Speaking vocabulary · Topic 19 of 46
Cars
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 6 Part 1 questions about cars
- 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
- save upkeep money so that you can buy something later
- fuel-efficientusing little fuel
- eye-catchingattractive and easy to notice
- backseat drivera passenger who keeps giving the driver advice
- bumper-to-bumper(of traffic) very close together and moving slowly
- stuck in trafficunable to move because there are too many vehicles
- fill upput fuel in a vehicle
- behind the wheeldriving a car
- pass the timedo something to stop yourself getting bored
- roomyhaving a lot of space inside
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”.
Would you like to buy an expensive car in the future?
Probably not, because I'd rather spend the money on travelling, even if I save up for years. I'd go for something reliable and fuel-efficient, since expensive cars lose their value so quickly.
Do you think the colour of a car is important?
A little, because bright colours are more eye-catching. However, I'd choose white or silver, which don't show the dirt as much and are easier to sell later on.
Did you enjoy travelling by car when you were a child?
Mostly, yes, because I loved road trips, and I'd pass the time by counting red cars. The only thing I didn't enjoy was when we stopped to fill up at the petrol station, because I hated the smell.
What kind of cars do you like?
I like electric SUVs, because they're roomy enough for the whole family. They're also quiet and cheap to run, which matters now that petrol is so expensive.
Do you prefer to be a driver or a passenger?
I prefer to be a passenger, because I can relax and look out of the window. Although I've had a licence for two years, I don't feel very confident behind the wheel yet. I try not to be a backseat driver, though!
What do you usually do when there is a traffic jam?
When I'm stuck in traffic, I put on a podcast and try to stay calm. Since the roads in my city are bumper-to-bumper at rush hour, there's no point getting stressed about it.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- keep money so that you can buy something later
- put fuel in a vehicle
- using little fuel
- attractive and easy to notice
- unable to move because there are too many vehicles
- do something to stop yourself getting bored
- (of traffic) very close together and moving slowly
- driving a car
- having a lot of space inside
- a passenger who keeps giving the driver advice
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).
Would you like to buy an expensive car in the future?
Probably not, because I'd rather spend the money on travelling, even if I for years. I'd go for something reliable and , since expensive cars lose their value so quickly.
Did you enjoy travelling by car when you were a child?
Mostly, yes, because I loved road trips, and I'd by counting red cars. The only thing I didn't enjoy was when we stopped to at the petrol station, because I hated the smell.
Do you prefer to be a driver or a passenger?
I prefer to be a passenger, because I can relax and look out of the window. Although I've had a licence for two years, I don't feel very confident yet. I try not to be a , though!
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 think the colour of a car is important?
A little, because bright colours are more . However, I'd choose white or silver, which don't show the dirt as much and are easier to sell later on.
What kind of cars do you like?
I like electric SUVs, because they're enough for the whole family. They're also quiet and cheap to run, which matters now that petrol is so expensive.
What do you usually do when there is a traffic jam?
When I'm , I put on a podcast and try to stay calm. Since the roads in my city are at rush hour, there's no point getting stressed about it.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- Probably not, because I'd rather spend the money on travelling, even if I ______ for years.
- I'd go for something reliable and ______, since expensive cars lose their value so quickly.
- A little, because bright colours are more ______.
- Mostly, yes, because I loved road trips, and I'd ______ by counting red cars.
- The only thing I didn't enjoy was when we stopped to ______ at the petrol station, because I hated the smell.
- I like electric SUVs, because they're ______ enough for the whole family.
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 | ||||||||||||||
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| 8 | ||||||||||||||
| 9 | ||||||||||||||
Across
- 2 a passenger who keeps giving the driver advice (8,6)
- 4 do something to stop yourself getting bored (4,3,4)
- 6 unable to move because there are too many vehicles (5,2,7)
- 7 driving a car (6,3,5)
- 8 put fuel in a vehicle (4,2)
- 9 attractive and easy to notice (3-8)
Down
- 1 using little fuel (4-9)
- 2 (of traffic) very close together and moving slowly (6-2-6)
- 3 having a lot of space inside (5)
- 5 keep money so that you can buy something later (4,2)
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.