B1IELTS-style · Band 4.5–5.0Speaking25 min

IELTS Speaking: Bad Habits and Breaking Them

Bad habits and breaking them

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Target: B1 Module 1 • Build-up

🔥 Bad Habits & Breaking Them

Build your vocabulary and learn natural sentence patterns to talk about your daily habits.

💡 How to use this lesson

👩‍🏫 For the Teacher

Guide students through Module 1 to build core vocabulary and structures.
Allocate around 10 minutes and check answers together before speaking practice.

🎓 For the Learner

First, review the target words and complete the warm-up exercises.
Next, study the 4 speaking patterns to prepare for your Part 1 and Part 2 speaking tasks.

📚 Key Target Vocabulary

Here are the 10 key words for this unit. We will practice 5 of them in the fill-in-the-blank exercise below!

snooze trigger urge excuse resist distract willpower addicted quit stubborn

✏️ Section 1: Vocabulary Practice

Complete each sentence with the correct target word.

1. I often press the ____ button three times before getting out of bed.

2. Stress can be a main ____ that makes people smoke or overeat.

3. Sometimes I get a sudden ____ to eat chocolate after dinner.

4. It is difficult to ____ the temptation of checking social media while studying.

5. Breaking a bad habit requires strong ____ and daily discipline.

🔗 Section 2: Common Collocations

Match each useful collocation with its correct English meaning.

1. What does "kick the habit" mean?

____ a. to stop doing something bad permanently ____ b. to stop fighting a strong desire to do something wrong ____ c. to keep your attention on one goal without turning away

2. What does "give in to temptation" mean?

____ a. to start doing something beneficial regularly ____ b. to stop fighting a strong desire to do something wrong ____ c. to create a set pattern of daily actions

3. What does "stay focused" mean?

____ a. to successfully stop a daily action that you dislike ____ b. to stop doing something bad permanently ____ c. to keep your attention on one goal without turning away

4. What does "form a good habit" mean?

____ a. to start doing something beneficial regularly ____ b. to stop fighting a strong desire to do something wrong ____ c. to stop doing something bad permanently

5. What does "break a habit" mean?

____ a. to keep your attention on one goal without turning away ____ b. to successfully stop a daily action that you dislike ____ c. to start doing something beneficial regularly

6. What does "develop a routine" mean?

____ a. to stop doing something bad permanently ____ b. to successfully stop a daily action that you dislike ____ c. to create a set pattern of daily actions
Speaking Patterns

🗣️ 4 Natural Sentence Structures

Use these structures to speak naturally about your personal habits in IELTS Speaking Part 1 and Part 2.

1

I keep + V-ing...

"I keep hitting the snooze button, so I tend to be late for class."

2

I tend to + V...

"I tend to check my phone whenever I feel bored."

3

I find it hard to + V...

"I find it hard to resist eating snacks late at night."

4

I'm trying to + V...

"I'm trying to quit scrolling social media before sleep."

🎲 Section 4: Science of Habits (Guess the Number!)

Test your intuition about how long it really takes to form a habit based on research from University College London.

Fact #1

How many days does it take on average for a new habit to become automatic?

____ A. 6 days ____ B. 66 days ____ C. 366 days
Fact #2

How many volunteers participated in this University College London habit study?

____ A. 96 people ____ B. 9 people ____ C. 960 people
Target: B1 Module 2 • Speaking Practice

🎙️ IELTS Speaking: Bad Habits

Practice speaking naturally with AI feedback on your Part 1 and Part 2 responses.

💬 Part 1: Short Questions & Answers

Answer each question naturally. Record your response to receive AI grading.

Q1

Do you get up as soon as your alarm rings, or do you stay in bed a little longer?

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Record first to check)

"Well, to be honest, I usually stay in bed a little longer. When my alarm rings at seven, I keep hitting the snooze button for ten minutes because I feel so tired."

Useful Phrases:

  • stay in bed a little longer: remain in bed after waking up
  • keep hitting the snooze button: press the alarm delay button repeatedly
Q2

How often do you look at your phone when you are with friends?

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Record first to check)

"I try not to, but I tend to check my phone quite often. You know, whenever there is a quiet moment in our conversation, I just pick up my phone out of habit."

Useful Phrases:

  • tend to check my phone: usually look at my phone
  • pick up my phone out of habit: take my phone automatically without thinking
Q3

Is there a small habit of a friend or a family member that annoys you a little?

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Record first to check)

"Yes, my younger brother always leaves his dirty shoes right near the front door. It drives me a bit crazy because I find it hard to walk past without tripping over them!"

Useful Phrases:

  • drives me a bit crazy: makes me feel slightly annoyed
  • find it hard to: feel it is difficult to do something
Q4

Do you find it easy to start a new routine, for example a sport or a study plan?

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Record first to check)

"Honestly, it is pretty tough for me. I usually start with a lot of excitement, but after a few days, I give in to temptation and go back to my old ways very easily."

Useful Phrases:

  • give in to temptation: stop fighting the desire to do something wrong or easy
  • go back to my old ways: return to old habits

📝 Part 2: Individual Long Turn (Cue Card)

Take 1 minute to prepare your notes, then speak for 60 to 90 seconds.

📌 IELTS Cue Card 1 min prep • 60-90s talk

Describe a habit that you changed or that you want to change.

You should say:

  • what the habit is
  • when you do it
  • how it affects your life

and explain what you did or will do to change it.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Useful Phrases (Record first to check)

"Well, I would like to talk about a habit that I really want to change, which is staying up late playing video games on my phone.

I usually do this late at night after finishing my homework. Around eleven o'clock, I lie in bed and tell myself I will play for just ten minutes. But you know, I always lose track of time and end up playing until two in the morning.

This habit affects my life quite badly. In the morning, I feel extremely tired, so I keep hitting the snooze button and often run late for my morning classes. It also makes it hard for me to stay focused during lectures.

To kick the habit, I'm trying to leave my phone in the living room before going to sleep. I also want to develop a regular routine by reading a real book instead."

Useful Phrases:

  • lose track of time: fail to notice how much time has passed
  • kick the habit: stop doing a bad habit permanently
  • I'm trying to: I am attempting to do something
  • develop a regular routine: create a set pattern of daily habits

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