Sports and leisure equipment

Hibiscus Teach · Picture vocabulary

Sports and leisure equipment

Recognise games and leisure equipment, explain what you need, and plan activities with a friend.

A2–B1British English45–60 minutes · Self-paced

Created by , British English teacher.

Name the pictures, listen and repeat, then try the activities. Reveal words when needed.

Which activities interest you? You do not need to be good at them. Which items have you used, borrowed or seen?

Choose Listen to hear a model. Press a word again to replay, or use Stop audio.

Picture A: Games equipment

A round ball with black pentagons and white panels.
1Picture 1
Forms and example

a football · footballs

Bring a football to the park.

A large orange round ball with curved black seams.
2Picture 2
Forms and example

a basketball · basketballs

We need a basketball for the game.

An oval white ball with curved coloured panels and no laces.
3Picture 3
Forms and example

a rugby ball · rugby balls

He is carrying a rugby ball.

An oval stringed frame with a long handle.
4Picture 4
Forms and example

a tennis racket · tennis rackets

Could I borrow your tennis racket?

A rounded cork base topped by a cone of white feathers.
5Picture 5
Forms and example

a shuttlecock · shuttlecocks

We need a new shuttlecock for badminton.

A broad flat pale wooden bat with a narrow wrapped handle.
6Picture 6
Forms and example

a cricket bat · cricket bats

There is a cricket bat beside the bag.

A long narrow shaft ending in an angled metal striking head.
7Picture 7
Forms and example

a golf club · golf clubs

She is choosing a golf club.

A slim stick with a wrapped grip and a short curved hook.
8Picture 8
Forms and example

a hockey stick · hockey sticks

This hockey stick is too short for me.

A small round red-faced paddle with a short wooden handle.
9Picture 9
Forms and example

a table tennis bat · table tennis bats

Have you got a table tennis bat?

A large padded brown leather catching glove with a deep pocket.
10Picture 10
Forms and example

a baseball glove · baseball gloves

He caught the ball in his baseball glove.

A dark-blue round ball with three finger holes.
11Picture 11
Forms and example

a bowling ball · bowling balls

This bowling ball is too heavy for me.

A small pointed object with a metal barrel and a red-and-black flight.
12Picture 12
Forms and example

a dart · darts

The dart landed near the middle of the board.

View full Picture A: Games equipment poster
Games equipment: twelve unlabelled illustrations in four columns and three rows. Numbered text descriptions are available immediately below.
Text alternative: describe the pictures
  1. A round ball with black pentagons and white panels.
  2. A large orange round ball with curved black seams.
  3. An oval white ball with curved coloured panels and no laces.
  4. An oval stringed frame with a long handle.
  5. A rounded cork base topped by a cone of white feathers.
  6. A broad flat pale wooden bat with a narrow wrapped handle.
  7. A long narrow shaft ending in an angled metal striking head.
  8. A slim stick with a wrapped grip and a short curved hook.
  9. A small round red-faced paddle with a short wooden handle.
  10. A large padded brown leather catching glove with a deep pocket.
  11. A dark-blue round ball with three finger holes.
  12. A small pointed object with a metal barrel and a red-and-black flight.

Take a break here if you wish.

Picture B: Active leisure

A short hand grip with matching solid weights at both ends.
13Picture 13
Forms and example

a dumbbell · dumbbells

There is a dumbbell on the floor.

A round cast-metal weight with a broad loop handle.
14Picture 14
Forms and example

a kettlebell · kettlebells

The kettlebell has a wide handle.

A long blue exercise mat, partly unrolled.
15Picture 15
Forms and example

a yoga mat · yoga mats

Put your yoga mat on the floor.

A long flexible cord with a handle at each end.
16Picture 16
Forms and example

a skipping rope · skipping ropes

I keep a skipping rope in my sports bag.

A tall black padded bag hanging from short chains.
17Picture 17
Forms and example

a punchbag · punchbags

There is a punchbag in the gym.

Two sealed eye cups joined by a nose bridge and an elastic strap.
18Picture 18
Forms and example

swimming goggles · a pair of swimming goggles

These swimming goggles are mine.

A matching pair of long blue-and-black swimming fins with foot pockets.
19Picture 19
Forms and example

flippers · a pair of flippers

The flippers are beside the pool.

A curved breathing tube with a mouthpiece and no mask.
20Picture 20
Forms and example

a snorkel · snorkels

My snorkel is in the bag.

An elongated board with upturned ends and small wheels underneath.
21Picture 21
Forms and example

a skateboard · skateboards

He carries his skateboard under his arm.

Two ankle boots with wheels arranged in side-by-side pairs.
22Picture 22
Forms and example

roller skates · a pair of roller skates

These roller skates are too small for me.

A shallow red flying disc with a raised rim.
23Picture 23
Forms and example

a frisbee · frisbees

We can throw a frisbee in the park.

Two long narrow winter-sports boards with bindings and upturned tips.
24Picture 24
Forms and example

skis · a pair of skis

Our skis are on the rack.

View full Picture B: Active leisure poster
Active leisure: twelve unlabelled illustrations in four columns and three rows. Numbered text descriptions are available immediately below.
Text alternative: describe the pictures
  1. A short hand grip with matching solid weights at both ends.
  2. A round cast-metal weight with a broad loop handle.
  3. A long blue exercise mat, partly unrolled.
  4. A long flexible cord with a handle at each end.
  5. A tall black padded bag hanging from short chains.
  6. Two sealed eye cups joined by a nose bridge and an elastic strap.
  7. A matching pair of long blue-and-black swimming fins with foot pockets.
  8. A curved breathing tube with a mouthpiece and no mask.
  9. An elongated board with upturned ends and small wheels underneath.
  10. Two ankle boots with wheels arranged in side-by-side pairs.
  11. A shallow red flying disc with a raised rim.
  12. Two long narrow winter-sports boards with bindings and upturned tips.

Take a break here if you wish.

Picture clues

Optional: six picture clues

Use the words

An object or an activity?

A football and a basketball are objects. Play football and play basketball name activities. The rugby ball is oval; the football is round.

I have a football. We play football on Saturdays. We need a rugby ball for rugby.

Play, go and do

Useful combinations include play tennis, go swimming and do yoga. Connect the equipment to the activity without changing the target labels.

I play tennis with a tennis racket. I go swimming with my goggles. I do yoga on a yoga mat.

Pairs and equipment

Goggles, flippers, roller skates and skis are plural forms. Use a pair of when counting a pair. Equipment is uncountable.

These skis are mine. This pair of skis is mine. We need some equipment.

Ask and explain

Use Could I borrow …? or Have you got …? Add the activity or a practical reason.

Could I borrow a tennis racket? Have you got a lighter bowling ball? This one is too heavy for me.

Practise: six questions
1. I usually ___ tennis on Sunday.
2. We’re going to ___ swimming.
3. I ___ yoga on this mat.
4. These swimming goggles ___ mine.
5. This pair of skis ___ new.
6. We need some sports ___.

Borrowing equipment

Listen once for the situation. Listen again and answer. Open the transcript afterwards, then practise both roles.

Read the transcript

Ben: Shall we play tennis at the sports centre?

Aisha: I’d like to, but I haven’t got a tennis racket.

Ben: You can borrow mine. I have a spare.

Aisha: Thanks. What shall we do afterwards?

Ben: We could go swimming. Have you got your swimming goggles?

Aisha: Yes, they’re in my bag. I haven’t brought my flippers.

Ben: That’s fine. I’m not bringing mine either.

Aisha: Then let’s take the rackets and goggles. We can leave the other equipment at home.

Check understanding: three questions

1. What does Aisha need to borrow?

Model response

A tennis racket.

She says she has not got one, and Ben offers his spare.

2. What activity do they discuss after tennis?

Model response

Swimming.

Ben suggests that they could go swimming.

3. Which equipment has Aisha not brought?

Model response

Her flippers.

She says her goggles are in her bag but she has not brought her flippers.

You say

Say your answer aloud. Writing is optional. Models are examples; other accurate answers are possible.

Choose three items and connect each one to an activity.

20–45 seconds, or a shorter response at first

On my own: say your answer aloud, then compare with the model.

Model response

I use a tennis racket to play tennis. A shuttlecock is for badminton. I use a yoga mat to do yoga.

Ask to borrow an item and explain why.

20–45 seconds, or a shorter response at first

On my own: say your answer aloud, then compare with the model.

Model response

Could I borrow your tennis racket, please? I’m playing tennis this afternoon and mine is at home.

Describe a pictured pair and then say the sentence with a pair of.

20–45 seconds, or a shorter response at first

On my own: say your answer aloud, then compare with the model.

Model response

These roller skates are white. This pair of roller skates is white.

Plan an activity day

Choose three activities for an imaginary day with a friend. Use six equipment words in the discussion. Include one thing to borrow and one item you will leave behind. You may plan activities without taking part in them.

On my own: play both roles aloud, then answer two follow-up questions.

Success checklist
  • Use six different equipment words.
  • Use play, go or do appropriately.
  • Include a request and a decision about what not to take.
Model response

We could play tennis, go swimming and do yoga. We need tennis rackets, swimming goggles and a yoga mat. Could I borrow a racket? We can leave the flippers, snorkel and skipping rope at home today.

Check what you know

Eight-question quiz
1. Which item is used in badminton?
2. Which pictured item has one loop handle above a round weight?
3. Which item is the breathing tube, not eye protection?
4. Which ball is oval in the poster?
5. Choose the correct activity phrase.
6. Choose the correct sentence.
7. In the conversation, what is in Aisha’s bag?
8. Which phrase is natural?

Mastery check

Connect three target items to three activities.

Model response

A tennis racket for tennis; a shuttlecock for badminton; skis for skiing.

Accept any accurate item–activity connections.

Make a correct sentence with this pair of and one plural target.

Model response

This pair of roller skates is mine.

Check singular agreement with pair.

Borrow an item politely and explain your reason.

Model response

Could I borrow your skipping rope? I left mine at home.

Check the request, item and reason.

Return to the original pictures

Return to Picture A, then Picture B. Hide words, word banks, model answers and previous feedback. Keep the numbers. Name all 24 targets aloud without playing the audio. Then check and replay only the words you missed.

I can name the pictures and use some of these words in a short conversation.

Full British English master
Download the full MP3
Full recording transcript

Welcome to sports and leisure equipment. Look at the pictures and name the items you recognise. Reveal the words when you are ready. Listen, repeat, and use the words in your own sentences.

Football. A football.

Basketball. A basketball.

Rugby ball. A rugby ball.

Tennis racket. A tennis racket.

Shuttlecock. A shuttlecock.

Cricket bat. A cricket bat.

Golf club. A golf club.

Hockey stick. A hockey stick.

Table tennis bat. A table tennis bat.

Baseball glove. A baseball glove.

Bowling ball. A bowling ball.

Dart. A dart.

Dumbbell. A dumbbell.

Kettlebell. A kettlebell.

Yoga mat. A yoga mat.

Skipping rope. A skipping rope.

Punchbag. A punchbag.

Swimming goggles. A pair of swimming goggles.

Flippers. A pair of flippers.

Snorkel. A snorkel.

Skateboard. A skateboard.

Roller skates. A pair of roller skates.

Frisbee. A frisbee.

Skis. A pair of skis.

I have a football. We play football on Saturdays. We need a rugby ball for rugby.

I play tennis with a tennis racket. I go swimming with my goggles. I do yoga on a yoga mat.

These skis are mine. This pair of skis is mine. We need some equipment.

Could I borrow a tennis racket? Have you got a lighter bowling ball? This one is too heavy for me.

Shall we play tennis at the sports centre? I’d like to, but I haven’t got a tennis racket. You can borrow mine. I have a spare. Thanks. What shall we do afterwards? We could go swimming. Have you got your swimming goggles? Yes, they’re in my bag. I haven’t brought my flippers. That’s fine. I’m not bringing mine either. Then let’s take the rackets and goggles. We can leave the other equipment at home.

I use a tennis racket to play tennis. A shuttlecock is for badminton. I use a yoga mat to do yoga.

Could I borrow your tennis racket, please? I’m playing tennis this afternoon and mine is at home.

These roller skates are white. This pair of roller skates is white.

Well done. Return to the original pictures. Hide the words, name the items, and replay any words you would like to practise.

Use the pictured examples for recognition. The posters are illustrative, not technical diagrams. Learners may describe imaginary experiences.

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