Speaking vocabulary · Topic 24 of 46
Tidiness
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 tidiness
- 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
- tidy upmake a place neat by putting things where they belong
- put awayput something in the place where it is usually kept
- cluttera lot of things in an untidy state
- messyuntidy or dirty
- organisedarranged well and efficiently
- neat freaka person who wants everything to be very tidy
- clear outremove things you don't want from a place
- pile upincrease in quantity until there is too much
- spotlesscompletely clean
- nagkeep asking someone to do something in an annoying way
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 to keep things tidy?
Yes, I do, although I'm not a neat freak. I feel calmer when my room is organised, and it means that I don't waste time looking for things.
How do you keep your work or study space tidy?
I tidy up my desk at the end of every day and put away anything which I'm not using, because a clear desk helps me focus. Once a month I clear out old papers before they start to pile up.
Do you think it is necessary to be tidy?
To some extent, although you don't need a spotless home. Too much clutter can make you feel stressed, because it's much harder to concentrate when everything is in a mess.
Did you keep your room tidy as a child?
Not at all, because I always had better things to do! My room was always messy, and my mum used to nag me to tidy it every weekend, but I only did it when she threatened to take my toys away.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- make a place neat by putting things where they belong
- a lot of things in an untidy state
- put something in the place where it is usually kept
- completely clean
- keep asking someone to do something in an annoying way
- a person who wants everything to be very tidy
- untidy or dirty
- increase in quantity until there is too much
- remove things you don't want from a place
- arranged well and efficiently
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 to keep things tidy?
Yes, I do, although I'm not a . I feel calmer when my room is , and it means that I don't waste time looking for things.
Do you think it is necessary to be tidy?
To some extent, although you don't need a home. Too much can make you feel stressed, because it's much harder to concentrate when everything is in a mess.
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.
How do you keep your work or study space tidy?
I my desk at the end of every day and anything which I'm not using, because a clear desk helps me focus. Once a month I old papers before they start to .
Did you keep your room tidy as a child?
Not at all, because I always had better things to do! My room was always , and my mum used to me to tidy it every weekend, but I only did it when she threatened to take my toys away.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- Yes, I do, although I'm not a ______.
- I feel calmer when my room is ______, and it means that I don't waste time looking for things.
- I ______ my desk at the end of every day and put away anything which I'm not using, because a clear desk helps me focus.
- Once a month I ______ old papers before they start to pile up.
- To some extent, although you don't need a ______ home.
- Too much ______ can make you feel stressed, because it's much harder to concentrate when everything is in a mess.
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 | ||||||||
Across
- 1 a lot of things in an untidy state (7)
- 4 make a place neat by putting things where they belong (4,2)
- 6 completely clean (8)
- 8 keep asking someone to do something in an annoying way (3)
- 9 a person who wants everything to be very tidy (4,5)
Down
- 1 remove things you don't want from a place (5,3)
- 2 untidy or dirty (5)
- 3 arranged well and efficiently (9)
- 5 increase in quantity until there is too much (4,2)
- 7 put something in the place where it is usually kept (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.