SPEAKING ABOUT HOBBIES

In the first part of the B1 Preliminary Speaking test, the examiner will ask you some
personal questions. You may be asked about your hobbies and activities you do in your free
time.

What do you like to do in your free time and what are your hobbies?

You should describe an activity that you enjoy. You should talk about:

Where you do it.

Example: I play computer games at my best friend's house.

With whom you do it.

Example: I love playing tennis with my sister

How often you play it.

Example: I go swimming twice a week

Tell why you enjoy it so much.

Example: I enjoy cooking because it's relaxing and creative.

How many different hobbies and activities can you think of? Here is a list of a few:
 cooking: cocinar
 knitting: hacer punto
 playing computer games: jugar por el ordenador
 gardening: jardinería
 collecting stamps: coleccionar cromos
 playing board games: jugar a juegos de mesa
 painting: pintar
 going to the gym: ir al gimnasio
 watching TV: ver la TV
 surfing the internet: navegar por Internet
 reading: leer
 listening to music: escuchar música
 playing sports: tennis, football, volleyball, table tennis, rugby, basketball,
etc:

Puedes expresar cuánto te gusta una actividad:

 I quite like… : Me gusta bastante…
 I really like: De verdad me gusta
 I’m really into… : Realmente me gusta
 I’m interested in… : Estoy interesado en…
 I love… : Me encanta
 I enjoy… a lot : Disfruto…mucho
 My favourite hobby is… : Mi hobby favorito es…
Once you feel comfortable talking about hobbies in English, you can try to talk about them
in more detail. Here are some phrases and sentences to practise:
 In the evenings, I usually watch movies because I am a massive film fan. 
 At the weekend, I enjoy going to the gym because it helps me to stay fit and
healthy.

 I’m into karate because it’s a great form of self-defence. 
 I like going to my reading club because it’s a social activity. 
When describing your hobbies, you can use a variety of vocabulary to make it more
interesting such as: creative, fascinating, productive, cheap, energetic, relaxing, difficult
and unusual.

Ready to talk? Good luck!

QUESTIONS

1. How much free time do you have?

2. Do you usually plan your free times or you just relax?
3. What's your favorite free time activity? How often do you do it? How long have
you been doing it?
4. What would you do if you had more free time?
5. Would you agree to work less hours and receive less salary to have more free
time?
6. Do you like to go shopping in your free time? Who do you prefer to go
shopping with?
7. What is the most popular hobby in your country?
8. Did you used to have any hobbies in the past? Why did you quit them?
9. What do you like to do in your free time?
10. What sport do you do?
11. Do you prefer winter sports or summer sports?
12. What is your favourite sport?
13. Do you like listening to music?
14. Do you like reading books?
15. What was the last book you read
16. What was the last movie you watched?
17. What type of music do you like listening to?
18. What type of movies do you like to watch?
19. Do you prefer arts or sports?
20. Do you like art?
21. What do you like to do to relax?
22. What do you think of modern art?
23. Do you prefer team games or individual games?