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Free Time and Hobbies
Lesson
4
Level 4
IELTS Speaking Test Preperation
Lesson Target
In this lesson, you'll talk about how you spend your free time and describe your hobbies. You'll learn how to give details and explain why your hobbies are meaningful to you.
Warm-Up
Discuss the warm-up words with your tutor.
hobby
relax
creative
Vocabulary
Practice saying these words with your tutor. If you don’t know one, ask your tutor to explain it.
Word
Definition
Definition
hobby
noun
photography
noun
video games
noun (plural)
sports
noun (plural)
karaoke
noun
calm
adj., verb
yoga
noun
relax
verb
Use these words in sentences with your tutor to check that you fully understand their meaning and how to use them correctly.
Useful Phrases
In my free time, I enjoy...
One hobby I have is...
I usually spend weekends...
Doing this helps me...
My favorite way to relax is...
Response Structure
Begin with a clear answer or opinion. Then support it with details or examples using who, what, when, where, why, or how.
1
Give your main idea directly and briefly.
When I have free time, I like to...
2
Add details or examples to explain your main idea.
One thing I often do is...
3
If you have a second idea, repeat steps 1 and 2.
Sometimes, I also enjoy...
Practice 1
Read the dialogue with your tutor. Then, work together to analyze the student's responses. Try to understand the speaker’s purpose and find useful words or phrases you can use in your own answers. Finally, practice responding to the same questions with your tutor.
Examiner
What do you like to do in your free time?
Lily
In my free time, I like to go to cafés with my friends. I also enjoy watching Japanese dramas and listening to music at home. Sometimes I go shopping or take a short walk in the park. These things help me relax after work.
Examine the Response
-
Why is this a good response?
-
What's the main idea?
-
Key details: Find the who, what, where, when, why, or how in the response.
-
Which words or phrases can you use from these responses?
Examiner
Have your hobbies changed over the years?
Lily
Yes, my hobbies have changed a little. When I was younger, I liked playing video games and going to karaoke with my friends. Now I enjoy cooking, reading, and sometimes doing yoga. My hobbies are a bit calmer than before.
Examiner
Why is it important to have hobbies?
Lily
Hobbies are important because they help people feel less stressed. After a busy day at work, it’s nice to do something you enjoy. Hobbies also help you meet new people and learn new things. They make life more interesting and fun.
Practice 2
Read the dialogue with your tutor. Each sentence is missing either the main idea or a key detail. Use the dialogue to fill in the missing parts and complete the sentences.
Examiner
What is one hobby you would like to try in the future?
Lily
In the future, I would like to try learning photography.
____________________________________. (fill in the supporting details)
Examiner
Do you prefer doing hobbies alone or with other people? Why?
Lily
____________________________________. (fill in the main idea)
For example, I enjoy cooking with my family or playing sports with my friends. Doing hobbies together makes me feel more connected to others.
Examiner
How can hobbies help people learn new skills?
Lily
Hobbies can help people learn many new skills.
____________________________________. (fill in the supporting details)
Practice 3
Answer each question clearly and completely. Start with the main idea, then support it with key details or examples.
Examiner
Do you think technology has changed how people spend their free time?
Is it better to have one hobby or many?
Do people today have more or less free time than before?
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