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Handicrafts
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What you will learn in this worksheet:

Useful links
Useful vocabulary
Conversations
Listening Task
Expressions to talk about Handicrafts

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IELTS Speaking Vocabulary: Handicrafts
In this lesson you will learn some vocabulary and useful expressions to
talk about handicrafts, including why they might be good for children and
also why they can be important for local communities.

Handicraft (n.) = a thing used for decoration that is made by hand

Do you think we should say ‘make’ or ‘do’ with handicrafts?

I _______ handicrafts

The answer is actually both!

If we are talking about handicrafts as a thing, then we use make.
If we are talking about handicrafts as an activity, then we use do.

Handicrafts (Handcrafts)

1) hand-crafted items (things)

2) activities

• Let’s make some handicrafts

• Let’s do some handicrafts

Arts and crafts

1) hand-crafted items
2) activities

• Let’s do some arts and crafts

• I like doing arts and crafts
• I like doing craftwork

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There are many different kinds of crafts or handicrafts. When we are
talking about activities, we have the following

• weaving
• carving
• pottery
• embroidery
• knitting

If we are talking about things, then we have the following, and many
more,

• vases
• baskets
• candles
• bags
• wallets
• jewellery

To find out more about the different kinds of handicrafts and learn lots
more relevant vocabulary, check out this web page,

[Link]

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Word Families

When building your vocabulary, it is really useful to learn word families,

that is the different forms of a word (such as noun, adverb, verb,
adjective and so on).

A craft (n.) = an activity, a skill

Writing a book is a craft.

To craft (v.) = to make skilfully

I’ve crafted this lovely candle

Crafty (adj.) = clever and cunning, sly

He is so crafty, he didn’t tell anyone that he had won the lottery, so they
wouldn’t ask him for money.

Craftsmanship (n.) = skill, ability

I admire her craftsmanship

Places to buy handicrafts

Flea markets

Street markets

There are many nouns used for cheap handicrafts, including,

• Bric a brac (n.) Uncountable

• Trinkets (inf.)
• Knick knacks (inf.)

Whilst the above nouns are informal and quite colloquial, you can still
use them for IELTS Speaking. The following are quite neutral and can
also be used in IELTS Speaking.

• Ornaments (n.)
• Adornments (n.)
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Skills for making handicrafts

The following adjectives are mean skilful with your hands

• Dexterous (adj.)
• Nimble-fingered (adj.)
• Handy (adj.)

The following are used to describe people who can use their imagination
to make things or have some talent in making handicrafts

• Creative
• Innovative
• Artistic
• I’ve got an artistic bent

Whilst handicrafts are handmade goods, the opposite would be mass

produced goods or machine made goods

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IELTS Speaking Questions

This is the kind of question you might be asked in IELTS Speaking Part
3, together with some useful phrases for your answer.

Should we encourage children to make handicrafts?

Making handicrafts is a good activity because it can unleash their

creative mind / artistic talent

They can develop their artistic flair / bent

As far as I can see, it’s a great way to earn a living

Doing handicrafts can develop their motor skills

It’ll make them more dexterous

It helps keep our traditions intact

It ramps up / builds up their creativity

It’s a rewarding activity in itself

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IELTS Listening Task

Watch the video below and answer this question.

Which handicrafts are popular in the speaker’s country? Why?

Link to the video

Answers at the bottom of PDF

Now, watch the video again and fill in the gaps below with one
word.

Link to the video

I think handmade [1] ___________ is one of the trending handicrafts in

the UK.

I think the ease with which you can buy and sell it online has also [2]
___________ its popularity.

You can get all sort from intricate designs to minimalist designs and with
a wide variety of materials.

I suppose the fact that many pieces of jewellery have a personal touch
also adds to their [3] ___________

I recently bought my Julie a bracelet at a flea market, you know on one

of those bric-a-brac [4] ___________ that sells all kinds of trinkets, and
she loved it.

She said it was unique and beautifully [5] ___________.

I think handicrafts make a lovely gift.

Answers at the bottom of PDF

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IELTS Speaking Expressions: Arts and Crafts

Weaving, it’s a lot harder than it looks

To while away the hours = to spend a long time doing something you
like

I can while away the hours knitting or doing crochet

Fiddly = complicated or detailed and awkward to do or use.

It’s quite a fiddly thing to do

Sewing is fiddly and so is embroidery

You need patience and perseverance

You need a steady hand

To have a personal touch =to be customised for you, such as having

your name on the item

Many handicrafts have a personal touch

They help preserve traditions and local heritage

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Listening Task Answers:

1. Which handicrafts are popular in the speaker’s country? Why?

Jewelry
They can be easily bought and sold online
They can have a personal touch

2. Fill in the gaps:

I think handmade [1] JEWELLERY is one of the trending handicrafts in

the UK.

I think the ease with which you can buy and sell it online has also [2]
BOOSTED its popularity.

You can get all sort from intricate designs to minimalist designs and with
a wide variety of materials.

I suppose the fact that many pieces of jewellery have a personal touch
also adds to their [3] APPEAL

I recently bought my Julie a bracelet at a flea market, you know on one

of those bric-a-brac [4] STALLS that sells all kinds of trinkets, and she
loved it.

She said it was unique and beautifully [5] CRAFTED.

I think handicrafts make a lovely gift.

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