# Describe a hobby you enjoy: IELTS Speaking sample answers

Speaking Part 2 - Hobbies

Describe a hobby you enjoy.

You should say:
- what the hobby is
- when and how you started it
- how often you do it
- and explain why you enjoy it

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 6 sample

I want to talk about cooking, which is my favourite hobby these days. I started cooking about three years ago when I moved to another city for my bachelor study. Before that my mother always cooked for me, so I didn't know anything about kitchen.

In the beginning it was very difficult for me. I burned the rice many times and my curry was too much salty. But I watched a lot of videos on YouTube and also I called my mother when I had problem. Slowly I learned how to make some simple dishes like dal, fried rice and egg curry. Now I can cook maybe fifteen or twenty different dishes.

I cook almost every day because I live alone, but on weekends I try to make something special. Sometimes I invite my friends to my room and we cook together. It is very fun because everyone bring different ideas and we try new recipes.

There are a few reasons why I enjoy this hobby. First, cooking is very relaxing for me. When I am stressed from my study or work, I go to the kitchen and I forget my problems for some time. Second, it saves my money, because eating outside every day is very expensive. And the last reason is that I feel happy when people enjoy my food. Last month I cooked biryani for my friend's birthday and everyone said it was delicious, so I was really proud.

So that's why cooking is my favourite hobby, and I think I will continue it for my whole life.

**Examiner notes.** This answer is easy to follow and covers all four points, with a clear list of reasons ("First", "Second", "And the last reason"). That predictable signposting, plus repeated words like "very" and "also", keeps it at Band 6. Errors are frequent but don't block meaning: "too much salty", "when I had problem", "everyone bring" and "saves my money". To move to Band 7, the speaker would replace general words with collocations such as "a great way to unwind", vary how reasons are introduced, and fix agreement and article errors.

## Band 7 sample

The hobby I'd like to talk about is photography, mainly street photography, which I do with just my phone.

I got into it almost by accident about four years ago. I was going through a fairly stressful period at university, and I started going for long walks in the evenings to clear my head. I noticed that I kept stopping to take pictures of small things, like shopkeepers pulling down their shutters or kids playing cricket in narrow lanes, and after a while a friend suggested I share them online. The response was surprisingly positive, so I started taking it more seriously and watched tutorials about composition and lighting.

These days I go out to take photos at least twice a week, usually early in the morning or just before sunset, because the light is much softer then. Every couple of months I also join a photo walk organised by a local group, which is a great way to pick up tips from more experienced photographers.

There are several reasons why I enjoy it so much. First of all, it makes me far more observant. I've walked through the same streets thousands of times, but photography forces me to slow down and notice details I would otherwise overlook. It's also a very creative outlet. My job involves a lot of spreadsheets, so having something that lets me express myself visually is quite refreshing. And finally, I like the fact that it's an inexpensive hobby; you don't need fancy equipment to take a good picture, just patience and a good eye.

So for me, photography is not only fun but also a way of seeing my own city differently.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 answer tells a short story about how the hobby began, then gives reasons with specific support, for example linking the "creative outlet" to a job full of spreadsheets. Phrasal verbs and collocations are used naturally ("got into it", "clear my head", "pick up tips"), and conditional and relative structures are accurate. The reasons section still uses a familiar "First of all... also... And finally" frame. For Band 8, the speaker would connect ideas more organically, show finer shades of meaning in word choice, and sustain that precision through the whole two minutes.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/speaking/topics/describe-a-hobby-you-enjoy).

## Part 3 follow-up questions

1. Why do some people have hobbies while others don't?
2. Are hobbies more important for children or for adults?
3. How have the hobbies people enjoy changed compared with the past?
4. Should employers encourage their staff to have hobbies outside work?
5. Can a hobby ever become a problem? In what way?

## Common questions

### How long should an IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer be?

You get one minute to prepare and then speak for up to two minutes; the examiner stops you at two. Aim to keep talking for the full time, which is usually 220 to 300 words.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Examiners are trained to spot memorised answers, and a learned script is marked down. Use the samples to see what each band does, then answer in your own words.