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Describe a sport or physical activity that you would like to try in the future

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

Part 2 · Candidate task card

Describe a sport or physical activity that you would like to try in the future.

You should say:

  • what the sport is
  • where you could do it
  • who you would like to do it with

and explain why you would like to try it.

Ready

1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.

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Band 8 sample answer

271 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.

A sport I'd really like to try is rock climbing. I've never done it before, but I've been fascinated by it ever since I watched a documentary about climbers on huge cliffs, and since then I've been looking for an opportunity to give it a try.

There's a new indoor climbing centre that opened near my university a few months ago, with walls of different heights and colour-coded routes for different levels. They offer a beginner's course lasting four weeks, which includes safety training and equipment hire, and I'm planning to sign up after my exams finish next month. Once I've built up some experience, I'd like to try climbing outdoors on real rocks, perhaps in the mountains not far from my city. I'd like to go with my friend Rustam, who has already shown an interest, and maybe a couple of others from my class so that we can learn together and encourage one another.

There are a few reasons why this sport appeals to me. First of all, it seems to be a fantastic full-body workout. It uses your arms, legs and core, so it should help me get stronger and more flexible. Second, it's as much a mental challenge as a physical one. Each route is like a puzzle where you have to plan your movements, which I find fascinating. Third, I think it would help me step out of my comfort zone, since I'm a little afraid of heights. Overcoming that fear would give me a huge sense of achievement. Finally, being outside in the mountains, with a view from the top, must be an unforgettable experience.

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

PhraseMeaning
give it a tryattempt something new
an adrenaline rusha surge of excitement from risk
step out of my comfort zonetry something unfamiliar
take lessonsattend classes to learn
build up confidencegradually become more self-assured
a beginner's coursea class for people with no experience

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

  • Rock climbing or surfing
  • Tennis or horse riding
  • Martial arts or sailing

How to spend the two minutes

  1. 25 swhat the sport is
  2. 25 swhere you could do it
  3. 25 swho you would like to do it with
  4. 45 sand explain why you would like to try it.

Part 3 questions

In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Trying new activities. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.

  1. Why do some people enjoy extreme or dangerous sports?
  2. Is it better to try many sports or to concentrate on one?
  3. What stops adults from taking up new sports?
  4. Should governments subsidise sports clubs for young people?
  5. How can people make exercise more enjoyable?

Frequently asked questions

How do I talk about future plans in an IELTS cue card?

Say what you would like to do, why, and how you would go about it. Mix future forms: "I'm planning to", "I'd love to", "if I had the chance, I would". A plan you really have gives you more to say than an invented one.

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