Hobbies and free time activities are popular topics in the IELTS Speaking test. On this page, you’ll find useful vocabulary, IELTS-style questions, and sample answers to help you speak naturally and confidently about how you spend your leisure time.
📝 Essential Vocabulary
Here are some key words and phrases to help you talk about hobbies in the IELTS test:
Pursue – To actively engage in an activity or interest over time.
Pastime – An activity someone does regularly for enjoyment in their free time.
Unwind – To relax and release stress after work or study.
Dedicate time to – To set aside specific time for an activity.
Take up – To start a new hobby or activity.
Give up – To stop doing something you used to do regularly.
Fulfilling – Giving a sense of satisfaction and purpose.
Hands-on – Involving practical activity rather than just theory.
Keep up with – To continue doing something regularly without stopping.
Leisure activities – Things people do for enjoyment when not working.
Time-consuming – Requiring a lot of time to do properly.
Skill-based – Requiring specific abilities or techniques to perform well.
🎯 Part 1 Questions: Hobbies & Free Time
Question 1: What do you like to do in your free time?
Answer: “Well, I really enjoy reading, especially fiction novels. It helps me unwind after a long day at work. I also try to dedicate time to playing the guitar, though I’m still learning. It’s quite fulfilling when I finally get a song right.”
Question 2: Have you recently taken up any new hobbies?
Answer: “Yes, actually! About six months ago, I took up photography. I’d always been interested in it, but I finally bought a proper camera. It’s quite time-consuming because you have to learn all the technical settings, but I find it really rewarding.”
Question 3: Do you prefer active or relaxing hobbies?
Answer: “I think I need a mix of both, to be honest. During the week, I prefer relaxing pastimes like watching documentaries or listening to podcasts. But on weekends, I try to do something more hands-on, like hiking or cooking new recipes. It keeps life balanced, you know?”
📖 Part 2 Task: Describe a Hobby You Enjoy
Question:
Describe a hobby you really enjoy.
You should say:
- What the hobby is
- When you started doing it
- How often you do it
…and explain why you find it enjoyable.
Sample Answer:
“One hobby I absolutely love is gardening. I took up this pastime about three years ago when I moved into a house with a small backyard. Before that, I lived in an apartment, so I never really had the space for it.
I try to dedicate time to gardening at least twice a week, usually on weekend mornings. There’s something really peaceful about being outside early in the day, when it’s quiet and the air is fresh. I mostly grow vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs, though I’ve got a few flower beds as well.
What I find most fulfilling about gardening is seeing the results of your effort. It’s very hands-on and skill-based—you need to learn about soil quality, watering schedules, and which plants grow well together. At first, I made loads of mistakes. I remember planting things too close together, and they just didn’t grow properly. But over time, I’ve learned what works.
It’s also quite time-consuming, especially during spring and summer when everything’s growing quickly. But that’s part of the appeal, I think. It forces me to slow down and focus on something other than work or screens. When I’m out there, I’m completely present in the moment.
Another thing I love is that it’s productive. Unlike some hobbies where you’re just consuming content, gardening gives you something tangible at the end. There’s nothing quite like cooking a meal with vegetables you’ve grown yourself. It feels like a real achievement.
So yeah, gardening has become a really important part of my routine. It helps me unwind, keeps me active, and I get fresh produce out of it. I can’t imagine giving up this hobby anytime soon—it’s become part of who I am.”
💭 Part 3 Questions: Discussing Hobbies in Depth
Question 1: Why do you think some people find it difficult to keep up hobbies?
Answer: “I think the main reason is time, honestly. A lot of people have demanding jobs or family responsibilities, so their leisure activities often get pushed aside. Also, some hobbies are quite time-consuming or expensive, which makes them harder to maintain. For example, if someone wants to pursue something like horse riding or sailing, they need both money and regular access to facilities. When life gets busy, these things are usually the first to go. I also think some people take up hobbies without really thinking about whether they genuinely enjoy them, so they lose interest quickly.”
Question 2: How have hobbies changed over the generations?
Answer: “That’s interesting to think about. I’d say previous generations had more hands-on and social hobbies—things like knitting, woodworking, or playing cards with neighbors. These days, a lot of pastimes are more digital and individual. Young people might dedicate time to gaming, creating content on social media, or streaming shows. That said, there’s been a bit of a revival of traditional hobbies too. I know quite a few people my age who’ve taken up things like baking, crafts, or even vinyl record collecting. So maybe it’s more about balance now—we have more options, both digital and traditional.”
Question 3: Do you think it’s important for children to have hobbies outside of school?
Answer: “Absolutely, I think it’s essential. Hobbies give children a chance to unwind and develop interests beyond academic subjects. They’re also important for building confidence and social skills. For example, if a child pursues a skill-based hobby like playing an instrument or doing martial arts, they learn discipline and how to work towards goals. Plus, having a fulfilling hobby can really help with mental health—it gives kids something positive to focus on, especially during stressful times like exams. The key is letting them choose activities they actually enjoy, rather than forcing them into something just because parents think it’s good for them.”
🎨 Practice Activity
Think about a hobby you currently pursue or would like to take up.
Describe it using at least five words from the vocabulary list above.
Try to explain:
- Why it’s fulfilling for you
- Whether it’s time-consuming or skill-based
- How it helps you unwind
- If you manage to keep up with it regularly
Record yourself speaking for 1-2 minutes and listen back to check your fluency and vocabulary use.
📝 Vocabulary Quiz: Test Your Understanding
Now it’s time to test your knowledge of the vocabulary from this lesson! This quiz includes 12 questions using different formats. Try to complete it in about 10 minutes.
Instructions:
Read each question carefully and choose or write the best answer. Check your answers at the end using the answer key provided.
Section A: Gap-Fill Questions (Questions 1-5)
Complete each sentence with the correct word from the vocabulary list.
Question 1: “I’ve been trying to ________ reading for at least 30 minutes every day, but it’s been difficult with my busy schedule.”
- a) give up
- b) dedicate time to
- c) unwind
- d) take up
Question 2: “Painting has become a really ________ hobby for me. It gives me a strong sense of achievement and purpose.”
- a) time-consuming
- b) fulfilling
- c) hands-on
- d) skill-based
Question 3: “I decided to ________ yoga last month, and I’m already feeling more flexible and relaxed.”
- a) give up
- b) pursue
- c) take up
- d) keep up with
Question 4: “After a stressful week at work, I like to ________ by watching movies or going for long walks.”
- a) dedicate
- b) pursue
- c) unwind
- d) take up
Question 5: “Learning to play the piano is quite ________ because it requires specific techniques and regular practice to improve.”
- a) fulfilling
- b) skill-based
- c) hands-on
- d) time-consuming
Section B: Matching Exercise (Questions 6-9)
Match each phrase with its correct definition.
Question 6: Pastime
Question 7: Keep up with
Question 8: Give up
Question 9: Hands-on
Definitions:
- a) To stop doing an activity you used to do regularly
- b) Involving practical activity rather than just theory
- c) An activity done regularly for enjoyment in free time
- d) To continue doing something regularly without stopping
Section C: True or False (Questions 10-12)
Read each statement and decide if it’s TRUE or FALSE based on correct vocabulary usage.
Question 10: “Time-consuming activities are those that take very little time to complete.”
- TRUE / FALSE
Question 11: “When you pursue a hobby, you actively engage in it over a period of time.”
- TRUE / FALSE
Question 12: “Leisure activities are things people do while they’re at work or studying.”
- TRUE / FALSE
✅ Answer Key & Explanations
Section A: Gap-Fill
Question 1: b) dedicate time to Explanation: “Dedicate time to” means to set aside specific time for an activity. The sentence describes making time for reading daily, which matches this meaning. “Take up” would mean starting something new, not continuing an existing practice.
Question 2: b) fulfilling Explanation: “Fulfilling” describes something that gives satisfaction and a sense of purpose. The sentence mentions “achievement and purpose,” which directly matches this definition. “Time-consuming” would focus on duration, not emotional satisfaction.
Question 3: c) take up Explanation: “Take up” means to start a new hobby or activity. The phrase “last month” indicates this is a recently started activity. “Pursue” would suggest ongoing engagement rather than the beginning of something new.
Question 4: c) unwind Explanation: “Unwind” means to relax and release stress. The context of “after a stressful week” clearly indicates the need for relaxation, making this the perfect choice.
Question 5: b) skill-based Explanation: “Skill-based” describes activities requiring specific abilities or techniques. The sentence mentions “specific techniques and regular practice,” which directly defines skill-based activities. While learning piano is also time-consuming, the emphasis here is on the techniques required.
Section B: Matching
Question 6: c) Pastime = An activity done regularly for enjoyment in free time
Question 7: d) Keep up with = To continue doing something regularly without stopping
Question 8: a) Give up = To stop doing an activity you used to do regularly
Question 9: b) Hands-on = Involving practical activity rather than just theory
Explanation: These are direct definition matches. Remember that “give up” and “take up” are opposites—one means stopping, the other means starting. “Keep up with” emphasizes continuation and consistency.
Section C: True or False
Question 10: FALSE Explanation: Time-consuming activities actually require a LOT of time, not very little. This is a common mistake—the word “consuming” suggests something that uses up or requires substantial time. Example: “Building furniture is time-consuming.”
Question 11: TRUE Explanation: This is correct. “Pursue” means to actively engage in an activity over time. It suggests ongoing commitment and dedication to the hobby. Example: “I’ve been pursuing photography for five years.”
Question 12: FALSE Explanation: Leisure activities are things people do for enjoyment when they’re NOT working or studying. “Leisure” refers to free time, so this statement contradicts the definition.
📊 How Did You Score?
10-12 correct: Excellent! You have a strong grasp of this vocabulary.
7-9 correct: Good work! Review the questions you missed and try using those words in sentences.
4-6 correct: You’re getting there. Go back through the Essential Vocabulary section and the model answers to see how these words are used in context.
0-3 correct: Don’t worry! This vocabulary takes practice. Review the definitions and try the quiz again after reading through the blog post once more.
💡 Study Tips Based on Common Mistakes
If you struggled with “take up” vs. “pursue”:
- Remember: “take up” = START something new
- “pursue” = CONTINUE doing something over time
- Practice: “I took up tennis last year, and I’ve been pursuing it ever since.”
If you confused “fulfilling” with “time-consuming”:
- “Fulfilling” = how something makes you FEEL (emotional)
- “Time-consuming” = how long something TAKES (practical)
- Practice: “Gardening is time-consuming but fulfilling.”
If you mixed up “unwind” and “dedicate time to”:
- “Unwind” = RELAX, release stress
- “Dedicate time to” = SET ASIDE time, make time for something
- Practice: “I dedicate time to yoga every morning to help me unwind.”
🎯 Ready to Take Your Speaking to the Next Level?
Practice Your IELTS Hobbies Vocabulary
Record yourself answering the Part 2 question from this page and send it to us for professional feedback.
Our feedback is based on the official IELTS Speaking Descriptors and will give you precise information on how to improve your:
- Fluency and coherence
- Vocabulary range and accuracy
- Grammatical structures
- Pronunciation
Contact us here for more information.