7 Slang Phrases for a 7+ on IELTS Speaking

Jessica Beck

This article shows IELTS students that they should use informal language on Speaking Part 1 for improved lexical range scores.

What vocabulary does the IELTS Examiner want to hear in IELTS Speaking Part 1?

If you want a 7 or higher for vocabulary on your IELTS Speaking test, you must show a range.

What is a range of vocabulary and how do you show it?

The range required for a 7+ means that your words must match the tone of the question, from informal and relaxed to formal and serious.

Thus, in Speaking Part 1, as the questions are personal and informal, your vocabulary must match that tone.

To show your ability to communicate informally in a natural, native way, try using some slang. This means using words or phrases that natives use in informal, daily speech, but, usually, is not taught in a textbook. This is why most students don’t use slang on the Exam, and end up with a 6 for vocabulary.

Here are native, informal, interesting phrases you can use for IELTS Speaking Part 1:

Instead of ‘like’ or ‘enjoy’, say:

I’m a big fan of sitcoms.
I’m all about science-fiction.

When describing your job, say:

I don’t want a normal 9 to 5. I want a position where I can work remotely, with flexible hours. [a “9 to 5” is a job with working hours from 9am to 5pm]
I always give 110% at my job. [ “give 110%” means to give something all your energy; to do your best]

When talking about school, say:

Before an exam, sometimes I pull an all-nighter. [“pull an all-nighter” is to study all through the night and not sleep, or sleep very little]
I was kind of a nerd in high school, actually. [a “nerd” is a smart person who studies a lot, and might not be considered cool]
I played a lot of sports, so I guess I was a jock in high school. [ a “jock” is someone who plays sports a lot]

Choose four slang phrases from above. Write them down in your own sentences. Then, use them to answer these IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions:

Do you work or are you a student?
What do you like about your job/school?
Were you a good student in high school?

Written by Jessica Beck for EnglishClub.com

Jessica Beck is a proud member of the All Ears English team. At AEE, we focus on teaching REAL English, not textbook English. Listen to the All Ears English podcast for free.
© EnglishClub.com

15 comments

Anamaria says:

I would like to thank this program for sending materials
Sabrina says:

no
Lise says:

I am a high-student.I am all about reading books.I am a big fan of Bill Gates.I am always clam and quiet.In fact,I am a nerd.Other people usually pull a all-nighter before exams.But I never did so.I usually don’t take part in sports,so I’m not a jock.Above all,I always did well in exams and I am indeed a good student.
Mehmet Alkan says:

this progamme is wonderfol for good learning english.
Dorcas says:

Am a bit of nerd at school and not a all-nighter except once.
Am all about learning and rear teaching, so a student”. ” Am a big fan of the library at school”. Also is this correct?
Dorcas says:

I love this it so much of new knowledge and help it does not only help the students but also parents because as a student learn he/she has got to extend the learning to parents and society. It’s nice and interesting.
Muhammed Kujabi says:

Thanks for sharing these valuable learning resources to us.
I guess I have to pull an all-nighter to digest all the information provided.
Luis says:

When I was at the university, I studied hard and several times, I pulled an all-nighter in order to cover the whole studying stuff. Thanks for giving us that kind of material from time to time.
Farida says:

I love all the materials on this website. Its brilliant. Keep up the excellent work.
Lidia Brusco says:

“This article shows IELTS students that they should use informal …”: sorry but in this first sentence you have written here above there seems to be a serious grammar mistake about the use of the relative pronoun together with another subject. Am I wrong?
Raquel says:

Many thanks for all the materials provided. I am very grateful and me and my students are learning a lot. I am looking forward to seeing new phrases, idioms, and other things.
Murat says:

Thank you guys sharing for all materials. I am a big fan and looking forward to see englishclub in my mail box
Kourosh Nikbakht says:

I can’t thank you enough for all the materials you share for free.
In my previous comment, I just offered some possible answers.
Kourosh Nikbakht says:

* Well, I used to be a normal nine to fiver, but after this pandemic, I made it remotely for a couple of months. And now, due to some personal stuff, I’m on an unpaid leave.
* As an educational department head, I would give 110% at it. I didn’t feel sorry about it, just because I was really all about teaching and helping students and other colleagues. It was really rewarding.
* At primary school, I was prim and proper. But in secondary, I really became naughty and didn’t study that much. And for exams, I was an all-nighter.
Elnara says:

I would like to thank this program for sending materials.I enjoy all of them. And They help me in my teaching English at school. Any information you sent is valuable for me.

7 Slang Phrases for a 7+ on IELTS Speaking

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