Speaking vocabulary · Topic 23 of 46
Shopping
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 shopping
- 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
- shop aroundcompare prices in different shops before you buy
- window-shoppinglooking at things in shops without buying
- impulse buysomething you buy suddenly without planning
- splash outspend a lot of money on something enjoyable
- send backreturn something to the seller
- retail therapyshopping to make yourself feel happier
- hassle-freewithout any problems or difficulty
- get carried awaybecome so excited that you lose control
- try onput on clothes to see if they fit
- a stealsomething that is very cheap for its quality
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 go shopping?
I buy groceries every few days, whereas I only go clothes shopping once a month or so. Sometimes I go window-shopping with friends just for fun, even though we don't buy anything.
Do you prefer online shopping or in-store shopping?
It depends on what I'm buying. For electronics I prefer online shopping, because it's easy to shop around and compare prices, but for clothes I'd rather go to a shop so that I can try them on first.
Have you ever returned anything you bought online?
Yes, a few times, most recently when I sent back a jacket which was too small. The process was completely hassle-free, because a courier collected it from my door the next day.
Do you like shopping?
I do, although I have to be careful not to get carried away. When I'm stressed, I sometimes indulge in a bit of retail therapy and end up with an impulse buy that I don't need. Still, it's great when you find something that's a steal, and occasionally I'll splash out on something special.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- compare prices in different shops before you buy
- something that is very cheap for its quality
- become so excited that you lose control
- return something to the seller
- put on clothes to see if they fit
- looking at things in shops without buying
- shopping to make yourself feel happier
- without any problems or difficulty
- something you buy suddenly without planning
- spend a lot of money on something enjoyable
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 go shopping?
I buy groceries every few days, whereas I only go clothes shopping once a month or so. Sometimes I go with friends just for fun, even though we don't buy anything.
Have you ever returned anything you bought online?
Yes, a few times, most recently when I a jacket which was too small. The process was completely , because a courier collected it from my door the next day.
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 online shopping or in-store shopping?
It depends on what I'm buying. For electronics I prefer online shopping, because it's easy to and compare prices, but for clothes I'd rather go to a shop so that I can first.
Do you like shopping?
I do, although I have to be careful not to . When I'm stressed, I sometimes indulge in a bit of and end up with an that I don't need. Still, it's great when you find something that's , and occasionally I'll on something special.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- Sometimes I go ______ with friends just for fun, even though we don't buy anything.
- For electronics I prefer online shopping, because it's easy to ______ and compare prices, but for clothes I'd rather go to a shop so that I can try them on first.
- Yes, a few times, most recently when I ______ a jacket which was too small.
- The process was completely ______, because a courier collected it from my door the next day.
- I do, although I have to be careful not to ______.
- When I'm stressed, I sometimes indulge in a bit of ______ and end up with an impulse buy that I don't need.
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 | ||||||||||||
| 10 | ||||||||||||
Across
- 4 spend a lot of money on something enjoyable (6,3)
- 6 put on clothes to see if they fit (3,2)
- 8 something that is very cheap for its quality (1,5)
- 10 something you buy suddenly without planning (7,3)
Down
- 1 looking at things in shops without buying (6-8)
- 2 shopping to make yourself feel happier (6,7)
- 3 become so excited that you lose control (3,7,4)
- 5 compare prices in different shops before you buy (4,6)
- 7 without any problems or difficulty (6-4)
- 9 return something to the seller (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 Record, answer out loud, then listen back.
Questions: frequently reported IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics. Model answers and exercises written for Tips4IELTS.