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Speaking vocabulary · Topic 8 of 46

Paper

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.

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

  • read and listen to model answers to 5 Part 1 questions about paper
  • 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

  • foldbend paper so that one part lies on top of another
  • cut outremove a shape from paper with scissors
  • fiddlydifficult to do because the parts are small
  • scribblewrite or draw quickly and carelessly
  • jot downwrite something quickly so you don't forget it
  • put pen to paperstart writing something
  • personal touchsomething that makes a thing feel special and individual
  • old-fashionedno longer modern or popular
  • heartfeltsincere and deeply felt
  • fade awayslowly disappear

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”.

Have you ever made anything out of paper?

Yes, I used to love origami when I was a kid. I could fold a paper crane in about a minute, although some of the more complicated animals were really fiddly. I still make paper cards for my friends' birthdays, because they seem more personal than bought ones.

What did you like to do with paper as a child?

Apart from origami, I loved drawing, so I would scribble on any piece of paper whenever I could find one. I also enjoyed cutting out pictures from magazines, which I then stuck together to make collages.

Do you still write letters by hand?

Hardly ever, because it seems a bit old-fashioned now that we can message people instantly. The only time I really put pen to paper is when I write a card for a special occasion, since a handwritten note adds a personal touch.

Do people still keep handwritten letters nowadays?

Some people do, especially older people who grew up writing letters. My grandparents have kept every letter they wrote to each other, and they're really heartfelt. However, I think the habit is slowly fading away, because young people rarely write letters any more.

Do you carry a pen and paper with you when you go out?

Usually, yes, because I always have a small notebook in my bag so that I can jot down ideas. Although my phone can do the same job, I find that I remember things better when I write them by hand.

Step 3

Practise the vocabulary

Exercise 1

Match the meanings

Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.

start writing something
bend paper so that one part lies on top of another
remove a shape from paper with scissors
sincere and deeply felt
slowly disappear
write or draw quickly and carelessly
something that makes a thing feel special and individual
difficult to do because the parts are small
no longer modern or popular
write something quickly so you don't forget it
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).

fiddlyfoldjot downold-fashionedpersonal touchput pen to paper

Have you ever made anything out of paper?

Yes, I used to love origami when I was a kid. I could a paper crane in about a minute, although some of the more complicated animals were really . I still make paper cards for my friends' birthdays, because they seem more personal than bought ones.

Do you still write letters by hand?

Hardly ever, because it seems a bit now that we can message people instantly. The only time I really is when I write a card for a special occasion, since a handwritten note adds a .

Do you carry a pen and paper with you when you go out?

Usually, yes, because I always have a small notebook in my bag so that I can ideas. Although my phone can do the same job, I find that I remember things better when I write them by hand.

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.

What did you like to do with paper as a child?

Apart from origami, I loved drawing, so I would on any piece of paper whenever I could find one. I also enjoyed pictures from magazines, which I then stuck together to make collages.

Do people still keep handwritten letters nowadays?

Some people do, especially older people who grew up writing letters. My grandparents have kept every letter they wrote to each other, and they're really . However, I think the habit is slowly , because young people rarely write letters any more.

Exercise 4

Choose the right phrase

Which phrase completes each sentence?

  1. I could ______ a paper crane in about a minute, although some of the more complicated animals were really fiddly.
  2. Apart from origami, I loved drawing, so I would ______ on any piece of paper whenever I could find one.
  3. I also enjoyed ______ pictures from magazines, which I then stuck together to make collages.
  4. Hardly ever, because it seems a bit ______ now that we can message people instantly.
  5. The only time I really ______ is when I write a card for a special occasion, since a handwritten note adds a personal touch.
  6. My grandparents have kept every letter they wrote to each other, and they're really ______.
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
234
5
67
8
9
10

Across

  1. 3 bend paper so that one part lies on top of another (4)
  2. 6 sincere and deeply felt (9)
  3. 8 write something quickly so you don't forget it (3,4)
  4. 9 start writing something (3,3,2,5)
  5. 10 difficult to do because the parts are small (6)

Down

  1. 1 write or draw quickly and carelessly (8)
  2. 2 something that makes a thing feel special and individual (8,5)
  3. 4 no longer modern or popular (3-9)
  4. 5 remove a shape from paper with scissors (3,3)
  5. 7 slowly disappear (4,4)

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.