Master the most common Part 1 topics with vocabulary and practice
Quick Review: Your 3 Strategies
3 minutes
Remember our 3 strategies from Lesson 1? Let's refresh them quickly before we practice with real topics!
1
EXTEND
"I live in Hanoi, in the center of the city."
2
ADD REASON
"...because it's close to my work."
3
GIVE EXAMPLE
"For example, I can walk there in 10 minutes."
Today's Goal
You already know HOW to extend your answers. Today we'll practice with real IELTS topics so you feel confident with any question!
We'll cover: Home & Living, Work & Studies, and Free Time
Quick Warm-Up
Answer this question using ALL 3 strategies:
"Do you like your city?"
Topic 1: Home & Living
10 minutes
Home & Living
Questions about where you live, your house/apartment, and your neighborhood
Key Vocabulary (click to reveal meaning)
apartment / flat
A home inside a building with other homes
"I live in an apartment on the 5th floor."
neighborhood
The area around your home
"My neighborhood is very quiet."
convenient
Easy and comfortable to use/reach
"It's convenient because the supermarket is nearby."
peaceful / noisy
Quiet and calm / Loud with lots of sounds
"The area is peaceful at night."
grow up
To become an adult (childhood to now)
"I grew up in a small town."
move (to)
To change your home to a new place
"I moved to Hanoi three years ago."
Common IELTS Questions - Practice with Sentence Builders
Where do you live?
Build your answer:
I live in city/town, in which part.
+ REASON I like it because reason.
+ EXAMPLE For example, specific detail.
Model Answer
I live in Hanoi, in a busy area near the center.I like it because it's very convenient for shopping and eating out.For example, there's a great coffee shop just two minutes from my apartment.
Do you live in a house or an apartment?
Build your answer:
I live in a house / an apartment. It has description.
+ REASON I chose it because reason.
+ EXAMPLE For example, example.
Model Answer
I live in an apartment. It's on the 8th floor and has a nice view.I chose it because the rent is affordable for me.For example, I only pay about a third of what flats in the centre cost, which is good for this area.
What do you like about your neighborhood?
Build your answer:
I really like that positive thing.
+ REASON It's great because why it matters to you.
+ EXAMPLE For instance, specific example.
Model Answer
I really like that my neighborhood is peaceful and has many trees.It's great because I can relax after a busy day at work.For instance, there's a small park nearby where I sometimes go for evening walks.
Now You Try!
Answer this question out loud using all 3 strategies:
"Would you like to move to a different place in the future?"
Topic 2: Work & Studies
10 minutes
Work & Studies
Questions about your job, what you study, and your daily work life
Key Vocabulary (click to reveal meaning)
work for / work at
Work for = the company; Work at = the place
"I work for Samsung. I work at their office in District 7."
responsible for
In charge of; your job is to do this
"I'm responsible for customer service."
colleague
A person you work with
"My colleagues are very friendly."
flexible hours
You can choose when to start and finish work
"I have flexible hours, so I start at 10am."
challenging / rewarding
Difficult but interesting / Makes you feel good
"The job is challenging but rewarding."
major in
Your main subject at university
"I majored in business administration."
Common IELTS Questions - Practice with Sentence Builders
What do you do? / Do you work or study?
Build your answer:
I work as job title at company/place.
+ EXTEND I'm responsible for what you do.
+ REASON I enjoy it because reason.
Model Answer
I work as an accountant at a trading company in Ho Chi Minh City. I'm responsible for checking invoices and preparing monthly reports.I enjoy it because I like working with numbers and it's a stable job.
Do you like your job? / Is your job interesting?
Build your answer:
Yes, I like/enjoy my job.
+ REASON The main reason is why.
+ EXAMPLE For example, specific thing you like.
Model Answer
Yes, I quite like my job.The main reason is that I have good colleagues and a nice boss.For example, we often have lunch together and help each other with difficult tasks.
What did you study at university?
Build your answer:
I studied subject at university name.
+ REASON I chose it because reason.
+ EXAMPLE Actually, how it connects to now.
Model Answer
I studied economics at Hanoi University.I chose it because I was interested in how businesses work.Actually, it really helped me get my current job in the finance department.
Now You Try!
Answer this question out loud using all 3 strategies:
"Would you like to change your job in the future?"
Topic 3: Free Time & Hobbies
10 minutes
Free Time & Hobbies
Questions about what you do when you're not working, your hobbies and interests
Key Vocabulary (click to reveal meaning)
spend time (+ ing)
How you use your time
"I spend time watching movies."
keen on / into
Really interested in something
"I'm really into photography."
hang out (with)
Spend relaxed time with friends
"I like to hang out with my friends on weekends."
take up
Start a new hobby or activity
"I took up yoga last year."
relax / unwind
Rest and feel calm after stress
"Reading helps me unwind after work."
prefer... to...
Like one thing more than another
"I prefer staying home to going out."
Common IELTS Questions - Practice with Sentence Builders
What do you do in your free time?
Build your answer:
In my free time, I usually activity.
+ REASON I enjoy it because reason.
+ EXAMPLE For example, last weekend I specific example.
Model Answer
In my free time, I usually watch Korean dramas or go to coffee shops.I enjoy it because it helps me relax and forget about work stress.For example, last weekend I watched a new drama for about 5 hours - I couldn't stop!
Do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities?
Build your answer:
I prefer indoor/outdoor activities.
+ REASON This is because reason.
+ EXAMPLE For instance, I really enjoy specific activity.
Model Answer
I prefer indoor activities, to be honest.This is because the weather in Vietnam is often very hot, and I don't like sweating too much.For instance, I really enjoy playing video games or reading at home with the air conditioning on!
Have you taken up any new hobbies recently?
Build your answer:
Yes, I recently started new hobby.
+ REASON I decided to try it because reason.
+ EXAMPLE So far, your experience.
Model Answer
Yes, I recently started learning to cook.I decided to try it because I want to eat healthier and save money.So far, I can make about 5 dishes, and my favorite is fried rice with vegetables.
Now You Try!
Answer this question out loud using all 3 strategies:
"Is there a hobby you would like to try in the future?"
Random Topic Challenge
10 minutes
Now let's practice like the real exam! Click the button to get a random question. Use the timer to practice answering in 20-30 seconds.
Click the button to start!
Your question will appear here
Practice Timer
0:30
Challenge Yourself!
Try to answer each question for the full timer. Remember to:
EXTEND your basic answer
ADD a REASON (because, so, since)
GIVE an EXAMPLE (for example, like, for instance)
Lesson 2 Review
5 minutes
Great Progress!
You've practiced 3 important IELTS topics with lots of vocabulary and strategies!
Home & Living Vocabulary
apartment / flat
neighborhood
convenient
peaceful / noisy
grow up
move (to)
Work & Studies Vocabulary
work for / work at
responsible for
colleague
flexible hours
challenging / rewarding
major in
Free Time Vocabulary
spend time (+ ing)
keen on / into
hang out (with)
take up
relax / unwind
prefer... to...
Remember Your 3 Strategies!
1
EXTEND
2
ADD REASON
3
GIVE EXAMPLE
Homework: Practice These Questions
Record yourself answering these questions (30-45 seconds each). Use all 3 strategies!
1. Describe your bedroom. What's in it?
2. What's the best thing about your job/studies?
3. How do you usually spend your weekends?
4. Would you like to live in another country?
5. What new skill would you like to learn?
6. Do you prefer working alone or with others?
Next Lesson Preview
In Lesson 3, we'll practice more topics: Food & Eating, Travel, and Technology. Keep practicing!