IELTS Speaking Part 1: Hobbies

Q1.What hobbies do you have?

I'd say photography is my main hobby at the moment. I like wandering around the city on weekends looking for interesting shots, and it's a nice way to notice things I'd normally walk past. I also read a fair bit before bed, mostly fiction.

Name one main hobby and briefly mention a second to show range without rambling.

Q2.How did you get interested in this hobby?

Honestly, it started almost by accident. My uncle lent me his old camera when I was about sixteen, and I just got hooked on seeing how different angles changed a photo. From there I started watching tutorials online and it grew from there.

Use past simple and past continuous to narrate the origin story naturally.

Q3.Do you prefer hobbies you do alone or with other people?

I think it depends on my mood, really. Photography is quite solitary, which I enjoy because it clears my head after a busy week. But I also play badminton with friends every Sunday, and that social side is just as important to me.

Comparing two hobbies shows flexibility and lets you extend the answer naturally.

Q4.Has your hobby changed since you were a child?

Definitely, yes. As a kid I was really into drawing cartoons, but I sort of drifted away from it once school got busier. These days photography has taken its place, though I suppose it's still a creative outlet in a similar way.

Use a time contrast like 'as a kid' versus 'these days' to show tense range.

Q5.Do you think hobbies are important for people?

I really do, because they give you a break from work or study stress. Without some kind of outlet, I think people burn out quite quickly. For me, even just an hour of editing photos in the evening helps me switch off completely.

Give a general opinion first, then back it up with a personal example.

Q6.Is there a hobby you would like to try in the future?

Actually, I'd love to try pottery at some point. A friend of mine took a class recently and showed me the bowls she made, and I found the whole process really appealing. I just haven't found the time to sign up for a course yet.

Future hobbies let you practise 'would like to' and conditional-style language.

Q7.Do you spend a lot of money on your hobby?

Not a huge amount now, though it was pricier when I first started buying lenses and equipment. Nowadays most of my spending is just occasional trips to interesting locations to take photos. So I'd say it's fairly manageable financially.

Comparing past and present spending shows good control of time expressions.

Q8.Do you think people's hobbies change as they get older?

I think they often do, yes, mainly because priorities shift. Younger people might go for more active or social hobbies, whereas older people sometimes prefer calmer things like gardening or reading. My own grandmother, for instance, took up knitting after she retired.

Bringing in a family example adds a personal, memorable detail to a general opinion.