Scorify.uzThe cue card
Describe a hobby that you enjoy doing.
You should say:
- what the hobby is
- how long you have been doing it
- who you do it with
- and explain why you enjoy it
Band 7 sample answer
A hobby I really enjoy is playing football. I have played since I was about eight years old, so it has been part of my life for more than ten years.
Nowadays I play twice a week with a group of friends from my neighbourhood on a small artificial pitch near my home. We split into two teams, and the matches are quite competitive but always friendly. Afterwards, we usually have tea together and talk about the game.
There are several reasons why I love it. First, it keeps me fit and gives me energy. Second, it teaches teamwork, because you cannot win alone. And finally, it helps me forget about stress from university. If I miss a week, I honestly feel something is missing. I plan to keep playing for as long as I can.
I also remember a tournament last summer when our team reached the final. We lost in the end, but the match was so close and exciting that nobody was upset, and we celebrated together anyway, which says a lot about how friendly the atmosphere in our group is.
About 184 words, roughly 1 minutes of natural speech.
Key vocabulary
- keep fit — stay physically healthy
- teamwork — working well with others
- competitive — wanting to win
- a stress-buster — something that reduces stress
- be passionate about — love very much
- regular — happening often at the same time
- unwind — relax
Tips for this cue card
- Answer every bullet point in order to stay organised.
- Use present perfect for duration: “I have played for ten years.”
- Show enthusiasm with intonation, not only vocabulary.
Part 3 follow-up questions
Why is it important for people to have hobbies?
Idea: Hobbies reduce stress, develop skills and improve life balance.
Do you think hobbies have changed in the last decades?
Idea: Yes, many are now digital, such as gaming, but outdoor and creative hobbies are still popular.
Should children be encouraged to take up hobbies?
Idea: Yes, because hobbies build confidence and creativity, but children should choose them freely.
More discussion questions with full answers: IELTS Speaking Part 3 topics.
Study guides
How Is IELTS Scored in Speaking and Writing? Criteria, Weighting and Rounding
The short answer first, then the Speaking and Writing criteria tables, how Task 1 and Task 2 combine and how the overall band is rounded.
IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors Explained in Plain English
The IELTS Speaking test is marked on four criteria. Here is what each one means at bands 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, with short examples you can compare with your own answers.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: How Many Minutes to Speak (With a Practice Timer)
How long Part 2 lasts (1 minute to prepare, 1–2 minutes to speak), a practice timer, a four-step structure and a model answer.