Describe a Time You Enjoyed Your Free Time - IELTS Cue Card

In the IELTS Speaking Part 2 test, you are frequently asked to describe personal experiences, especially those connected to your daily routines, free-time activities, or memorable moments of relaxation. A cue card such as ‘Describe a time you enjoyed your free time’ tests your ability to narrate an event clearly, organize your ideas well, and express emotions naturally. To score Band 7 or above, it is crucial to include vivid descriptions, higher-level vocabulary, and reflections on your feelings.

In this blog, you will explore high-quality sample answers for the cue card ‘Describe a time you enjoyed your free time’, followed by advanced vocabulary to give you an idea of what IELTS examiners look for in the speaking test and help you speak naturally and confidently in your IELTS Speaking Part 2. 

Describe a Time You Enjoyed Your Free Time – IELTS Speaking Part 2 Question & Sample Answers

After you have completed your Part 1 exam or gone through the leisure time/free time/hobbies IELTS Speaking Part 1 while practising, it is time to prepare for the cue card given to you by the examiner. This section provides three model Band 8 answers that guide you on how to answer topics like ‘Describe a time you enjoyed your free time’ and impress the examiner in the IELTS Speaking Part 2 exam.

Describe a Time You Enjoyed Your Free Time - Sample Answer 1

• When was it?
• Where were you?

I take life as it comes and never miss a chance to jubilate the moments of my life. I am quite experimental as well; hence, having a hackneyed lifestyle is not what I prefer. I love doing different activities, and if I get to learn something in the process, even better. Talking about the time when I enjoyed the moments as I didn’t have anything to do in particular was last weekend. I had a plan to go out for a movie with my friends and was mirth for it would have been after a long time. Alas! My friend backed out at the last moment.

• What did you do?

Since I didn’t have anything to do, I was surfing through hordes of YouTube videos. It was then that I bumped into an insightful documentary about our culture. For one, it could be quite vapid to see a documentary; however, for me, it was relishing and informative. I sat on my armchair and was so entranced in that seven-hour documentary that I didn’t realize when the time flew. It covered our heritage, our culture, and our traditions; some of them were even recognized by UNESCO. I got to know about our diverse and rich culture and how it kept on evolving over the years. It was one of the epitome refreshments that I have felt so far. Art and culture are often seen as subjects of antiquated trends; however, little do we realize that they lay the whole foundation of our evolution as a civilization.

• And how did you feel about it?

Unarguably, if I had gone out for a movie with my friend, it would have been great. However, I would like to thank him for repealing the plan, as I was able to see this masterpiece.

Describe a Time You Enjoyed Your Free Time - Sample Answer 2

• When was it?

One memorable time when I truly enjoyed my free time was around three months ago, during a phase when work had become mentally draining and monotonous. It was a regular weekday, yet something in me urged for a pause. Instead of pushing through another exhausting evening, I decided to do something entirely spontaneous and refreshing.

• Where were you?

I went up to the rooftop of my apartment, which has always been an underrated space that I seldom used. That day, however, it transformed into my personal sanctuary. I set up a cozy little corner with a soft mat, a few fairy lights, and a portable speaker playing light instrumental music. The environment instantly felt warm and comforting.

• What did you do?

For the next few hours, I simply allowed myself to slow down. I enjoyed the cool evening breeze while watching the sunset paint the sky in breathtaking shades of gold, orange, and pastel pink. I even brewed myself a cup of masala tea, and surprisingly, that simple drink felt incredibly luxurious in that serene setting. While relaxing, I also journaled my thoughts, something I had not done in a long time. 

• And how did you feel about it?

As I wrote, a sudden realisation struck me! I had been stuck in the same hackneyed work routine, barely giving myself space to breathe or reflect. Recognising this felt strangely liberating, almost as though a heavy burden had quietly melted away. By the end of the evening, I was overwhelmed with a sense of mirth, clarity, and inner peace. It wasn’t anything extravagant, but it genuinely felt like a personal triumph. In a way, I was enjoying the simple fact that I had finally chosen to prioritise my well-being. 

Describe a Time You Enjoyed Your Free Time - Sample Answer 3

• When was it?

A time when I enjoyed my free time the most was last winter, during a short weekend getaway I took to a hill station near my hometown. I had been juggling multiple commitments at work and feeling increasingly overwhelmed, so I felt it was the right moment to disconnect from my usual routine.

• Where were you?

I stayed at a small wooden cottage located on the outskirts of a quiet hillside, surrounded by pine trees and overlooking a beautiful valley. The place had no loud crowds, no traffic noise, and no digital distractions; it was exactly what I needed.

• What did you do?

During my stay, I spent most of my time walking along narrow forest trails, listening to the rustling leaves, and breathing in the crisp mountain air. In the evenings, I sat outside on the cottage’s balcony with a warm blanket, sipping hot chocolate while watching the fog slowly settle over the valley. I also read a novel that I had been postponing for months, and finishing a few chapters felt incredibly satisfying.

• And how did you feel about it?

What made this experience special was the sense of complete detachment from my everyday life. I wasn’t thinking about deadlines, notifications, or pending tasks. Instead, I felt grounded, calm, and fully present in the moment. The peaceful environment allowed me to reconnect with myself and appreciate the beauty of slow living. By the end of the weekend, I felt recharged, mentally lighter, and genuinely refreshed. It was a simple getaway, but it reminded me of how essential it is to intentionally carve out time for myself.

Vocabulary You Can Use For IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions on Describe a Time You Enjoyed Your Free Time

Given below is the list of words related to the topic, Describe a Time You Enjoyed Your Free Time IELTS cue card, that will expand your latest IELTS Speaking vocabulary to boost your score.

To conclude, the cue card ‘Describe a time you enjoyed your free time’, recent IELTS topics in IELTS Speaking test, is an excellent opportunity to showcase descriptive language, emotional reflection, and storytelling skills. You can talk about anything - from a peaceful walk and a movie marathon to a short trip or quality time with yourself. The key is to express how the experience made you feel and why it stands out in your memory with relevant IELTS vocabulary, which will help elevate your answer to a Band 7.5–8 level.

Useful Links:

• Describe a Leisure Activity You Often Do with Your Family - IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3
• Describe a Leisure Activity That is Popular in your Country - IELTS Cue Card
• Describe a Leisure Activity near/on the Sea that You Want to Try - IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3
• Describe an Activity You Like Doing IELTS Cue Card
• Describe Something You Want to do if You get Free Time- IELTS Cue Card
• How to Organize Your Responses on the IELTS Speaking Exam?