· 24 lists · 793 words

Leisure and sport

What is said when nobody has to work.

What holds these lists together

The lists for the time that belongs to you: on the beach, at the campsite, at a party, at training, at the chessboard. They belong together because they share a situation. You are among people who are not trying to make themselves understood, and the words come fast and in passing; if you have to ask, the moment has gone. One English habit needs undoing here. «Play» covers football and the piano alike, but Italian splits it: giocare a calcio, giocare a carte, but suonare il pianoforte, because an instrument is sounded, not played.

The 24 lists

B1Training and competitionFrom the warm-up to the final score — the words a single verb cannot carry.32 words B1The beach and the seaside holidayHiring a lounger, staying out of the sun, watching the water.36 words B1Camping and the motorhomeBooking a pitch, pitching the tent, finding electricity and water.34 words B1Parties and celebrationsInviting, congratulating, raising a glass.30 words B2Playing sport and watching itFrom the beginners’ course to the final whistle.48 words B2The gym and trainingMachines, sets and repetitions — and the contract that comes with them.34 words B2ClimbingRope, belay and route — and the agreements in between.40 words B2Running and the marathonPace, building up, racing — and what breaks along the way.34 words B2Walking and mountain daysThe path, the weather, the kit — and when to turn back.54 words B2Horses and ridingThe yard, the saddle and the gaits — and what a horse needs every single day.41 words C1SailingWind, course and manoeuvres, in the words that are called out on board.36 words C1Sports medicine and trainingLoad, injury, rebuilding — and when you are allowed back.38 words C2DivingPressure, gas, ascent — and what happens when you get it wrong.38 words C2Games and game theory at the tableWhere chance stops and decision begins.22 words C2Winter sportSnow, ice and the kit that makes both of them bearable.27 words C2The fashion industryA sketch, a collection and a very long supply chain.25 words C2Rowing and canoeingA boat is only as fast as its worst stroke.25 words C2ChessThe words for a position, not the rules for the pieces.25 words C2Martial artsRules, weight classes and the line between sport and injury.28 words C2NumismaticsWhat a coin says about the time it was struck in.27 words C2HeraldryA coat of arms is a sentence, not a picture.29 words C2Motor sportWhere a tenth of a second is a decision.27 words C2PerfumeryA fragrance that changes over eight hours.32 words C2The goldsmith’s craftA metal you can hammer until it tears.31 words

Spread across the levels

The category runs across the levels — it is an area, not a difficulty. If you practise it, you can also choose a level at the top of the practice page and then get only the part that sits there.

Level	Words	Share
A1	1	0 %
A2	2	0 %
B1	126	16 %
B2	254	32 %
C1	74	9 %
C2	336	42 %

Practise this category

Multiple choice and gaps, across all 24 lists and all 793 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.