Speaking vocabulary · Topic 18 of 46
Watches
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 watches
- 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
- keep track of timealways know what time it is
- status symbolsomething that shows people you are rich or important
- show offtry to make people admire what you have
- sleeksmooth, elegant and modern in appearance
- hand downgive something to a younger relative
- functionalpractical and useful rather than decorative
- outdatedno longer modern or useful
- go off(of an alarm) start ringing
- heirlooma valuable object passed down in a family
- splurgespend a lot of money on something
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 wear a watch?
Yes, I wear a smartwatch most days, because it helps me keep track of time in exams. I also prefer it to checking my phone, which always distracts me with messages.
Have you ever been given a watch as a gift?
Yes, when I finished high school, my grandfather gave me his old watch. Because it had been handed down from his own father, it's a real family heirloom, so I only wear it on special occasions.
Why do some people wear expensive watches?
For many people it's a status symbol, so they splurge on a luxury brand because they want to show off how successful they are. In reality, a cheap watch is just as functional, which is why I'd never spend that much.
Do you think it's important to wear a watch? Why?
Not really any more, since everyone has a phone, and some people think watches are outdated. However, a sleek watch still looks nice with smart clothes, and mine is useful because the alarm goes off when it's time to take a break.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- something that shows people you are rich or important
- practical and useful rather than decorative
- spend a lot of money on something
- no longer modern or useful
- give something to a younger relative
- a valuable object passed down in a family
- always know what time it is
- (of an alarm) start ringing
- try to make people admire what you have
- smooth, elegant and modern in appearance
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 wear a watch?
Yes, I wear a smartwatch most days, because it helps me in exams. I also prefer it to checking my phone, which always distracts me with messages.
Why do some people wear expensive watches?
For many people it's a , so they on a luxury brand because they want to how successful they are. In reality, a cheap watch is just as , which is why I'd never spend that much.
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 been given a watch as a gift?
Yes, when I finished high school, my grandfather gave me his old watch. Because it had been from his own father, it's a real family , so I only wear it on special occasions.
Do you think it's important to wear a watch? Why?
Not really any more, since everyone has a phone, and some people think watches are . However, a watch still looks nice with smart clothes, and mine is useful because the alarm when it's time to take a break.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- Yes, I wear a smartwatch most days, because it helps me ______ in exams.
- Because it had been ______ from his own father, it's a real family heirloom, so I only wear it on special occasions.
- For many people it's a ______, so they splurge on a luxury brand because they want to show off how successful they are.
- In reality, a cheap watch is just as ______, which is why I'd never spend that much.
- Not really any more, since everyone has a phone, and some people think watches are ______.
- However, a ______ watch still looks nice with smart clothes, and mine is useful because the alarm goes off when it's time to take a break.
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 something that shows people you are rich or important (6,6)
- 5 give something to a younger relative (4,4)
- 7 always know what time it is (4,5,2,4)
- 8 try to make people admire what you have (4,3)
- 9 (of an alarm) start ringing (2,3)
- 10 spend a lot of money on something (7)
Down
- 2 no longer modern or useful (8)
- 3 smooth, elegant and modern in appearance (5)
- 4 practical and useful rather than decorative (10)
- 6 a valuable object passed down in a family (8)
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.