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Introduction
Knowing how to talk confidently about family in IELTS Speaking is essential, because it is such a common topic.
In this IELTS Speaking lesson on the topic of Family, you will learn how to talk about your family and the activities you do with your family.
Table of Contents
IELTS vocabulary: Family
Here are some useful phrase to use when introducing your family
There are 3 of us
I have 2 siblings, an elder brother, and an elder sister
I am an only child
My close family (my partner and children)
My direct or immediate family (parents, grandparents, siblings, children)
My extended family (my direct family plus uncles, aunties, and cousins, as well as in-laws).
In order to talk about your partner, and how you met, you can use the following template, which uses three different tenses:
I met my wife / husband / partner / spouse at a party / at university / at work.
I was working in Spain at the time
I had been working there for several years
We met in my calligraphy class
The stages of family life
Romance
First date = a planned romantic meeting
Go out with someone = have a romantic relationship
Break up = the relationships end
Serious relationship =important romantic relationship
Get to know =become friends with
Get engaged = to decide to get married
Marriage
Get married to someone
To be married = to be man and wife
TO have a good marriage = have a good relationship
A wedding = a formal ceremony to get married
The wedding reception = the wedding party
To go on a honeymoon= a holiday just after getting married
Children
Get pregnant = going to have a child
To start a family = to have children
Divorce
Leave someone = to separate or divorce from someone
Get divorced = The marriage officially ends
Discussions about family
Do you spend a lot of time with your family?
Here are some ideas and language to answer this question about family in IELTS Speaking.
“Yes, I do.”
Note: It’s really natural English to answer this question with ‘Yes, I do’ OR
‘No, I don’t’. Rather than just ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Yes, I do. I like to spend quality time with them
Luckily yes, I do. During this lockdown period, I am with them 24/7
Note: if your answer is ‘No‘, You don’t want to just say ‘no’. Start to develop your answers.
For example…
No, I don’t, I am miles away from them actually, due to the lockdown.
Not really, I work in a different city, so I don’t get to see them much
Spending time with your family or your friends
Here are some useful phrases you can use to discuss this issue
It depends, if I am going to a bar, then I’d like to hang out with friends, but if I am going to see a movie, I’d rather go with family
I don’t spend as much time with my family as I should, because I live abroad, but I would like to see them more frequently
I like both equally, I tend to spend an equal amount of time with both friends and family
Probably more with my family, I think blood is thicker than water
Idioms about family in IELTS Speaking
Like father, like son
It runs in the family = many people in the family have this trait/talent
e.g. Blonde hair runs in the family. Artistic talent runs in the family.
I followed in my Dad’s footsteps
e.g. I took over my Dad’s business and followed in his footsteps.
Blood is thicker than water = Family is more important than friends)
She’s the breadwinner = She earns the money
e.g. My mother is the breadwinner in our family
She brings home the bacon = She earns the money
The black sheep of the family = the naughty/bad one in the family
Get on like a house on fire = get on extremely well with someone
Keep / get / be / stay in touch with someone = contact with someone
Have a soft spot for someone = feel a lot of affection for one particular person
Be at loggerheads = disagree strongly with someone
Rub someone up the wrong way = Irritate someone
Keep yourself to yourself = prefer to be on your own
More Free IELTS Speaking Lessons
If you liked this lesson, leave a comment below!
There are more lessons you can follow in the links below too.
ENVIRONMENT in IELTS Speaking. Learn different ways to protect our environment and discuss it with idioms and vocabulary in this lesson.
FRIENDS in IELTS Speaking. Listening practice about friends and essential vocabulary to talk about your friends.
FEELINGS in IELTS Speaking. Vocabulary you need to describe a range of different feelings, as well as talking about topical issues such as mental health
