Speaking vocabulary · Topic 11 of 46
Tiredness
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 tiredness
- 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
- worn outextremely tired
- run-downtired and slightly ill because you have been working too hard
- nod offfall asleep, especially when you did not plan to
- recharge your batteriesrest so that you have energy again
- burn the midnight oilwork or study late into the night
- take it easyrelax and not work too hard
- drainedhaving no energy left
- crash outgo to sleep very quickly because you are exhausted
- pick-me-upsomething, often a drink, that gives you more energy
- call it a nightstop what you are doing and go to bed or go home
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 often get tired?
More often than I'd like, especially during exam periods, when I tend to burn the midnight oil. By the end of the week I'm usually completely worn out, and if it goes on for too long, I start to feel quite run-down.
When do you usually feel tired?
Usually in the middle of the afternoon, right after I've had lunch. I've even nodded off in a lecture once or twice, which was quite embarrassing. Long journeys also leave me feeling drained, even though I've just been sitting down.
What do you do when you feel tired?
If I can, I have a short nap or a coffee as a pick-me-up. At the weekend I try to take it easy and do nothing at all, so that I can recharge my batteries before the next week starts.
Do you still go out with your friends when you're tired?
Sometimes, because seeing friends can actually give me energy. But if I'm really exhausted, I'll go home early and call it a night. Usually I just crash out on the sofa as soon as I get in.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- extremely tired
- tired and slightly ill because you have been working too hard
- having no energy left
- stop what you are doing and go to bed or go home
- work or study late into the night
- rest so that you have energy again
- something, often a drink, that gives you more energy
- go to sleep very quickly because you are exhausted
- relax and not work too hard
- fall asleep, especially when you did not plan to
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 often get tired?
More often than I'd like, especially during exam periods, when I tend to . By the end of the week I'm usually completely , and if it goes on for too long, I start to feel quite .
What do you do when you feel tired?
If I can, I have a short nap or a coffee as a . At the weekend I try to and do nothing at all, so that I can before the next week starts.
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.
When do you usually feel tired?
Usually in the middle of the afternoon, right after I've had lunch. I've even in a lecture once or twice, which was quite embarrassing. Long journeys also leave me feeling , even though I've just been sitting down.
Do you still go out with your friends when you're tired?
Sometimes, because seeing friends can actually give me energy. But if I'm really exhausted, I'll go home early and . Usually I just on the sofa as soon as I get in.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- More often than I'd like, especially during exam periods, when I tend to ______.
- By the end of the week I'm usually completely ______, and if it goes on for too long, I start to feel quite run-down.
- I've even ______ in a lecture once or twice, which was quite embarrassing.
- Long journeys also leave me feeling ______, even though I've just been sitting down.
- If I can, I have a short nap or a coffee as a ______.
- At the weekend I try to ______ and do nothing at all, so that I can recharge my batteries before the next week starts.
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 | ||||||||||||
Across
- 1 something, often a drink, that gives you more energy (4-2-2)
- 4 stop what you are doing and go to bed or go home (4,2,1,5)
- 6 extremely tired (4,3)
- 8 having no energy left (7)
Down
- 2 go to sleep very quickly because you are exhausted (5,3)
- 3 relax and not work too hard (4,2,4)
- 5 tired and slightly ill because you have been working too hard (3-4)
- 7 fall asleep, especially when you did not plan to (3,3)
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.