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✦ IELTS Topic: Weather – Sunshine & Heat – 10 Useful Phrases

Scorching hot
e.g., It was scorching hot in the desert — almost 45 degrees!
Heatwave
e.g., The country experienced a week-long heatwave in July.
Blazing sunshine
e.g., We sat outside in the blazing sunshine all afternoon.
Sweating buckets
e.g., I was sweating buckets after walking in the heat.
Sunburn
e.g., I forgot sunscreen and ended up with painful sunburn.
Clear blue skies
e.g., We had clear blue skies every day during the holiday.
Boiling hot
e.g., It was boiling hot on the bus — the air conditioning was broken.
Muggy weather
e.g., The muggy weather made it feel hotter than it actually was.
Dry heat
e.g., The dry heat in the mountains was more bearable than the humidity.
Sun-drenched
e.g., We stayed in a sun-drenched villa by the sea.

✦ IELTS Speaking Practice – Sunshine & Heat

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

Do you enjoy hot weather?
How do you stay cool in the summer?
Have you ever experienced a heatwave?
What do people do in your country during sunny days?
Do you prefer hot or cold weather?

Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a time when you experienced very hot or sunny weather.
You should say:

where you were
what the weather was like
what you did
and explain how you felt about the experience.

✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I love sunny days — especially with clear blue skies.
2. I stay indoors during heatwaves and drink lots of water.
3. Last year, it was scorching hot for over a week — I got sunburn!
4. People go to the beach or sit in sun-drenched cafés.
5. I prefer warm weather, but not muggy conditions.

Part 2 Sample Answer

One of the hottest days I’ve experienced was during a summer trip to southern Spain. It was boiling hot, around 40°C, with blazing sunshine from morning until sunset.

We stayed in a sun-drenched villa, which was beautiful but had no air conditioning. I remember sweating buckets just walking to the supermarket!

The heat was intense, but the clear blue skies and relaxed vibe made it worth it. I did get a bit of sunburn, though — lesson learned!

✦ Comprehension Test: Sunshine & Heat Vocabulary

1. "It was scorching hot in the desert — almost 45 degrees!"
Q: What was the temperature like?

2. "The country experienced a week-long heatwave in July."
Q: What kind of weather occurred?

3. "We sat outside in the blazing sunshine all afternoon."
Q: What was the weather like?

4. "I was sweating buckets after walking in the heat."
Q: How did the speaker feel?

5. "I forgot sunscreen and ended up with painful sunburn."
Q: What happened due to forgetting sunscreen?

6. "We had clear blue skies every day during the holiday."
Q: What was the weather like?

7. "It was boiling hot on the bus — the air conditioning was broken."
Q: Why was the bus uncomfortable?

8. "The muggy weather made it feel hotter than it actually was."
Q: What made it uncomfortable?

9. "The dry heat in the mountains was more bearable than the humidity."
Q: What kind of heat was easier to handle?

10. "We stayed in a sun-drenched villa by the sea."
Q: What was the villa like?

✦ Answer Key

Extremely hot.
An extended period of very hot weather.
Bright, strong sunlight.
Very hot and sweaty.
They got sunburn.
Sunny, with no clouds.
It was too hot and stuffy.
High humidity.
Dry heat.
Very sunny and bright location.