Speaking vocabulary · Topic 1 of 46
Feeling bored
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 feeling bored
- 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
- kill timedo something unimportant while you are waiting
- mind-numbingextremely boring
- drag oncontinue for longer than you want
- zone outstop paying attention and think about nothing
- fill upuse time completely so there is none left
- perk upbecome happier and more lively
- tediouslong, slow and boring
- restlessunable to relax because you are bored or anxious
- on the gobusy and active all the time
- carefreewithout any worries or responsibilities
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 often feel bored?
Not really, to be honest, because I usually fill up my free time with classes, sport and seeing friends. I'm almost always on the go, which means I rarely have time to get bored. If anything, I wish I had a bit more time to do nothing!
When do you usually feel bored?
Mostly when I'm stuck waiting for something, like a delayed train or a long queue at the bank. Lectures can be pretty mind-numbing too, especially when they drag on for two hours and the lecturer just reads from the slides.
What do you do when you feel bored?
I usually reach for my phone to kill time, although I know it's not the healthiest habit. If I'm at home, I'll go for a walk or put some music on, which always helps me perk up a bit.
Do you think childhood or adulthood is more boring?
I'd say adulthood is more boring, because so much of it is taken up with tedious things like paperwork and chores. Although children get restless easily, childhood is much more carefree on the whole. As an adult, I sometimes zone out in meetings, which I never did as a kid.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- long, slow and boring
- busy and active all the time
- become happier and more lively
- without any worries or responsibilities
- stop paying attention and think about nothing
- unable to relax because you are bored or anxious
- do something unimportant while you are waiting
- continue for longer than you want
- use time completely so there is none left
- extremely boring
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 often feel bored?
Not really, to be honest, because I usually my free time with classes, sport and seeing friends. I'm almost always , which means I rarely have time to get bored. If anything, I wish I had a bit more time to do nothing!
What do you do when you feel bored?
I usually reach for my phone to , although I know it's not the healthiest habit. If I'm at home, I'll go for a walk or put some music on, which always helps me a bit.
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.
When do you usually feel bored?
Mostly when I'm stuck waiting for something, like a delayed train or a long queue at the bank. Lectures can be pretty too, especially when they for two hours and the lecturer just reads from the slides.
Do you think childhood or adulthood is more boring?
I'd say adulthood is more boring, because so much of it is taken up with things like paperwork and chores. Although children get easily, childhood is much more on the whole. As an adult, I sometimes in meetings, which I never did as a kid.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- Not really, to be honest, because I usually ______ my free time with classes, sport and seeing friends.
- I'm almost always ______, which means I rarely have time to get bored.
- Lectures can be pretty ______ too, especially when they drag on for two hours and the lecturer just reads from the slides.
- I usually reach for my phone to ______, although I know it's not the healthiest habit.
- If I'm at home, I'll go for a walk or put some music on, which always helps me ______ a bit.
- I'd say adulthood is more boring, because so much of it is taken up with ______ things like paperwork and chores.
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.
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| 6 | 7 | ||||||||||||
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| 10 | |||||||||||||
Across
- 4 extremely boring (4-7)
- 6 become happier and more lively (4,2)
- 8 long, slow and boring (7)
- 9 busy and active all the time (2,3,2)
- 10 without any worries or responsibilities (8)
Down
- 1 use time completely so there is none left (4,2)
- 2 stop paying attention and think about nothing (4,3)
- 3 do something unimportant while you are waiting (4,4)
- 5 continue for longer than you want (4,2)
- 7 unable to relax because you are bored or anxious (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.