Speaking vocabulary · Topic 40 of 46
Jokes and comedies
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 5 Part 1 questions about jokes and comedies
- 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
- crack a joketell a joke
- laugh your head offlaugh a lot and very loudly
- hilariousextremely funny
- fall flatfail to make people laugh
- sense of humourthe ability to find things funny
- stand-upcomedy where one person tells jokes on stage
- wittyclever and funny with words
- crack upsuddenly start laughing a lot
- light-heartednot serious; cheerful
- punchlinethe last part of a joke, which makes it funny
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”.
Are comedy shows popular in your country?
Very popular, because stand-up comedy has really taken off in China over the last few years. There are several TV shows where comedians compete against each other, which attract millions of viewers.
Are you good at telling jokes?
Not really, because my jokes usually fall flat. The problem is that I always forget the punchline, which is why I'm much better at laughing at other people's jokes!
Do your friends like telling jokes?
Yes, one of my friends is really witty, and she's always cracking jokes when we're together. Because she has such a great sense of humour, she can make even a boring day fun.
Do you like watching comedies?
I love them, especially light-hearted sitcoms which I can watch after a long day. Some of them are absolutely hilarious, even when I've seen the episode before.
Have you ever been to a live comedy show?
Yes, I went to a stand-up show last year, which some friends had bought tickets for. We laughed our heads off, and at one point my friend cracked up so much that she couldn't stop, even when the comedian started talking to her.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- the last part of a joke, which makes it funny
- fail to make people laugh
- not serious; cheerful
- laugh a lot and very loudly
- comedy where one person tells jokes on stage
- clever and funny with words
- tell a joke
- suddenly start laughing a lot
- extremely funny
- the ability to find things funny
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).
Are comedy shows popular in your country?
Very popular, because comedy has really taken off in China over the last few years. There are several TV shows where comedians compete against each other, which attract millions of viewers.
Do your friends like telling jokes?
Yes, one of my friends is really , and she's always when we're together. Because she has such a great , she can make even a boring day fun.
Have you ever been to a live comedy show?
Yes, I went to a stand-up show last year, which some friends had bought tickets for. We , and at one point my friend so much that she couldn't stop, even when the comedian started talking to her.
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 you good at telling jokes?
Not really, because my jokes usually . The problem is that I always forget the , which is why I'm much better at laughing at other people's jokes!
Do you like watching comedies?
I love them, especially sitcoms which I can watch after a long day. Some of them are absolutely , even when I've seen the episode before.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- Very popular, because ______ comedy has really taken off in China over the last few years.
- Not really, because my jokes usually ______.
- The problem is that I always forget the ______, which is why I'm much better at laughing at other people's jokes!
- Yes, one of my friends is really ______, and she's always cracking jokes when we're together.
- Because she has such a great ______, she can make even a boring day fun.
- I love them, especially ______ sitcoms which I can watch after a long day.
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
- 3 the last part of a joke, which makes it funny (9)
- 5 fail to make people laugh (4,4)
- 7 suddenly start laughing a lot (5,2)
- 8 the ability to find things funny (5,2,6)
- 9 not serious; cheerful (5-7)
Down
- 1 extremely funny (9)
- 2 clever and funny with words (5)
- 4 tell a joke (5,1,4)
- 6 comedy where one person tells jokes on stage (5-2)
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.