IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Hobbies & activities
Describe a sport that you enjoy playing or watching
Describe a sport that you enjoy playing or watching
You should say:
- what sport it is
- where and with whom you usually play or watch it
- how you first became interested in this sport
and explain why this sport is enjoyable or important to you.
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
what sport it is
Mention badminton as a sport I love playing regularly at weekends.
- 2
where and with whom you usually play or watch it
Play at local community sports hall with my neighbor every Saturday morning.
- 3
how you first became interested in this sport
Became hooked during high school gym class after winning my first match.
- 4
and explain why this sport is enjoyable or important to you.
Explain it keeps me fit, relieves stress, and strengthens friendships.
Sample answer
about 262 words · 2 minutesI would like to talk about badminton, a racquet sport that I absolutely love playing in my spare time. I usually head to a local community sports hall every Saturday morning to play with one of my close friends from university. The facility has indoor courts, which means we can enjoy a fast-paced game regardless of the weather outside. I first got interested in badminton back in high school during our physical education classes. Initially, I was quite hesitant because I thought it required too much hand-eye coordination, which wasn't really my strong suit. However, once our teacher taught us the basic grips and footwork, I managed to win a friendly match against a classmate. That small triumph really boosted my confidence, and from that day on, I was completely hooked. This sport is particularly enjoyable and important to me for several reasons. First of all, it offers a fantastic full-body workout that improves my agility, reflexes, and cardiovascular health without feeling like a tedious chore. Beyond the physical benefits, playing badminton serves as a powerful stress reliever after a long, demanding week at work. When I am on the court focusing on hitting the shuttlecock, all my daily worries completely melt away. On top of that, it provides a valuable opportunity to catch up with my friend and maintain a healthy balance between my professional and social life. All in all, badminton is much more than just a casual hobby for me; it is an essential part of my weekly routine that keeps both my mind and body in great shape.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
in my spare time
I enjoy reading historical fiction in my spare time.
regardless of the weather
The outdoor marathon took place regardless of the weather.
boosted my confidence
Passing the driving test on my first attempt really boosted my confidence.
completely hooked
After reading the first chapter of the novel, I was completely hooked.
serves as a powerful stress reliever
Going for an evening walk serves as a powerful stress reliever for many adults.
Common mistakes
I am playing badminton since five years.
I have been playing badminton for five years.
Use present perfect continuous for an action started in the past and continuing.
Badminton makes me to feel happy.
Badminton makes me feel happy.
The verb 'make' is followed by a bare infinitive without 'to'.
I like sport because it is good health.
I like sport because it is good for my health.
Health is a noun requiring proper prepositional phrasing like 'good for my health'.
Tips for a higher band
- Use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures to demonstrate grammatical range naturally.
- Incorporate sport-specific vocabulary to highlight precision in lexical resource.
- Maintain a steady rhythm and use natural pauses rather than rushing through your points.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- Do you think children should be encouraged to participate in competitive sports at school?
- How have people's sporting habits changed compared to the past?
- Why do some high-profile athletes receive significantly higher salaries than other professionals?
Now try this cue card
1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.
Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.