving examples
Pronunciation and Delivery	You practice speaking with clarity and tone while handling abstract topics

Riddles like this improve quick reasoning and vocabulary under pressure—especially useful in IELTS Speaking Part 2 and Part 3, where clarity and logic matter most.

Improve your speaking game with real examples: Explore common IELTS speaking topics with sample answers.

New to the speaking section? Start here: IELTS speaking test format + tips.

Practice cue card prompts like this riddle: Explore high-frequency IELTS speaking cue cards to sharpen fluency and structure.

How The Riddle “What Gets Sharper the More You Use It?” Improves IELTS Speaking Practice

The riddle “What gets sharper the more you use it?” is a top pick for mind-sharpening riddles for IELTS. You will often face questions that are open-ended or metaphor-based. These train you to respond confidently without overthinking.

Use riddles to build:

• Clear structure in your answers
• Natural sentence flow
• Logical thinking with real examples
• A wider, more accurate vocabulary

Practice Gains from IELTS Riddle Answers

IELTS Focus Area	What You Build Through Riddle Practice
IELTS Speaking Part 1 Fun Topics	You get used to casual yet fluent responses
IELTS Band Score Improvement	You boost clarity, grammar accuracy, and topic handling
English Riddles for IELTS Test Prep	You expand your word choice and speed of thought
Vocabulary Riddles for IELTS	You practice using sharper, more exact words in context

These common IELTS brain teasers sharpen your thinking. That is why they belong in every serious IELTS prep plan—especially if you're aiming for Band 7 or Band 8.

Set a goal: solve one riddle each day, say your answer out loud, and break down your logic. Over time, your speaking will sound smoother and more natural.

Aim for a high band score? Here’s how IELTS speaking is scored.

Level up your vocabulary: Master these top phrases for IELTS speaking to sound more natural and confident.

How to Answer Riddles and Abstract Prompts in IELTS Speaking and Reading

Riddles like “What Gets Sharper the More You Use It” help build skills for IELTS Speaking and Reading. While the actual test won’t ask direct riddles, you will face similar abstract prompts—especially in IELTS Speaking Part 3. Here, you’re expected to explain ideas, make comparisons, or reflect on concepts like intelligence or personal growth.

Why Riddles Improve IELTS Speaking and Reading

IELTS Area	Riddle Practice Builds…
Fluency & Structure	Faster responses with better organisation
Vocabulary for Abstract Topics	Words like sharpen, focus, logic, clarity
Critical Thinking for IELTS	Clear reasoning, not memorised templates
Inference in Reading	Skills to understand tone, opinion, and deeper meaning

Tips to Answer Abstract Speaking Questions

In Part 3 of IELTS Speaking, examiners may ask:

• “Do you think imagination is more useful than knowledge?”
• “Why do some people value logic over emotion?”

These prompts aren’t riddles, but they demand the same mental skills. You need to think quickly, stay logical, and use strong vocabulary.

Here’s what helps:

• Start with a clear opinion
  → “I believe imagination matters more in creative work.”
• Follow with a simple reason or example
  → “For example, artists often rely on new ideas rather than fixed knowledge.”
• Avoid common fillers
  → Swap “I think” or “kind of” with firm phrases like “I believe” or “in my view.”

These habits make your answer stronger and keep your tone natural. Use vocabulary riddles for IELTS to build this response style in a fun way.

Know the test structure and topics:

• IELTS exam overview
• IELTS exam pattern
• IELTS speaking topics list

How to Handle Riddle-Like IELTS Reading Passages

IELTS Reading sometimes includes passages with irony, metaphor, or abstract themes. These are harder to scan for keywords, so they test your ability to interpret and infer.

Use this approach:

• Focus on the writer’s purpose
  → Are they analysing, criticising, or supporting an idea?
• Stick to what the text shows
  → Don’t assume—base your answer on clear evidence.
• Note tone and attitude
  → Words like “surprisingly” or “unfortunately” hint at the writer’s view.

Plan your test and prep smarter:

• IELTS exam dates
• IELTS online preparation tools
• Tips to crack IELTS in first attempt

Sample IELTS Speaking Answer – What Gets Sharper the More You Use It

This riddle “What Gets Sharper the More You Use It” is popular in IELTS speaking riddles 2025 and often shows up in speaking warm-ups. Below is a sample Band 8+ response you can model during IELTS interview practice.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card

Describe a riddle that made you think.
You should say:

• What the riddle was
• Where you heard it
• Why it stayed in your mind
• What it taught you

Band 8 Model Answer

“A riddle I remember clearly is ‘What gets sharper the more you use it?’ I first heard it in an IELTS prep class. At first, I thought of a knife. But the answer was your mind.

That made sense. The more you use your brain—by solving problems or speaking English—the faster and clearer your thinking gets.

This riddle helped me see how regular speaking practice sharpens not just vocabulary but also confidence. Since then, I’ve used riddles to warm up before mock tests. They help me stay focused and speak with more flow in IELTS speaking part 1 fun topics and Part 3 follow-ups.”

IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Follow-Up Sample

Q: Are riddles useful for language learning?
A: “Yes. Riddles train you to explain your thoughts clearly. They also help build vocabulary and improve thinking speed, which is useful in speaking tests.”

IELTS Vocabulary for Talking About Mental Sharpness and Learning

The riddle “What Gets Sharper the More You Use It” links closely with topics you may face in IELTS speaking or writing—like learning, focus, and brain skills. These words help you explain your ideas more clearly in IELTS Speaking Part 3 or Task 2 essays. They also support your prep with IELTS speaking riddles 2025, vocabulary riddles for IELTS, and mind-sharpening riddles for IELTS.

Useful Words for IELTS Band 7+ Answers

Word	Meaning	Example in IELTS
critical reasoning	judging ideas clearly and logically	“Schools should teach critical reasoning, not just facts.”
cognitive skills	mental functions like memory and focus	“Puzzles improve cognitive skills needed for academic success.”
intellectual growth	mental development through learning	“Travel supports intellectual growth through real-life experiences.”
brainpower	total mental ability	“Today’s jobs often need more brainpower than manual effort.”
memory retention	ability to keep and recall information	“Note-taking helps with memory retention during IELTS revision.”
mental stamina	staying focused over time	“The IELTS reading test checks your mental stamina.”
analytical ability	breaking down and explaining ideas	“Strong analytical ability helps in solving essay questions.”
learning curve	how quickly you learn something	“I faced a steep learning curve when I moved to online classes.”
adaptability	adjusting to new situations	“IELTS prep builds adaptability, especially under time pressure.”
lifelong learning	learning throughout life	“Lifelong learning keeps your skills sharp even after formal study.”

Tip: Use 2–3 of these in your answers when talking about personal growth, learning, or solving English riddles for IELTS test prep. It shows a good vocabulary range without sounding memorized.

Common IELTS Essay Topics About Intelligence and Brain Power

In IELTS Writing Task 2, many questions focus on how we learn, grow, and become more skilled. These topics often show up in academic modules and link directly to riddles for IELTS interview practice and critical thinking for IELTS speaking.

Common Intelligence and Brain Power Essay Prompts for IELTS Writing Task 2

• “Some people believe intelligence is inherited, while others think it can be developed.”
• “Learning new skills helps people stay mentally sharp.”
• “The best way to become smarter is through real-world experience.”

How to Answer Intelligence and Brain Power Questions in IELTS Writing Task 2

Step	What You Should Do
State the issue	“Some say intelligence is fixed. Others believe anyone can build it through effort.”
Present both views	“Genetics may play a role, but training and exposure shape most skills.”
Give strong examples	Use clear situations like workplace training or learning a new language.
Stay balanced	Don’t take extreme views. Show both nature and nurture matter.
Conclude well	“Consistent effort builds mental sharpness over time.”

Tip: Use phrases like mental stamina, adaptability, and lifelong learning to show range and connect your ideas. These terms also link back to IELTS fun questions and riddles and improve your lexical score.

IELTS Reading and Writing Practice Based on the Riddle Theme

IELTS scores clear thinking and precise language use really well. Riddle-based practice tests train your brain to spot patterns, compare facts, and form logical responses—skills that directly impact your reading and writing scores. These tasks strengthen your accuracy, sentence structure, and time management under exam pressure.

Reading Practice – True/False/Not Given

Passage Extract:
Mental sharpness is not fixed. Studies show that engaging in activities like learning a new language, solving puzzles, or reading complex material regularly improves brain flexibility. People who challenge their minds often report higher concentration and faster problem-solving ability.

Questions:

1. Learning a new language can improve mental sharpness.
2. Everyone is born with the same level of brain flexibility.
3. People with higher IQs do not benefit from reading difficult books.

Answers with Explanation:

Question	Answer	Why
1	True	Stated directly in the passage.
2	False	Passage says flexibility improves with effort, not that everyone starts the same.
3	Not Given	No mention of IQ or its link to book difficulty.

Reading Practice – Matching Sentence Endings

Match the sentence beginnings with correct endings.

Beginnings:
A. Daily mental challenges
B. Brainpower and stamina
C. Vocabulary riddles for IELTS

Endings:

1. can be developed through regular reading and writing tasks.
2. help students improve word recall and usage in context.
3. increase focus and critical thinking over time.

Answers:

Sentence	Match
A	3
B	1
C	2

Vocabulary in Context – Choose the Best Word

Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate word based on meaning and sentence structure.

Word Bank: adaptability, memory retention, intellectual growth, learning curve

1. Developing good __________ helps you remember what you read during IELTS preparation.
2. Moving to a new academic environment demands strong __________.
3. Many students experience rapid __________ when exposed to problem-solving tasks.
4. The first few weeks of IELTS prep can feel overwhelming due to the steep __________.

Answers:

Question	Correct Word
1	memory retention
2	adaptability
3	intellectual growth
4	learning curve

IELTS Writing Prompt with Model Answer

Task 2 Prompt:
Some people believe mental sharpness comes naturally. Others argue it develops through effort and experience. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Introduction and Body Paragraph 1:

Many people believe that intelligence is inherited, while others claim it improves with consistent effort. In my view, natural ability helps, but long-term mental sharpness depends more on learning habits and active engagement.

Supporters of natural intelligence argue that some people think faster and solve problems more easily, even without much training. However, this doesn’t mean others cannot develop strong thinking skills. For example, regular exposure to puzzles, reading, and critical tasks helps train the brain—just like the riddle “What Gets Sharper the More You Use It” suggests.

➡ This prompt is perfect for integrating themes like critical thinking for IELTS speaking, learning-based brain development, and IELTS essay writing on intelligence.

Explore upGrad’s free IELTS prep resources for cue cards, band 9 phrases, and mock tests.

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