Describe an activity that you often do with your friends
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 an activity that you often do with your friends.
You should say:
- what the activity is
- where and how often you do it
- who takes part
and explain why you enjoy doing it together.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
254 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
An activity I often do with my friends is playing five-a-side football on Friday evenings. We've been doing it for nearly four years now, ever since a few of us finished university and were worried about losing touch with each other.
We hire a small indoor pitch at a sports centre close to the city centre. There are usually ten of us, though the exact number changes from week to week depending on work and family commitments. We're a pretty close-knit group, as most of us have known each other since school, and the game has become a fixed part of our routine. We split into two teams, play for an hour, and then we all go for dinner at a nearby restaurant where we always order the same grilled chicken and complain about our legs hurting.
There are a few reasons why I enjoy doing this together. First, it's a good opportunity to catch up. During the week everyone is busy, and it's easy to go for months without seeing someone, but this evening is almost guaranteed to be free. Second, we have a lot of laughs. None of us is really a skilled player, and the mistakes are legendary, such as the time our goalkeeper accidentally scored in his own net. Finally, it keeps us fit and helps me forget my work stress. Even if I've had a terrible week, an hour of running and shouting with my friends makes me feel far better, and I would hate to give it up.
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 |
|---|---|
| hang out | spend time relaxing with friends |
| catch up with | talk to someone you haven't seen for a while |
| have a laugh | enjoy joking together |
| get together | meet socially |
| have a lot in common | share many interests |
| a close-knit group | friends who know each other very well |
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
- Playing football or volleyball on weekends
- Going to a café or cooking together
- Watching films or playing board games at home
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat the activity is
- 25 swhere and how often you do it
- 25 swho takes part
- 45 sand explain why you enjoy doing it together.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Friendship and socialising. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- How do people usually make friends in your country?
- Is it easier to make friends as a child or as an adult?
- Do you think social media has improved or damaged friendships?
- What are the advantages of having friends from different backgrounds?
- Why do some friendships last for many years while others do not?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Activities
- Describe a hobby or pastime that is popular in your country
- Describe a sport that you enjoy playing
- Describe something you learned online
- Describe a game that you enjoyed playing when you were a child
- Describe a hobby that you enjoy doing in your free time
- Describe an activity that you do to keep fit and healthy
Part 1 topics on the same subject
Frequently asked questions
How should I describe an activity in an IELTS cue card?
Explain what the activity involves and how you got into it, describe a typical time you do it, and finish with what you get from it. Present simple for habits and a short past story for one occasion show range.
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