IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Hobbies & activities
Describe an outdoor activity you like doing
Describe an outdoor activity you like doing
You should say:
- what the activity is
- where and when you usually do it
- who you usually do it with
and explain why you prefer doing this activity outdoors.
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
what the activity is
Mention trail hiking in the hills to stay active and healthy.
- 2
where and when you usually do it
Describe going to a local nature reserve on autumn weekend mornings.
- 3
who you usually do it with
Explain going with a close university friend or occasionally alone.
- 4
and explain why you prefer doing this activity outdoors.
Summarize how fresh air and changing scenery reduce stress effectively.
Sample answer
about 242 words · 2 minutesI'd like to talk about trail hiking, which is an outdoor activity I absolutely love doing. Whenever I get the chance, I head out to a local nature reserve situated just on the outskirts of my city. It has a beautiful forest trail that winds up into the hills. I usually go there on weekend mornings, especially in the autumn when the weather is crisp and the leaves are changing color. Most of the time, I do this activity with one of my close friends from university. We both share a passion for nature and enjoy staying fit. Having a partner makes the trek much more enjoyable because we can chat along the way, though occasionally I do go by myself if I feel like having some quiet time to reflect. As for why I prefer doing this outdoors rather than indoors, there are a few reasons. First of all, being surrounded by trees and fresh air gives me an incredible sense of freedom that you simply cannot get inside a crowded gym. Exercising in a gym can feel quite repetitive and boring, whereas being out in nature keeps things interesting because the landscape changes with every season. On top of that, taking in the scenic views and listening to the natural sounds helps me unwind from a stressful week of work. It really recharges my batteries both physically and mentally, which is why I prefer outdoor hiking over any indoor workout.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
on the outskirts of
They decided to build a new house on the outskirts of the town.
share a passion for
My sister and I share a passion for baking traditional bread.
sense of freedom
Riding a bicycle along the coast gives me a wonderful sense of freedom.
unwind from
Listening to soft music helps her unwind from a long day at work.
recharges my batteries
A short weekend trip to the mountains always recharges my batteries.
Common mistakes
I like do hiking outdoor.
I like going hiking outdoors.
Use 'going hiking' or 'hiking' and 'outdoors' as an adverb.
The reason why I prefer outdoors is because it has fresh airs.
The reason I prefer being outdoors is that there is fresh air.
'Air' is an uncountable noun and does not take a plural 's'.
I do this activity since three years.
I have been doing this activity for three years.
Use 'for' with duration and present perfect continuous for ongoing actions.
Tips for a higher band
- Use topic-specific vocabulary related to nature and exercise, such as 'scenic views', 'nature reserve', and 'unwind'.
- Vary your sentence structures by combining reasons with connectors like 'whereas', 'on top of that', and 'although'.
- Maintain a natural speaking rhythm by pausing at meaningful phrase boundaries rather than after every single word.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- Do you think people today spend enough time participating in outdoor activities?
- How have popular outdoor leisure activities changed compared to a generation ago?
- Should local governments invest more money in building parks and public sports facilities?
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.