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✦ IELTS Topic: Sport Places to Play – 10 Useful Phrases

Football pitch
e.g., The match was held on a well-maintained football pitch.
Athletics track
e.g., She trains every morning on the local athletics track.
Stadium atmosphere
e.g., The stadium atmosphere was electric during the final.
Spectator stands
e.g., Thousands of fans filled the spectator stands before kickoff.
Cricket ground
e.g., We watched a game at one of the oldest cricket grounds in the country.
Tennis court
e.g., You need to book the tennis court in advance at our club.
Basketball court
e.g., They play every weekend on the outdoor basketball court near the school.
Home ground advantage
e.g., The team usually performs better with the home ground advantage.
Indoor arena
e.g., The match had to be moved to an indoor arena because of the rain.
Training facility
e.g., The club has invested in a state-of-the-art training facility.

✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Sport Places

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

Do you like playing or watching sports?
Are there good sports facilities in your area?
Have you ever been to a stadium?
What’s your favourite place to play or watch sport?
Do you prefer indoor or outdoor sports venues?

Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a sports venue you have visited or seen.
You should say:

what kind of place it is
what sport is played there
what it looks like
and explain why you remember it.

✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I love both! I enjoy playing on the football pitch at my local park.
2. Definitely. We have a nice basketball court and a modern training facility.
3. Yes, I’ve been to a huge stadium for a concert, but also to watch a match — the stadium atmosphere was amazing.
4. I like watching matches from the spectator stands at the cricket ground near my house.
5. I prefer indoor arenas for sports like volleyball — no weather interruptions!

Part 2 Sample Answer

Last year, I visited a famous cricket ground in London with a group of friends. It was a historic stadium and had a great stadium atmosphere, especially when the home team scored.

We sat in the spectator stands quite close to the field, and the view was fantastic. I learned it was also used as a training facility when matches weren’t on.

The whole experience was exciting — even though I’m not a huge cricket fan, being in such a place made it really memorable.

✦ Comprehension Test: Sport Venues

1. "The match was held on a well-maintained football pitch."
Q: What kind of surface was the game played on?

2. "She trains every morning on the local athletics track."
Q: Where does she go to train?

3. "The stadium atmosphere was electric during the final."
Q: What was the atmosphere like?

4. "Thousands of fans filled the spectator stands before kickoff."
Q: Where were the fans sitting?

5. "We watched a game at one of the oldest cricket grounds in the country."
Q: What kind of venue was it?

6. "You need to book the tennis court in advance at our club."
Q: What do you have to do before playing tennis?

7. "They play every weekend on the outdoor basketball court near the school."
Q: Where do they usually play?

8. "The team usually performs better with the home ground advantage."
Q: What helps the team perform better?

9. "The match had to be moved to an indoor arena because of the rain."
Q: Why was the venue changed?

10. "The club has invested in a state-of-the-art training facility."
Q: What did the club build?

✦ Answer Key

A football field or pitch.
At an athletics track.
Very exciting or lively.
In the stadium seating area.
A place where cricket is played.
Make a reservation.
At an outdoor basketball court.
Playing on familiar ground.
Bad weather.
A modern place for practice.