Speaking vocabulary · Topic 20 of 46
Websites
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 websites
- 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
- look upsearch for information in a book or online
- browselook through information on websites without a fixed purpose
- reliableable to be trusted
- clutteredcovered with too many things, so it looks untidy
- up to datemodern and containing the latest information
- set upcreate or start something
- go viralspread very quickly across the internet
- log onconnect to a website or computer
- streamlinedsimpler and more efficient
- a go-tothe first one you choose because it is always good
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 prefer getting information from websites or books?
For quick facts, I look things up online, because websites are faster and more up to date. For my studies, though, I prefer books, since they tend to be more reliable and better organised.
Would you like to have your own website?
Maybe one day, because I'd like to set up a simple website to show my photography. Although I don't expect it to go viral, it would be nice to have all my work in one place.
What kinds of websites do you often visit?
Mostly video sites and online shopping platforms, which I use almost every day. I also log on to my university's learning portal whenever I need to check for assignments.
What is your favourite website?
Probably an online dictionary, which has become my go-to site whenever I'm writing in English. I like it because it has lots of example sentences.
Have the websites you often visit changed in recent years?
Yes, quite a few have become more streamlined since I started using them. A few years ago they were really cluttered, because there were adverts everywhere, whereas now the design is much cleaner.
What kinds of websites are popular in your country?
Video and shopping sites are hugely popular, because they're so convenient. People can spend hours browsing short videos or looking for deals, especially when there's a big shopping festival.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- simpler and more efficient
- search for information in a book or online
- the first one you choose because it is always good
- covered with too many things, so it looks untidy
- able to be trusted
- look through information on websites without a fixed purpose
- connect to a website or computer
- modern and containing the latest information
- spread very quickly across the internet
- create or start something
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 prefer getting information from websites or books?
For quick facts, I online, because websites are faster and more . For my studies, though, I prefer books, since they tend to be more and better organised.
What kinds of websites do you often visit?
Mostly video sites and online shopping platforms, which I use almost every day. I also to my university's learning portal whenever I need to check for assignments.
Have the websites you often visit changed in recent years?
Yes, quite a few have become more since I started using them. A few years ago they were really , because there were adverts everywhere, whereas now the design is much cleaner.
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.
Would you like to have your own website?
Maybe one day, because I'd like to a simple website to show my photography. Although I don't expect it to , it would be nice to have all my work in one place.
What is your favourite website?
Probably an online dictionary, which has become my site whenever I'm writing in English. I like it because it has lots of example sentences.
What kinds of websites are popular in your country?
Video and shopping sites are hugely popular, because they're so convenient. People can spend hours short videos or looking for deals, especially when there's a big shopping festival.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- For quick facts, I ______ online, because websites are faster and more up to date.
- For my studies, though, I prefer books, since they tend to be more ______ and better organised.
- Maybe one day, because I'd like to ______ a simple website to show my photography.
- Although I don't expect it to ______, it would be nice to have all my work in one place.
- I also ______ to my university's learning portal whenever I need to check for assignments.
- Probably an online dictionary, which has become my ______ site whenever I'm writing in English.
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
- 3 covered with too many things, so it looks untidy (9)
- 7 look through information on websites without a fixed purpose (6)
- 9 connect to a website or computer (3,2)
- 10 modern and containing the latest information (2,2,4)
Down
- 1 simpler and more efficient (11)
- 2 able to be trusted (8)
- 4 search for information in a book or online (4,2)
- 5 spread very quickly across the internet (2,5)
- 6 the first one you choose because it is always good (1,2-2)
- 8 create or start something (3,2)
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.