IELTS Speaking: Gaming and esports
Gaming and esports
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
🎮 Module 1: Build-up Vocabulary & Grammar
Welcome to Module 1! Let's get your words, useful word pairs, and sentence patterns ready before you start speaking.
📋 How to use this lesson
For the teacher
• Use this 25-minute lesson to help students build essential words, collocations, and sentence structures for Speaking Parts 1 and 3.
• Guide students through the tasks and have AI grade their speaking answers automatically against official criteria.
For the learner
• First, complete the vocabulary review, collocation matching, and grammar pattern exercises below.
• Next, move to the speaking tasks in Modules 2 and 3 and record your spoken answers clearly.
Vocabulary Review: Unit Words
Choose the correct word from our unit list that matches each definition.
1. A person or team that you play against in a game:
2. A handheld piece of equipment with buttons used to control characters or actions:
3. A competition where many players or teams play a series of games until one winner remains:
4. Describing a game mode where several people participate together at the same time:
5. Looking, sounding, or appearing like things in the real world:
Common Collocations
Match each common collocation to its meaning. Notice that each meaning gives an explanation without using words from the collocation itself.
1. competitive match
2. handheld controller
3. gaming console
4. tough opponent
5. intense battle
6. esports tournament
4 Useful Sentence Patterns for Speaking
Use these natural sentence patterns to explain your thoughts smoothly and give extra details without stopping.
Adding a detail about a person
Why this works: Gives extra background about a person without starting a whole new sentence.
"My cousin, who plays football every weekend, bought a racing setup."
🔊 ListenAdding a detail about a thing or device
Why this works: Connects your device directly to its main benefit or daily habit.
"I play on my phone, which has a very clear screen for puzzle games."
🔊 ListenWeighing two sides
Why this works: Shows the examiner you can look at both positive and negative sides.
"Although gaming can help you relax, sitting still all day is not good."
🔊 ListenComparing personal preferences
Why this works: Clearly states your preference with an immediate comparison.
"I prefer talking in person rather than chatting through a headset."
🔊 ListenGaming Fun Facts: Guess the Number
Test your knowledge with these real historical gaming facts. Choose your best guess, then check the answer and source note.
The First Public Tennis Game
In what year was an early tennis game shown to the public at Brookhaven National Laboratory in the US?
Early Computer Power for Spacewar!
How many calculations did the early game Spacewar! need every second to run?
Module 2: IELTS Speaking Part 1
Short, Natural Answers to Everyday Questions
In this part, answer short everyday questions about your gaming habits, give your reasons naturally, and record your voice for instant AI feedback.
Which games do you play most often, and why?
Click the microphone, speak for about 15 to 20 seconds, and explain what you play and why you like it.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See Model Answer & Useful Phrases Tap to reveal"Well, to be honest, I mostly play simple puzzle games on my phone. They're quick, so I can play during my bus ride. I think it's a great way to unwind after school, you know?"
Useful phrases:
- • to be honest: used to share your real habit in a friendly way.
- • during my bus ride: adds a concrete everyday example of when you play.
- • a great way to: introduces a clear reason or benefit smoothly.
- • unwind after school: means to relax and let go of stress after a busy day.
Who do you usually play with, friends or people online?
Click the microphone, record your answer, and tell who joins your games and how you talk to each other.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See Model Answer & Useful Phrases Tap to reveal"Actually, I usually play with my school friends on weekends. We connect online and chat using headsets. Sometimes I team up with strangers, but honestly, it’s much more fun with people I already know."
Useful phrases:
- • usually play with: states your normal gaming partners clearly.
- • team up with: means to join other players together on the same side.
- • much more fun: makes an immediate spoken comparison showing preference.
- • people I already know: refers to real-life classmates and companions.
Did you play more games when you were younger?
Click the microphone, compare your free time in childhood with your routine today, and record your answer.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See Model Answer & Useful Phrases Tap to reveal"Yes, definitely! When I was younger, I had lots of free time, so I played almost every afternoon. Nowadays, I've got way more homework, so I can only play for an hour on Saturday."
Useful phrases:
- • When I was younger: a standard, natural phrase to look back at childhood.
- • lots of free time: describes having many open hours after school.
- • Nowadays, I've got: a common conversational way to state your present situation.
- • for an hour on Saturday: gives a specific real-life time detail.
Do you ever watch other people play games on a screen?
Click the microphone, share whether you watch videos or game streams, and explain why or why not.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See Model Answer & Useful Phrases Tap to reveal"Yeah, from time to time. If I get stuck on a difficult level, I watch short video clips to learn some tips. It’s pretty handy, but I still prefer playing myself, to be fair."
Useful phrases:
- • from time to time: means sometimes, though not every day.
- • get stuck on: when you cannot beat a tricky challenge or obstacle.
- • pretty handy: very useful and practical in everyday conversation.
- • to be fair: adds a balanced, honest final point to your statement.
Module 3: IELTS Speaking Part 3
Deeper Discussions on Gaming in Society
In this final part, share your broader opinions on gaming, explain your points with everyday examples, and record your voice for instant AI feedback.
Why do some people spend hours every day playing games?
Click the microphone, explain why gaming is so attractive to many people, and record your thoughts clearly.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See Model Answer & Useful Phrases Tap to reveal"Well, I think the main reason is that video games are just super engaging. You know, when people have a stressful day at school or work, gaming is a great way to escape reality for a bit. Also, games give you a sense of achievement when you finish a hard level. For example, my older brother often plays racing games for three hours after a big exam because he says it helps him clear his head. It’s easy to lose track of time when you're having fun with friends online."
Useful phrases:
- • the main reason is that: introduces your biggest point directly.
- • escape reality for a bit: means to take a short break from everyday stress.
- • a sense of achievement: the happy feeling you get when you finish something tough.
- • lose track of time: to forget what time it is because you are so focused.
Is it a good idea to treat video games as a sport?
Click the microphone, compare esports competition with traditional physical sports, and record your response.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See Model Answer & Useful Phrases Tap to reveal"Well, to be honest, I can see both sides of this topic. On the one hand, top players train every day, need fast hand skills, and join huge tournaments. That takes serious teamwork and discipline, just like football. But on the other hand, you sit in a chair instead of running outside. My PE teacher always tells us that real sports make your heart pump. So, while it's definitely a true competitive activity, I don't think it should totally replace physical sports in schools."
Useful phrases:
- • see both sides of: shows you understand two different opinions.
- • On the one hand: introduces the first point of view.
- • on the other hand: introduces the contrasting point of view.
- • physical sports: sports where your whole body moves and stays active.
How can parents help children play games in a healthy way?
Click the microphone, suggest sensible ways for families to manage screen time, and record your response.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See Model Answer & Useful Phrases Tap to reveal"In my view, parents don't need to ban games completely. Instead, they should set clear boundaries from day one. You know, agreeing on a simple rule, like one hour after finishing homework, works really well. It also helps when parents show some interest. For instance, my mother sometimes sits next to me while I play puzzle games, and we talk about the stages together. When parents stay involved like that, gaming becomes a fun shared hobby rather than something children hide in their bedroom."
Useful phrases:
- • In my view: a polite and common way to introduce your opinion.
- • set clear boundaries: to make sensible limits that everyone understands.
- • from day one: right from the very beginning.
- • stay involved: to pay attention and take part in your child's activities.
How have games changed since your parents were young?
Click the microphone, compare older video games with modern technology and online play, and record your answer.
[Bài tập luyện nói]
💡 See Model Answer & Useful Phrases Tap to reveal"Well, games are completely different now. In the past, games had very simple pixel shapes, beep sounds, and basic controllers. Today, graphics look incredibly realistic, almost like watching an action movie on TV. Another big change is online connection. Back then, my dad told me he could only play with a friend sitting right beside him on the sofa. Nowadays, we can jump into a multiplayer match with anyone across the globe in seconds. It’s crazy how fast technology has moved forward, you know?"
Useful phrases:
- • In the past: a clean phrase to talk about past decades.
- • incredibly realistic: looking or feeling very much like real life.
- • Another big change is: introduces an extra comparison point smoothly.
- • jump into a: to join an activity or game quickly without waiting.
- • moved forward: developed and improved quickly over time.
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