IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Hobbies & activities
Describe a hobby you have enjoyed for a long time
Describe a hobby you have enjoyed for a long time
You should say:
- what the hobby is
- when and how you first started it
- how much time you spend on it now
and explain how this hobby has influenced your life over time.
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
what the hobby is
What: Landscape photography, capturing outdoor natural scenery and beautiful views.
- 2
when and how you first started it
Started: Got a basic camera at age twelve during family countryside trips.
- 3
how much time you spend on it now
Time spent: A couple of hours every weekend and during longer vacations.
- 4
and explain how this hobby has influenced your life over time.
Influence and closing: Taught patience, reduced stress, and gave a fresh creative perspective.
Sample answer
about 230 words · 2 minutesOne hobby that I have been deeply passionate about for many years is landscape photography. It basically involves capturing natural scenery, like mountains, forests, and coastlines, using a camera. I first got into it back when I was about twelve years old. My parents gave me a simple digital camera for my birthday, and I started taking it along on our family weekend trips to the countryside. At first, I was just taking quick snapshots, but over time I became fascinated by how lighting and composition could completely transform a simple view into something truly magical. These days, I try to dedicate a couple of hours to it every weekend. If I am busy with work or study, I might just go for a quick walk in a local park during early morning hours to catch the sunrise. However, on longer holidays, I always make sure to plan short trips specifically to photograph scenic areas further away. Looking back, this hobby has had a wonderful influence on my life over time. Firstly, it has taught me to be much more patient, as waiting for the perfect lighting often takes hours. Secondly, it has really boosted my mental well-being because spending time outdoors acts as a great stress reliever. Overall, photography has given me a creative outlet and a completely fresh perspective on the beauty of the natural world around us.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
deeply passionate about
She is deeply passionate about classical music and practices every day.
got into it
I got into playing chess during my middle school years.
dedicate a couple of hours to
I usually dedicate a couple of hours to reading before sleeping.
boosted my mental well-being
Regular exercise has greatly boosted my mental well-being this year.
a creative outlet
Painting gives her a creative outlet after a busy day at work.
Common mistakes
I am enjoying photography since ten years.
I have been enjoying photography for ten years.
Use present perfect continuous with 'for' to describe ongoing past actions.
I play photography every weekend.
I do photography every weekend.
The verb 'play' is used for sports or instruments, not photography.
It make me feel very relax.
It makes me feel very relaxed.
Use subject-verb agreement and -ed adjectives to describe personal feelings.
Tips for a higher band
- Use present perfect and past tenses accurately when describing how a long-term hobby evolved.
- Incorporate natural collocations like 'creative outlet', 'stress reliever', and 'mental well-being'.
- Maintain a steady, natural pace with natural discourse markers rather than listing points mechanically.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- How have people's leisure activities changed compared to the past?
- Do you think it is important for children to have creative hobbies?
- Is it possible for a hobby to become a successful full-time career?
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.