Speaking vocabulary · Topic 33 of 46
Art
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 4 Part 1 questions about art
- 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
- appreciateunderstand and enjoy the good qualities of something
- abstractnot showing people or things in a realistic way
- thought-provokingmaking you think seriously
- talentedwith a natural ability to do something well
- take upstart doing a new hobby
- wander aroundwalk slowly with no particular purpose
- exhibitiona public show of paintings or other objects
- make sense ofunderstand something that is difficult
- stunningextremely beautiful
- make a livingearn enough money to live
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 like art?
Yes, though I'm not an expert. I can appreciate a beautiful painting when I see one, and I sometimes sketch in my free time because I find it relaxing.
Do you like visiting art galleries?
I do, especially when I can wander around a gallery on a quiet weekday. The last exhibition I saw was of ink paintings, which were absolutely stunning.
Would you like to be an artist?
Not really, because you need to be very talented and it's hard to make a living from art. However, I'd like to take up painting as a hobby when I have more time.
Do you prefer modern art or traditional art?
I prefer traditional art, because I like paintings that show real people and places. Although some abstract pieces are thought-provoking, I often find it hard to make sense of them unless I read the description.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- start doing a new hobby
- not showing people or things in a realistic way
- walk slowly with no particular purpose
- making you think seriously
- understand something that is difficult
- extremely beautiful
- with a natural ability to do something well
- understand and enjoy the good qualities of something
- a public show of paintings or other objects
- earn enough money to live
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 like art?
Yes, though I'm not an expert. I can a beautiful painting when I see one, and I sometimes sketch in my free time because I find it relaxing.
Would you like to be an artist?
Not really, because you need to be very and it's hard to from art. However, I'd like to painting as a hobby when I have more time.
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.
Do you like visiting art galleries?
I do, especially when I can a gallery on a quiet weekday. The last I saw was of ink paintings, which were absolutely .
Do you prefer modern art or traditional art?
I prefer traditional art, because I like paintings that show real people and places. Although some pieces are , I often find it hard to them unless I read the description.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- I can ______ a beautiful painting when I see one, and I sometimes sketch in my free time because I find it relaxing.
- I do, especially when I can ______ a gallery on a quiet weekday.
- The last ______ I saw was of ink paintings, which were absolutely stunning.
- Not really, because you need to be very ______ and it's hard to make a living from art.
- However, I'd like to ______ painting as a hobby when I have more time.
- Although some ______ pieces are thought-provoking, I often find it hard to make sense of them unless I read the description.
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 | ||||||||||||||||
Across
- 3 walk slowly with no particular purpose (6,6)
- 4 understand and enjoy the good qualities of something (10)
- 6 start doing a new hobby (4,2)
- 7 with a natural ability to do something well (8)
- 8 a public show of paintings or other objects (10)
Down
- 1 understand something that is difficult (4,5,2)
- 2 earn enough money to live (4,1,6)
- 4 not showing people or things in a realistic way (8)
- 5 extremely beautiful (8)
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.