Describe an Unusual Activity you’ve Recently Taken Up- IELTS Cue Card

Janice Thompson

6 min read

Updated On Aug 14, 2024

Sample Answer 1
Sample Answer 2
Part 3 Follow-up Questions

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Describe an unusual activity you’ve recently taken upYou should say:

what you did, and where you did it
when you did it
who you did it with
and describe why it was something unusual.

Sample Answer 1

Introduction

Everyone has different hobbies, which are sometimes challenging, easy, simple, or weird. Hobbies can be explored during free time to unwind and enjoy that particular activity.

What did you do, and where did you do it?

One of my closest pals recently invited my younger sister and me to his superhero-themed birthday celebration. After much deliberation, we ultimately decided to dress up as Spiderman and Wonder Woman because I’ve always been intrigued by Spiderman’s superpowers. In contrast, my sister has always been fascinated by the wonder woman’s exemplary actions. So, we visited a costume store in the vicinity and purchased the things required to make both outfits. Eventually, we started working on creating the costumes with the assistance of our mother.

When did you do it?

We began our preparations the day after we were invited to the birthday party. While our mother helped us in sewing the costumes, we watched plenty of tutorials online to design Spiderman’s mask and Wonder woman’s shield.

Whom did you do it with?

My sister and I sought the help of our mother, who was an excellent costume designer at a boutique. With her artistry and designing skills, she helped us create homemade replica costumes of Spiderman and Wonder woman out of simple, inexpensive materials. Within a week, both the superhero costumes were crafted, stitched and sewed with a perfect fit, however, we didn’t find the need to try it for once.

And describe why it was something unusual?

Eventually, on Saturday, while I got dressed as Spiderman on the go, I found my little sister struggling to put on her Wonder Woman outfit as it didn’t fit her. Since my mother was at work, I went ahead to help her. Although I was unaware of the basic tailoring, I had watched a couple of stitching and tailoring tutorials. Gradually, I took her measurements, removed the old stitchings, marked the alterations, and sewed it with the help of the sewing machine. When she put on the costume, it was a perfect fit, and she resembled a mini version of Wonder Woman.

So, this was a bit unusual activity for me as it was the first time I tried my hands on sewing, and it turned out so well. Our customized replica outfits of Spider-Man and Wonder Woman were a big hit at the birthday party. I had shivers the first time I used the sewing machine as our mother had confined the use of it, but I enjoyed sewing anyway. Therefore, now I’m planning to learn the basics to gain more knowledge about it.

Sample Answer 2

Introduction

Trying something unusual for the first time is always exciting and it’s like icing on the cake when it turns out to be well. So, here, I’d like to talk about an unusual activity that I’ve recently taken up.

What you did, and where you did it

A couple of days back, my family had gone out of town to attend a wedding. They left me at home to take care of my little sister, who had actually fractured her ankle. Since we both were notorious, my mom had an invisible ‘stop’ sign put there in the kitchen as she didn’t want us to make a mess.

When you did it?

However, after a while of watching TV, I became bored and decided to bake a cake. So, I slowly sneaked through the signboard and entered the kitchen while my sister was watching me suspiciously.

Who you did it with?

Therefore, I invited her to join me. I saw the oven placed majestically beside the counter. While reading the basics online, I gathered all the ingredients such as flour, eggs, sugar, cocoa powder, oil, essence, and asked my sister to whisk it while I whipped the cream for the topping. I greased the container and added the cake batter, and it was ready to go inside the hot oven. After an hour, I could smell the aromatic flavor of the cake. My sister and I were hyped with joy when I found the cake to turn out so well. With a delectable vanilla flavor, fluffy soft crumb, and velvety buttercream on top, it was indeed the best cake we had tried.

And describe why it was something unusual?

To be honest, this was an unusual activity for me because this was the first time I baked a cake with my sister. As a boy, my mom has always sheltered me from cooking or baking. But after trying hands-on baking, I have figured out my hidden passion and love for baking. Therefore, I have planned to join a baking class very soon.

Vocabulary

Icing on the cake

Meaning: an attractive but inessential addition or enhancement
Eg: It was like the icing on the cake for the audience to attend the concert and spot the actor.

Notorious

Meaning: famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed
Eg: The teacher was tired of the notorious children.

Mess

Meaning: a dirty or untidy state of things or of a place
Eg: The children made a mess in the house.

Whisk

Meaning: beat or stir (a substance, especially cream or eggs) with a light, rapid movement
Eg: John whisked some eggs to make an omelet.

Figure out

Meaning: solve a problem or discover the answer to a question.
Eg: Taylor couldn’t figure out a solution for the math problem.

Part 3 Follow-up Questions

1. In your country, is travelling a typical activity people do during the weekend or in their free time?

Well, traveling is not a typical activity that most people do during their weekends because most working professionals prefer resting and enjoying their weekends by vegging out in front of the TV, watching their favourite shows/movies. However, on the other hand, there are some travel enthusiasts who live in the moment and don’t fail to spend their weekends traveling to their favourite destinations.

2. Do people have less free time now than in the past? [Why?]

Honestly, I don’t think people have less time now than they used to have in the past. Because with the advent of technology, everything from shopping to buying groceries on a daily basis can be done at pace with the help of one click on the smartphone, which leads people to have more free time than in the past. However, some people, especially old people, live like they used to live in their olden days, doing the same old activities (simply talking, and not always ‘doing something’), which results in less free time.

3. What do children do in their free time in your country?

Children in my country usually involve themselves in playing cricket, hockey, and other outdoor/ indoor sports or going out for a movie with friends, or planning a picnic in a park during their free time. However, introvert children watch TV cartoons, complete their homework, browse the internet, water the plants, play video games, and so on.

4. Do you think children should be doing these kinds of things in their free time? [why?/Why not?]

I believe that children should plan their schedule accordingly and have the right balance between the things they have to do and things they enjoy doing in their free time. It is essential for children to learn new skills and study their lessons when they’re not in school. Still, it’s also important that they spend their free time doing physical activities such as participating in sports to be active and healthy.

5. Should there be the same amount of free time for women and men? [Why?/Why not?]

Of course, I believe that there should be equal free time for both men and women. So, both genders will have a balance in their life. However, women are still more occupied than men because they are ought to take care of the entire family members, look after their basic needs, and requirements, which leads them to have less free time. In comparison, men have more leisure hours which they spend by working out or watching TV or meeting their friends.