Speaking vocabulary · Topic 16 of 46
Shoes
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 4 Part 1 questions about shoes
- 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
- splash out onspend a lot of money on something you want
- break inwear new shoes until they become comfortable
- wear outuse something so much that it becomes damaged
- try onput on clothes or shoes to see if they fit
- pinchpress painfully on your feet because they are too small
- stylishfashionable and attractive
- sturdystrong and not easily damaged
- value for moneyworth the price you pay
- send backreturn something to the seller
- practicaluseful and suitable for everyday life
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 buying shoes? How often do you buy them?
Not especially, so I only buy new shoes when my old ones wear out, which is maybe twice a year. I prefer to buy fewer pairs which last a long time.
Have you ever bought shoes online?
Yes, but it was a mistake, because I couldn't try them on first. When they arrived, they pinched my toes, so in the end I had to send them back.
How much money do you usually spend on shoes?
Usually a few hundred yuan, although I don't mind spending more on running shoes, because they need to be sturdy. I'd never splash out on designer trainers, since I care more about value for money.
Which do you prefer, fashionable shoes or comfortable shoes?
Comfortable ones, without a doubt, because I walk a lot and I need practical shoes. Stylish shoes are nice, but they're often painful, and you have to break them in for weeks before you can wear them all day.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- useful and suitable for everyday life
- strong and not easily damaged
- press painfully on your feet because they are too small
- fashionable and attractive
- spend a lot of money on something you want
- put on clothes or shoes to see if they fit
- worth the price you pay
- return something to the seller
- use something so much that it becomes damaged
- wear new shoes until they become comfortable
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).
Do you like buying shoes? How often do you buy them?
Not especially, so I only buy new shoes when my old ones , which is maybe twice a year. I prefer to buy fewer pairs which last a long time.
How much money do you usually spend on shoes?
Usually a few hundred yuan, although I don't mind spending more on running shoes, because they need to be . I'd never designer trainers, since I care more about .
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 shoes online?
Yes, but it was a mistake, because I couldn't first. When they arrived, they my toes, so in the end I had to .
Which do you prefer, fashionable shoes or comfortable shoes?
Comfortable ones, without a doubt, because I walk a lot and I need shoes. shoes are nice, but they're often painful, and you have to for weeks before you can wear them all day.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- Not especially, so I only buy new shoes when my old ones ______, which is maybe twice a year.
- Yes, but it was a mistake, because I couldn't ______ first.
- When they arrived, they ______ my toes, so in the end I had to send them back.
- Usually a few hundred yuan, although I don't mind spending more on running shoes, because they need to be ______.
- I'd never ______ designer trainers, since I care more about value for money.
- Comfortable ones, without a doubt, because I walk a lot and I need ______ shoes.
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 return something to the seller (4,4)
- 6 wear new shoes until they become comfortable (5,2)
- 8 worth the price you pay (5,3,5)
- 9 put on clothes or shoes to see if they fit (3,2)
Down
- 1 press painfully on your feet because they are too small (5)
- 2 useful and suitable for everyday life (9)
- 3 fashionable and attractive (7)
- 4 strong and not easily damaged (6)
- 5 spend a lot of money on something you want (6,3,2)
- 7 use something so much that it becomes damaged (4,3)
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.