Speaking vocabulary · Topic 37 of 46
Sports programmes
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 sports programmes
- 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
- cheer onshout to encourage a team or player
- nail-bitingvery exciting because you don't know who will win
- root forsupport a team or person and hope they win
- tune inwatch or listen to a programme
- atmospherethe feeling or mood in a place
- the final whistlethe end of a match
- livehappening and shown at the same time
- get worked upbecome very excited or upset
- drawa result in which both teams have the same score
- die-hardvery loyal and enthusiastic
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 watching sport on TV?
Yes, especially football and table tennis, which are both very popular in China. I usually tune in when there's a big international tournament.
Do you like watching live sports events?
I love watching live games, because anything can happen. There's nothing like the tension of a nail-biting match, when you don't know who'll win until the final whistle.
Who do you like watching sport with?
With my dad, who is a die-hard football fan. He gets really worked up when his team loses, which is quite funny to watch.
What sporting events are you looking forward to watching in the future?
I'm hoping to watch the next Olympic Games, which will be held in a few years' time. I'll be rooting for the Chinese table tennis and diving teams, because they usually win gold.
Do you prefer watching sport on your own or with a group of friends?
With friends, definitely, because it's much more fun to cheer on a team together. Even a boring draw is more enjoyable when you're with good company.
Have you ever watched a sports match in a stadium?
Yes, once, when I saw a football match in Beijing. The atmosphere was electric, because forty thousand people were singing and shouting at the same time.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- the end of a match
- very loyal and enthusiastic
- the feeling or mood in a place
- very exciting because you don't know who will win
- watch or listen to a programme
- happening and shown at the same time
- support a team or person and hope they win
- shout to encourage a team or player
- become very excited or upset
- a result in which both teams have the same score
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 watching sport on TV?
Yes, especially football and table tennis, which are both very popular in China. I usually when there's a big international tournament.
Who do you like watching sport with?
With my dad, who is a football fan. He when his team loses, which is quite funny to watch.
Do you prefer watching sport on your own or with a group of friends?
With friends, definitely, because it's much more fun to a team together. Even a boring is more enjoyable when you're with good company.
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 like watching live sports events?
I love watching games, because anything can happen. There's nothing like the tension of a match, when you don't know who'll win until .
What sporting events are you looking forward to watching in the future?
I'm hoping to watch the next Olympic Games, which will be held in a few years' time. I'll be the Chinese table tennis and diving teams, because they usually win gold.
Have you ever watched a sports match in a stadium?
Yes, once, when I saw a football match in Beijing. The was electric, because forty thousand people were singing and shouting at the same time.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- I usually ______ when there's a big international tournament.
- I love watching ______ games, because anything can happen.
- There's nothing like the tension of a ______ match, when you don't know who'll win until the final whistle.
- With my dad, who is a ______ football fan.
- He ______ when his team loses, which is quite funny to watch.
- I'll be ______ the Chinese table tennis and diving teams, because they usually win gold.
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
- 1 very exciting because you don't know who will win (4-6)
- 4 happening and shown at the same time (4)
- 6 support a team or person and hope they win (4,3)
- 9 the end of a match (3,5,7)
- 10 shout to encourage a team or player (5,2)
Down
- 2 the feeling or mood in a place (10)
- 3 become very excited or upset (3,6,2)
- 5 a result in which both teams have the same score (4)
- 7 watch or listen to a programme (4,2)
- 8 very loyal and enthusiastic (3-4)
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.