Describe a hobby you enjoy
The full IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card, a band-8 model answer you can learn from, the Part 3 questions that follow, and examiner strategy. Free, no sign-up.
Describe a hobby you enjoy.
You should say:
- what the hobby is
- how you got into it
- how often you do it
- and explain why you enjoy it
You will have one minute to prepare and should then speak for one to two minutes.
Band-8 model answer
A hobby I've really got into over the last couple of years is hiking. For most of my life I wasn't especially outdoorsy, so it surprised even me, but I started during a period when I was spending far too long sitting at a desk and needed a way to clear my head. A friend invited me along on a fairly easy trail one weekend, I loved it, and I've been hooked ever since. These days I try to get out into the hills at least a couple of times a month, weather permitting, and occasionally I'll do a longer, more challenging route if I have a free day. What I enjoy most is the combination of exercise and headspace — there's something about being out in nature, away from any signal, that completely resets my mind. I always come back feeling calmer and more focused. Beyond that, I've discovered parts of my own country I never knew existed, and I've met some lovely people through a local walking group. So really, what started as a way to get some fresh air has turned into one of the most rewarding parts of my week.
Why this answer scores band 8
- ✓Self-aware, natural opening ('it surprised even me') that sounds spontaneous, not memorised
- ✓Frequency and hedging language: 'at least a couple of times a month, weather permitting'
- ✓A cause-to-outcome arc ('what started as… has turned into…') that lands the 'why' bullet
Part 3 follow-up questions
After the cue card, the examiner discusses the topic in more depth. Practise these aloud too — Part 3 is where the highest bands are won or lost.
Examiner strategy for this cue card
Practise this answer out loud in a real Speaking test
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Describe a hobby you enjoy — FAQ
How do you answer the 'Describe a hobby you enjoy' IELTS cue card?
Spend your one minute of preparation noting a few keywords for each prompt (what the hobby is; how you got into it; how often you do it; and explain why you enjoy it), then speak for the full two minutes. Cover each point briefly but give most of your time to the final 'explain why' prompt, where the marks are. A full band-8 model answer is shown on this page.
How long should the IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?
You should talk for up to two minutes without stopping. It is better to keep going and cover the topic in depth than to finish early — the examiner will stop you when the time is up.
What Part 3 questions follow 'Describe a hobby you enjoy'?
Part 3 broadens the topic into a discussion. For this cue card, expect questions such as: Why is it important for people to have hobbies? Do you think people have less free time than they used to? Are outdoor hobbies better for people than indoor ones?