Leisure Activity: IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 Sample Answers

Since the Speaking test assesses your pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, it is critical to work on these areas. As a result, practise topics like Leisure Activity from the IELTS Speaking practice tests which will help you improve your test-taking abilities and improve your speaking skills.

Describe a leisure activity you do with your family

You should say

• What it is
•  When you do it
•  Where you do it
• And explain how you feel about it

 (What it is): 

My family is good at cooking since we always think it is better to have home cooked food, and usually have big feasts on the weekends. However, I would like to talk about the time when my family gathered to make Chung cake for the Tet holiday.

 (When you do it) 

The Lunar New Year, or Tet, was a very special traditional holiday in my country. It was probably my favourite holiday when I was a small boy, as my family did a lot of activities to celebrate this occasion. Among them, making Chung cake excited me the most. Traditionally, we always made Chung Cake two days before the Lunar New Year.

(Where you do it) 

We had a big yard behind our house, and the Chung cake was made there, from preparing ingredients, to shaping the cake to cook it. I still remember having helped my parents prepare the cake’s ingredients while my elder brother was in charge of shaping the cake. And then, my father lit a small fire to boil the cake overnight. It was perhaps the only time of the year when I was allowed to stay up late.

(And explain how you feel about it) 

In recent years, my family has not had enough time to make Chung cake on our own. However, a ready-made Chung cake that we buy from a local market cannot bring the same special feelings and replace the taste of a Chung cake made at home. I hope that my family can continue our tradition in the coming years.

Sample Audio

Click on the audio to listen to the sample answer above. Pay attention to the intonation and pronunciation of the words

Part 3 questions:

1. Do men and women enjoy the same leisure activities?

I don’t think so. I believe that men and women are born with distinct characteristics and personalities; therefore, their choices of leisure activities might also differ from each other. For example, while men tend to be involved in sports activities, women prefer shopping or eating with their friends to playing games.

2. What types of leisure activities are popular in your country?

Well, there is a wide variety of hobbies in my country. Though I think the most popular would be traveling. People can take it easy after a long hard working week. For example, a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life to coastal cities on weekends can help relieve stress.

3. Why is it important for people to have time for leisure activities?

Spending time on leisure activities plays a vital role in shaping people’s state of health. It helps us recharge our energy after an exhausting day. For example, reading books when you have free time helps you become a well-rounded person and helps let out some steam after working under a lot of pressure.

4. Why are some activities more popular than others?

It is quite natural that people would prefer some sorts of leisure activities than others. I believe that the history and socio-cultural background of a nation influences the type of leisure activities. For example, teenagers in some Asian countries often make kites and fly them while this is not the case in many western countries.

5. Are there types of leisure activities that are as popular today as those that were popular when your parents were young?

No, the popularity of different leisure activities has changed. For example, when our parents were young, activities like watching TV/movies and visiting famous cafés/restaurants and visiting families/relatives were more popular. Today, activities like visiting a gym nearby, shopping, and playing video games have grown equally popular because of technological advancements and with increasing awareness in health and fashion.

Vocabulary :

Home-cooked food:

Meaning: Food cooked at home from individual ingredients

Example: The menu offers a range of home-cooked meals, from hearty soups to stacked sandwiches to sizzling steaks.

Fancy:

Meaning: Like

Example: I didn’t fancy swimming in that water.

Feast:

Meaning: A special meal with very good food or a large meal for many people

Example: We had a feast of fresh seafood.

Stay up:

Meaning: To go to bed later than usual

Example: We stayed up (late) to watch a film.

Ready-made:

Meaning: Bought or found in a finished form and available to use immediately

Example: I didn’t sew the curtains – they came ready-made.

Distinct:

Meaning: Clearly separate and different (from something else)

Example: The two concepts are quite distinct (from each other).

Take it easy:

Meaning: Rest, relax, or be calm

Example: You’d better take it easy until you feel better.

A getaway:

Meaning: A vacation

Example: Let’s make a getaway to an island.

Hustle and bustle:

Meaning: Busy and frenetic activity or excitement.

Example: I love living among the hustle and bustle of the city.

Relieve:

Meaning: To improve an unpleasant situation

Example: New toll roads could help relieve congestion on other routes.

Overloaded:

Meaning: To give someone more work or problems than they can deal with

Example: Try not to overload yourself with work.

Well-rounded:

Meaning: Involving or having experience in a wide range of ideas or activities

Example: The article is well rounded and is fair to both sides of the dispute.

Let out steam:

Meaning: To do or say something that helps you to get rid of strong feelings or energy

Example: She jogs after work to let out steam.

Socio-cultural:

Meaning: Related to the different groups of people in society and their habits, traditions, and beliefs

Example: A good doctor has the ability to relate to the sociocultural background of his or her patients.

Also check : 

• IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Speaking preparation tips
• IELTS Speaking Part 2
• Linking words for IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Speaking recent actual test
• Sports Vocabulary IELTS
• Work Vocabulary IELTS
• Idioms for IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Pronunciation Guide
• Common English words in IELTS Speaking
• Ough words