APIE
B1IELTS-style · Band 4.5–5.0Speaking25 min

IELTS Speaking: Mosaics and Stained Glass

Mosaics and stained glass windows

Add to my libraryFree for teachers. You sign in only when you add the lesson.

Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.

Target: 5.0-5.5
IELTS Speaking • Parts 1 & 3

Mosaics & Stained Glass Windows

Build vocabulary, master essential sentence patterns, and practice natural speaking.

25 Minutes
📋

How to use this lesson

👩‍🏫 Teacher:

Follow these exercises to prepare for speaking; allow 25 minutes for the full lesson. Check recorded answers for clarity and key phrases.

🧑‍🎓 Student:

Do the vocabulary and fact matching first. Then, record your answers in modules 2 and 3.

A stunning ancient mosaic artwork featuring colorful glass and stone tiles depicting historic patterns in bright lightin

Unit Theme: Mosaics and decorative stained glass art across historical eras.

Module 1: Building Blocks

Let's learn key words, natural phrases, and facts about mosaics and stained glass windows.

Part A Vocabulary Matching (10 Words)

Match each key word to its correct English definition.

1. mosaic

____ a. A picture made by fitting small coloured pieces together ____ b. A sharp metal tool used to cut or shape hard material ____ c. A single sheet of glass in a window frame

2. chisel

____ a. A solid square block with six equal sides ____ b. A sharp metal tool used to cut or shape hard material ____ c. An object used as a decoration to make something attractive

3. cube

____ a. A picture of a scene ____ b. To rub a surface to make it smooth and shiny ____ c. A solid square block with six equal sides

4. image

____ a. A picture of a person or scene ____ b. A small room or building used for prayer ____ c. To break suddenly into many small sharp pieces

5. pane

____ a. A holy person shown in religious art ____ b. A single sheet of glass in a window ____ c. To rub a surface to make it smooth and shiny

6. chapel

____ a. An object used as a decoration to make something attractive ____ b. To break suddenly into many small sharp pieces ____ c. A small room or building used for prayer and religious services

7. angel

____ a. A holy person with wings, often shown in religious art ____ b. A picture made by fitting small coloured pieces together ____ c. A solid square block with six equal sides

8. shatter

____ a. To rub a surface to make it smooth and shiny ____ b. To break suddenly into many small sharp pieces ____ c. A sharp metal tool used to cut or shape hard material

9. polish

____ a. A single sheet of glass in a window ____ b. A picture of a person ____ c. To rub a surface to make it smooth and shiny

10. ornament

____ a. An object used as a decoration to make something attractive ____ b. A small room or building used for prayer ____ c. A holy person with wings, often shown in art

Part B Collocation Matching (6 Phrases)

Match each natural word pair to its meaning.

11. glass ornament

____ a. A small pretty thing you hang up ____ b. A picture that is easy to see ____ c. A tool with an edge that cuts well

12. window pane

____ a. A holy person with wings made from rock ____ b. A flat sheet that fills a frame and lets light in ____ c. A small place for prayer from long ago

13. clear image

____ a. A small pretty thing you hang up ____ b. A tool with an edge that cuts well ____ c. A picture that is easy to see

14. stone angel

____ a. A holy person with wings made from rock ____ b. A flat sheet that fills a frame and lets light in ____ c. A small place for prayer from long ago

15. sharp chisel

____ a. A small place for prayer from long ago ____ b. A tool with an edge that cuts well ____ c. A small pretty thing you hang up

16. old chapel

____ a. A flat sheet that fills a frame and lets light in ____ b. A holy person with wings made from rock ____ c. A small place for prayer from long ago

Part C Useful Sentence Patterns

Study these four essential question and description structures for speaking about artwork:

Pattern 1

When was ... made?

Use this to ask about the origin date or time of creation.

Example:

"Where was the window made, and when was it fixed?"

Pattern 2

Where is ... kept?

Use this to ask where something is today.

Example:

"Where is the old mosaic kept now?"

Pattern 3

What is ... used for?

Use this to ask what something is for.

Example:

"What is this old tool used for?"

Pattern 4

How was ... decorated?

Use this to ask how something was made or decorated.

Example:

"How was the floor decorated?"

Part D Fun Facts: Guess the Number!

Test your knowledge before revealing the real history facts!

17. How many early Christian monuments in Ravenna are on the UNESCO list?

____ a. 4 monuments ____ b. 8 monuments ____ c. 18 monuments

18. When was the late Roman mosaic from Hinton St Mary found?

____ a. 1863 ____ b. 1963 ____ c. 2003

Module 2: IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions

Answer four questions about art preferences, historical visits, photography, and museum habits.

Question 1 Part 1 Practice

1. Do you like colourful art, or do you prefer plain things?

Record your answer (Evaluated by AI on 4 criteria):

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Key Phrases

"Well, to be honest, I'm a big fan of colourful art. Plain things are okay, but bright colours really catch my eye and make me feel happy. It just makes a room look nicer, you know?"

Notes on bold phrases:

  • a big fan of: really like something
  • catch my eye: grab my attention quickly
  • to be honest: used to say what you really think
Question 2 Part 1 Practice

2. Have you ever visited a church or a museum with beautiful windows or floors?

Record your answer (Evaluated by AI on 4 criteria):

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Key Phrases

"Yes, I have! A few years ago, I visited a chapel with stunning glass panels. The light came through and made bright patterns on the floor. It was quite a sight, so I stayed for a while."

Notes on bold phrases:

  • stunning glass panels: very beautiful pieces of colored glass
  • quite a sight: very impressive to look at
  • stayed for a while: stayed there for some time
Question 3 Part 1 Practice

3. Do you take photos when you visit interesting places?

Record your answer (Evaluated by AI on 4 criteria):

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Key Phrases

"Yeah, I usually do! I like to snap a few pictures on my phone to keep a record of my trip. However, I try not to get carried away so I can still enjoy the moment."

Notes on bold phrases:

  • snap a few pictures: take some quick photos
  • keep a record: remember what I saw
  • get carried away: spend too much time doing one thing
Question 4 Part 1 Practice

4. How often do you go to a museum or an art gallery?

Record your answer (Evaluated by AI on 4 criteria):

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Key Phrases

"Not very often, to be fair. I only pop into a gallery once in a blue moon, maybe once or twice a year when I have a bit of free time on the weekend."

Notes on bold phrases:

  • pop into: visit a place briefly
  • once in a blue moon: very rarely
  • a bit of free time: some spare time

Module 3: IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions

Answer four broader discussion questions about museum objects, entry fees, and artistic preservation.

Question 1 Part 3 Discussion

1. Why do people keep very old things in museums?

Record your response (Evaluated by AI on 4 criteria):

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Key Phrases

"Well, to be honest, I think people keep old items in museums mostly to protect our history. Old objects, like ancient tiles or statues, tell us stories about how people lived long ago. If we don't look after these things, we might forget where we came from. Also, museums play a big role in education because students can actually see real items with their own eyes instead of just reading about them. So, holding onto old objects gives everyone a chance to learn from the past, which is a step in the right direction."

Notes on bold phrases:

  • look after: care for something so it is not ruined
  • play a big role: be very important in something
  • learn from the past: understand history better
  • a step in the right direction: a good and helpful action
Question 2 Part 3 Discussion

2. Should museums be free for everyone?

Record your response (Evaluated by AI on 4 criteria):

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Key Phrases

"Personally speaking, I reckon making museums free for everyone is a great idea. When there is no entry fee, families and students can drop by whenever they want without worrying about money. It really helps everyone enjoy culture. On the other hand, running a large museum costs a lot of money because staff need to clean building rooms and repair display glass. So, maybe the best way is to strike a balance by letting people enter for free on certain weekends so nobody misses out on seeing wonderful historical art."

Notes on bold phrases:

  • a great idea: a very good thought or policy
  • drop by: visit easily without planning ahead
  • costs a lot of money: needs plenty of money
  • strike a balance: find a fair middle choice
  • misses out on: loses a chance to experience something
Question 3 Part 3 Discussion

3. Is it more important to look after old art or to make new art?

Record your response (Evaluated by AI on 4 criteria):

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Key Phrases

"In my view, both of these things are equally important, so we shouldn't really choose just one. Old art connects us to our history, so we must take care of it so future generations can enjoy it. However, making new art allows modern artists to express fresh ideas and keep culture alive. If we only look at ancient items, creative work might really stop growing. Therefore, supporting new creators while preserving classic pieces is definitely the way forward for any healthy community."

Notes on bold phrases:

  • equally important: having the same level of value
  • take care of: keep safe and in good condition
  • keep culture alive: help culture continue and grow
  • the way forward: the best action to take for progress
Question 4 Part 3 Discussion

4. Do you think that young people are interested in old objects?

Record your response (Evaluated by AI on 4 criteria):

[Bài tập luyện nói]

💡 Model Answer & Key Phrases

"Well, to be honest, it depends on the person, but many young people do find old objects interesting if they are shown well. Traditional displays can sometimes seem a bit dull, but when museums use interactive screens or videos, it really catches their interest. Young people like seeing unique things that look different from modern items, such as old decorated glass or stone patterns. So, if we share history in an exciting way, most teenagers will take an interest and enjoy visiting museum collections."

Notes on bold phrases:

  • depends on the person: changes from one person to another
  • a bit dull: a little boring
  • catches their interest: makes them want to know more
  • take an interest: start to like something and want to know more
Add to my library

Related lessons

B1CEFR

Questions in the Passive

Mosaics and stained glass windows

Grammar · 12 min

B1CEFR

Reading: The Art of Mosaics

Mosaics and stained glass windows

Reading · 15 min

B1CEFR

Vocabulary and Pronunciation: Mosaics and Stained Glass

Mosaics and stained glass windows

Vocabulary · 20 min

B1CEFR

Writing: Mosaics and Stained Glass Windows

Mosaics and stained glass windows

Writing · 30 min

B1CEFR

Class activity: Trip Story Cards (Travel & Holidays)

Travel and holidays

Speaking · 25 min

B1CEFR

Class activity: Study Dilemma Cards

Studying and learning languages

Speaking · 20 min