Welcome to IELTS TIME! I’m your host, Archer, and today we’re diving into a common Part 1 topic: Free Time.
To kick things off, we’ll hear from Joseph as he tackles some typical questions you might be asked on this topic. Let’s listen in!
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I really love to unwind by reading. I’m a big fan of fantasy novels, so you’ll often find me curled up with a good book, escaping into another world.
Besides reading, I also enjoy hanging out with my friends. We often just chill at someone’s house, watch movies, or go for walks in the park. It’s great to just chat and catch up without any pressure.
And lately, I’ve been trying to get more into photography. I’m still very much a beginner, but I love exploring different parts of my city and trying to capture interesting moments or views. It’s a fun way to be creative and see things differently.
How often do you have free time during the week?
It really varies quite a bit depending on what’s going on with my studies or if I have any part-time work.
Generally, I’d say I usually have a decent amount of free time on weekends, especially on Saturdays. During the week, it’s a bit more sporadic. I might have an hour or two in the evenings after my classes, but it’s usually not a huge chunk of time. I try to make the most of those smaller windows to relax or do something I enjoy.
Do you prefer to spend your free time alone or with others?
I’d say I definitely like a mix of both, but if I had to pick, I probably lean a bit more towards spending time with others.
I really enjoy the energy and fun of being with my friends, whether we’re just chatting, watching a movie, or doing something more active. It’s great to share experiences and have a laugh.
However, I also really value my alone time. Sometimes after a busy week, I just need to recharge by myself, usually with a good book or by listening to music. It helps me clear my head and just relax without any distractions. So, it really depends on my mood and what kind of week I’ve had!
Has the way you spend your free time changed since you were a child?
Oh, absolutely, it’s changed a lot! When I was a child, my free time was pretty much all about playing outdoors and watching cartoons. I’d spend hours riding my bike around the neighborhood, building forts in the garden, or just running around with other kids until it got dark. Screen time was limited, so most of my fun involved being active and imaginative outside.
Now, as a young adult, while I still appreciate being outdoors, my free time is much more varied. I still enjoy active things, but now it’s more like going to the gym or taking long walks. A big difference is the amount of time I spend reading – something I barely did as a kid unless it was for school. Also, socializing with friends has become a huge part of my free time, whether it’s going out for coffee, seeing a movie, or just hanging out and chatting. And of course, there’s a bit more digital entertainment involved now, like streaming shows or browsing online, which wasn’t really a thing when I was little.
So, while the core idea of relaxing and enjoying myself remains, the activities themselves have definitely evolved with age and new interests.
Why do you think free time is important?
I think free time is super important for a few key reasons.
Firstly, it’s essential for managing stress and recharging. With everything going on, we really need those breaks to clear our heads and just relax. It helps prevent burnout.
Secondly, it’s crucial for personal growth. Free time lets us explore hobbies, discover new interests, and learn more about ourselves outside of our daily obligations. It’s how we develop as individuals.
Finally, it’s vital for connecting with others. It gives us the chance to spend quality time with friends and family, strengthening those important relationships.
So, free time isn’t just about doing nothing; it’s about taking care of our mental health, growing as people, and nurturing our relationships.
You just heard Joseph tackling some typical questions. Now, let’s quickly review his key points for each question and explore an alternative response from a slightly different perspective.
Let’s start with the first question: “What do you like to do in your free time?”
Joseph focused on more relaxed activities like reading and hanging out with friends. What if you’re someone who is very active and passionate about a specific hobby?
Here’s how you could express that:
“Oh, in my free time, I’m quite passionate about fitness. I spend a lot of time at the gym, doing weight training, and I’ve recently gotten into hiking. I find it’s a great way to clear my head and challenge myself physically. Aside from that, I’m also really into learning new languages online. It’s a creative outlet for me, and I love the mental challenge.”
Next up, “How often do you have free time during the week?”
Joseph mentioned it varies, with more on weekends and small pockets in the evenings. What if your schedule is incredibly demanding and you barely get any downtime during the week?
Think about answering it like this:
“Honestly, it’s quite limited during the week. As a full-time student with a part-time job, my weekdays are pretty packed. I might squeeze in an hour or so late in the evening to watch a show or listen to music, but my real free time typically only kicks in on Sunday afternoons. That’s when I finally get to unwind properly.”
Moving on to “Do you prefer to spend your free time alone or with others?”
Joseph opted for a mix, leaning towards others. What if you’re a strong introvert, or perhaps someone who works in a very social job and needs that alone time?
You might phrase your answer this way:
“That’s an interesting question. I definitely lean towards spending my free time alone. My job is incredibly people-facing, so by the end of the day, I really crave quiet and solitude to recharge. I usually spend that time deeply engrossed in a good book, or perhaps listening to podcasts while going for a long, peaceful walk. While I enjoy socialising, my free time is primarily my sanctuary for personal reflection and quiet enjoyment.”
Now for “Has the way you spend your free time changed since you were a child?”
Joseph highlighted the shift from outdoor play to reading, socializing, and digital entertainment. What if your core interests remained, but evolved?
Consider this angle for your response:
“Yes, it’s changed quite a bit, though some core elements remain. As a child, my free time was almost exclusively about playing video games and reading fantasy books. Now, as an adult, I still enjoy both of those, but my gaming has become more about competitive online play, and my reading has broadened to include non-fiction and current affairs.
Finally, “Why do you think free time is important?”
Joseph gave a comprehensive answer covering stress relief, personal growth, and relationships. What if you want to emphasize different benefits and a slightly more practical angle?
Here’s an alternative sample:
“I think free time is absolutely vital for several reasons. Primarily, it allows for creativity and innovation. When our minds are relaxed and not focused on work or study, that’s often when new ideas and solutions emerge. It’s also critical for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, which prevents burnout and keeps us motivated in our professional or academic lives. Without it, life can become very monotonous and overwhelming, making it hard to perform at our best.”
So, as you can see, the beauty of the IELTS Speaking test is that you don’t need to memorize answers. Instead, it’s about learning how to adapt the content and structure to reflect your own personality and experiences. The important thing is to speak fluently, coherently, and to use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, always making your answers genuinely yours.
And with that, we’re out of time for today’s episode. We hope this content helps you feel more prepared! Be sure to join us next time as we continue providing useful material for mastering your IELTS Speaking. Keep up the great work, and good luck!
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