IELTS Topic: The Arts
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
The Arts: Noun
Art forms created by humans, divided into visual, literary, and performing.
The Arts form an importiant part of the tourism industry, as it plays an imortiant role in the sustainability of a countries culture, and it creates jobs, improving its economy.
Culture: Noun
The systems of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, hierarchies, religion that are shared by a relatively large group of people.
The culture of a country is reflected in its art.
Creative: Noun
Relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.
He is an incredibly creative person - he's written many books and plays and he can paint as well.
Classical: Noun
Music that is considered to be part of a long especially formal tradition and to be of lasting value.
I prefer classical music such as Mozart and Bach to modern day pop music.
Musical: Noun
A play or film in which part of the story is sung to music .OR A skill in or great liking for music (adjective)
"The Phantom of the Opera" is one of the best musicals that I have ever seen.
Opera: Noun
An art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and music, usually in a theatre.
Many people still enjoy going to the opera, even though it is not as popular as it used to be.
Theatre: Noun
A building, room, or outside structure with rows of seats, each row usually higher than the one in front, from which people can watch a performance or other activity.
My hometown does not have any theatres. There are many in the capital though.
Performance: Verb
A show or action involving the entertaining of other people by dancing, singing, acting, or playing music.
There will be a performance of a famous play at the Lyceum Theatre tonight.
Festival: Noun
An organized set of special events, such as musical, art or film performances.
The local council organizes a music festival in my town every year.
Exhibition: Noun
An event at which objects such as paintings are shown to the public.
There will be an exhibition at the weekend to show all of his latest paintings.
Sculpture: Noun
The art of making two- or three-dimensional representative or abstract forms, especially by carving stone or wood.
The museum has many life-sized sculptures of past Kings and Queens of England.
Abstract: Noun
A type of painting, drawing, or sculpture that uses shapes, lines, and colour in a way that does not try to represent the appearance of people or things.
Jackson Pollock is one of the most famous abstract artists. He famous for dripping and splattering paint onto his canvas
Display: Noun
A collection of objects or pictures arranged for people to look at, or a performance or show for people to watch (= being shown).
Jackson Pollock's most famous paintings are on display at the Tate Modern Art Gallery in London for 10 days.
Inspired: Adjective
To be filled with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Shakespeare's plays have inspired many young people to take up writing and acting.
Artifact: Noun
An object that is made by a person, such as a tool or a decoration, especially one that is of historical interest.
The museum in town has many artifacts that were found in the local area. Most are tools from the Stone Age.
Choreograph: Verb
Compose the sequence of steps and moves for a ballet or other performance of dance.
Their dance routines had been carefully choreographed so there would be no mistakes.
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
1. Do you like art?
2. Do you think art classes are necessary? (Why?)
3. How do you think art classes affect children’s development?
4. Are you good at art?
5. What kind of paintings do people like?
6. What benefits can you get from painting as a hobby?
7. How often do you visit art galleries?
8. What kinds of things do you like to draw?
9. Is it easy to learn how to draw?
10. Do you have any artwork in your house?
11. Does any of your family members like art?
12. Do you think being an artist is a good career choice? Why or why not?
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.
Part 2 – sample task card
Sample A
Describe a piece of art that you like.
You should say:
what the piece of art is
where and when you saw it
what it looks like or what it shows
and explain why you like this piece of art.
Sample B
Describe an artist or entertainer you admire.
You should say:
Who they are and what they do
How they became successful
How you found out about them
And explain why you admire them
Sample C
Describe a type of art form you would like to try in the future.
You should say:
What the art form is
How you came to know about it
Where you can learn about it
If it is expensive or not, and if it is a popular art form in your country.
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.
1. Describe the general purpose of art. Why do people enjoy art?
2. Do you think that art is as important as academic subjects when it comes to educating children?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of art education?
4. Why do you think some people enjoy looking at paintings and sculptures and others do not?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being an artist?
6. Do you think that some people are naturally better artists than others?
7. What kind of art do you enjoy?
8. What are the traditional art forms in your country?
9. What makes a good painting?
10. Do you think children should study art at school?
11. How can children benefit from learning art?
12. How has art changed in the last few decades in your country?
13. Do you think art classes are necessary? (Why?)
14. How do you think art classes affect children’s development?
15. What kind of paintings do people like?
16. What benefits can you get from painting as a hobby?
17. How often do you visit art galleries?
18. What kinds of things do you like to draw?
19. Is it easy to learn how to draw?
20. Do you like art?
21. Do people in your country prefer music over art?
22. Are older people more interested in art than younger people?
23 Should the government provide support for art and cultural activities?
