Speaking Part 2 · Activities & habitsIn the May–Aug 2026 forecast
Describe a Sport or Activity You Enjoy
In short
“Describe a Sport or Activity 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 Sport or Activity You Enjoy. You should say:
- •What the sport is
- •How you got into it
- •How often you do it
- •And explain why you enjoy it
Band 9 model answer
The sport I most enjoy is swimming, which I came to fairly late but have grown to love more than anything else I've tried.
I got into it almost by necessity — I'd hurt my knee running and needed something low-impact, so a physiotherapist suggested the pool. I expected to find it boring, and for the first few weeks I did, but once my technique improved and I could swim proper lengths without gasping, something clicked.
Now I go about three times a week, usually early in the morning before work, when the pool is quiet and the water is still. It's become non-negotiable in my routine — the day just feels off if I skip it.
What I enjoy most is that it's the one time my mind goes completely quiet. There's no phone, no talking, just the rhythm of breathing and counting lengths, and I come out feeling calmer and sharper than almost anything else achieves. It keeps me fit, obviously, but honestly the physical side is a bonus — the real reason I love it is that it's become a kind of moving meditation. For anyone who finds it hard to switch off, I genuinely can't recommend it enough.
Make it your own: three angles
An individual sport
Swimming, running, cycling — great for the "clears my head / keeps me fit" angle and personal routine.
A team sport
Football, basketball — lean on team spirit, friendship, and the social side.
A sport you watch rather than play
Acceptable, but tie it to real enthusiasm and why it grips you.
What the examiner is listening for
A friendly topic that rewards easy fluency and genuine enthusiasm. Use the past for how you started and the present simple for your routine, and push the 'why' beyond 'it's healthy' to something personal (stress relief, friendship). Natural phrasal verbs ('take up', 'work out') show range when used unforced.
Part 1 warm-up questions
- Do you play any sports?
- Is sport popular in your country?
- Did you play sports at school?
- Do you prefer team sports or individual sports?
Part 3 follow-up questions & answers
Why is sport important for people?
Beyond the obvious physical health benefits, sport is excellent for mental wellbeing — it reduces stress and lifts mood — and team sports build discipline, cooperation, and friendships. It also gives people goals and a sense of progress outside work, which matters a great deal for a balanced life.
Should sport be compulsory in schools?
I think a reasonable amount should be, yes — it establishes healthy habits early and helps counter rising inactivity among children. The key is variety and inclusion, though: forcing every child into competitive team games can put some off exercise for life, so schools should offer options that suit different abilities.
Do people watch more sport than they play?
Almost certainly — professional sport is a huge entertainment industry, and it's far easier to watch than to participate. That's not all bad; watching can inspire people to take part. But there's a real concern that societies are becoming spectators of fitness rather than practitioners of it.
Are professional athletes paid too much?
The top ones earn extraordinary sums, which can seem hard to justify next to, say, teachers or nurses. But their pay reflects the enormous revenue they generate and how few can perform at that level. It's less that they're overpaid and more a reflection of what society chooses to value and watch.
How can governments encourage people to exercise more?
Practical measures work best — building affordable facilities, safe cycling lanes, and parks, and running community programmes. Public campaigns help raise awareness, but access and cost are the real barriers, so making exercise convenient and cheap does more than simply telling people it's good for them.
What are the benefits of team sports for children?
They're considerable — children learn cooperation, how to win and lose gracefully, and how to work towards a shared goal, all while staying active. Team sports also build friendships and confidence, and give shy children a structured way to belong, which can matter as much as the exercise itself.
Useful vocabulary
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| to keep fit | to stay physically healthy |
| to take up | to start doing an activity |
| to work out | to exercise |
| competitive | wanting to win; involving competition |
| to unwind | to relax |
| team spirit | a feeling of cooperation among a group |
| to stay in shape | to remain fit |
| to clear your head | to stop worrying and think clearly |
| a healthy outlet | a good way to release energy or stress |
| non-negotiable | not something you will give up |
More cue cards
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