Describe an activity you enjoyed in your free time when you were young.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What it was?
Where you did it?
Who you did it with?
Why you enjoyed it?

5 unique answers with expert feedback

What other activities did you enjoy with your dog?

Apart from dressing him up and taking pictures, I loved playing fetch with Google. We would spend hours in the park, and he would always bring the ball back to me. I also enjoyed teaching him tricks, which was a fun way to bond and spend time together.

How did having a dog impact your childhood?

Having Google made my childhood much happier and less lonely. He was my companion, and I felt a sense of responsibility taking care of him. It taught me about love, loyalty, and the importance of companionship, which shaped my personality as I grew up.

Do you think you will get another pet in the future?

Yes, I would love to have another dog in the future. The joy and companionship that Google brought into my life were irreplaceable. I believe having a pet can bring happiness and teach valuable life lessons, so I definitely want to experience that again.

Band 6-7

00:00

When I am young I used to play badminton. As a young student I want to concentrate on studies for a long time like I want to spend 8 to 10 hours on my school or college concentrating on studies. I don't really have so much time to relax. And after completing my studies or homework or assignments I used to play badminton with my cousins and my fellow school students. And it gives me some physical pleasure and it also helps me to mentally unwind and it will also improve my mood when I am playing badminton. And of course it is a very good way to stay physically fit. It gives me some sort of internal happiness when I am playing it. I don't play for any teams or tournaments but I still continue playing badminton whenever I feel disappointed or my mood is not so good. It helps me to relax and it also makes me feel refreshed.

Follow up questions

How did playing badminton impact your studies?

Playing badminton helped me balance my studies and relaxation. It provided a mental break, allowing me to return to my studies refreshed and focused, which ultimately improved my academic performance.

What other activities did you enjoy during your free time?

Besides badminton, I enjoyed reading books and spending time with friends. These activities also helped me unwind and provided a nice contrast to my academic responsibilities.

Do you still play badminton or engage in other sports now?

Yes, I still play badminton occasionally. It remains a great way for me to relieve stress and stay active, even though my schedule is busier now.

Is this page helpful?

Band 6-7

00:00

An activity that I really enjoyed when I was young would probably be playing badminton. I used to play badminton at a badminton court near my home. And I used to play with my brother and his friends. Sometimes I would also have my friends over at my home and we would go to the badminton court to play badminton. The reason I enjoyed it is because it challenged me. It was also a very physical activity. So I had to run around, used to sweat a lot and it used to help me be in shape.

Follow up questions

What skills did you develop while playing badminton?

Playing badminton helped me develop various skills, such as hand-eye coordination, agility, and strategic thinking. I learned how to anticipate my opponent's moves and improve my reflexes, which made me a better player over time.

Did you participate in any competitions or tournaments?

Yes, I participated in a few local badminton tournaments with my brother and friends. It was exciting to compete against other players, and it motivated me to improve my skills. Although I didn't win many matches, the experience was fun and rewarding.

How do you think playing badminton influenced your lifestyle?

Playing badminton instilled a love for physical activity in me. It encouraged me to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Even now, I try to incorporate sports and exercise into my routine, which I believe is essential for overall well-being.

Practice other cue cards

Describe a risk you took that you thought would lead to a terrible result but ended up with a positive result

View answers

Describe a difficult skill you learned.

View answers

Describe A Skill That You Learned In Your Childhood

View answers

Describe an ambition that you haven't achieved.

View answers

Describe a time you taught something new to a younger person?

View answers

Describe A Time When You Needed To Search For Information

View answers

Describe Something You Do That Can Help You Concentrate On Work/Study

View answers

Describe a thing you did to learn another language?

View answers

Describe the type of home you'd like to reside in.

View answers

Describe a habit your friend has and you want to develop.

View answers

Describe A Volunteering Experience You Have Had

View answers

Describe A Time When You Helped Someone

View answers

Describe An Success You Are Proud Of

View answers

Describe a natural talent you want to improve.

View answers

Describe an exercise you know.

View answers

Describe something you taught to your friend/relative.

View answers

Talk about a time you learned a new skill.

View answers

Describe a time when you changed your opinion

View answers

Describe An Important Decision You Made

View answers

Describe An Activity You Do To Keep Fit

View answers

Describe a difficult task that you completed at work/study that you felt proud of

View answers

Describe A Resolution You Made In The New Year

View answers

Describe an event that ended in failure.

View answers

Describe Something Healthy You Enjoy Doing

View answers

Describe A Positive Change In Your Life

View answers

Describe an achievement/success you are proud of

View answers

Describe a long-term goal you would like to achieve.

View answers

Band 6-7

00:00

So, I like to do drawing, painting, not only in my free time, I make time for that and do it. I will do it in my home, I will just make space for myself, do the drawing, do the art, do the painting and all. So, I like that art work and there are many paintings in my home as well. So, I do oil pastes, painting, color like with crayons I do and with sketch pens I do. I do different kind of painting and I also do bottle painting, glass painting. So, whenever there is a time, I just keep my entire focus in this. So, these art and craft I have learnt in my childhood and I am making these things implemented throughout my career, throughout my life. So, whenever I get a free time, I will just make time for this and do it because I like it very much. And in my house, I have done wall painting also in my bedroom and in hall as well. So, I have done good painting, good crafts. I have these things done from my childhood. So, I have the collection of all of these paintings. I won a prize in it when I was in 6th standard. I won a prize in an international competition where they gifted me iPad. So, tab they have gifted me and that was the first prize that the topic was technology, how technology develops. So, this is the way I do, I use my free time.

Follow up questions

How did you feel when you won the prize for your painting?

Winning the prize was an incredible feeling. I felt proud and validated for my hard work and creativity. It motivated me to continue pursuing art and to explore new techniques. The recognition from an international competition made me realize the potential of my passion.

What other hobbies did you have besides painting?

Besides painting, I enjoyed activities like playing sports and reading books. I loved being outdoors, playing soccer with friends, and exploring nature. Reading allowed me to escape into different worlds and sparked my imagination, complementing my artistic pursuits.

Do you still engage in painting or drawing today?

Yes, I still engage in painting and drawing regularly. It remains a significant part of my life, providing me with relaxation and a creative outlet. I often experiment with new styles and techniques, and I find joy in creating art whenever I have free time.

Band 6

00:00

I love playing with my friends when I was young because we have a ground near to my home especially I have so many friends in my childhood nearly 5-6 members moreover all are near to my age and all we love to play all we loves to play a wide variety wide range of games whatever that whatever comes to us minds we play that spending time with my friends make me more refreshing and enjoying it makes me

Follow up questions

What types of games did you enjoy playing with your friends?

We played a variety of games like football, cricket, and tag. Sometimes we invented our own games, which made it even more fun. The creativity involved in coming up with new rules and challenges added to the excitement of our playtime.

How did playing with friends impact your childhood?

Playing with friends was a significant part of my childhood. It helped me develop social skills, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. Those experiences created lasting memories and friendships that I cherish to this day.

Do you think children today have similar opportunities to play outside?

I believe children today have fewer opportunities to play outside due to technology and urbanization. Many kids are more engaged with screens than outdoor activities. However, it's essential for their development to have that outdoor playtime, just like we did.

Show all 5 answers

Cue 1:What it was?

Begin by clearly stating the activity you enjoyed, such as a sport, hobby, or game.
Share a brief description of what the activity involved and why it was significant to you.

Example

One of my favorite activities during my childhood was playing cricket. It was not just a game for me; it was a passion that brought excitement and joy.

Cue 2:Where you did it?

Mention the specific location where you engaged in this activity, such as a park, school ground, or your neighborhood.
Describe the environment and how it contributed to your enjoyment of the activity.

Example

I usually played cricket in the local park near my home. The park had a large open space, which was perfect for playing with my friends, and it was always filled with laughter and energy.

Cue 3:Who you did it with?

Identify the people you played with, such as friends, family, or neighbors.
Explain the role these individuals played in making the activity enjoyable.

Example

I played cricket with my friends from the neighborhood. We formed a close-knit group, and the camaraderie we shared made the games even more enjoyable. We would often compete against each other, which added a fun competitive spirit.

Cue 4:Why you enjoyed it?

Discuss the reasons that made this activity enjoyable for you, such as the thrill of competition or the joy of teamwork.
Reflect on the skills you developed or the memories you created during this activity.

Example

I enjoyed playing cricket because it taught me teamwork and discipline. The thrill of hitting a six or taking a wicket was exhilarating. Those moments created lasting memories that I cherish even today.

Conclusion

Summarize your feelings about the activity and its impact on your childhood.
Mention how this activity has influenced your interests or hobbies in later life.

Example

In conclusion, playing cricket was a significant part of my childhood. It not only provided me with joy and excitement but also instilled values of teamwork and perseverance that I carry with me to this day.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer less engaging and informative. It may leave the examiner confused about your experience and feelings.

Tip

Be specific about the activity, using descriptive words to paint a clear picture of what you enjoyed.

2: Ignoring Key Cues

Failing to address all the cue prompts can lead to an incomplete answer. This may result in a lower score for coherence and task achievement.

Tip

Make sure to cover all the cues, such as who you did it with and why you enjoyed it, to provide a well-rounded response.

Overly Short Answers

Providing very short answers can make your response sound unprepared and lacking in detail. This can negatively impact your fluency score.

Tip

Expand on your answers by adding personal anecdotes or feelings related to the activity to create a more engaging narrative.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.