Speaking vocabulary · Topic 29 of 46
Films and cinemas
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 films and cinemas
- 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
- binge-watchwatch many episodes or films one after another
- grippingso exciting that it holds your attention
- tear-jerkera film or story that makes you cry
- big screenthe cinema, as opposed to TV
- on the edge of your seatvery excited and nervous to find out what happens
- sell out(of tickets) all be sold
- come out(of a film) be shown to the public for the first time
- heart-warmingmaking you feel happy and emotional
- blockbustera film that is very popular and successful
- predictablehappening in the way you expect, so not interesting
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”.
How often do you watch films?
About once a week, usually when I want to relax at the weekend. During the holidays I sometimes binge-watch a whole film series in one go, which my parents think is a waste of time.
Do you prefer to watch films at home or in the cinema?
For big action films, I prefer the big screen, because the sound and picture are so much better. For quieter films, I'm happy to watch at home, where I can pause whenever I want.
What kind of films do you like?
I love thrillers which keep me on the edge of my seat, and I also enjoy a good tear-jerker now and then. What I can't stand is a predictable plot, where you can guess the ending after ten minutes.
Did you often watch films when you were a child?
Yes, mainly animated films, which I watched again and again on DVD. My favourites were heart-warming stories about animals, because they always had a happy ending.
Did you ever go to the cinema on your own as a child?
No, never, because my parents always came with me. Actually, I've only started going alone recently, and I really enjoy it, since I can focus completely on the film.
Do you often go to the cinema with your friends?
Quite often, especially when a big blockbuster comes out. We always book online, because tickets for the opening weekend often sell out, and we usually choose something gripping that we can talk about afterwards.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- watch many episodes or films one after another
- the cinema, as opposed to TV
- (of tickets) all be sold
- making you feel happy and emotional
- a film or story that makes you cry
- happening in the way you expect, so not interesting
- very excited and nervous to find out what happens
- a film that is very popular and successful
- (of a film) be shown to the public for the first time
- so exciting that it holds your attention
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).
How often do you watch films?
About once a week, usually when I want to relax at the weekend. During the holidays I sometimes a whole film series in one go, which my parents think is a waste of time.
What kind of films do you like?
I love thrillers which keep me , and I also enjoy a good now and then. What I can't stand is a plot, where you can guess the ending after ten minutes.
Do you often go to the cinema with your friends?
Quite often, especially when a big . We always book online, because tickets for the opening weekend often , and we usually choose something that we can talk about afterwards.
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 prefer to watch films at home or in the cinema?
For big action films, I prefer the , because the sound and picture are so much better. For quieter films, I'm happy to watch at home, where I can pause whenever I want.
Did you often watch films when you were a child?
Yes, mainly animated films, which I watched again and again on DVD. My favourites were stories about animals, because they always had a happy ending.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- During the holidays I sometimes ______ a whole film series in one go, which my parents think is a waste of time.
- For big action films, I prefer the ______, because the sound and picture are so much better.
- I love thrillers which keep me ______, and I also enjoy a good tear-jerker now and then.
- What I can't stand is a ______ plot, where you can guess the ending after ten minutes.
- My favourites were ______ stories about animals, because they always had a happy ending.
- Quite often, especially when a big ______ comes out.
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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| 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 4 | |||||||||||||||
| 5 | |||||||||||||||
| 6 | |||||||||||||||
| 7 | |||||||||||||||
| 8 |
Across
- 3 the cinema, as opposed to TV (3,6)
- 4 (of tickets) all be sold (4,3)
- 6 (of a film) be shown to the public for the first time (4,3)
- 7 watch many episodes or films one after another (5-5)
- 8 making you feel happy and emotional (5-7)
Down
- 1 a film or story that makes you cry (4-6)
- 2 happening in the way you expect, so not interesting (11)
- 3 a film that is very popular and successful (11)
- 5 so exciting that it holds your attention (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.