IELTS Clothes & Fashion
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly
Vocabulary/ Expressions
dress to impress: (Phrase)
meaning = to wear clothes that will amaze someone or some people you want to think highly of you
example = I dressed to impress at the party and everyone noticed me.
a slave to fashion: (Noun)
meaning = someone who feels they have to follow every single fashion
example = It is expensive to be a slave to fashion as you have to keep buying the latest trends.
plus-size: (adjectives)
meaning = a person or item of clothing which is bigger than the usual sizes found in shops
example = Plus-size shops sell clothes for large people like me because all the clothes in other shops are too small.
the look: (Noun)
meaning = a type of appearance or style
example = I tried to dress like Iron Man for Halloween but people thought I was C3PO from Star wars. It wasn’t the look I was going for.
a hipster (person): (Noun)
meaning = someone who is very influenced by the most recent ideas and fashions
example = My local cafe is full of young hipsters these days, all looking very cool and trendy.
hipsters (object): (Noun)
meaning = low-cut trousers or jeans that only come up to the hips instead of the waist
example = I never feel very comfortable wearing hipsters. I always want to pull them up!
to be all the rage: (Noun Phrase)
meaning = to be very popular at a particular time
example = Flared trousers were all the rage when I was a young girl. We called them bell-bottoms!
mix and match: (Phrase)
meaning = when you wear different styles or fashions together
example = She mixed and matched clothes from this season, last season, and her own classic style.
your wardrobe: (Noun)
meaning = all the clothes you have
example = I really need to update my wardrobe. I haven’t bought any new clothes for ages.
a snappy dresser: (Noun)
meaning = someone who wears very stylish clothes
example = My dad has always been a very snappy dresser. He loves to look smart and professional.
to dress up / dress down: (Phrasal Verbs)
meaning = to wear smart clothes for a special occasion / to wear casual clothes for an informal event
example = I had to dress up for my university graduation so I bought a suit.
to throw on something: (Phrasal Verbs)
meaning = to put on an item of clothing without giving much thought to how it looks
example = I had to go out quickly so I just threw on a pair of jeans and an old jumper.
to switch up: (Phrasal Verbs)
meaning = to change what you usually wear so that you look different.
example = I switched up my wardrobe with some new accessories and now have a completely new style.
PART 1 QUESTIONS
Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the first part, the examiner will ask you a number of general questions
Do you enjoy buying clothes?
When is it important to dress formally?
What is your favourite item of clothing?
Are there any traditional clothes in your country?
Where do you usually purchase your clothes?
Have you ever bought clothes online?
Do you care about fashion?
Do you like to follow the latest fashion trends?
Do you think Younger people are caring more about fashion these days than in the past?
Do people from your country think fashion is important?
What kind of things do you normally wear?
Do you think older people and younger people have the same taste in clothing?
Do you think that fashion will continue to change in the future?
PART 2 QUESTIONS
Individual long turn (3-4 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
You will have 1 minute to prepare to speak, and then you will talk for 2 minutes, during which the examiner will not speak.
Sample A
Describe your favorite piece of clothing.
You should say:
Where you got it
Do you often wear it
When you wear it
And explain why it is your favorite piece of clothing.
Sample B
Describe someone you know who dresses well.
You should say:
who they are
how you know them
what kind of clothes they wear and say why you like the way they dress.
Sample C
Describe a new piece of clothing you bought or received from someone.
You should say:
When you bought or received this piece of clothing
Where you bought or who you received this piece of clothing
What this piece of clothing looks like and If you like this piece of clothing or not and why.
PART 3 QUESTIONS
Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the last part, you will talk with the examiner about issues related to the topic on the card.
