Basketball, soccer, or football are sports that most of us have played at least once with friends or family. Sports not only improve physical health and reduce stress, but also strengthen bonds between family and friends, creating lasting memories.
If the topic of sports appears unexpectedly in your IELTS Speaking or Writing test, how will you talk about your favorite sport? How do you train regularly? Let IDP IELTS help you explore a valuable vocabulary list with sample answers to help you use the words accurately and naturally.
1. IELTS Vocabulary for the Topic of Sports
Sports Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
Canoeing | /kəˈnuː.ɪŋ/ | Canoeing |
Gymnastics | /dʒɪmˈnæs.tɪks/ | Gymnastics |
Horse racing | /ˈhɔːs ˌreɪ.sɪŋ/ | Horse racing |
American football | /əˌmer.ɪ.kən ˈfʊt.bɔːl/ | American football |
Mountaineering | /ˌmaʊn.tɪˈnɪə.rɪŋ/ | Mountain climbing |
Volleyball | /ˈvɒl.i.bɔːl/ | Volleyball |
Weightlifting | /ˈweɪtˌlɪf.tɪŋ/ | Weightlifting |
Sports Equipment Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
Badminton racquet | /ˈbæd.mɪn.tən ˈræk.ɪt/ | Badminton racket |
Boxing glove | /ˈbɑk.sɪŋ ˌɡlʌv/ | Boxing glove |
Hockey stick | /ˈhɒk.i stɪk/ | Hockey stick |
Running shoes | /ˈrʌn.ɪŋ ˌʃuː/ | Running shoes |
Baseball bat | /ˈbeɪs.bɔːl bæt/ | Baseball bat |
Rugby ball | /ˈrʌɡ.bi ˌbɔːl/ | Rugby ball |
Golf club | /ˈɡɒlf ˌklʌb/ | Golf club |
Pool cue | /puːl kjuː/ | Pool cue |
Ice skates | /ˈaɪs ˌskeɪt/ | Ice skates |
Tennis racquet | /ˈten.ɪs ˈræk.ɪt/ | Tennis racket |
Sports Venue Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
Ice rink | /ˈaɪs ˌrɪŋk/ | Ice rink |
Boxing ring | /ˈbɒk.sɪŋ ˌrɪŋ/ | Boxing ring |
Swimming pool | /ˈswɪm.ɪŋ ˌpuːl/ | Swimming pool |
Football pitch | /ˈfʊt.bɔːl pɪtʃ/ | Football field |
Squash court | /skwɒʃ kɔːt/ | Squash court |
Running track | /ˈrʌn.ɪŋ træk/ | Running track |
Competition Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
League table | /liːɡ ˈteɪ.bəl/ | Ranking table |
Olympic Games | /əˈlɪm.pɪks/ | Olympic Games |
Umpire | /ˈʌm.paɪər/ | Referee |
Opponent | /əˈpəʊ.nənt/ | Opponent |
Spectator | /spekˈteɪ.tər/ | Audience member |
Quarter-final | /ˌkwɔːr.tərˈfaɪ.nəl/ | Quarter-final |
Semi-final | /ˌsem.iˈfaɪ.nəl/ | Semi-final |
To play at home | Home game | |
To play away | Away game |
2. Common Sports Collocations
Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
Break/set the world record | Break a world record |
Commit a foul | Commit an infraction |
Promote team spirit | Encourage teamwork |
Win the championship | Become champion |
Be at fever pitch | Reach peak excitement |
Rapturous/thunderous applause | Loud and enthusiastic applause |
Fierce/intense competition | Highly competitive atmosphere |
Experience physical and mental health | Enjoy good overall well-being |
Most outstanding athlete title | Best Athlete Award |
Defend the championship title | Retain a title |
Overcome setbacks | Face and beat challenges |
Enhance my state of health | Improve physical condition |
3. Common Sports Idioms
Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
The ball is in your court | It’s your turn to take action |
Across the board | Equal or fair for everyone |
At this stage in the game | At this point in the process |
Give one a run for their money | Compete intensely with someone |
Blow the competition away | Win easily |
Hit below the belt | Act unfairly |
Go to bat for someone | Support someone |
Bark up the wrong tree | Pursue the wrong approach |
Call the shots | Make the decisions |
Down to the wire | At the very last moment |
To master something | Become skilled at something |
4. Sample IELTS Speaking Answers – Sports Topic
Sample 1: Talk About Your Favorite Sport
My favorite sport is volleyball. I have enjoyed it since I was young. After school, my friends and I would play on the school court, forming two teams. The goal is to hit the ball over the net and keep it within the court to score points.Mistakes like hitting the ball out of bounds or touching the net would give points to the opposing team.Although the rules seem a bit complex at first, volleyball has helped me stay active and healthy. It also allows me to relieve stress after long school hours.Most importantly, this sport has given me great memories with my friends. In the future, I hope to join my school’s competitive team and win awards. I love volleyball.
Sample 2: Talk About Your Favorite Sport
Honestly, I have a sedentary lifestyle and do not enjoy many sports. However, cycling is one exception. I ride my bike every day.I cannot remember the exact time I learned to cycle, but neighborhood kids once invited me to try. I struggled to balance and fell many times. It was harder than I expected. But after a few hours, I managed to ride, and we had a lot of fun.Now, I bike to work every morning since my workplace is close to home. It is tiring on rainy days, but otherwise, I enjoy watching the busy streets and feeling connected to the city.I prefer cycling over extreme sports because it is safer and causes fewer injuries. It is also environmentally friendly since it does not produce any pollution. Plus, cycling helps improve my health and blood circulation. I really love this activity.
With these vocabulary lists and examples, we hope you’ve not only learned new words and structures but also how to confidently answer IELTS questions on the topic of sports.
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