As an IELTS teacher, I often get asked about specific vocabulary for different sports. It’s true that having a good range of vocabulary for common IELTS topics, like sports, can help you achieve a higher score. So, let’s look at some useful vocabulary for describing different types of jumps in track and field, which is a common topic in the IELTS speaking exam.
Types of Jumps and Key Vocabulary
There are four main types of jumping events in track and field:
1. High Jump
Aim: To jump over a horizontal bar, clearing it without knocking it down.
Key Vocabulary:
- Clearance: Successfully jumping over the bar.
Example: “The high jumper failed to make the clearance.” - Fosbury Flop: The most common high jump technique, where the athlete goes over the bar backwards.
Example: “The Fosbury Flop revolutionized the sport.” - Personal Best (PB): An athlete’s best ever performance.
Example: “She managed to beat her personal best by three centimeters.”
2. Long Jump
Aim: To jump as far as possible horizontally.
Key Vocabulary:
- Run-up: The approach run before the jump.
Example: “He stumbled during his run-up, affecting his distance.” - Takeoff: The moment the jumper leaves the ground.
Example: “A powerful takeoff is essential for a good jump.” - Landing: How and where the athlete lands in the sandpit.
Example: “Her landing was a little short of the 8-meter mark.”
3. Triple Jump
Aim: To jump the furthest distance possible in a hop, step, and jump combination.
Key Vocabulary:
- Hop: The first jump, landing on the same foot.
Example: “He lost his balance on the hop.” - Step: The second jump, landing on the opposite foot.
Example: “The step is crucial for gaining momentum.” - Jump: The final and longest jump, landing on both feet.
Example: “He really extended his legs on the final jump.”
4. Pole Vault
Aim: To use a pole to propel oneself over a high bar.
Key Vocabulary:
- Pole: The long, flexible pole used for vaulting.
Example: “Modern poles are made from fiberglass or carbon fiber.” - Plant: To place the pole in the box set in the ground.
Example: “His plant wasn’t firm enough, causing the pole to slip.” - Vault: The act of propelling oneself over the bar.
Example: “The crowd gasped as she completed a perfect vault.”
Pole Vault
Using Jump Vocabulary in the IELTS Exam
Here’s how you can use this vocabulary effectively:
- Speaking Part 1: If asked about hobbies or interests, you could mention that you enjoy watching track and field, especially the jumping events. Briefly describe a particular type of jump and why you find it interesting.
- Speaking Part 2: You might get a cue card asking you to describe a memorable sporting event. This vocabulary would be very useful if the event involved track and field.
- Listening: You might hear this vocabulary used in a conversation about sports or in a lecture on biomechanics.
- Reading: A passage might discuss the history of jumping events or a specific athlete’s accomplishments.
Tips for Success
- Practice makes perfect! Use the vocabulary in your speaking and writing practice to improve fluency.
- Don’t be afraid to use simpler synonyms if you can’t remember the specific word (e.g., “jump” instead of “vault”).
- Focus on clear pronunciation and natural intonation.
By learning and practicing this vocabulary, you’ll be well-equipped to discuss track and field jumps in your IELTS exam, potentially boosting your vocabulary score.