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?
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5 unique answers with expert feedback

Band 6-7

00:00

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00:00

In my childhood, I used to do various activities and enjoyed them a lot. But one of my most favorite one was with my dog. His name was Google, but he passed away a few years ago. He was my first family dog and he was a black Labrador. I was very fond of him and loved him like my little brother. Me and my sister used to cry for a dog and then my father finally got convinced and got us a dog. I used to play with him a lot during my relaxing hours after school and tuitions. I used to dress him up in cute costumes and used to take a lot of pictures. I remember I was the only one who used to take him to walks and played with him throughout the day during a weekend. I usually preferred to go to restaurants and resorts while traveling where the pets were allowed, especially they were pet friendly and had services for dogs as well. Being my little brother, he used to cherish my mood always and I always used to share my secrets with him as I was very much introvert at that time. I remember when he died, I was the only one who was crying out loud as my parents were trying to hold me. But all in all, that was my favorite memory of childhood.

Follow up questions


What other activities did you enjoy with your dog?
Besides dressing him up and taking pictures, I also loved playing fetch with Google. We would spend hours in the park, and he would run after the ball with so much enthusiasm. It was a great way to bond and enjoy the outdoors together.

How did having a pet influence your childhood?
Having Google as my pet made my childhood much happier. He was my companion and helped me feel less lonely. I learned responsibility by taking care of him, and he taught me about love and companionship, which shaped my personality.

Do you think pets can help with emotional well-being?
Absolutely! Pets provide unconditional love and companionship. They can help reduce stress and anxiety, and having Google around made me feel secure. I often shared my feelings with him, which helped me cope with my introverted nature.

Band 6-7

00:00

/

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 influence your studies?
Playing badminton helped me unwind after long study sessions. It provided a balance between academics and relaxation, allowing me to return to my studies refreshed and more focused.

What other activities did you enjoy during your free time?
Besides badminton, I enjoyed reading books and spending time outdoors with friends. These activities also helped me relax and recharge after my studies.

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 maintain my physical fitness, even as my schedule has become busier.

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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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

location icon

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.

Band 6-7

00:00

/

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 tournaments with my brother and friends. It was exciting to compete against others, and it pushed me to improve my skills. Even though I didn't win every time, the experience was valuable and fun.

How did playing badminton influence your social life?
Playing badminton significantly influenced my social life as it allowed me to bond with my brother and friends. We spent a lot of time together on the court, which strengthened our friendships and created lasting memories.

Band 6-7

00:00

/

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 has your interest in art influenced your career choices?
My interest in art has greatly influenced my career. I often incorporate creativity into my work, whether it's through design or problem-solving. The skills I've developed in drawing and painting have helped me think outside the box and approach tasks with a unique perspective.

What other hobbies did you enjoy as a child besides painting?
Besides painting, I enjoyed activities like playing sports and reading books. I loved exploring nature and often went on hikes, which inspired my creativity. These hobbies helped me develop a well-rounded personality and taught me the importance of balance in life.

Do you think art is important for children? Why or why not?
Absolutely! Art is crucial for children's development. It fosters creativity, improves motor skills, and enhances emotional expression. Engaging in art helps children build confidence and encourages them to think critically, which are essential skills for their future.

Band 6

00:00

/

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 would also play video games together. Each game brought a different kind of fun and excitement, and we often created our own rules to make it more interesting.

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 leadership qualities. Those experiences created lasting memories and friendships that I cherish even today.

Do you think children today have the same opportunities to play outside?
I believe children today have fewer opportunities to play outside due to technology and safety concerns. Many prefer indoor activities or video games, which can limit their social interactions and physical activity compared to my childhood.
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.

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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.

bulb icon

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.

bulb icon

Tip

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


calendar icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

location icon

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
anonymous person icon

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

location icon

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.

All Answers

Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

Band 6-7

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.

Band 6-7

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.

Band 6-7

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.

Band 6-7

In my childhood, I used to do various activities and enjoyed them a lot. But one of my most favorite one was with my dog. His name was Google, but he passed away a few years ago. He was my first family dog and he was a black Labrador. I was very fond of him and loved him like my little brother. Me and my sister used to cry for a dog and then my father finally got convinced and got us a dog. I used to play with him a lot during my relaxing hours after school and tuitions. I used to dress him up in cute costumes and used to take a lot of pictures. I remember I was the only one who used to take him to walks and played with him throughout the day during a weekend. I usually preferred to go to restaurants and resorts while traveling where the pets were allowed, especially they were pet friendly and had services for dogs as well. Being my little brother, he used to cherish my mood always and I always used to share my secrets with him as I was very much introvert at that time. I remember when he died, I was the only one who was crying out loud as my parents were trying to hold me. But all in all, that was my favorite memory of childhood.

Band 6

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
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