In the IELTS Speaking test, the IELTS examiners often ask you questions about the news, newspapers and magazines. To help you prepare better for this topic, the article will cover useful vocabulary, collocations, idioms, & common IELTS Speaking topics & questions about this topic with suggested answers.

Types of News, Newspapers, Magazines and Media Vocabulary

Online news: is the online version of a newspaper

A broadsheet: a newspaper printed on large sheets of paper

The daily: a newspaper published every day except Sunday

A tabloid: a newspaper with fairly small pages mostly containing stories about famous people and not much serious news

A weekly publication:  a magazine, newspaper

A media outlet: a newspaper publishes news stories

biweekly a magazine that is published twice a month or twice a week

Bulletin a magazine or newspaper produced regularly by a club or organization to give information to its members

Compact a newspaper with fairly small pages that deals with serious news issues

Fanzine a magazine written for and by fans

Heavy (informal) a serious newspaper

Newspaper Content

Your Habits

Follow a story, peruse my favourite column; track the news;  catch a news bulletin; subscribe to a publication

Types of News

local news; international news; world events; current affairs; business news; gossip; sensational news; the scandal received wide coverage in the press; libel; breaking news; make the headlines; objective reporting; cover a story; news coverage; analysis; the story went viral

The People Involved

paparazzi; unscrupulous reporters; a news anchor; a newscaster; a broadcaster; a columnist; a reporter; a journalist; a photojournalist

Phrases and idioms about the news

the gutter press: newspapers which focus on sensational journalism, often about the lives of famous people

yellow journalism: a type of journalism that presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers. Techniques may include exaggerations of news events, scandal-mongering or sensationalism.

information overload: exposure to too much information or data

invasion of privacy: unjustifiable intrusion into the personal life of another without consent.

a slow news day:  a day with little news to report

Other Useful Vocabulary for Newspapers