VOCABULARY IELTS
TỪ VỰNG 20 CHỦ ĐỀ TRONG IELTS SPEAKING 20 chủ đề SPEAKING
1. IELTS Holiday Vocabulary
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2. IELTS Relationships Vocabulary.......................................................................
3. IELTS Technology Vocabulary
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4. IELTS Sports Vocabulary
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5. IELTS Food Vocabulary
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6. IELTS Education Vocabulary
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7. IELTS Work Vocabulary
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8. IELTS Health
Vocabulary................................................................................
9. IELTS Books and Films Vocabulary.................................................................
10. IELTS Accommodation Vocabulary
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11. IELTS Clothes & Fashion Vocabulary
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12. IELTS Personality
Vocabulary.......................................................................
13. IELTS Business
Vocabulary...........................................................................
14. IELTS Physical Appearance Vocabulary........................................................
15. IELTS Town and City
Vocabulary..................................................................
16. IELTS Music
Vocabulary...............................................................................
17. IELTS Weather Vocabulary
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18. IELTS Shopping
Vocabulary..........................................................................
19. IELTS Environment Vocabulary ...................................................................
20. IELTS Advertising Vocabulary
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1. IELTS Holiday
Vocabulary
You probably know the meaning of individual words like
‘flight’, ‘tour’ and ‘view’. However, the key to showcasing your advanced
English is to show you are able to use these individual words in combination
with other words to form set phrases and expressions.
Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below
and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the
bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: What kind of holiday do you like? Miguel: I try to
avoid tourist traps … I like to get away from it all and prefer going somewhere
off the beaten track … last year I had the holiday of a lifetime … a two week
wildlife safari in Kenya.
Examiner: What do you like to do when you’re on holiday?
Anna: I enjoy visiting the local places of interest … I like to go sightseeing
and always sign up for guided tours as it’s a chance to be shown around and
take photographs … one of my my hobbies.
Examiner: Do you have many tourists in your country? Amy:
Yes … we have a lot of holiday resorts along the coast that are popular with
tourists … most people come on package holidays and stay in one of the many
hotels and self-cateringapartments.
Part 2-style task
Describe a beautiful place you once visited. You should say:
- when you went to this place
- where it was
- who you went with
and say why you liked it so much.
Sally: A few years ago I went on a long weekend to the Lake
District in the UK … it’s a very popular holiday destination in the north of
England … I went on my own and had a wonderful time … I stayed in a youth
hostel and met some really nice people … but the most memorable thing about the
holiday were the breathtaking views … and lovely picturesque villages … it can
get very busy with hordes of tourists so I decided to go out of season in the
autumn … the weather was fantastic and
the shops were full of local crafts … a really great holiday … it’s certainly
not the kind of short break for someone looking for a busy nightlife but if you
want to relax in the middle of stunning landscape I would certainly recommend a
holiday to the Lake District.
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: What do you think has led to the growth in the
tourism industry? Miguel: It’s much easier and affordable to travel now …
nowadays you can get cheap charter-flights or all-in packages … to somewhere
near or to a far-off destination
Examiner: How do people tend to choose a destination? Anna:
The Internet is a great source of information and high street travel agents are
still very popular … that’s where I like to go to get holiday brochures for the
place I’m interested in.
Examiner: People sometimes say flying is the most glamorous
form of travel. Do you agree? Amy: I’m not so sure really … flying can be quite
boring … queuing up at the check-in desk
… going through passport control … sitting for ages in the departure lounge …
then the flight itself can be quite uncomfortable … no … I’m not sure I agree.
Definitions
-all-in package/package holiday: a holiday where you purchase the
travel and accommodation together
-breathtaking view: an extremely beautiful view
-charter-flight: a cheaper form of flying than a scheduled flight
- check-in desk:
the place at the airport where you register for your flight and deposit your
luggage
- departure lounge:
where you wait for your flight to be called far-off destination: somewhere a
long way away
- to get away from it
all: to take a holiday to escape a busy or stressful lifestyle
- guided tour: an
organised group shown around a place of interest by an expert
- holiday brochure:
a glossy publication with details of holiday packages
- holiday destination:
where you go for a holiday
- holiday of a
lifetime: a special holiday that you are unlikely to repeat
- holiday resort:
a place where lots of people go for a holiday
- hordes of tourists:
crowds of tourists
- local crafts:
objects produced locally
- long weekend:
an extended weekend holiday including Friday or Monday
- out of season:
outside of the main holiday period
- picturesque village:
very pretty village
-passport control: the place where your passport is checked
- places of interest:
sites of interest to tourists
- wildlife safari:
a holiday, often in Africa, to observe wild animals
-self-catering: a
holiday where you supply your own food
- short break: a
short holiday
- to go sightseeing: to look around the tourist sites
- stunning landscape:
extremely beautiful countryside
- travel agent: a
shop that specialises in booking holidays
- tourist trap:
somewhere where too many tourists go
- youth hostel: a
cheap form of accommodation
2. IELTS
Relationships Vocabulary
Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below
and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the
bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Do you see your friends very often? Louisa: Yes …
we meet up most weekends … we all get on really well and have a lot in common
so we’re always happy doing the same things and going to the same places.
Examiner: What do you like about your close friends? Anna: I
think we enjoy each other’s company … we see eye-to-eye on most things so we
rarely fall out with each other.
Examiner: Have you known each other long? Amy: Most of them
yes … although my closest friend Carrie … we struck up a relationship at
college and got on like a house on fire … but yes … my other friendships go
back years to when we were at school.
Part 2-style task
Describe a person you are very close to. You should say:
- who this person is
-when you met them
- where you met them
and say what it is about them you like so much.
Reiko: I’d like to talk about my boyfriend … Jose … we got
to know each other at University almost 4 years ago … we were in the same
department … initially we were just good friends and used to go out in a group
with our other friends … when Jose went back to Spain for the holidays we would
keep in touch with each other … then one year he invited me to come to Spain
with him … and that’s when we fell for
each other I think … so you couldn’t really say it was love at first sight as
it had been over a year since we’d met … but we really hit it off and by the
time we got back to university in September we were able to tell all our
friends that we were in a relationship… what do I like about Jose … well he’s
very kind … very funny … and very supportive … and we’re really well matched in
our interests … he hasn’t popped the question yet though … we’ve talked about
getting married and I think we’re both ready to settle down and have
children … we’ll just have to wait and
see …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: Do you think marriage is still as important as
ever? Cristine: Yes … it certainly is in my country … I think the problem for
some people is a lack of commitment … all relationships have their ups and
downs …. but some people prefer to break uprather than working at the
relationship.
Examiner: What do you think is the ideal time to get
married? Terry: Personally … I think you should wait until you’ve found
yourself first … decided if you want a career … perhaps do some travelling …
you should do this before tying the knot … although if you fall head over heels
in love plans like these can easily be forgotten.
Examiner: Is it important to keep in contact with our
friends when we’re in a relationship? Maria: Absolutely … it’s so easy to drift
apart from your friends when you fall in love … but I think both partners
should try not to lose touch with their friends
… that’s the best way to have a healthy relationship with your partner.
Definitions
- to break up: to
end a romantic relationship
- to drift apart:
to become less close to someone
- to enjoy someone’s
company: to like spending time with someone
- to fall for: to
fall in love
- to fall head over
heels in love: to start to love someone a lot
- to fall out with:
to have a disagreement and stop being friends
- to get on like a
house on fire: to like someone’s company very much indeed
- to get on well with:
to understand someone and enjoy similar interests
- to get to know:
to begin to know someone
- to go back years:
to have known someone for a long time
- to have a lot in
common: to share similar interests
- to have ups and
downs: to have good and bad times
- a healthy
relationship: a good, positive relationship
- to hit it off:
to quickly become good friends with
- to be in a
relationship: to be romantically involved with someone
- to be just good
friends: to not be romantically involved
- to keep in touch
with: to keep in contact with
- to lose touch with:
to not see or hear from someone any longer
- love at first sight:
to fall in love immediately you meet someone
- to pop the question:
to ask someone to marry you
- to see eye to eye:
to agree on a subject
- to settle down:
to give up the single life and start a family
- to strike up a
relationship: to begin a friendship
- to tie the knot:
to get married
- to be well matched:
to be similar to
- to work at a
relationship: to try to maintain a positive relationship with someone
3. IELTS
Technology Vocabulary
The subject of ‘Technology’ frequently comes up in the IELTS
Speaking exam. You may be asked to talk about something you own, your favourite
websites, how technology has impacted on education etc. You’ll need to show the examiner your ability
to express yourself using as wide a range of vocabulary as possible.
Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below
and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the
bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Do you enjoy using technology? Stephan: Well … I
wouldn’t call myself a techie or a computer buff but I enjoy using computers …
I’d like to find out more about how they
work … when my computer crashes I never know what to do.
Examiner: Do you use the Internet for your studies? Sophie:
Yes … I’d be lost without it … I do lots of video conferencing to practice
speaking and social media like Facebook is a good way to
meet up with other students … and I download podcasts that teach English
vocabulary and grammar.
Examiner: Do you have your own computer? Tania: Yes … I have
a Macbook Pro … I use it all the time … for word processing … browsing websites
and catching up with TV programmes I’ve missed.
Part 2-style task
Describe an item of technology you have that is very
important. You should say:
-what the technology is
- when you got it
- how often you use it
and say how different your daily life would be without it.
Mattie: I don’t have many gadgets … just a computer … a
laptop and my mobile phone … but I’ll talk about my computer as it’s so useful
… it’s funny really … 2 years ago I was still learning to use computers … how
to use email … send attachments how to access websites … then I decided to do a
digital editing course for video and photography … and so I bought the laptop
when I started the course … my husband had a desktop PC but it was very
slow so I decided to upgrade to a powerful one because we do a lot of video
editing on the course … it’s a high-spec laptop … very fast … the latest
operating system … it boots up really quickly and it’s fun to use so it makes working a pleasure …
I’ve become a competent computer user now … if I didn’t have it I daresay I’d
have to spend more time at college using their computers … but on the positive
side I suppose I’d read a lot more if I didn’t have it … I
probably waste a lot of time surfing the web … but hopefully I won’t have to be
without it …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: What do you think are the important things people
need to learn when they start using computers? Alejandro: Well … there are
things like how to use the Internet …
how to enter a web address … how to navigate websites … that kind of thing but
it’s also important to know how to back upyour files in case your computer
crashes … and all about Internet security.
Examiner: What kind of technological developments have made
the biggest impact on our lives? Faydene: In my lifetime it has to be the Internet
of course but I also think wifi has made a huge difference to how we interact
with the Internet … wireless networks at home and public wifi hotspots mean we
can go online easily … access our mail … log into our work intranet and
basically be connected wherever we are.
Examiner: Do computers make it much easier to study? Jane:
Definitely yes … researching information is much easier with the Internet ..
you can bookmark webpages for future reference and writing essays is much
easier … being able to cut and paste sections of text means you can experiment
with organisation … so yes … compared to years ago when you had a pile of books
on your desk and a pen and paper … it’s now much easier.
Definitions
- to access
websites/email: to locate
- to back up files:
to make a copy of files in case of a computer problem
- to boot up: to
start a computer
- to bookmark a
webpage: to mark a webpage for future reference
- to browse websites:
to look at websites
- a computer buff:
an expert computer user
- to crash: to
suddenly stop working
- to cut and paste:
to move text or images from one place in a document to another place
- a desktop PC: a
computer that isn’t portable and remains in situ on a desk
- digital editing:
to edit digital materials like audio or video files
- download
(podcasts): to save a copy of a file from the internet to your own device
- to enter a web
address: to type the address of a website into the address bar of your
browser
- a gadget: a
technological tool like a mobile phone or camera
- to go online:
to start using the Internet
- high-spec (laptop):
powerful computer with top quality components
-Internet security:
Internet safety
- intranet: a
network of connected computers within an organisation that is not accessible by
unauthorised visitors
- to navigate a
website: to find your way around a website
- operating system:
the software that tells the computer how to work
- send an attachment:
send an email with an accompanying file
- social media:
media used to interact with other people such as Facebook or Twitter
- to surf the web: to look at a series of websites one after the
other
- a techie:
somebody who has an interest in technology
- to upgrade: to
obtain a more powerful or feature-rich computer or piece of software
- video conferencing:
to see and hear people from different locations using the Internet
- wireless hotspot:
a public place where you can access the Internet
- wireless network:
a network where users can access the Internet without the use of fixed cables
- word processing;
producing written texts on a computer
4. IELTS Sports
Vocabulary
We all have a relationship with sport: we might watch it,
play it or try our best to avoid it. Because it’s such an important subject you
may find yourself being asked questions about sport in the IELTS Speaking exam.
Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below
and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the
bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Do you do any sports? Loiuse: Not really … no … I
always say I’m going to take up exercise and try to get into shape but I never
seem to get started … I sometimes wonder whether I should get a personal trainer … someone who
will sort out a fitness programme for me and make me train hard ….
Examiner: How do you spend a typical weekend? Stella: I’m a
big football fan and weekends always centre around a football match … I support
FC Utrecht and have a season ticket so I go to most of the home games and quite
a few of the away games too … I’m really
looking forward to the new football season starting soon …
Examiner: Have you got any hobbies or interests?
Theo: Yes … I’m really keen on sports … I do judo once a
week and play tennis in the summer … I think it’s really important to keep fit
… it makes you feel good and energised for work and your studies ….
Part 2-style task
Describe a place you like going to in your leisure time. You
should say:
- what this place is
- when you go there
- what you do there
and say why you enjoy it there so much.
Maurice: I’d like to
talk about my local sports centre … it’s a place I spend a lot of time in … it’s a new building with all the latest
sports facilities … I probably go there at least twice a week … sometimes more often
… it’s a huge place … there’s an outdoor athletics track and some football
pitches … I play football so I’m often out there … there are several indoor
squash and tennis courts that I use occasionally … a big swimming pool …
although I don’t use that very often … I’m not a very strong swimmer … there’s
a gym … lots of things really … why do I enjoy going there … it’s just a really
fun place to be … there’s a good social side to it all … you can enter
competitions … meet up with other people who want to do the same sports … and
because there are so many activities on offer it gets you interested in
different things … for example I was listening to some people talking about
training to run the marathon and I’ve decided I might even think about that … I
go jogging a couple of times a week so it would give me something to aim for …
so yes … the sports centre … that’s the place I really like to visit …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: Should people be encouraged more to take up sport?
Alejandro: I think young people should be given the chance to discover which
sport they might like … watching sport is sometimes a good way to get
peoplestarted … not on TV but actually getting out … take athletics for example
… they could go to an athletics meeting … there are so many different sports on
show one might interest them …
Examiner: Why do some people enjoy participating in sport
more than others? Florrie: That’s a good question … I suppose some people are
more concerned about their health … they can’t stand the thought of being out
of condition … other people might be driven to excel … they want to set records
or get personal bests …
Examiner: Which sports do you think are best for people who
aren’t used to physical activity? Julie: Well … I think people like this should
avoid strenuous exercise so things like circuit training are definitely out of
the question … maybe just doing a brisk walk every day … or swimming is always
a good way to get started …
Definitions
- an athletics
meeting: an event where various athletics sports are held
- an athletics track:
a running track
- an away game: a
football match played in the opposing teams stadium
- a brisk walk: a
fast walk
- to do judo:
(not go or play)
- a football fan: someone
who likes football
- a fitness programme:
a schedule of activities to keep fit
- a football match:
a game of football
- a football pitch:
the surface on which you play football (as opposed to a stadium, which is the
building)
- a football season:
a period in the year when football is played
- to get into shape:
to become fit
- to go jogging:
to run around the streets
- a home game: a football match played in the teams own
stadium
- to keep fit: to
stay in good physically condition
- to be out of
condition: to not be physically fit
- a personal best:
to achieve the best personal result so far in a sport
- a personal trainer:
a sports coach that helps you on a one-to-one basis
- to play
tennis/football: (not do or go)
- to run the marathon:
to run a distance of 42.195 Kilometres
- a season ticket:
a ticket that gives you entry to most of a team’s home games during the
sporting year.
- to set a record:
to achieve the best result in a sport
- a sports centre:
a public building where people can do various sports
- sports facilities:
the equipment and services needed to do a sport
- a
squash/tennis/badminton court: the surface where you play these sports
- strenuous exercise:
exercise that needs a lot of physical effort
- a strong swimmer:
a good swimmer
- a swimming pool:
the place where you swim
- to take up exercise:
to start doing exercise
- to train hard:
to train with a lot of effort
5. IELTS Food
Vocabulary
The topic of food often comes up in the IELTS Speaking exam.
You might be asked questions about what you like to eat, your favourite
restaurants or about a popular dish in your country.
Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below
and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the
bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Do you like to cook? Mandy: Not really no … most of the time I eat ready meals and
take-aways … that’s one of the reasons I love visiting my mum … you can always
guarantee lovely home-cooked food …
Examiner: What time do you usually eat dinner? Michelle: We
have our main meal at around 7.00 … I’m usually starving hungry by then … in
fact I often grab a bite to eat as soon as I get home from college … a sandwich
perhaps … but not too much to spoil my appetite …
Examiner: Are there any types of food you don’t like?
Lionel: No not really … I’m not a fussy eater at all … actually I eat like a
horse … I do a lot of sport and work up quite an appetite …
Part 2-style task
Describe a restaurant that you like to use. You should say
- where this restaurant is
- what kind of food it serves
- how often you go there
and say why you like eating there so much.
Howard: OK … this is
a nice topic to talk about … there’s a restaurant just around the corner from
where I live … it’s an Italian restaurant so as you’d expect you can eat
various pasta dishes and pizzas and I usually go there with my family for a
slap-up meal if we have anything to celebrate … it’s quite a posh restaurant …
the kind of place you would take someone if you wanted to wine and dine them …
we usually order a 3-course meal … a light starter then a main dish … and I
have quite a sweet tooth so I always look forward to the dessert … I usually
order Tiramisu … it makes my mouth water just to think about it … I’m always
totally full up by the end … why do I enjoy it there … well … it’s not cheap …
my parents always foot the bill and we couldn’t afford to go there regularly so
it’s always a nice treat …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: How can we encourage people to eat more healthily?
Anna: I think the best approach is to have everything in moderation … processed
food won’t kill you if you only eat it occasionally … but people should also be
encouraged to eat a balanced diet… try to cook fresh ingredients at home a few
times a week …
Examiner: Do you think people enjoy their food as much as
they should? Florrie: I don’t know really … I suppose it’s true that people
will often eat a quick snack because they’re bored not because they’re dying of
hunger … and often they just bolt it down and don’t savour it … so yes …
perhaps we could take more time over our food …
Examiner: Do you think cooking is a pleasure or a chore for
people who have busy lives? Julie: Well … whether you follow a recipe or make
something up as you go along … I think cooking is a very creative process … and
cooking for other people is a particular pleasure … there’s nothing more
satisfying than seeing people you love tucking into something you’ve cooked
yourself …
Definitions
- to be full up:
to eat to the point that you can no longer eat any more
- to be starving
hungry: an exaggerated way of saying you are very hungry
- to bolt something
down: to eat something very quickly
- to be dying of
hunger: an exaggerated way of saying you are hungry
- to eat a balanced
diet: to eat the correct types and amounts of food
- to eat like a horse:
to eat a lot
- to follow a recipe:
to cook a meal using instructions
- to foot the bill:
to pay the bill
- a fussy eater:
somebody who has their own very high standards about what to eat
- to grab a bite to
eat: to eat something quickly (when you’re in a rush)
- to have a sweet
tooth: to enjoy sugary food
- home-cooked food:
food cooked at home from individual ingredients
- the main meal: the most important meal of the day, usually
eaten in the evening
- to make your mouth
water: to make you feel very hungry for something
- to play with your
food: to push food around the plate to avoid eating it
- processed food:
commercially prepared food bought for convenience
- a quick snack:
to eat a small amount of food between meals
- a ready meal:
see ‘processed food’
- a slap up meal:
a large meal
- to spoil your
appetite: to eat something that will stop you feeling hungry when it’s
meal-time.
- a take away: a
cooked meal prepared in a restaurant and eaten at home
- to tuck into: to
eat something with pleasure
- to wine and dine:
to entertain someone by treating them to food and drink
- to work up an
appetite: to do physical work that leads to you becoming hungry
6. IELTS Education
Vocabulary
You’re likely to be asked questions about your studies
during Part 1, you might have to talk about a class, a teacher or a school
memory in Part 2 or give your opinions on education in Part 3. Therefore, being
able to call on a wide range of vocabulary to talk about education is very
important.
Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below
and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the
bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Are you studying English at a school? Michel: Yes
… I’m taking an intensive course at a local private language school … I attend
classesthree times a week …
Examiner: Would you say you are a good student? Susan: I’m
OK I think … I’m pretty good at meeting deadlines and I’m keeping up with my
studies… plus I find it quite easy to learn things by heart which is useful
when learning a language …
Examiner: When you were younger did you enjoy your time at
school?
Theo: Yes … I liked school … it was an ordinary state school
… nothing special … a single-sex school … which I’m not sure I liked … but the
teachers were great … I had lots of friends and I never played truant like some
pupils there …
Part 2-style task
Describe a time during your education that you really
enjoyed. You should say:
- when this period was
- where you were
- what you were studying at the time
and say why you were so happy.
Caroline: I’d like to
tell you about my time at university … I was a mature student … I didn’t go to
university until I was 25 … and it was my first time away from my parents so it
was very exciting … I was doing a Bachelors Degree and it was a bit of a
challenge … some people take a year out but I’d been away from education for 8
years … plus I had to work my way through uni so I was very busy … and sitting
exams at the end of each year was a new experience for me as well but I really
enjoyed higher education learning about
a subject I loved … history … and the social life was great as well … I don’t
think I’ve ever had so many friends … I had my graduation ceremony last year in
the local cathedral and I know my parents were really proud … so yes … that was
a really happy time … I’m thinking of doing a Masters Degree soon … though that
might be through distance learning as I have a full-time job now …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: What qualities do you think a good teacher has?
Anna: They should be patient … they should be subject specialists and be able
to explain the subject clearly … they should give feedback quickly … for
example not hang on to essay for ages like some of my teachers …
Examiner: What are the advantages of studying on a distance
learning course? Florrie: It’s a more flexible way of studying especially if
you have a job … tuition fees are usually cheaper … but you have to be very
motivated … and I would imagine more people fall behind with their studies
compared to face-to-face classes …
Examiner: Do all children get equal opportunities in
education? Julie: In my country I think it is quite equal but in the UK I’ve
heard that most people who go to the top universities have studied at public
schools … you have to be very rich to study in a school like that … they’re usually boarding schools as well so
the fees are enormous …
Definitions
- to attend classes:
to go to classes
- bachelors degree:
an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3-4 years
- boarding school:
a school where pupils live during term time
- distance learning:
a way of studying where tuition is carried out over the Internet or by post
- face-to-face
classes: as opposed to distance learning the traditional way of studying in
a classroom with colleagues and a teacher
- to fall behind with
your studies: to progress less quickly than others
- to give feedback:
to offer guidance on a student’s work
- a graduation
ceremony: an event where a successful student receives his or her academic
degree
- higher education:
education, usually in a college or university, that is followed after high
school or secondary school
- an intensive course:
a course that offers lots of training in order to reach a goal in as short a
time as possible
- to keep up with your
studies: to not fall behind
- to learn something
by heart: to memorize it
- a mature student:
a student who is older than average and who has usually returned to education
after a period at work
- masters degree:
a period of study which often follows the completion of a bachelors degree or
is undertaken by someone regarded as capable of a higher-level academic course
- to meet a deadline:
to finish a job or task in the time allowed or agreed
- to play truant:
to stay away from classes without permission
- private language
school: an independent school run as a business concern
- public schools:
exclusive independent schools in the UK
- a single-sex school:
a school where only boys or girls attend (as opposed to a mixed-sex school)
- to sit an exam:
to take an exam
- state school: a
school paid for by public funds and available to the general public
- subject specialist:
a teacher who has a great deal of knowledge about the subject they teach.
- to take a year out:
to spend a year working or travelling before starting university
- tuition fees: the money paid for a
course of study
- to work your way
through university: to have a paid job whilst studying to support yourself
financially
7. IELTS Work
Vocabulary
If you’re employed, getting the necessary qualifications for
a job, or still trying to decide what kind of career you’re interested in,
you’ll need to be able to tell the examiner about this if you’re asked
questions about work.
Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below
and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the
bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: What do you do? Sasha: I do a job-share with a
friend in a boutique … I enjoy it … I like working with customers …
unfortunately it’s only temporary work but one of the perks of the job is I get
a discount on the clothes …
Examiner: Do you have any career plans yet? Carly: Yes … I’d
like to be my own boss one day … I’m interested in programming and I’d like to
create apps for myself or for other companies … I know being self employed
would be a challenge but the idea of doing a nine-tofive job doesn’t appeal to
me at all …
Examiner: What do you see yourself doing in 10 years time?
Marie: I’d hope to be working … not a high-powered job … but I’m quite a
creative person so something where I can work with my hands would be nice … as
long as I’m not stuck behind a desk doing something boring in a dead-end job I’ll be happy …
Part 2-style task
Describe your ideal job. You should say:
·
what this job is
·
whether
you would need any qualifications
·
whether
it would be easy to find work
and say why you would enjoy this job in particular.
Max: I’ve always
loved watching wildlife programmes on TV and often thought how much I’d enjoy
working with animals … perhaps in a safari park … something like that … you’d
probably need a degree to have any chance of being called for an interview and
whether there are many full-time jobs I don’t know … I’m sure a lot of parks
rely on voluntary work so it might not be easy … and it probably wouldn’t be
well-paid either but money isn’t everything … I’d get so muchjob satisfaction …
I can’t imagine it being the kind of job where you get stuck in a rut … and I
think I’d be good at it as well … I’d love to work with animals I enjoy manual
work and I’m a good team player … so even though the working conditions might
not be the best I think that would be my ideal job …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: If there are a limited number of jobs available
who should be given priority, young people or older people with more
experience? Anna: Things are so different these days … a few years ago older
employees would often take early retirement or go onto part-time contracts and
there were always opportunities for younger people but now jobs are so scarce …
I think younger people need to be given the chance whenever possible …
Examiner: What are some of the important things a candidate
should find out before accepting a job? Ali: Well … you’d need to know about your area of
responsibility … and your salary of course and then there are things like
holiday entitlement … maternity or paternity leave … if you’re thinking of
having children … and what the situation is regarding sick leave … that kind of
thing …
Examiner: What are the advantages of having your own
business rather than working for someone else? Julie: Well … unfortunately
being an employee at the moment is very stressful … people have very heavy
workloads … they’re always under pressure to meet deadlines … running your own
business isn’t easy … but I do think it would be far more satisfying …
Definitions
·
to be
called for an interview: to be invited to attend an interview
·
to be your own boss: to have your own
business
·
a dead-end job: a job with no promotional
opportunities
·
to do a job-share: to share the weekly hours
of work with another person
·
a good team player: somebody who can work
well with other people
·
full-time: the number of hours that people
usually work in a complete week
·
a heavy workload: to have a lot of work to
do
·
a high-powered job: an important or
powerful job
·
holiday entitlement: the number of days
holiday allowed
·
job satisfaction: the feeling of
enjoying a job
·
manual work: work that requires physical
activity
·
maternity leave: time off work given to a
woman about to have a baby
·
to meet a deadline: to finish a job by
an agreed time
·
a nine-to-five job: a normal job that
consists of an 8 hour day (approximately)
·
one of the perks of the job: an extra
benefit you get from a job
·
part-time: working less than full-time
·
to run your own business: see ‘to be
your own boss’
·
to be self-employed: see ‘to be your
own boss’
·
sick leave: time allowed off work when
sick
·
to be stuck behind a desk: to be
unhappy in an office job
·
to be/get stuck in a rut: to be in a
boring job that is hard to leave
·
to take early retirement: to retire early
(retire: to reach an age when you are allowed to stop working for a living)
·
temporary work: work done for a limited
time only
·
voluntary work: to work without pay
·
to be well paid: to earn a good salary
·
working conditions: the hours, salary
and other entitlements that comes with the job
·
to work with your hands: to do manual work
8. IELTS Health
Vocabulary
During the IELTS
Speaking exam you may be asked questions to do with health and fitness. Read the
following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the
phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to
check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Have you got a relation you’re particularly fond
of? Sinita: Yes … my granddad … he’s 94 years old but generally he’s as fit as
a fiddle … we’re very close and see each other a lot … whenever he goes down
with a cold or is under the weather I make a point of visiting him …
Examiner: Do you do any sport? Jon: Yes … I’m keen on
skateboarding … but I haven’t done it for a while … I had a bad fall recently and pulled a muscle and
had a few cuts and bruises … but I’m on the mend and hope to be doing it again
soon …
Examiner: Is there anything you’re particularly afraid of?
Davide: The dentist … I hate going to the dentist … I only ever go if I have a
toothache so it usually means I have to have a filling or even have a tooth out
… I really don’t like it …
Part 2-style task
Describe a time when you were ill. You should say:
·
when this was
·
what your
symptoms were
·
how long
the illness lasted
and say how it affected your life at the time.
Pierre: This is a
tricky one really as I’m usually quite healthy … I’ve never been seriously ill
… like everyone else I sometimes get a few aches and pains or catch a cold … I
can remember a few months ago I had to have time off work with a heavy cold … I
had the usual symptoms … a blocked nose … sore throat … it lasted quite a while
… about 2 weeks I think though I didn’t have that much time off work … for a
few days I remember feeling poorly but I was over the worst of itafter a few
days and went back to work … I always find it’s better to be active when you
feel ill as it keeps your mind off your symptoms … I think my family get a
little fed up with me when I’m ill though … I tend to feel sorry for myself and
lie on the sofa all day as if I’m at death’s door … but as I said earlier … on
this occasion it was nothing serious and didn’t really cause me any problems …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: What costs are involved when you are ill in your
country? Anya: Well … people have to pay prescription charges which can be
quite expensive … but fortunately general healthcare is free … unless you want
to go private of course and then you can
pay a fortune for your treatment …
Examiner: In your experience are people too quick to take time
off work when they’re ill?
Alicia: Yes .. I’ve
got friends who have a day off work if they wake up with a runny nose … and in
most cases they seem to make a speedy recovery after they’ve phoned in sick …
Examiner: Do women pay more attention to their health than
men? Julie: I think so yes … women are more likely to see their GP for a
check-up if they’re concerned about something … men tend to avoid facing up to
any health problems they have … my dad always seems to have a very chesty cough
but refuses to go to make an appointment to see the doctor …
Definitions
·
aches and
pains: minor pains that continue over a period of time
·
to be a bit off colour: to feel a little
ill
·
to be at death’s door: (informal) to be
very ill indeed
·
to be on the mend: to be recovering
after an illness
·
to be over the worst: to have got through
the most serious or uncomfortable stage of an illness
·
to be under the weather: (informal) to
not feel well
·
a blocked nose: when the nose has
excess fluid due to a cold
·
to catch a cold: to get a cold
·
a check-up: a physical examination by a
doctor
·
a chesty cough: a cough caused by
congestion around the lungs
·
cuts and bruises: minor injuries
·
to feel poorly: to feel ill
·
as fit as a fiddle: to be very healthy
·
to go down with a cold: to become ill
·
to go private: to choose to be treated by
commercial healthcare rather than by services offered by the state
·
GP: General Practitioner (family
doctor)
·
to have a filling: to have a tooth
repaired
·
to have a tooth out: to have a tooth
removed
·
a heavy cold: a bad cold
·
to make an appointment: to arrange a time
to see the doctor
·
to make a speedy recovery: to recover
quickly from an illness
·
to phone in sick: to call work to explain
you won’t be attending work due to illness
·
prescription charges: money the patient
pays for medicine authorised by a doctor
·
to pull a muscle: to strain a muscle
·
a runny nose: a nose that has liquid
coming out of it
·
a sore throat: inflammation that causes
pain when swallowing
9. IELTS Books and
Films Vocabulary
It’s quite possible that the examiner will ask you questions
about your reading habits or ask you to say something about a book you’ve read
or a film you’ve seen. Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below
and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the
bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Do you like to read books? Marie: Yes … I love
reading … I like nothing more than to be engrossed in a good book … I regularly
take out books from the library and usually read them from cover to cover in no
time … and I can’t go to sleep at night without some good bedtime reading …
Examiner: How often do you go to the cinema? Jemma:
Unfortunately we don’t have a cinema near us so we have to go into the nearest
town to catch the latest movie … I usually avoid seeing popular boxoffice hits
which I’m not always keen on seeing … I prefer low-budget films … sci-fi especially
… and there’s a great cinema I go to that has frequent showings of films like
these …
Examiner: Do you prefer reading books or watching films?
Louisa: I’m not really a big reader … I find books quite heavy-going … so I
much prefer to see a film … perhaps it’s the special effects or the soundtrack
… I don’t know … I just prefer a film …
Part 2-style task
Describe a book you have read or a film you have seen. You
should say:
·
what this book or film was
·
when you
read or saw it
·
why you
decided to see the film or read the book
and say if you enjoyed it and why.
Pauline I like
reading … especially English novels … it’s a great way to improve your
vocabulary and there are so many fantastic authors to choose from … one book
that came highly recommended by my teacher was The Mayor of Casterbridge … I
was studying at a school in The UK at the time and she said it would give me a
picture of what life was like years ago in the area I was living … well I have
to say I absolutely loved it … it was a
real page-turner … it’s a historical novel and the setting was a fictional town
called Casterbridge … but actually it was based on a town near where I was
studying called Dorchester … it had such a great plot … to cut a long story
short it tells the story of the downfall of a man called Henchard the central
character who lives during a period of great social change around the time of
the industrial revolution … the reason I enjoyed it so much … apart from the
great story … it gave me a picture of what life had been like in the place I
was studying at the time … I really couldn’t put it down … a fantastic story …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: Is reading as pleasurable in digital format?
Alise: Personally I prefer reading a paperback or hardback … especially if I’m
reading a classic which I don’t think feels right as an e-book … but I can see
it can be good for others … my grandmother has an e-reader and she loves the
way you can enlarge the text …
Examiner: Do you think bookshops will survive the digital
revolution? Thomas: I think so … at least I hope so … I love flicking through
books in a bookshop … online shopping is useful … finding out on Amazon if a
book you want has got a good review … maybe getting one that is difficult to
find … but I still love the experience of being in a bookshop …
Examiner: Statistics show that visits to the cinema are up
despite the availability of DVDs and online downloads. Why do you think this
might be? Jamie: I think it’s the whole experience that the cinema offers …
going out to see a film when it goes on general release … and seeing it on the
big screen is more exciting than watching the filmat home on TV … especially if
it’s an action movie … and watching it with others makes it even more special …
Definitions
·
an action
movie: a film with fast moving scenes, often containing violence
·
to be engrossed in: to be completely
focused on one thing
·
bedtime reading: something to read in
bed before you go to sleep
·
to be a big reader: someone who reads a
lot
·
to be based on: to use as a modal
·
a box office hit: a financially
successful film
·
to be heavy-going: difficult to read
·
a blockbuster: a film that is a big
commercial success
·
to catch the latest movie: to see a film
that has just come out
·
the central character: the main person
in a film or book
·
a classic: of the highest quality
·
to come highly recommended: to be
praised by another person
·
couldn’t put it down: wasn’t able to
stop reading a book
·
an e-book: a digital book
·
an
e-reader: a device for reading e-books
·
to flick through: to look quickly through
a book
·
to get a good/bad review: to receive
positive or negative feedback
·
to go on general release: when a film can
be seen by the general public
·
hardback: a book with a rigid cover
(see ‘paperback’ below)
·
a historical novel: a story set in the
past
·
a low budget film: a film made with a
small amount of money
·
on the big screen: at the cinema
·
a page turner: a book that you want to
keep reading
·
paperback: a book with a flexible cover
(see ‘hardback’ above)
·
plot: the main events in a film or book
·
to read something from cover to cover: to
read a book from the first page to the last
·
sci-fi: science fiction
·
to see a film: to see a film at the cinema
(see ‘watch a film’ below)
·
the setting: where the action takes place
·
showings: performances of a film
·
soundtrack: the music that accompanies
a film
·
special effects: the visuals or sounds
that are added to a film which are difficult to produce naturally
·
to take out (a book from the library):
to borrow a book from the library
·
to tell the story of: to outline the
details of someone’s life or an event
·
to watch a film: to watch a film on TV
(see ‘to see a film’ above)
10. IELTS
Accommodation Vocabulary
The examiner may ask you to talk about the place you live or
would like to live in the exam. Read the following IELTS-style questions and
answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’
section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t
understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Do you live in a house or an apartment? Callum:
Actually I live on campus … in a single room in halls of residence … all first
year students are encouraged to do that as they’re close to the university …
next year I plan to move into student digs in town …
Examiner: Tell me about where you live. Julia: I live with
my parents in the suburbs of Madrid … we only moved in recently … in fact we
had a house-warming party just a few weeks ago …
Examiner: What kind of accommodation do most people live in
in your city? Maria: In the city itself the majority of people live in
apartment blocks … that’s what surprised me about England … most people seem to
live in terraced houses with lovely back gardens …
Part 2-style task
Describe a house or an apartment you would like to live in.
You should say
·
what kind of accommodation it would be
·
where it
would be
·
who would
live there with you
and say why you would enjoy living in this place.
Paolo: I think most
people when answering this question would say they’d like to live in a big
detached house with spacious rooms … views of the countryside and so on … but
actually my ideal home would be a lot different … I’ve always loved the idea of
having a mobile home … a really expensive one with all the mod cons … so I
could live wherever I wanted or at least have lots of holidays and be able to
take all my home comforts with me whenever I travelled … I realise this would
have to be a second home as I’d need a base … a permanent address … but the
mobile home would be the accommodation I’d find it exciting to live in … I
suppose once I settle down and have children I’ll want to get on the property
ladder … I’ll be like everyone else … saving up to put down a deposit on a
house or an apartment … I don’t think my family would want to live in a mobile
home … but I like to think I’ll still keep that dream home in mind …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: Is it better to own your own home or to rent? Ana:
I think both have their advantages … living in rented accommodation isn’t
necessarily a bad thing … you don’t have a huge debt like you do when you take
out a mortgage but I suppose the property market offers you an investment for
the future … I’m sure that’s why most people prefer to own their own home …
Examiner: What options are available to young couples
looking for accommodation in your country? Toni: If they want to buy their own
home it isn’t easy for first-time buyers … mortgages are hard to get so most
people live with their parents or in rented accommodation … but that can also
be very expensive … you often have to pay rent in advance … and if the
accommodation isn’t fully furnished you have the expense of buying furniture …
Examiner: What are some of the pleasures involved in making
a home for ourselves? Suki: I suppose it starts with house-hunting … finding
your ideal home … some people enjoy doing up an old property … giving a
property that’s old and tired a new lease of life … others like making wherever
they live feel like home with some home comforts …
Definitions
·
(all the)
mod cons: technology at home that makes jobs easier such as a washing
machine, dishwasher etc.
·
apartment block: a large building made up of
smaller units of apartments
·
back garden: a garden at the rear of
the house
·
detached house: a house that is not
physically connected to another property
·
to do up a property: to repair an old
building
·
dream home: a home you regard as perfect
·
first-time buyer: someone buying a
property for the first time, especially when taking out a loan (mortgage)
·
fully-furnished: a rented property with
all furniture included
·
to get on the property ladder: to buy a
property with the aim of buying another bigger or more expensive one later in
life
·
hall of residence: a college or
university building where students live
·
home comforts: things that make a home
feel comfortable to live in
·
house-hunting: looking for a property to
live in
·
house-warming party: a party to
celebrate moving into a new home
·
ideal home: a perfect home
·
to live on campus: to live on the university or college grounds
·
mobile home: a home that can be moved by a
vehicle or one that has its own engine
·
to move into: to begin to live in a
property
·
to own your own home: to have bought the
property you live in
·
to pay rent in advance: weekly or
monthly rent paid at the beginning of the week or month
·
permanent address: a fixed address
·
property market: the buying and selling
of land or buildings
·
to put
down a deposit: to pay an amount of money as the first in a series of
future payments
·
rented accommodation: property owned by
someone else and for which a person pays a fixed amount to live in
·
single room: a room for one person
·
spacious room: a large room
·
student digs: student accommodation
·
the suburbs: a residential area on the
edge of towns or cities
·
to take out a mortgage: to borrow a
large amount of money, paid back over several years, in order to buy a house
·
terraced house: a house connected on
both sides by other properties
11. IELTS Clothes
& Fashion Vocabulary
The examiner may ask you to talk about the clothes you like
to wear or your attitude towards fashion. Read the following IELTS-style
questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the
‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any
phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Do you enjoy buying clothes? Pedro: I used to …
yes … like most young people I was a bit of a slave to fashion and I’d always
have to buy that must-have shirt or pair of shoes … I’m not so bothered now
though … I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing something old fashioned but I’m
not as bothered as I used to be about what I wear …
Examiner: What kind of clothes do you like to wear? Marco: I
prefer casual clothes actually … I hate getting dressed up for special
occasions … personally I think it’s possible to look good in a pair of jeans …
but that’s my opinion … I don’t think my wife would call me a fashion icon
that’s for sure …
Examiner: Are there many clothes shops where you live?
Sylvia: Yes … there are lots in my town … apart from the big chain stores we’ve
got a couple of really nice shops that sell vintage clothes … old clothes but
in a classic style that never really go out of fashion … I love going there …
Part 2-style task
Describe someone you know who dresses well. You should say
·
who they are
·
how you
know them
·
what kind
of clothes they wear
and say why you like the way they dress.
Tomoko: I’d like to
talk about one of my teachers … Miss Evans … she teaches us English in the
school I go to … we always look forward to seeing what she’s going to wear when
our lessons start … she’s always very well dressed and takes a lot of pride in
her appearance … it’s not that she dresses in very smart clothes … she doesn’t
come to school dressed to kill or anything like that … but what she wears
really suits her … and she has a great sense of style as well … we often ask
her where she gets some of her clothes and most of the time they’re just off
the peg … and she says she’s not interested in designer labels or anything like
that … she doesn’t seem too concerned about keeping up with the latest fashion
… she just wears clothes that are timeless … yes … Miss Evans is the person I
think looks great in the clothes she wears …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: What factors do you think affect the clothes we
choose to wear? Maki: It depends … where we are or where we’re going is a big
factor … if you are going out to a club or party you’re going to dress for the
occasion … and then there are those who think it’s important to look like
they’re on trend … they’ll want to wear the latest fashions … there are lots of
factors really …
Examiner: What kind of things determine what is in fashion
and what we should be wearing? Martin: I suppose the big fashion houses and
fashion shows must have an effect but the clothes you see on the catwalk don’t
always reflect what normal people wear … so I suppose it will be things like
what singers are wearing in videos or models are wearing in magazines … that
kind of thing …
Examiner: Is it possible to look good without spending lots
of money on clothes? Corinna: I’m sure it is … yes … I suppose it’s about
having an eye for what looks good … knowing how to mix and match different
items of clothing that go well together … I think you can pick up great
bargains in charity shops … sometimes for youngsters even hand-me-downs can
look good …
Definitions
·
to be on
trend: to be very fashionable
·
casual
clothes: not formal
·
classic
style: a simple, traditional style that is always fashionable
·
designer
label: a well-known company that makes (often expensive) clothing
·
dressed
to kill: wearing clothes that attract admirers
·
to dress
for the occasion: to wear clothes suitable for a particular event
·
fashionable:
in fashion
·
fashion
house: a company that sells (usually expensive) new styles in clothes
·
fashion
icon: a person who is famous for their sense of fashion
·
fashion
show: an event where modals show off the latest in fashion designs
·
to get
dressed up: to put on nice clothes, often to go out somewhere special
·
to go out
of fashion: to not be in fashion any more
·
hand-me-downs:
clothes that are passed down from older brothers or sisters
·
to their
younger siblings to have an eye for (fashion): to be a good judge of
·
to have a
sense of style: the ability to wear clothes that look stylish
·
the
height of fashion: very fashionable
·
to keep
up with the latest fashion: to wear the latest fashions
·
to look
good in: to wear something that suits you
·
to mix
and match: to wear different styles or items of clothing that aren’t part
of a set outfit
·
must-have:
something that is highly fashionable and therefore in demand
·
off the
peg: clothing that is ready made
·
old fashioned:
not in fashion any more
·
on the
catwalk: the stage that modals walk along to show off the latest fashions
·
a slave
to fashion: someone who always feel the need to wear the latest fashions
·
smart
clothes: the kind of clothes worn for a formal event
·
to suit
someone: to look good on someone
·
to take
pride in one’s appearance: to pay attention to how one looks
·
timeless: something that doesn’t go out of
fashion
·
vintage
clothes: clothes from an earlier period
·
well-dressed:
to be dressed attractively
12. IELTS
Personality Vocabulary
During the IELTS Speaking exam you may be asked to talk
about someone’s personality or character. Read the following IELTS-style
questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the
‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any
phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: How would you describe yourself? Paula: Everyone
tells me I take after my mum as I’m quite laid-back … I think I’m good
companybut you should ask my friends if they agree …
Examiner: In which ways are you similar to your friends?
Manuel: I seem to be attracted to introverts … not people who are painfully shy
but most of my friends are a little reserved … and I think that’s what I’m like
…
Examiner: Are you similar or different to your
brother(s)/sister(s)? Mira: I think my brother and I are very similar … I’d say
we’re fun-loving and tend to be a bit extroverted … my brother is certainly the
life and soul of the party … I’m not sure that applies to me …
Part 2-style task
Describe a teacher you once had who you enjoyed being taught
by. You should say
·
who this person was
·
when they were your teacher
·
which subject they taught you
and describe what it was about their character that you
liked.
Carolina: I’d like to
describe my English teacher from school … Miss Thomas … this was a few years
ago now and she was my teacher at a time when I was getting a little bored with
being at school … unlike some of the other teachers Miss Thomas never lost her
temper … she was very calm and easy-going … she was also very broad-minded … we
were able to ask her questions about lots of subjects that some other teachers
would refuse to discuss which made us respect her even more … she had a great
sense of humour too … she’d laugh at our jokes as well as making us laugh … and
she would also bend over backwards to help us with our work … she always put us
first and often stayed around at the end of class to talk with anyone who
needed help … apparently she was highly respected within her field but you
would never know as she was the type that hid her light under a bushel … she
was very modest and self-effacing … so yes … Miss Thomas was a teacher I have fond
memories of …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: Which
personal qualities do you think we most want to pass on to our children?
Martin: I certainly would want my children to be self-confident and selfassured
… I really believe that people who feel good about themselves are in a good
position to face what life has to offer them … and I’d hope they wouldn’t be
self-centred … but remembered to think about others …
Examiner: Which characteristics do you think are the least
appealing in a person? Marianne: Well … people who are very narrow-minded are
difficult to get on with … it’s nice when someone is open to other people’s
opinion and willing to think about their own views … and people who are
two-faced can be a little irritating … relationships are built on trust and
without honesty there’s not much left …
Examiner: Which personality types do you think are less
likely to suffer from stress or anxiety? Sol: Probably people who are
thick-skinned … who don’t let people or problems affect them too much … and if
you are fair-minded you’ ll be less likely to overreact to situations or be
quick-tempered …
Definitions
·
to be the
life and soul of the party: a fun person, someone who is the centre of
activity
·
to bend
over backwards: to try very hard to help someone
·
broad-minded: prepared to accept other
views or behaviours
·
easy-going: relaxed and not easily
worried about anything
·
extrovert: an energetic person who
likes the company of others
·
fair-minded: to treat people equally
·
fun-loving: to enjoy having fun
·
to hide one’s light under a bushel: to
hide one’s talents and skills
·
good company: enjoyable to socialise
with
·
good sense of humour: the ability to
understand what is funny
·
introvert: someone who is shy
·
laid-back: see ‘easy-going’
·
to lose one’s temper: to suddenly
become angry
·
narrow minded: opposite of
‘broad-minded’ (see above)
·
painfully shy: very shy
·
to put others first: to think of others
before yourself
·
quick-tempered: to become angry quickly
·
reserved: shy self-assured: confident
·
self-centred: thinks only of oneself
·
self-confident: believes in one’s own
ability or
·
self-effacing: to not try to get the
attention of others (especially in terms of hiding one’s skills or abilities)
·
to take after: to be like (often
another member of the family)
·
thick-skinned: not easily affected by criticism
·
trustworthy: can be trusted
·
two-faced: not honest or sincere. Will say
one thing to someone to their face and another when they are not present.
13. IELTS Business
Vocabulary
During the IELTS Speaking exam you may be asked to talk
about the subject of business. This might involve describing a business you
know well or talking about your own ambitions. Read the following IELTS-style
questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the
‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any
phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Do you work or are you a student? Hati: I run my
own business actually … I have an online business selling cosmetics … I set up
the business 5 years ago and I’m really enjoying working for myself …
Examiner: What is your ideal job? Kaori: I don’t think I’d
enjoy working for a big company … I think I’d like to go it alone and be
self-employed … I’m not sure what area of business it would be but I think I’d
enjoy the process of drawing up a business plan and seeing if I could be
successful …
Examiner: Is your town a nice place to live? Monique: It’s
OK … the main problem we have is our local high street … it used to be a busy
centre but lots of shops have gone bust … it must be very difficult to make a
profit when you have huge supermarkets in the area and a lot haven’t been able
to survive with such cut-throat competition…
Part 2-style task
Describe a business you know that you admire. You should say
·
what this business is
·
what the business sells
·
how long you have known about the business
and say why you like it so much.
Magda: Actually I
discovered a business very recently that I like so much I’d like to do
something similar in the future … it’s a small niche business that runs courses
in how to cook … especially bread … the owner uses his kitchen for the courses
and went into business with a local community shop and sells a lot of the bread
and cakes they make in the shop … I first got to hear about the business last
year … my wife paid for me to do one of the baking courses and I got to know
the owner during the training … it’s a lifestyle business really … he doesn’t
have plans to take on employees or expand into new areas … he’s happy earning a
living doing the thing he loves … I really admire what he does and I’m sure a
lot of people would love to do something similar … he has a web presence … in
fact that’s how we got to find out about his company … and he uses social media
to raise the company profile … but he’s the only person involved in running the
business so he’s in complete control of where the business goes … that’s
something that must make it really satisfying … as long as he’s managing to
balance the books and the cash flow is healthy I’m sure he must be very pleased
with what he has achieved …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: Why do some
people decide to set up their own business? Marion: I suppose it’s the idea of
being in control of your own destiny … or of believing in a product or service
idea you may have … plus it must be very exciting … launching products …
winning contracts … and seeing your sales figures improving must be wonderful …
Examiner: What are some of the dangers involved in starting
a business? Hiro: Well … obviously you need to have a good idea … some people
say you need to do market research
beforehand so you know what the market wants … if you don’t do this you could
go under … and if it is a good idea the chances are someone else is doing the
same thing so you could end up facing stiff competition …
Examiner: What are some of things you have to do when
running your own business that might not appeal to everyone? Katy: Personally i
don’t like being in debt so taking out a business loan wouldn’t suit me at all … and I know a lot of
companies do cold calling to try and drum up business … that’s something I’d
hate to do … and laying people off if the business gets into trouble … that
would be horrible …
Definitions
·
to balance the books: to not spend more
money than you are earning
·
to be self-employed: to work for yourself/to
not work for an employer
·
to cold call: to make a sales call to
someone without asking them for permission first
·
cut throat competition: when one company
lowers its prices, forcing other companies to do the same, sometimes to a point
where business becomes unprofitable
·
to do market research: to do research into
what potential customers would or wouldn’t buy
·
to draw up a business plan: to write a
plan for a new business
·
to drum up business: to try to get
customers
·
to earn a living: to earn money
·
to go bust: when a business is forced to
close because it is unsuccessful
·
cash flow: the money coming in and going
out of a business
·
to go into business with: to join another
person to start or expand a business
·
to go it alone: to start your own
business
·
to go under: (see ‘to go bust’)
·
to have a web presence: to have a
website or social media profile that
showcases your business
·
to launch a product: to start selling and
promoting a new product
·
to lay someone off: when a company ends
an employee’s contract of employment
·
lifestyle business: a business that is
set up to bring in a sufficient income and no more
·
to make a profit: to earn more money than
it costs to run the business
·
niche business: a business that serves
a small, particular market
·
to raise a company profile: to make more
people aware of a business
·
to run your own business: to have a
business of your own
·
sales figures: a report of the income a
company generates through sales of products or services
·
to set up a business: to start a
business
·
stiff competition: strong competition
from other companies in the same area of work
·
to take on employees: to employ people
·
to take out a loan: to borrow money
·
to win a contract: when a business gets
legally-binding work with an individual or company
·
to work for yourself: (see ‘to be
self-employed’)
14. IELTS Physical
Appearance Vocabulary
During the IELTS Speaking exam you may want to talk about
what people look like. This might involve describing their physical appearance
or the type of clothes they like to wear. Read the following IELTS-style
questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the
‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any
phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Do you look like any other people in your family?
Carlo: No … not at all … take my brother for example … he has short cropped
hair and has quite a pointed face … he’s also quite fair-skinned compared to me
…
Examiner: Tell me about your family. Andrea: My father’s
getting on a bit … he’s in his 60s … but he looks very young for his age … he
still does lots of exercise and is quite well-built …
Examiner: What does your best friend look like? Mandy: She’s
the same age as me … she has shoulder-length hair … fair hair … she has a slim
figure and is medium height …
Part 2-style task
Describe a person whose appearance you like. You should say
·
who this person is
·
what
their relationship is to you
·
what they
look like
and say what it is about their appearance you like.
Monique: OK … I’d
like to talk about my aunt … her name’s Marta and she’s quite a character …
she’s middle-aged but has a very youthful appearance … she’s a little
overweight I suppose but not too much … she has a friendly round face framed by
thick blonde hair … she has a lovely complexion and she’s always well-turned
out … she actually always looks like she’s going out for the evening to
somewhere special … there’s never a hair out of place … I’ve always thought she
bears a striking resemblance to someone on TV … I can’t remember the name now …
she wears glasses and always seems to have a different pair on every time I see
her … I like the way she looks because she wears clothes that are right for her
age and manages to look glamorous without it looking like she’s too done up …
yes … I’ll be happy if I look like her when I’m her age …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: Is it
important to dress well whenever we go out? Mark: It depends where you’re going
… I know some people get done up just to go to the shops … but I don’t see the
point … you shouldn’t go out looking scruffy with disheveled hair but I really
don’t see the point in getting dressed up to the nines unless you’re going somewhere
special …
Examiner: Do people worry too much about their appearance as
they get older? Mira: I’m sure they do … yes … but it happens to all of us
doesn’t it … we all go grey eventually and get hard of hearing … we start to
lose our figure … that’s why plastic surgery is so popular … personally I think
we just need to grow old gracefully and not worry too much about how we look …
Examiner: Is attractiveness a quality worthwhile aiming for?
Phoebe: I’d like to say no … it shouldn’t matter what we look like in terms of
our physical appearance … but unfortunately it seems women especially are taken
more seriously if they are good looking with a slender figure with perfect make
up and so on …
Definitions
·
to bear a striking resemblance: to look
very similar to
·
cropped hair: very short hair
·
disheveled hair: untidy hair
·
to dress up to the nines: to dress very
smartly or glamorously
·
fair hair: light-coloured hair
·
to be fair-skinned: light skinned
·
to get done up: to dress smartly
·
to be getting on a bit: to be getting
old
·
to go grey: to have hair that is turning
grey
·
to be good looking: to be attractive
·
to grow old gracefully: to act in a way
that embraces the fact you are getting older
·
to be hard of hearing: to find it difficult
to hear
·
in his/her 30s/40s: to be 20/30
something
·
scruffy: dressed untidily
·
to look young for your age: to look
younger than you are
·
to lose one’s figure: to have a figure
that has lost its toned shape
·
complexion: natural skin colour and
texture
·
make up: cosmetics
·
medium height: average height
·
middle-aged: approximately between
45-65
·
to never have a hair out of place:
perfectly styled hair
·
to be overweight: to weigh more than is
regarded as healthy
·
pointed face: the opposite of a round
face
·
shoulder-length hair: hair that comes down
to the shoulders and no further
·
slender figure: a figue that is tall and
slim
·
slim figure: attractively thin
·
thick hair: a lot of hair
·
to wear glasses: to use spectacles
·
to be well-built: to be muscular
·
to be well-turned out: to look smart
·
youthful appearance: to look young
15. IELTS Town and
City Vocabulary
In the IELTS Speaking exam you may be called upon to
showcase your vocabulary to describe towns and cities. Read the following
IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in
bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the
meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: What is it like where you live? Christiane: I live
in a residential area of a busy town in the south of Spain … we have all the
facilities you need … good public transport … a good shopping centre … it’s
nice …
Examiner: Do you like living in the city? Andrea: Yes I do …
I like going out with my friends and there are lots of lively bars and
restaurants within walking distance of my apartment … I’m a bit of a culture
vulture as well so it’s great to have access to art exhibitions and that kind
of thing …
Examiner: Do you get many tourists visiting your area?
Mandy: Not really no … I live in the inner-city and the area is a little run
down … it’s basically a lot of high-rise flats and many of the shops are
boarded up … so nothing to interest tourists really …
Part 2-style task
Describe an interesting town or city in your country that
visitors might enjoy. You should say
·
what the
place is called
·
where the
place is
·
what the
facilities are like
and say why visitors might enjoy going there.
Monique: Anyone who
comes to my country really should spend some time in Barcelona … it’s a
beautiful place … it’s not what you would call a sprawling city … it’s quite
compact really and you could walk across the city in a couple of hours … but
there’s no need to do that as we have a fantastic public transport system so
it’s easy to get around … there are various districts all with their own
character … you have the upmarket shops in the centre … you’ll find lots of
chain stores you’ll recognise from your own country but also local brands as
well … we have the narrow streets in the Gothic district with lots of
fashionable boutiques and tourist attractions … there’s the Olympic area and
the beaches along the coast … and dotted around the city are some lovely public
spaces … parks and squares in the city centre and on the outskirts of Barcelona
where people relax with their friends and family … and of course pavement cafes
everywhere … all that and some great historical places of interest … so a great
destination for tourists …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: What are
the advantages of living in a city or big town? Carrie: I think it’s having
access to local facilities really … local shops as well as access to larger
shopping malls in the city centre … and if you’re well-off you can afford to
live in the suburbsaway from the busy traffic …
Examiner: In your experience are city centres usually
attractive places? Mary: Some can be yes … especially those with a historical
interest … but sometimes they’re full of ugly office blocks … multi-story car
parks … and residents living in poor housing … it depends on the city doesn’t
it?
Examiner: What are some of the challenges facing towns and
cities? Penny: I suppose traffic congestion is a major problem … and the growth
in outof-town supermarkets and retail parks mean lots of town centre shops are
closing down … plus a shortage of good quality housing … I think these are the
major challenges …
Definitions
·
boarded
up shops: shops that are no longer doing business
·
chain
stores: well-known brands with shops in multiple cities
·
to close
down: to stop doing business
·
fashionable boutiques: fashionable clothes
shops
·
to get
around: to travel around
·
high-rise
flats: multi-story apartments
·
inner-city: the central part of a city where
people live and where conditions are often poor
·
in the
suburbs: the outer area of large towns and cities where people live
·
lively bars/restaurants:
bars or restaurants with a good atmosphere
·
local
facilities: local buildings or services serving the public
·
multi-story car parks: car parks on several
floors
·
office
block: a large building that contains offices
·
out of
town shopping centre/retail park: large shopping centres outside of the town or
city
·
pavement
cafe: cafes with tables outside on the pavement
·
places of
interest: buildings that have a particular interest for visitors
·
poor
housing: housing that is not in good condition
·
public
spaces: areas in a town or city that are open to the public
·
public
transport system: public vehicles such
as buses and trains that operate at regular times on fixed routes
·
residential area: an area where people live
·
run down:
old and of a poor standard
·
shopping
centre: an area consisting of multiple shops
·
shopping
malls: large indoor shopping centres
·
sprawling
city: a city that has grown over time and which covers a wide area
·
tourist
attraction: a place of interest to tourists
·
traffic
congestion: heavy traffic making it difficult to move around a town or city
·
upmarket
shops: expensive fashionable shops
16. IELTS Music
Vocabulary
In the IELTS Speaking exam you may be asked questions about
the music you listen to or instruments you play. Read the following IELTS-style
questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the
‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any
phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: What kind of music do you listen to? Katherine:
I’m a big fan of classical music … it doesn’t make me very popular with my
children … their taste in music is completely different … they always want to
listen to their favourite rock bands …
Examiner: Do you play any instruments? Jamie: No I don’t …
I’ve always wished I’d taken up a musical instrument … I’d love to be able to
play the guitar … but I think I’m a bit tone deaf so perhaps I’d find it hard …
Examiner: Have you got any hobbies or interests? Marco: I’m
really into live music … I go to a lot of music festivals … I think a live
performancealways sounds more exciting than a recorded version … as long as the
performers can sing and play well of course …
Part 2-style task
Describe a song you like to listen to. You should say
·
what the piece of music is called
·
how long
you have liked it
·
when you
like to listen to it
and say why you like it so much.
Millie: Well … I’m a
little older than most students and when I was young Abba the Swedish pop group
were very famous … I don’t think it was cool to like them even though they had
a huge following but I think now people have realised what wonderful songs they
wrote … one piece of music in particular
is called ‘Slipping through my fingers’ … it wasn’t a massive hit but I
love it … it’s a song for parents and it’s all about how quickly our children
grow up … it’s a slow number and like a lot of their songs it’s a very catchy
tune … the two women in Abba had great voices and it’s the kind of music you
can also sing along to easily … even if you don’t have a great voice … I listen
to Abba when I feel like a singsong … and I especially like to listen when I’m
doing the housework … it stops me thinking about the hard work …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: Is the
Internet a good or bad thing for the music industry? Thomas: On the one hand
it’s good for marketing new musical talent or particular bands but it’s so easy
to share and download tracks for free I think it is costing the industry a lot
of money …
Examiner: Should music be treated as seriously as subjects
like maths or sciences at school? Carla: I think it should … I don’t think it
should be taught in a boring way … I mean making children read music … but I do
think they should be encouraged to play instruments and to play things by ear
perhaps … to keep the lessons fun …
Examiner: Where do people usually enjoy listening to music?
Sally: In lots of ways or places … as background music when they are doing
something else … at concerts when a band goes on tour … or in clubs or discos …
Definitions
·
adoring fans: people who love a particular
band or singer
·
background music: music that is played
while something else is happening
·
a catchy tune: a song that is easy to
remember and makes you want to sing it
·
classical music: music that is regarded
as part of a long, formal tradition
·
to download tracks: to obtain music
from the Internet
·
to have a great voice: to sing well
·
to go on tour: to go on a planned
series of performances around a region or country
·
a huge following: a large number of
fans
·
live music: music that is listened to
while it is performed (not recorded)
·
live performance: (see live music)
·
a massive hit: a record that sells lots
of copies
·
a music festival: music performances at
a venue often over several days
·
musical talent: skilled at music
·
to be/sing out of tune: to not be in harmony/to
sing the wrong notes
·
a piece of music: an item of music
·
to play by ear: to play without reading
the musical notes
·
a pop group: a small group of people
who play or sing pop music together
·
to read music: to understand and follow
written musical notes
·
a rock band: a group of musicians that
play rock music
·
to sing along to: to join in singing
·
a sing-song: to sing informally, often
with other people
·
a slow number: a song with a slow tempo
·
to take up a musical instrument: to begin
learning a musical instrument
·
taste in music: the music someone likes
·
to be tone deaf: to be unable to
distinguish the different notes in music
17. IELTS Weather
Vocabulary
In the IELTS Speaking exam you may be asked questions about
the topic of ‘the weather’, perhaps the weather in your country or when you’ve
travelled to other countries. Read the following IELTS-style questions and
answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’
section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t
understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: What’s the weather like in your country? Katie:
It’s quite changeable really … we have periods of time with clear blue skies
then all of a sudden we’ll have torrential rain.
Examiner: Which months have the best weather in your
country? Ernst: Well … I suppose it’s a matter of personal taste really … I
like it around the end of October and November … I’m not fond of the heatwaves
we often get during the summer … it’s not freezing cold during these months and
we still get lots of sunny spells.
Examiner: Does it bother you much when it rains? Junko: It
depends … if I get caught in the rain and I get drenched I don’t like it … but
I’m a gardener so a drop of rain is good for my plants.
Part 2-style task
Describe a time when you experienced extreme weather
conditions. You should say
·
when this was
·
where you
were
·
what the
weather was like
and say how you felt about the experience.
I was studying English in a language school a few years ago
… we were in Cornwall in the UK … we’d been enjoying lovely sunny days … not a
cloud in the sky … when all of a sudden there was a change in the weather … we
were in town walking around the shops when it started to pour down … I’d never
seen such heavy rain before … within about 10 minutes the roads were full of
water … I think they call it a flash flood … it was like being in the middle of
a tropical storm … the water was almost up to my knees … the weather forecast
hadn’t predicted it so everyone was taken by surprise … I’m not sure you could
call it ‘extreme’ weather as a few hours later it started to clear up … the sun
came out and slowly the water level went down … but a lot of people’s houses were
flooded so it would have been extreme for them … I found it all quite exciting
… in my country we generally have a very mild climate and don’t often get
floods like this so it was quite an experience for me.
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: Do you think
the weather affects how people feel? Tierre: Absolutely … yes … I don’t mind
the occasional cold spell but I think the winter months can make you feel down.
I hate having to leave the house in the winter … there’s often a thick fogevery
morning and we sometimes get bitterly cold winds … the winter certainly makes
me feel a little depressed … though having said that … it’s always nice to see
the town covered in a blanket of snow.
Examiner: Do you think the weather is changing due to global
warming? Ceri: I don’t know if it’s due to global warming or not but the
weather in my country is certainly changing … we’ve been getting quite mild
winters lately … the temperatures are sometimes below freezing but only
occasionally … and then during the summer it can get boiling hot with a lot of
older people even suffering from heatstroke.
Examiner: In which ways are weather forecasts useful?
Sinita: Well … if you’re planning a trip or going on holiday it’s important to
know whether you’ll need to dress up warm or take an umbrella … farmers need to
know what the long-range forecast is so they can plan their work … I suppose
people who organise outside events need to know as well in case things get
rained off.
Definitions
·
to be below freezing: below zero
degrees Celsius
·
bitterly cold: very cold and unpleasant
·
a blanket of snow: a complete covering of
snow
·
boiling hot: very hot (informal)
·
changeable: weather that often changes
·
a change in the weather: when weather
conditions change
·
clear blue skies: a sky without clouds
·
to clear up: when clouds or rain
disappear
·
to come out (the sun): when the sun
appears out of a cloudy sky
·
a cold spell: a short period of cold
weather
·
to dress up warm: to wear warm clothes to
protect yourself against wintry conditions
·
a drop of rain: a little bit of rain
·
a flash flood: a sudden and severe flood
·
freezing cold: very cold (informal)
·
to get caught in the rain: to be outside
when it rains unexpectedly
·
to get drenched: to get very wet
·
heatstroke: a serious condition caused
by being too long in hot
·
a heatwave: a period of very hot
weather
·
heavy rain: intense rainfall
·
long-range forecast: the weather
forecast for several days or weeks ahead
·
mild climate: a climate without extreme
weather conditions
·
mild winter: a winter that isn’t
particularly cold
·
not a cloud in the sky: see ‘clear blue
skies’ above
·
to pour down: to rain heavily
·
to be rained off: to be cancelled or
postponed due to poor weather
·
sunny spells: short periods of sunny
weather
·
thick fog: a dense fog that makes
visibility very poor
·
torrential rain: see ‘heavy rain’ above
·
tropical storm: a storm typical of ones
that you find in tropical climates
·
weather forecast: a TV/radio programme
or section in a newspaper/magazine which predicts weather conditions
18. IELTS Shopping
Vocabulary
It’s possible the examiner may ask you questions about your
shopping habits in the IELTS Speaking exam. Read the following IELTS-style
questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the
‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any
phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Do you often go shopping for personal items?
Maxine: When I can afford it yes … my college is in the city centre and I do a
lot of window shopping … but being a student I’m on a tight budget so I have to
be careful with money …
Examiner: Are there many shops where you live? Jenny: We’ve
got a few local shops nearby and a few independent stores but none of the big
high street names … I have to go into town for them …
Examiner: Do you enjoy shopping? Marco: It depends … I hate
it when the sales are on … crowds of people all trying to snap up a bargain … I
find it all a bit stressful … I also get annoyed when shop assistants try to
give me the hard sell when all I want to do is look around …
Part 2-style task
Describe a time when you bought something for someone. You
should say
·
when this was
·
what is
was you bought
·
who you
bought it for
and say how you felt about buying it for them.
Coleen: I’d like to
tell you about the time … about four years ago … my husband and I bought a
computer for our daughter … she was
about to go to university and we’d promised her we would treat her to one … at
the time there had been a big advertising campaign for the latest Apple Macbook
and our daughter was very keen to have one … she kept telling us they were
value for money … even though they seemed very expensive to us … anyway we
tried to shop around to see if we could pick up a bargain … this was in the
middle of the summer sales and wherever you went prices were being slashed on
big brand names … but unfortunately not Apple products … we ended up having to
pay the full price … I remember my daughter justifying the cost by pointing out
how nice the Apple carrier bag was … but it was lovely to see her so excited
and the customer service she’s received during the four years she’s had it has
been excellent … so it was value for money after all …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: Do you
think we will stop using paper money in the future? Louisa: I think it’s almost
certain … at the moment it’s still possible to pay in cash but I’m sure this
will change … the problem is people are more likely to get into debt and run up
a credit card billwhen this happens.
Examiner: How do companies encourage the consumer to spend
their money? Peter: Well … a recent development in my country is something
called ‘Black Friday’ where people are encouraged to shop until they drop and
buy the latest must-have products … then there are things like loyalty cards to
get the customer back in the store …
Examiner: What do you think shops need to do to create a
positive shopping experience? Tania: The main thing for me is not being
pressurised to buy … I appreciate that shop assistants are probably on
commission but if I’m looking for clothes for example I like to take my time …
to try something on … and to ask for help if I need it …
Definitions
·
advertising campaign: a series of
advertisements to persuade people to buy something
·
big brand names: large well-known
companies or product names
·
to be careful with money: to not
over-spend
·
carrier bag: bags (usually plastic)
supplied by shops
·
customer service: the degree to which
customers are treated well
·
to get into debt: to owe money
·
to give someone the hard sell: to put
pressure on someone to buy something
·
high street names: well-known shops
·
independent stores: small shops independent
of large companies
·
local shops: community shops
·
loyalty card: a card issued by a shop
to allow customers to save money on the basis of what they spend
·
must-have product: a product that is
very popular that a lot of people want to have
·
to be on a tight budget: to have a limited
amount of money to spend
·
to be on commission: to pay someone in
relation to the amount they sell
·
a pay in cash: to pay for something
using coins or paper money
·
to pay the full price: to pay the full
amount for something
·
to pick up a bargain: to buy something
much cheaper than the normal price
·
to run up a credit card bill: to owe
money on a credit card
·
to shop around: to try different shops to
find the best deal
·
shop assistant: the person who serves
customers
·
to shop until you drop: to do a lot of
shopping
·
to slash prices: to reduce prices a great
deal
·
to snap up a bargain: to buy something
quickly that is being sold cheaply
·
summer sales: a period in the year when
things are sold cheaply
·
to try something on: to see if an item of
clothing fits or is suitable
·
to be value for money: to be worth the
cost
·
window shopping: to visit a store to
look at items without the intention of buying anything
19. IELTS Environment Vocabulary
You may be asked questions about the environment or
environmental problems in your country. Read the following IELTS-style
questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the
‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any
phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Are there any environmental problems in your
country? Kelly: Yes … we have a serious issue with pollution levels in some of
our big cities … exhaust fumes from cars
and lorries are definitely one reason for the problem but we also have a lot of
heavy industry in some areas and this also results in poor air quality …
Examiner: Do you take an interest in nature? Jenny: Well …
I’m a city person through and through and don’t get back to nature very often
I’m afraid … but like everyone else I’m fascinated by the natural world and I
like watching documentaries showing wild animals in their natural habitat …
Examiner: Do you or your family take steps to help the
environment? Mira: My parents have always tried to make us aware of our impact
on the environment… they’re really into
energy conservation … and always try to buy environmentally friendlyproducts if
they have the chance …
Part 2-style task
Describe an environmental problem that has been in the
news. You should say
·
when this was
·
where the
event happened
·
what
actually took place
and say how you felt about this problem.
Martin: Well … this
is an interesting question … there are so many issues I could think of …
natural disasters like earthquakes and floods seem to be in the news almost
every year … but there was one story recently about some animals that were
under threat … it wasn’t focused on one place in particular … it was looking at
various animals that could actually become extinct in different African
countries … if we don’t take steps to protect them … these were really iconic
animals like gorillas … leopards … rhinos … and apparently they’re now listed
as endangered species … what made it
really depressing was they were in danger thanks to us … in some cases it was
due to a loss of habitat either because people need more agricultural
production … or even worse I think … because of hunting and poaching … I hate
to think of future generations being robbed of the chance to see creatures like
these in their natural environment … it’s lucky we have lots of organisations
that focus on wildlife conservation … hopefully with their help we can put
pressure on those in power to do something to stop creatures like these dying
out …
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: What do you
think is the main danger the world faces in terms of the environment? Spencer:
Well … climate change is a real issue … in my country we have flash floods and
heatwaves on a yearly basis … so yes … I think global warming is the biggest
issue.
Examiner: What examples are there of how we damage the
natural world? Stella: There are so many examples … there are factories that
empty toxic waste into rivers and oceans … oil spills that damage the coastline
… the way we destroy vast areas of land
and rain forests in search of fossil fuels or to increase agricultural
production …
Examiner: In which ways do we respond well to environmental
problems? Mathius: Well … on the one hand there are various worldwide agencies
that are always the first on the scene with humanitarian aid after
natural and man-made disasters …
and on the other hand we have environmental pressure groups that are constantly
raising awareness of issues and trying to stop disasters happening …
Definitions
·
air quality: the cleanliness of the air we
breathe
·
to become extinct: to no longer exist
·
to be under threat: to be in danger of
becoming extinct
·
climate change: the change in worldwide
weather patterns
·
to die out: see ‘to become extinct’
·
endangered species: categories of
animals or plants that are in danger of becoming extinct
·
energy conservation: the careful
management of energy resources to ensure they last as long as possible
·
environmentally friendly: behaviour and
products that do not harm the environment
·
exhaust fumes: the toxic gases given off
by vehicles powered by petrol
·
flash floods: floods that happen quickly
·
fossil fuels: energy resources like gas
and oil that are produced deep below the ground over millions of years
·
future generations: the people who live
after us
·
to get back to nature: to live a life
that is closer to nature
·
global warming: the increasing temperature
of the world brought about by gases such as carbon dioxide
·
heavy industry: the manufacture of
heavy articles and materials in large numbers
·
humanitarian aid: the act of showing
support to people struggling to survive
·
impact on: the effect on
·
loss of habitat: the decline in areas of
land where animals and plants would normally exist
·
man-made disaster: widespread damage or
loss of life brought about by the action of humans
·
natural disaster: an event such as an
earthquake, flood or hurricane which
causes widespread damage or loss of life
·
natural environment: the place where
animals and plants would normally be found in nature
·
the natural world: the world of nature
·
oil spill: waste usually deposited in
the seas and oceans after an accident at sea
·
poaching: to hunt and kill wild animals
illegally
·
pollution levels: the amount of toxic
waste
·
pressure group: a group of people who
try to raise awareness of issues and try to affect the views and actions of
people and organisations
·
toxic waste: poisonous, unwanted
rubbish often produced by industrial processes
·
wildlife conservation: to protect animals
and plants and their habitats
20. IELTS
Advertising Vocabulary
You may be asked questions about advertising in your
country. Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay
attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the bottom
of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: Are there any TV channels in your country that
don’t have adverts? Loraine: No … they’re all commercial channels and show
adverts all day long … too many really … and there’s also a lot of product
placement going on … especially in soap operas where they place an item just
behind the actors.
Examiner: Do you enjoy watching adverts on TV? Karin: No …
not really … I hate commercial breaks during a film … it really spoils the flow
… and during prime time viewing they seem to squeeze even more ads in than
usual … celebrity endorsements also get on my nerves … everyone knows they’re
only doing it because they’re getting paid.
Examiner: What are the best ways for ordinary people to
advertise something they want to sell in your country? Marianne: The simplest
way is to place an advert in something like the classified ads section of a
local paper … or there’s the Internet of course … there are lots of sites like
eBay where you can buy and sell things online.
Part 2-style task
Describe an advert you once saw that was very
effective. You should say
·
where
this advert appeared
·
when you
saw it
·
what it
was advertising
and say why you thought it was so effective.
Max: OK … well this was about 4 years ago … I was looking
for some software to create videos … one day I got an email from a mailing list
I’d signed up to … there was a link in it to a press release … a company had
written something about a new product that was similar to what I was looking
for … at the end of the press release there was a link to the sales page … I
hadn’t heard of the company but I was interested and clicked the link to the ad
…. what caught my attention immediately were the number of testimonials from
people who had bought the software … I think testimonials are like the online
equivalent of word of mouth advertising and are really persuasive … anyway …
when I got to the bottom of the page there was a great big call to action
button inviting me to buy … I was totally persuaded and ended up making a
purchase … what made it so effective I think was the power of those
testimonials … they’d been written by people very much like me … they’d had a
need and the software had obviously turned out to be just what they were
looking for … when you think that this was a newish company they wouldn’t have
had any brand awareness at all … they
probably wouldn’t have had much of a budget for advertising … obviously you
wouldn’t advertise a product like this through the mass media on TV … they
probably didn’t even have an advertising agency to support them …and yet they’d
managed to create a great deal of brand loyalty from previous customers … I
think that was really effective.
Part 3-style questions
Examiner: What is it that makes an advert effective?
Spencer: Well … when a company launches a product they have to consider the
Internet … especially how it can be used to spread the word on social media …
so in this context a video that goes viral is probably the most effective type
of advert you could make.
Examiner: What are the advantages to companies of
advertising on the Internet rather than TV? Stelios: I’d imagine the main
advantage is you can reach your target audience much more effectively … if you
bring out a niche product for example … or you have a tight advertising budget
… you can advertise on particular sites that the people you want to reach visit
… that’s not something you can do on TV.
Examiner: What things do advertising companies do that might
give it a bad name? Raol: For me the most irritating is cold calling … we must
get two or three of these every day at work … then there’s junk mail that gets
posted through the letterbox … and of course the online equivalent of this …
spam emails … I think it’s this kind of advertising that tends to annoy people.
Definitions
·
advertising agency: a company that
creates adverts for other companies
·
advertising budget: the amount of money a
company decides to spend on advertising
·
brand awareness: how well people know a
particular brand
·
brand loyalty: the degree to which
people continue to buy from the same brand or company
·
buy and sell: often used to refer to
the buying and selling of items between individuals
·
call to action: something that
encourages someone to take a particular action, such as making a purchase or
clicking a link on a website
·
celebrity endorsement: to have a well-known
person promote a product
·
classified ads: small advertisements
often put in a newspaper or magazine by individuals
·
to cold call: to call someone with the
aim of selling something without them asking you to do so
·
commercial break: the short period
during TV programmes when advertisements are shown
·
commercial channel: TV channels that
make money from showing advertisements
·
to go viral: to quickly become extremely
popular on the Internet through social media
·
junk mail: unwanted promotional
leaflets and letters
·
to launch a product: to introduce a new
product
·
mailing list: a list of names and contact
details used by a company to send information and advertisements
·
mass media: large media outlets like
TV, newspapers and magazines
·
niche product: a product that is aimed
at a distinct group of people
·
to place an advert: to put an advert
somewhere
·
press release: something written by a
company for newspapers and magazines and websites to share and publish
·
prime time: the time during the viewing
schedule when most people watch TV or listen to a broadcast
·
product placement: to advertise a
product by using it as a prop in a TV show or film
·
sales page: a page specifically used to
promote a product or service
·
to show adverts: to display adverts on
TV
·
social media: websites that enable users
to create and share content or to participate in social networking.
·
spam email: unwanted, promotional email
·
target audience: the people a company
want to sell their product or service to
·
of mouth: recommendations made by
individuals to other individuals about a product of service