Speaking vocabulary · Topic 22 of 46
Public gardens and parks
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 public gardens and parks
- 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
- run aroundplay energetically, moving quickly
- get some fresh airgo outside, often to feel better
- unwindrelax after work or stress
- green spacean area of grass and trees in a town
- well-keptlooked after carefully
- peacefulquiet and calm
- overcrowdedwith too many people
- go for a strollgo for a slow, relaxed walk
- tucked awayin a quiet place that is difficult to find
- transformchange something completely
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”.
Did you like going to parks as a child?
I loved it, because my parents took me to the park near our apartment almost every weekend. I'd run around with other kids, and we fed the fish in the pond whenever we had some bread.
Do you still like going to parks now?
Yes, because I find them a great place to unwind after a long week. I often go for a stroll in the evening, when I need to get some fresh air and clear my head.
Would you like to see more parks in your city?
Definitely, because my city has grown very fast and there isn't enough green space in the newer districts. If there were more parks, I think people would be healthier and happier.
Are there any parks you'd like to visit in the future?
I'd love to visit the classical gardens in Suzhou, which are famous all over the world. Some of them are tucked away behind ordinary streets, and I've heard that they're incredibly peaceful, even though the city is so busy.
Would you prefer to spend time in a private garden or a public garden?
A private garden, if I had the choice, because I'd have more privacy. Public gardens are lovely, but they can get really overcrowded when the weather is nice at the weekend.
How are parks today different from the ones you visited as a child?
They're much better now, because they're well-kept, with clean paths and sports equipment. Some old parks near me have been completely transformed since I was a child, which has made the whole area more pleasant.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- an area of grass and trees in a town
- play energetically, moving quickly
- in a quiet place that is difficult to find
- go outside, often to feel better
- change something completely
- go for a slow, relaxed walk
- with too many people
- relax after work or stress
- quiet and calm
- looked after carefully
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).
Did you like going to parks as a child?
I loved it, because my parents took me to the park near our apartment almost every weekend. I'd with other kids, and we fed the fish in the pond whenever we had some bread.
Would you like to see more parks in your city?
Definitely, because my city has grown very fast and there isn't enough in the newer districts. If there were more parks, I think people would be healthier and happier.
Would you prefer to spend time in a private garden or a public garden?
A private garden, if I had the choice, because I'd have more privacy. Public gardens are lovely, but they can get really when the weather is nice at the weekend.
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 still like going to parks now?
Yes, because I find them a great place to after a long week. I often in the evening, when I need to and clear my head.
Are there any parks you'd like to visit in the future?
I'd love to visit the classical gardens in Suzhou, which are famous all over the world. Some of them are behind ordinary streets, and I've heard that they're incredibly , even though the city is so busy.
How are parks today different from the ones you visited as a child?
They're much better now, because they're , with clean paths and sports equipment. Some old parks near me have been completely since I was a child, which has made the whole area more pleasant.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- I'd ______ with other kids, and we fed the fish in the pond whenever we had some bread.
- Yes, because I find them a great place to ______ after a long week.
- I often ______ in the evening, when I need to get some fresh air and clear my head.
- Definitely, because my city has grown very fast and there isn't enough ______ in the newer districts.
- Some of them are ______ behind ordinary streets, and I've heard that they're incredibly peaceful, even though the city is so busy.
- Public gardens are lovely, but they can get really ______ when the weather is nice at the weekend.
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
- 1 go for a slow, relaxed walk (2,3,1,6)
- 3 relax after work or stress (6)
- 4 quiet and calm (8)
- 6 with too many people (11)
- 7 looked after carefully (4-4)
- 8 in a quiet place that is difficult to find (6,4)
- 9 play energetically, moving quickly (3,6)
Down
- 1 go outside, often to feel better (3,4,5,3)
- 2 change something completely (9)
- 5 an area of grass and trees in a town (5,5)
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.