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Speaking vocabulary · Topic 21 of 46

Mirrors

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.

  • 4 questions
  • 10 phrases
  • 5 exercises
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In this lesson you will

  • read and listen to model answers to 4 Part 1 questions about mirrors
  • 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

  • check yourself outlook at your appearance, often to see if you look good
  • vaintoo interested in your own appearance
  • glancelook quickly at something
  • full-lengthshowing the whole body
  • compactsmall and easy to carry
  • make a room feel biggermake a space seem larger than it is
  • reflectsend back light or an image
  • put onapply make-up or put clothes on your body
  • spruce upmake something look neater and more attractive
  • on a whimsuddenly, without planning

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 like looking at yourself in the mirror? How often do you do it?

Only when I need to. I glance in the mirror before I leave home to make sure I look tidy, but I don't spend ages checking myself out, because I don't want to seem vain!

Have you ever bought a mirror?

Yes, I bought a full-length mirror when I moved into my flat. Although I got it on a whim at a furniture shop, it's been really useful for checking my outfit before I go out.

Do you usually carry a mirror with you?

Not usually, because I can use my phone camera instead. My sister always carries a compact mirror in her bag, though, so that she can put on lipstick when she's out.

Would you use mirrors to decorate your room?

Yes, I think it's a clever idea, especially if the room is small. A large mirror reflects the light from the window, which helps to make a room feel bigger. It's a cheap way to spruce up a room, too.

Step 3

Practise the vocabulary

Exercise 1

Match the meanings

Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.

look at your appearance, often to see if you look good
look quickly at something
make something look neater and more attractive
make a space seem larger than it is
suddenly, without planning
showing the whole body
apply make-up or put clothes on your body
send back light or an image
too interested in your own appearance
small and easy to carry
Exercise 2

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).

check yourself outcompactglanceput onvain

Do you like looking at yourself in the mirror? How often do you do it?

Only when I need to. I in the mirror before I leave home to make sure I look tidy, but I don't spend ages , because I don't want to seem !

Do you usually carry a mirror with you?

Not usually, because I can use my phone camera instead. My sister always carries a mirror in her bag, though, so that she can lipstick when she's out.

Exercise 3

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.

Have you ever bought a mirror?

Yes, I bought a mirror when I moved into my flat. Although I got it at a furniture shop, it's been really useful for checking my outfit before I go out.

Would you use mirrors to decorate your room?

Yes, I think it's a clever idea, especially if the room is small. A large mirror the light from the window, which helps to . It's a cheap way to a room, too.

Exercise 4

Choose the right phrase

Which phrase completes each sentence?

  1. I ______ in the mirror before I leave home to make sure I look tidy, but I don't spend ages checking myself out, because I don't want to seem vain!
  2. Yes, I bought a ______ mirror when I moved into my flat.
  3. Although I got it ______ at a furniture shop, it's been really useful for checking my outfit before I go out.
  4. My sister always carries a ______ mirror in her bag, though, so that she can put on lipstick when she's out.
  5. A large mirror ______ the light from the window, which helps to make a room feel bigger.
  6. It's a cheap way to ______ a room, too.
Exercise 5

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
23
4
56
7
8

Across

  1. 2 look quickly at something (6)
  2. 4 suddenly, without planning (2,1,4)
  3. 7 send back light or an image (7)
  4. 8 apply make-up or put clothes on your body (3,2)

Down

  1. 1 too interested in your own appearance (4)
  2. 3 small and easy to carry (7)
  3. 5 make something look neater and more attractive (6,2)
  4. 6 showing the whole body (4-6)

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 “Give me a question”.

Press Record, answer out loud, then listen back.

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Questions: frequently reported IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics. Model answers and exercises written for Tips4IELTS.