Speaking Part 2 · Activities & habitsIn the May–Aug 2026 forecast
Describe a Hobby You Enjoy
In short
“Describe a Hobby You Enjoy” is a common IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card. You get 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1–2 minutes, covering all four points below. This page gives you a Band 9 model answer, an idea map so you can make it your own, the Part 3 follow-up questions with answers, and the vocabulary examiners reward.
The task card
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
Band 9 model answer
A hobby I've become genuinely passionate about over the last few years is photography — mostly street and landscape photography, nothing professional, just for the love of it.
I got into it almost by accident. I was going through a dull patch, spending too much time indoors, and a friend lent me an old camera and suggested I come along on a weekend walk. I took a few dozen terrible photos and one that I actually loved — and that single decent shot was enough to hook me.
These days I try to get out with the camera at least once a week, usually early on a weekend morning when the light is soft and the streets are quiet. I've also fallen down the rabbit hole of editing, so I probably spend as much time at the computer refining shots as I do taking them.
The reason I enjoy it so much is that it completely absorbs me — when I'm framing a shot, I lose track of time and forget whatever I was worrying about, which is a rare thing these days. It's also changed how I see ordinary places; I notice light, patterns, and small moments I'd have walked straight past before. So it's partly a creative outlet and partly a way to unwind, and I think everyone benefits from having something like that — an activity that's purely yours and asks nothing of you but attention.
Make it your own: three angles
A creative hobby
Photography, drawing, or writing — rich for the "why you enjoy it" bullet (self-expression, flow, seeing differently).
An active hobby
Hiking, cycling, or a sport — good for health benefits and vocabulary about energy and the outdoors.
A relaxing hobby
Gardening, cooking, or reading — strong for the "unwind / escape from stress" angle.
What the examiner is listening for
A friendly, natural topic — the examiner wants easy fluency and genuine enthusiasm. Use the past for how you started, the present for your routine, and evaluative language for why you love it. Show range with phrasal verbs ('get into', 'take up') used naturally rather than forced.
Part 1 warm-up questions
- What do you do in your free time?
- Do you have any hobbies?
- Do you think hobbies are important?
- Did you have different hobbies as a child?
Part 3 follow-up questions & answers
Why are hobbies important?
They give people balance — a space outside work and responsibilities where they can relax, be creative, or stay active. Hobbies reduce stress, build skills and confidence, and often connect people socially, so their value goes well beyond simply passing the time.
Do people have less time for hobbies nowadays?
Many feel they do, because work and screens fill more of the day. But I'd argue it's often about priorities rather than pure time — people scroll for hours yet claim they can't fit in a hobby. Protecting a little time for one is usually possible if it matters enough.
Should hobbies always be productive?
No — I think that's a bit of a modern trap. Not everything needs to earn money or build a skill; a hobby that's purely relaxing or fun is valuable precisely because it's free of pressure. Turning every interest into a 'side hustle' can drain the joy out of it.
Do expensive hobbies exclude some people?
Unfortunately, yes — hobbies like skiing, golf, or high-end photography can be costly and effectively out of reach for many. That said, plenty of rewarding hobbies, like running, reading, or drawing, cost almost nothing, so the barrier is often lower than people assume.
Can a hobby become a career?
It can, and for some people that's ideal — turning a passion into work. But there's a risk: once a hobby becomes a job with deadlines and clients, it can lose the very freedom that made it enjoyable. Some things are best kept as hobbies.
Do children today have enough time for hobbies?
Many are heavily scheduled with tutoring and structured activities, which can crowd out free, self-chosen play. Ironically, the unstructured time to just explore an interest is exactly what builds creativity, so I think children benefit from a little less scheduling, not more.
Useful vocabulary
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| to get into (something) | to develop an interest in something |
| to take up | to start doing an activity regularly |
| to unwind | to relax after stress |
| a creative outlet | a way to express yourself creatively |
| absorbing | holding your full attention |
| in my element | happy and comfortable doing something |
| hooked | addicted to or unable to stop enjoying something |
| downtime | time spent relaxing |
| to fall down the rabbit hole | to get deeply and increasingly involved in something |
| to express myself | to show my thoughts or feelings creatively |
More cue cards
Describe a Book You Enjoyed Reading
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