Describe an expensive hobby you can't pursue daily.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is it?
Why is it expensive?
Why do you wish to pursue it?

43 unique answers with expert feedback

What destinations have you traveled to that you found particularly expensive?

I have traveled to places like Switzerland and Japan, which are known for their high costs. In Switzerland, the prices for food and accommodation are quite steep, while Japan has expensive transportation options, especially the Shinkansen. These experiences made me realize how costly travel can be.

How do you budget for your travels given the high costs?

I usually set a travel budget before planning a trip. I save money over time and look for deals on flights and accommodations. Additionally, I try to travel during off-peak seasons to reduce costs and prioritize experiences that fit within my budget.

What other hobbies do you think are expensive and why?

Other expensive hobbies include sailing and golfing. Sailing requires a boat, maintenance, and marina fees, while golfing involves membership fees, equipment costs, and green fees. Both hobbies can be enjoyable but require significant financial investment.

Band 6-7

00:00

So my favorite expensive no one of the expensive hobbies that I have is photography. I'd say photography I'd call photography as an expensive hobby because because you need the right equipment to capture images. Yes of course photography can be done with mobile phones which is a cheaper option but if I have to become a professional photographer I would need the right equipment so I think it's that's why it's an expensive hobby and why I would like to pursue photography is because I think I'm really good at it and I can see a career me making a career for myself in photography because I find myself when I do photography like I observe a lot I notice a lot and that's when I started capturing pictures and realized I have a thing for photography

Follow up questions

What specific equipment do you consider essential for photography?

I believe essential equipment includes a high-quality camera, various lenses, a sturdy tripod, and editing software. Each piece plays a crucial role in capturing and enhancing images, allowing for greater creativity and professionalism in my photography.

How do you manage the costs associated with your photography hobby?

To manage costs, I save a portion of my income specifically for photography gear. Additionally, I look for second-hand equipment or discounts, and sometimes I collaborate with other photographers to share resources and knowledge, which helps reduce expenses.

Have you ever considered taking photography classes or workshops?

Yes, I have considered taking classes to improve my skills and learn new techniques. Workshops can provide hands-on experience and valuable feedback from professionals, which would help me grow as a photographer and refine my artistic vision.

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Band 6-7

00:00

I'm gonna share about the most expensive hobby which I can't pursue daily. It is adventure. I just love doing adventure. I love going on hikes and skydiving, bungee jumping and many other adventure sports. It is very lavish and almost impossible for a middle class to pursue in his daily life because it is very expensive because of its equipments, risks involved in that adventure and the need of highly trained manpower in that particular sort of adventure thing. For an example, if we take skydiving, it involves a plane, a trainer who will jump with you and a cameraman who will record you. So airways is one of the most expensive source of transportation but I still wish to pursue it because it gives you that adrenaline rush and makes you feel that you are living. And for an instance, while you are skydiving, you feel like you are flying like a bird as you reach your terminal velocity and you feel living.

Follow up questions

What other hobbies do you think are expensive?

There are several hobbies that can be quite costly, such as sailing, golfing, or collecting art. Each of these requires significant investment in equipment, maintenance, and sometimes even lessons or memberships, making them less accessible for many people.

How do you think expensive hobbies affect people's lifestyles?

Expensive hobbies can significantly impact a person's lifestyle by limiting their time and financial resources. People may need to budget carefully or prioritize their spending, which can lead to less time for other activities or even affect their social life if friends can't join in.

Have you ever tried any adventure sports that were affordable?

Yes, I have tried some affordable adventure sports like hiking or cycling. These activities can provide a sense of adventure without the high costs associated with things like skydiving or bungee jumping. They also allow for exploration of nature and can be enjoyed with friends or family.

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Band 6-7

00:00

Well, I have many hobbies like playing badminton, cricket, reading, improving my skills. But a very thing that I want to do is to travel around the world. I like to travel around the world, I like to visit the seven miraculous things in the world like Petra in the Jordan, Pyramids of Gaza, Giza, sorry, Pyramids of Giza and Pink Lake in Australia, Northern Lights in the Norway, Cherry Blossom in the Japan and many things like this. I think it is expensive because you have to spend on air tickets, then on hotel, eating out, everything is expensive. So it is quite expensive hobby and I think I have to work a lot just to get done one of them. And one thing I know about myself is it is my dream and I can achieve it someday. Not all of these places but yes some of these which is quite affordable, which is a little bit affordable like Giza, Pyramids of Giza I think is affordable and Petra in the Jordan is affordable.

Follow up questions

What destinations are on your travel bucket list?

I have a long list of places I want to visit, including the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the beaches of Bali. Each destination offers unique experiences and cultures that I am eager to explore.

How do you plan to save money for your travels?

I plan to save money by budgeting my expenses, cutting down on unnecessary purchases, and setting aside a portion of my income specifically for travel. Additionally, I might look for part-time work or freelance opportunities to boost my savings.

What do you think is the most rewarding aspect of traveling?

The most rewarding aspect of traveling is the opportunity to experience different cultures, meet new people, and create unforgettable memories. It broadens my perspective and helps me appreciate the diversity of our world.

Band 6-7

00:00

The expensive hobby that I see daily in my life is swimming. Why I am considering it as an expensive hobby? The initial investment is huge in terms of buying swimsuit and goggles, the nose pin and also the pair of swimsuits. Considering the initial investment and also daily we need to pay the hourly rate. For example, for one hour if I want to swim, I need to pay 200 rupees as a hourly rate charges. So because of that I consider swimming as an expensive sport in my life. Although I consider it as an expensive sport but it has so many advantages. If we swim daily, we will be very fit and we will be able to burn out the calories very easily. And swimming is considered as one of the risk-free sports. You will not be getting injury as like other sports that we play. For example, cricket, football, these are very injury prone sports. But unlike those, swimming is very injury-free sports in my point of view.

Follow up questions

What other hobbies do you think are expensive?

Other hobbies that can be considered expensive include skiing, golfing, and sailing. Each of these requires significant investment in equipment, lessons, and sometimes travel. For instance, skiing involves buying gear and lift passes, while golfing requires clubs and green fees.

How do you think expensive hobbies affect people's lifestyles?

Expensive hobbies can significantly impact lifestyles by limiting the time and resources people can allocate to them. Individuals may need to budget carefully, prioritize their spending, and sometimes sacrifice other activities. However, they can also provide unique experiences and opportunities for socializing.

Do you think swimming should be more accessible to everyone?

Yes, I believe swimming should be more accessible. Making swimming pools affordable and providing free lessons can encourage more people to take up swimming. This would not only promote fitness but also enhance water safety awareness, which is crucial in many communities.

Show all 43 answers

Cue 1:What is it?

Begin by clearly stating the hobby you are referring to.
Provide a brief description of what the hobby entails and why it interests you.

Example

One expensive hobby that I can't pursue daily is scuba diving. It involves exploring underwater ecosystems and experiencing marine life up close, which I find incredibly fascinating.

Cue 2:Why is it expensive?

Discuss the costs associated with the hobby, such as equipment, training, and travel.
Mention any additional expenses that may arise, like maintenance or membership fees.

Example

Scuba diving is quite expensive due to the high costs of the necessary equipment, such as wetsuits, tanks, and regulators, which can easily add up to several thousand rupees. Additionally, I need to pay for training courses and travel to dive sites, which further increases the overall expense.

Cue 3:Why do you wish to pursue it?

Explain your passion for the hobby and what you hope to gain from it.
Share any personal experiences or aspirations related to this hobby.

Example

I wish to pursue scuba diving because it allows me to connect with nature in a unique way. I have always been captivated by the ocean, and diving gives me the chance to explore its beauty. I dream of visiting the Great Barrier Reef one day and witnessing its vibrant marine life firsthand.

Conclusion

Summarize your feelings about the hobby and its significance in your life.
Mention any future plans or hopes related to pursuing this hobby.

Example

In conclusion, while scuba diving is an expensive hobby that I can't engage in daily, it holds a special place in my heart. I hope to save up and dive more frequently in the future, as it brings me immense joy and a sense of adventure.

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

Avoid being too general when describing your hobby. Vague answers can make it hard for the examiner to understand your passion and interest in the hobby.

Tip

Provide specific details about the hobby, such as what it involves, your experiences, and any unique aspects that make it special to you.

2: Ignoring Financial Aspects

Not explaining why the hobby is expensive can lead to an incomplete answer. The examiner expects to understand the financial implications of your hobby.

Tip

Clearly outline the costs involved, such as equipment, materials, or membership fees, and explain how these contribute to the overall expense.

Lack of Personal Connection

Failing to express your personal desire to pursue the hobby can make your answer less engaging. The examiner wants to hear your motivations and feelings.

Tip

Share your personal reasons for wanting to pursue the hobby, such as enjoyment, relaxation, or personal growth, to create a more compelling narrative.

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

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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.