Describe how you would like to spend a perfect free weekend 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
Describe how you would like to spend a perfect free weekend in the future.
You should say:
- where you would be
- who you would spend it with
- what you would do
and explain why this would be a perfect weekend for you.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
270 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
My idea of a perfect free weekend would be a relaxed two days in a small wooden cabin by a lake in the mountains, with no work, no deadlines and, ideally, no phone signal. I haven't done it yet, but I've often imagined it when I'm having a busy week.
I'd go with my close friends and my sister, maybe six people in total. We'd drive up on Friday evening, light a fire and cook a simple dinner together. On Saturday I'd have a lie-in, which I never get during the week, followed by a leisurely breakfast of fresh bread, eggs and tea outside on the porch. After that, we might go for a walk around the lake or take a small boat out on the water. In the afternoon, I'd probably read a book in a hammock, and the others could play cards or swim. In the evening we would have a barbecue and sit around a fire, chatting, laughing and perhaps singing a bit. On Sunday, we'd have another slow morning, then pack up and drive home in the afternoon.
It would be perfect for me because it combines the things that I value most: nature, good company and time to switch off. At the moment, I have a hectic schedule, and my weekends are often filled with chores and catching up on work. So the thought of being in no rush, and of doing absolutely nothing for a few hours, is very appealing. I think it would also give me the energy I need to face the following week, and I'm determined to organise it this summer.
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 lie-in | stay in bed later than usual |
| a leisurely breakfast | a relaxed meal without hurry |
| do absolutely nothing | relax completely without any plans |
| a spontaneous trip | an unplanned journey |
| catch up on sleep | sleep to make up for tiredness |
| be in no rush | have no need to hurry |
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 quiet weekend at home with family
- A short trip to the mountains or coast
- A weekend with friends trying new things
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhere you would be
- 25 swho you would spend it with
- 25 swhat you would do
- 45 sand explain why this would be a perfect weekend for you.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Free time and work-life balance. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Do people have enough free time nowadays?
- How do people in your country usually spend their weekends?
- Is it better to rest or be active in free time?
- Do you think a four-day working week would be a good idea?
- Why do some people feel guilty about relaxing?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Plans and wishes
- Describe a new hobby that you would like to take up
- Describe a place in your own country that you would like to visit
- Describe a place where you would like to live in the future
- Describe a foreign country where you would like to work or live for a while
- Describe a gift that you are planning to give to someone
- Describe a goal that you would like to achieve in the next five years
Part 1 topics on the same subject
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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