Describe your favorite hobby or leisure activity
Describe your favorite hobby or leisure activity.
You should say:
- what the activity is
- how often you engage in it
- why you enjoy it
And explain the benefits or significance of this hobby in your life.
Practise this cue card with a timer Use it in a full mock
One-minute preparation plan
Go beyond 'I like it'. Explain what the activity gives you, such as skills, people or calm.
| Cue card point | What to note (keywords only) |
|---|---|
| What the activity is | 1–2 specific details: a name, a place, a time, or an example |
| How often you engage in it | 1–2 specific details: a name, a place, a time, or an example |
| Why you enjoy it | 1–2 specific details: a name, a place, a time, or an example |
| And explain the benefits or significance of this hobby in your life. | Your main reason plus how it affected you—save 30 seconds for this |
Sample answer
My favourite hobby is cycling, specifically long weekend rides into the countryside outside my city. I started about five years ago when I bought a second-hand road bike, mostly to get fitter.
These days I ride two or three times a week. On weekdays it's usually a short ride of about an hour before work, and on Saturdays I join a local cycling club for rides of sixty or seventy kilometres, often stopping at a village café halfway.
I enjoy it for several reasons. Physically, it's a great way to keep fit without the boredom of a gym. Mentally, I find it really calming; when you're focused on the road and your breathing, it's hard to worry about work. I also love the feeling of covering a long distance under your own power and discovering places I'd never see by car.
In terms of its significance in my life, the club has given me a whole new group of friends from very different backgrounds. Cycling has honestly become a big part of my identity and the way I manage stress.
About 180 words, roughly two minutes at a natural pace. This is an original example written for SpeakingIELTS to show structure and vocabulary—use it for ideas, not as a script to memorise. Real test cards are worded differently, and examiners notice rehearsed answers.
Useful words and phrases
- to get fitter
- keep fit
- under your own power
- a whole new group of friends
- part of my identity
- manage stress
Try using three of these in your own answer. For more topic vocabulary, see the vocabulary helper.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After this cue card, the examiner moves to a Part 3 discussion on the same theme. Give an opinion, a reason and an example for each.
- How do hobbies contribute to a person's overall well-being?
- Can hobbies become profitable or turn into a career?
- What role do hobbies play in building social connections?
- Do you think it's important for individuals to have a variety of hobbies?
- How can hobbies help in reducing stress and promoting relaxation?
- What are some popular hobbies in your country?
Practise these Part 3 questions
Check your own answer
Record yourself, then listen once and ask: did I cover every point, keep talking for close to two minutes, link ideas clearly, and explain my reasons at the end? The self-evaluation checklist covers all four speaking criteria.