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In IELTS Speaking, Handicrafts is a topic that many students find challenging.
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IELTS Speaking vocabulary: Handicrafts
In this lesson, you will learn some vocabulary and useful expressions to talk about handicrafts, including why they might be good for children and also why they can be important for local communities.
Handicraft (n.) = a thing used for decoration that is made by hand
Do you think we should say ‘make’ or ‘do’ with handicrafts?
I _______ handicrafts
The answer is actually both!
- If we are talking about handicrafts as a thing, then we use make.
- If we are talking about handicrafts as an activity, then we use do.
Handicrafts (Handcrafts)
1) hand-crafted items (things)
2) activities
Let’s make some handicrafts
Let’s do some handicrafts
1) Hand-crafted items
2) Activities
Let’s do some arts and crafts
I like doing arts and crafts
I like doing craftwork
There are many different kinds of crafts or handicrafts. When we are talking about activities, we have the following:
- weaving
- carving
- pottery
- embroidery
- knitting
If we are talking about things, then we have the following, and many more,
- vases
- baskets
- candles
- bags
- wallets
- jewelry
To find out more about the different kinds of handicrafts and learn lots more relevant vocabulary, check out this web page,
Word Families
When building your vocabulary, it is really useful to learn word families, that is the different forms of a word (such as noun, adverb, verb, adjective and so on).
A craft (n.) = an activity, a skill
Writing a book is a craft.
To craft (v.) = to make skilfully
I’ve crafted this lovely candle
Crafty (adj.) = clever and cunning, sly
He is so crafty, he didn’t tell anyone that he had won the lottery, so they wouldn’t ask him for money.
Craftsmanship (n.) = skill, ability
I admire her craftsmanship
Places to buy handicrafts
- Flea markets
- Street markets
There are many nouns used for cheap handicrafts, including,
- Bric a brac (n.) Uncountable
- Trinkets (inf.)
- Knick knacks (inf.)
Whilst the above nouns are informal and quite colloquial, you can still use them for IELTS Speaking. The following are quite neutral and can also be used in IELTS Speaking.
- Ornaments (n.)
- Adornments (n.)
Skills for making handicrafts
The following adjectives are mean skillful with your hands
- Dexterous (adj.)
- Nimble-fingered (adj.)
- Handy (adj.)
The following are used to describe people who can use their imagination to make things or have some talent in making handicrafts
- Creative
- Innovative
- Artistic
- I’ve got an artistic bent
Whilst handicrafts are handmade goods, the opposite would be mass produced goods or machine made goods.
IELTS Speaking questions
This is the kind of question you might be asked in IELTS Speaking Part 3, together with some useful phrases for your answer.
Should we encourage children to make handicrafts?
- Making handicrafts is a good activity because it can unleash their creative mind / artistic talent
- They can develop their artistic flair / bent
- As far as I can see, it’s a great way to earn a living
- Doing handicrafts can develop their motor skills
- It’ll make them more dexterous
- It helps keep our traditions intact
- It ramps up / builds up their creativity
- It’s a rewarding activity in itself
IELTS listening task
Watch the video below and answer this question.
Which handicrafts are popular in the speaker’s country? Why?
Click arrow to open/close answers
Which handicrafts are popular in the speaker’s country? Why?
Jewellery
They can be easily bought and sold online
They can have a personal touch
Now, watch the video again and fill in the gaps below with one word.
I think handmade [1] ___________ is one of the trending handicrafts in the UK.
I think the ease with which you can buy and sell it online has also [2] ___________ its popularity.
You can get all sorts from intricate designs to minimalist designs and with a wide variety of materials.
I suppose the fact that many pieces of jewelry have a personal touch also adds to their [3] ___________
I recently bought my Julie a bracelet at a flea market, you know on one of those bric-a-brac [4] ___________ that sells all kinds of trinkets, and she loved it.
She said it was unique and beautifully [5] ___________.
I think handicrafts make a lovely gift.
Click arrow to open/close answers
- Fill in the gaps:
I think handmade [1] JEWELRY is one of the trending handicrafts in the UK.
I think the ease with which you can buy and sell it online has also [2] BOOSTED its popularity.
You can get all sorts from intricate designs to minimalist designs and with a wide variety of materials.
I suppose the fact that many pieces of jewelry have a personal touch also adds to their [3] APPEAL
I recently bought my Julie a bracelet at a flea market, you know on one of those bric-a-brac [4] STALLS that sells all kinds of trinkets, and she loved it.
She said it was unique and beautifully [5] CRAFTED.
I think handicrafts make a lovely gift.
IELTS Speaking expressions: Arts and crafts
Weaving, it’s a lot harder than it looks
To while away the hours = to spend a long time doing something you like
I can while away the hours knitting or doing crochet
Fiddly = complicated or detailed and awkward to do or use.
It’s quite a fiddly thing to do
Sewing is fiddly and so is embroidery
You need patience and perseverance
You need a steady hand
To have a personal touch =to be customised for you, such as having your name on the item
Many handicrafts have a personal touch
They help preserve traditions and local heritage
More Free Lessons
If you liked this lesson, leave a comment below!
There are more lessons you can follow in the links below too.
SOCIALISING in IELTS Speaking. Vocabulary and collocations to talk about socialising.
ART in IELTS Speaking. How to describe different kinds of art, feelings about art, exhibitions, and art in education
RECYCLING in IELTS Speaking Useful collocations and vocabulary to help you discuss about recycling.
