Lesson 27 · Lesson guide
Speaking Part 1: Health, Sport and Sleep
Hello, my dear student!
Hello! In Speaking Part 1 the examiner asks you simple questions about yourself for four or five minutes. Health, sport and sleep are some of the most common Part 1 topics: “Do you do any sport?”, “How many hours do you usually sleep?”, “Is it easy to eat healthily where you live?”
These questions are easy to understand, so the examiner is listening to how well you answer them. A one-word answer shows very little English. A good answer is two to four sentences: a direct answer, then a reason, an example or a change from the past.
In this lesson you will learn to talk about how often you do things, to compare the past with now (“I used to…, but now…”), and the words you need for sport, keeping fit and sleep.
See you in the exercises,Your teacher
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A good Part 1 answer
Habits
How often?
Present simple + a frequency word: I hardly ever…, I usually…, twice a week, every other day.
- I go swimming twice a week.
- I hardly ever eat fast food.
Then and now
used to…, but now…
Compare the past with now. It turns a short answer into a longer one.
- I used to play football, but now I prefer swimming.
- Recently, I’ve started doing yoga.
Words
go, play, do
go + -ing (go running), play + a game with a ball (play tennis), do + yoga, karate, exercise.
- I do yoga.
- I play volleyball.
- I go cycling.
Remember!
Answer + reason or example. Use the tense of the question. Two to four sentences.
A model answer
- Examiner
Do you do any sport?
- Dilnoza
Not as much as I’d like. I used to play volleyball at school, but now I just go swimming once a week, because I’m very busy with my studies.
- Examiner
How many hours do you usually sleep?
- Dilnoza
About seven on weekdays. At weekends I often stay up late, so I sleep until ten.
Each answer: a direct answer + a reason or a past-now contrast.
Useful phrases
Not as much as I’d like.
a natural start
I try to… / I try not to…
a healthy habit
I used to…, but now…
then and now
Recently, I’ve started…
something new
To be honest, …
an honest answer
Mistakes examiners notice
Not: I slept at midnight.Say: I went to bed at midnight.
The moment you start: go to bed or fall asleep.
Not: I play karate.Say: I do karate.
do + martial arts and yoga; play + games with a ball.
Not: I go to the gym since two years.Say: I’ve been going to the gym for two years.
Up to now → present perfect + for.
Check yourself
How long is a good Part 1 answer?
play, do or go: ___ yoga?
Now it’s your turn!
8 short parts, each a little harder than the one before. Take your time: mistakes are how we learn.
— Your teacher