Speaking vocabulary · Topic 31 of 46
The city 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 6 Part 1 questions about the city 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
- recommendsay that something is good and worth doing
- humidhot and wet in an uncomfortable way
- mildnot very hot or very cold
- get aroundtravel from place to place
- hustle and bustlebusy noise and activity
- cosmopolitanincluding people from many different countries
- welcomingfriendly to new people
- cater forprovide what a particular group needs
- keep to themselvesnot talk much to other people
- bump intomeet someone by chance
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 recommend your city to other people?
Yes, I'd definitely recommend it, especially to people who love food. It's easy to get around by metro, and there's always something going on, whatever time of year you visit.
What's the weather like where you live?
The summers are very hot and humid, so you start sweating as soon as you step outside. The winters are fairly mild, though, which I much prefer because I hate the cold.
Are there people of different ages living in this city?
Yes, all ages, because there are lots of young professionals who've moved here for work. There are also many older residents who've lived in the old town all their lives, which gives those areas a lovely community feel.
Are the people in the city friendly?
Mostly, yes, although people can seem a bit rushed because of the hustle and bustle. They're generally welcoming to newcomers, and the city has become quite cosmopolitan since more international companies moved in.
Is the city friendly to children and elderly people?
Fairly friendly, because most parks have playgrounds and exercise equipment that cater for both groups. However, some metro stations still don't have lifts, which makes things difficult for older people.
Do you often see your neighbours?
Not very often, because people in my building tend to keep to themselves. When I occasionally bump into my neighbours in the lift, we say hello, but that's about it.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- not very hot or very cold
- travel from place to place
- say that something is good and worth doing
- hot and wet in an uncomfortable way
- not talk much to other people
- friendly to new people
- meet someone by chance
- provide what a particular group needs
- busy noise and activity
- including people from many different countries
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 recommend your city to other people?
Yes, I'd definitely it, especially to people who love food. It's easy to by metro, and there's always something going on, whatever time of year you visit.
Are the people in the city friendly?
Mostly, yes, although people can seem a bit rushed because of the . They're generally to newcomers, and the city has become quite since more international companies moved in.
Do you often see your neighbours?
Not very often, because people in my building tend to . When I occasionally my neighbours in the lift, we say hello, but that's about it.
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.
What's the weather like where you live?
The summers are very hot and , so you start sweating as soon as you step outside. The winters are fairly , though, which I much prefer because I hate the cold.
Is the city friendly to children and elderly people?
Fairly friendly, because most parks have playgrounds and exercise equipment that both groups. However, some metro stations still don't have lifts, which makes things difficult for older people.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- Yes, I'd definitely ______ it, especially to people who love food.
- It's easy to ______ by metro, and there's always something going on, whatever time of year you visit.
- The summers are very hot and ______, so you start sweating as soon as you step outside.
- The winters are fairly ______, though, which I much prefer because I hate the cold.
- Mostly, yes, although people can seem a bit rushed because of the ______.
- They're generally ______ to newcomers, and the city has become quite cosmopolitan since more international companies moved in.
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
- 2 busy noise and activity (6,3,6)
- 6 provide what a particular group needs (5,3)
- 7 not very hot or very cold (4)
- 8 including people from many different countries (12)
Down
- 1 say that something is good and worth doing (9)
- 2 hot and wet in an uncomfortable way (5)
- 3 meet someone by chance (4,4)
- 4 travel from place to place (3,6)
- 5 friendly to new people (9)
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.