Speaking vocabulary · Topic 46 of 46
The area you live in
Model answers to every Part 1 question on this topic, with natural B2–C1 vocabulary and idiomatic phrasal verbs to help you answer in your own words.
In this lesson you will
- read and listen to model answers to 7 Part 1 questions about the area you live in
- learn 10 natural phrases, including idiomatic phrasal verbs
- practise them in a gap fill, drag-the-word, multiple-choice and crossword
- answer the questions yourself and record your answers
Step 1
Key vocabulary
- residentialused for houses, not offices or factories
- livelyfull of energy and activity
- get on withhave a friendly relationship with someone
- keep an eye onwatch something to make sure it is safe
- spring upappear or develop suddenly
- pop intogo into a place for a short time
- localin or near the area where you live
- well-knownknown by many people
- a sense of communitya feeling that people in an area care about each other
- tranquilcalm and peaceful
Step 2
Model answers
Read and listen. The highlighted phrases are the vocabulary for this topic: hover over or tap them to see what they mean. Notice how each answer gives a reason or an example, not just “yes” or “no”.
Do you live in a noisy or a quiet area?
It's a quiet, residential area, where there aren't any offices or factories. Apart from the occasional delivery scooter, it's pretty tranquil, especially when it gets dark.
Are the people in your neighbourhood nice and friendly?
Yes, most of them, because there's a real sense of community. Older neighbours keep an eye on each other's flats when someone is away, which makes everyone feel safer.
Do you like the area you live in?
I do, because it's peaceful but still convenient. There's a lively street with restaurants just ten minutes' walk away, which is great when I don't feel like cooking.
Where do you like to go in that area?
I often pop into a small bakery on the corner, which sells the best egg tarts I've ever had. There's also a riverside path where I go running when the weather is nice.
Are there any famous people in your area?
Not really, although there's a well-known chef who runs a restaurant nearby. I've never met him, because his restaurant is far too expensive for me!
What changes have there been in your area recently?
A lot of new coffee shops and gyms have sprung up since a big office park opened nearby. A new metro line is also being built, which will make the area much easier to get to.
Do you know any of your neighbours?
A few, because I've lived here for a long time. I get on with the elderly couple next door, and when I go to the local market, I sometimes buy fruit for them.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- full of energy and activity
- have a friendly relationship with someone
- go into a place for a short time
- in or near the area where you live
- known by many people
- calm and peaceful
- watch something to make sure it is safe
- appear or develop suddenly
- a feeling that people in an area care about each other
- used for houses, not offices or factories
Gap fill: use the right form
Complete the answers with phrases from the box. You may need to change the form (e.g. drag on → dragged on, struggle with → struggling with).
Do you live in a noisy or a quiet area?
It's a quiet, area, where there aren't any offices or factories. Apart from the occasional delivery scooter, it's pretty , especially when it gets dark.
Do you like the area you live in?
I do, because it's peaceful but still convenient. There's a street with restaurants just ten minutes' walk away, which is great when I don't feel like cooking.
Are there any famous people in your area?
Not really, although there's a chef who runs a restaurant nearby. I've never met him, because his restaurant is far too expensive for me!
Do you know any of your neighbours?
A few, because I've lived here for a long time. I the elderly couple next door, and when I go to the market, I sometimes buy fruit for them.
Drag the words
Drag each phrase into the right gap. On a phone, tap a phrase and then tap the gap. Tap a filled gap to empty it.
Are the people in your neighbourhood nice and friendly?
Yes, most of them, because there's a real . Older neighbours each other's flats when someone is away, which makes everyone feel safer.
Where do you like to go in that area?
I often a small bakery on the corner, which sells the best egg tarts I've ever had. There's also a riverside path where I go running when the weather is nice.
What changes have there been in your area recently?
A lot of new coffee shops and gyms have since a big office park opened nearby. A new metro line is also being built, which will make the area much easier to get to.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- It's a quiet, ______ area, where there aren't any offices or factories.
- Apart from the occasional delivery scooter, it's pretty ______, especially when it gets dark.
- Yes, most of them, because there's a real ______.
- Older neighbours ______ each other's flats when someone is away, which makes everyone feel safer.
- There's a ______ street with restaurants just ten minutes' walk away, which is great when I don't feel like cooking.
- I often ______ a small bakery on the corner, which sells the best egg tarts I've ever had.
Crossword
Write the phrases without spaces or hyphens. The numbers in brackets show the length of each word, e.g. kill time (4,4) → KILLTIME.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||||||||||
| 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 6 | ||||||||||||||
| 7 | ||||||||||||||
| 8 | 9 | |||||||||||||
Across
- 5 full of energy and activity (6)
- 7 go into a place for a short time (3,4)
- 8 known by many people (4-5)
Down
- 1 used for houses, not offices or factories (11)
- 2 watch something to make sure it is safe (4,2,3,2)
- 3 calm and peaceful (8)
- 4 have a friendly relationship with someone (3,2,4)
- 6 appear or develop suddenly (6,2)
- 9 in or near the area where you live (5)
Step 4
Now you answer
Pick a question, then answer it out loud in two or three sentences. Try to use at least two phrases from this lesson, and give a reason or an example. Record yourself and listen back: did you sound natural? Did you extend your answer?
Press Record, answer out loud, then listen back.
Questions: frequently reported IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics. Model answers and exercises written for Tips4IELTS.