Describe a person who shares a hobby or interest with you
Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.
Practice it like the exam
Describe a person who shares a hobby or interest with you.
You should say:
- who this person is
- what hobby or interest you share
- what you do together
and explain how this shared interest has affected your relationship.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
245 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The person I'd like to describe is my friend Davron, with whom I share a love of photography. We met about two years ago at a local photography club, which holds a meeting every second Saturday in the city library. I'd gone there because I'd recently bought a second-hand camera and needed advice, and Davron happened to sit beside me.
What we do together is quite simple but very enjoyable. At weekends, we go out with our cameras, usually to old neighbourhoods, markets, or the hills outside the city, and take photographs of whatever catches our eye. Afterwards, we sit in a café, look at each other's pictures and offer honest comments. Sometimes we edit our photos on his laptop, and he's taught me a lot about lighting and composition.
This shared interest has had a very positive effect on our relationship. Firstly, it gave us something to talk about from the very beginning, so we didn't have any awkward silences. Secondly, we motivate each other. If I feel lazy and want to stay at home, he phones me and says the light will be perfect that afternoon. Thirdly, we've become more observant people, noticing small details in everyday life.
Last year we even held a small exhibition together at the library, which was a proud moment. Honestly, I doubt we would be as close if it weren't for photography. It reminded me how powerful a common interest can be in creating a real friendship.
What to notice
- It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
- Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
- The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.
We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.
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Useful vocabulary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| have a passion for | love something strongly |
| bond over | become closer through a shared activity |
| like-minded people | people with similar interests |
| take up a hobby | begin a new hobby |
| lose track of time | forget how much time has passed |
| a common interest | something two people both like |
Plan it in one minute
Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.
Who or what you could talk about
- A friend who loves the same sport, game or book genre
- A parent with whom you cook, hike or collect things
- A club member you met through your hobby
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swho this person is
- 25 swhat hobby or interest you share
- 25 swhat you do together
- 45 sand explain how this shared interest has affected your relationship.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Hobbies and shared interests. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Is it better to pursue a hobby alone or with others?
- Do shared interests help people become friends?
- Why do people take up hobbies?
- How have hobbies changed over the last generation?
- Can a hobby become a career?
Frequently asked questions
How should I describe a person in an IELTS cue card?
Pick someone you know well enough to tell a story about: that is easier to stretch to two minutes than a famous name. Say who they are and how you know them in a few sentences, spend most of your time on one or two specific moments, and finish with why they matter to you.
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