English 箭头
Podcast Cover

[Mastering IELTS Speaking: Discussing Fitness and Hobbies]-[🏃‍♂️ Running (S09E30) + Transcript]

IELTS Speaking for Success · B1 · 2023-12-04

LanguageIELTS
Or study on the web version

📋 Summary

Enhancing IELTS Speaking: A Deep Dive into Fitness Vocabulary

In this episode of the IELTS Speaking for Success podcast, hosts Maria and Rory explore the topic of running, providing listeners with a practical guide on how to express personal preferences and habits in an exam setting while incorporating high-level vocabulary and natural idioms.

Expressing Personal Preferences

When discussing exercise, candidates are often expected to provide more than a simple "yes" or "no." Rory demonstrates how to articulate a lack of interest in a specific activity without sounding dismissive. By using phrases like "I just find running really tedious and boring" or "I can't be bothered," learners can express their feelings authentically. He contrasts this by mentioning that he prefers "lifting," highlighting the importance of using specific terminology for various types of physical activity.

Essential Vocabulary for Fitness

To score high in the IELTS speaking test, candidates should use precise vocabulary. The hosts introduce several key terms:

  • Cardio: Any exercise that increases heart rate.
  • Treadmill: A piece of equipment with a revolving belt, allowing one to run in a fixed location.
  • Circuits: Patterns of exercise, often performed repetitively.
  • Scenery: The visual appeal of a location, such as the "nice scenery" found in the hills or along the "seafront."

Using Idioms and Humor to Engage the Examiner

One of the most effective ways to boost your fluency and lexical resource score is through the strategic use of idioms. The hosts suggest injecting humor into the exam, provided it is not overdone. Examples include:

  • "It runs in my genes": A pun referring to a trait or ability inherited genetically.
  • "Running late is my exercise": A clever play on words that can help build rapport with the examiner.
  • "Running joke": An idiom defined as a joke that is repeated constantly in a specific context.
  • "Run out of juice": Meaning to exhaust one's energy or resources.

Answering Difficult Questions

When faced with a topic they are unfamiliar with or uninterested in, candidates often struggle to maintain flow. Rory provides a useful strategy for managing these moments by stating, "I don't really pay too much attention to it, so I couldn't answer in any more detail about that." This phrase serves as a polite way to signal to the examiner that the candidate has reached the limit of their knowledge on the current subject, allowing them to transition smoothly to the next point.

Grammar Focus: Hypotheticals

Finally, the episode highlights the use of the second conditional when discussing hypothetical scenarios. By saying, "If I liked running, I would go along the seafront," the speaker demonstrates the ability to imagine and describe situations that are not currently true. This grammatical structure is a staple for achieving a high band score in the IELTS speaking assessment.

🎯Key Sentences

1
I get more out of lifting.
2
I just can't be bothered.
3
I'm not sure if that counts.
4
It runs in my genes.
5
But don't overdo it.
Expand All

📝Key Phrases

1
running joke
2
put up with
3
get on with
4
can't be bothered
5
run in my genes
Expand All

📖 Transcript

Hello, lovely.
I'm Maria.
And my name is Rory.
And we're the hosts of the IELTS Speaking for Success podcast.
The podcast aims to help you improve your speaking skills, as well as your listening skills, along the way.
We started this podcast to give you super grammar and gorgeous vocabulary for your high IELTS score.

ListenLeap Brings You Into Real Context Learning

🎨 Interesting Content
🌍 Real Materials
📱 Listen Anytime
Or study on the web version