Lindsay McMahon
"The English Adventurer"
Jessica Beck
"Director of IELTS Training"

In today’s episode you’ll learn how to not “drop the ball” on the IELTS Speaking test and how to answer common Speaking questions about sports using idioms.

In IELTS Speaking Part 1 and Part 2 there are often questions about hobbies, sports, exercises or staying in shape.

In these questions you need to use idioms and phrasal verbs. When you use idioms your vocabulary score will go up instantly.

Listen to today’s episode to learn more.

Here are some typical speaking questions:

  • What do you like to do in your free time?
  • How do you stay in shape? How do you keep fit?
  • Do you play sports? Did you play sports as a child?

Example 1 idioms:

To be a team player= someone who plays well on a team with other people

  • Question: How do you stay in shape? How do you keep fit?
  • Answer: I play tennis. I like to play tennis to stay fit. I am a team player when it comes to tennis and that’s why I played on a tennis team. In high school I was the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of my high school tennis team.

Example 2 idioms:

To drop the ball= to not do something you are supposed to do

To be down for the count= to be in trouble, to be held down for an extended period of time

To be the underdog= to be the weakest competitor that everyone expects will lose

  • Question: Do you play any sports in your free time?
  • Answer: I have been a soccer player my whole life. I played soccer for ten years straight and then I dropped the ball. I didn’t play for a decade then I started playing again. Now that I am playing again, I miss 1 in 20 shots.

Today you’ve learned some new idioms and how to use them on the Speaking test when you get a question about sports.

Try to use these same idioms when it comes to other Speaking test questions too.

Let us know in the comments if you have a question about the Speaking test.

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