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Speaking vocabulary · Topic 6 of 46

Opportunities

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.

  • 2 questions
  • 10 phrases
  • 5 exercises
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In this lesson you will

  • read and listen to model answers to 2 Part 1 questions about opportunities
  • 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

  • take upstart doing a new activity or hobby
  • have a go attry doing something
  • jump at the chanceaccept an opportunity eagerly
  • broaden your horizonsexperience new things and learn more about the world
  • miss out onnot have the chance to do something good
  • step out of your comfort zonedo something that feels new or difficult
  • well-roundedhaving a wide range of skills and experiences
  • rewardinggiving satisfaction
  • dip intotry a little of something
  • spread yourself too thintry to do too many things at the same time

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”.

Did you have many opportunities to try new activities when you were a child?

Yes, quite a few, because my primary school ran lots of after-school clubs. I had a go at everything from chess to traditional dance, and my parents encouraged me to take up the piano when I was eight. Whenever a school trip came up, I'd jump at the chance, since it meant seeing somewhere new.

Should people try as many different things as they can?

Generally, yes, because trying new things helps you broaden your horizons and become a more well-rounded person. If you never step out of your comfort zone, you miss out on a lot, and you never know which activity will turn out to be rewarding. It's good to dip into lots of things, although you shouldn't spread yourself too thin.

Step 3

Practise the vocabulary

Exercise 1

Match the meanings

Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.

start doing a new activity or hobby
having a wide range of skills and experiences
try a little of something
try doing something
accept an opportunity eagerly
experience new things and learn more about the world
not have the chance to do something good
try to do too many things at the same time
do something that feels new or difficult
giving satisfaction
Exercise 2

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).

have a go atjump at the chancetake up

Did you have many opportunities to try new activities when you were a child?

Yes, quite a few, because my primary school ran lots of after-school clubs. I everything from chess to traditional dance, and my parents encouraged me to the piano when I was eight. Whenever a school trip came up, I'd , since it meant seeing somewhere new.

Exercise 3

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.

Should people try as many different things as they can?

Generally, yes, because trying new things helps you and become a more person. If you never , you a lot, and you never know which activity will turn out to be . It's good to lots of things, although you shouldn't .

Exercise 4

Choose the right phrase

Which phrase completes each sentence?

  1. I ______ everything from chess to traditional dance, and my parents encouraged me to take up the piano when I was eight.
  2. Whenever a school trip came up, I'd ______, since it meant seeing somewhere new.
  3. Generally, yes, because trying new things helps you ______ and become a more well-rounded person.
  4. If you never ______, you miss out on a lot, and you never know which activity will turn out to be rewarding.
  5. It's good to ______ lots of things, although you shouldn't spread yourself too thin.
Exercise 5

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.

123
4
5
6
7

Across

  1. 1 having a wide range of skills and experiences (4-7)
  2. 4 giving satisfaction (9)
  3. 6 try doing something (4,1,2,2)
  4. 7 accept an opportunity eagerly (4,2,3,6)

Down

  1. 2 try a little of something (3,4)
  2. 3 not have the chance to do something good (4,3,2)
  3. 5 start doing a new activity or hobby (4,2)

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 “Give me a question”.

Press Record, answer out loud, then listen back.

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Questions: frequently reported IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics. Model answers and exercises written for Tips4IELTS.