Describe a situation when you enjoyed free time IELTS Cue Card

IELTS CUE CARD TOPIC

Describe a situation when you enjoyed free time/ Describe something you did in your spare time during childhood

You should say:

When it was

Where you were

What you did

How did you feel about it?

NOTE – The examiner gives you one minute to plan your answer, and to help you prepare for the topic, the examiner provides you with a pencil and a notepad. You’ll have to answer the questions given on the topic for one-to-two minutes.

Sample Answer 1

Introduction

Our lifestyle has become hectic in the modern era, and finding free time is challenging. However, whenever I get leisure time, I use it effectively. One such instance is worth mentioning.

When was it?

It was two years back when all of a sudden, the government announced a stringent lockdown due to the corona pandemic.

Where were you?

Just before the lockdown, I went to my hometown to spend time with my parents and grandparents. So due to the corona pandemic, I stayed at my native place for four months.

What you did

As I did not have to go to college, I was free and utilized that time by doing things beyond the conventional domain. Firstly, I learned cooking from my grandmother and started cooking one mouth-watering delicacy daily. Due to this, I learned the critical skill of cooking.

Moreover, I learnt to play the guitar through the internet. I joined an online course on Youtube and started practising for two hours daily. Although I found it difficult, I persisted with determination, dedication and disciple and became a guitarist in one month.

On my grandfather’s 75th birthday, I played his favourite song on my guitar.

Apart from this, I learnt gardening from my father. It helped me to grow a kitchen garden on the lawn of our house. This activity widened my knowledge of fruits and vegetables.

How did you feel about it?

Those four months were a life-changing experience for me. Rather than focusing on the needs of modern society life career, money and education, my attending was on what I like to do.

The excellent time I had in my village during those days will be engraved in my memories.

Sample Answer 2

Introduction

It is unequivocal to say that the lifestyle of most people has become hectic in this modern era. In such a scenario finding free time is a luxury. On one occasion, I was lucky enough to enjoy my free time with my near and dear ones.

When it was

Last year, I joined college, and due to torrential rainfall, the college announced holidays for one week.

Where were you?

I spent that one week at my home with my family.

What you did

I was free for a whole week, so I made that time memorable. Firstly I cooked a meal for all of my family members. As I am a novice at cooking, I used Youtube for recipes. Although it took me the whole day, I managed to cook various mouth-watering delicacies. My family members pampered their appetites with my signature dishes and gave me compliments.

Moreover, I played numerous board games like chess and carrom board with my family. While playing, we cracked numerous jokes, which produced a guffaw of laughter.

Apart from this, I played badminton with my younger brother. Although his game was better than mine, he lost significantly to me.

How did you feel about it?

Overall the break was a satisfying experience. Firstly it empowered me to indulge in things I could not do earlier due to the shortage of time.

Moreover, it gave me a much-needed break from my daily routine, which helped me rewind myself. Additionally, it helped me to think beyond the conventional domain to handle the conflicts in my life adroitly.

The gala time I had with my family during that week will always remain etched in my memories.

Sample Answer 3

Introduction

Although I have a hectic lifestyle, I occasionally have a relaxing time. One such instance is worth mentioning.

When it was and Where you were

It was two years back when I went to Manali. I went during the Monsoon season, in which India experiences torrential rainfall in most parts. I planned to stay there for three nights, but due to the adverse weather conditions, there were numerous landslides, and the movement of vehicles stopped.

After hearing the news, I extended my one-week holiday because I did not want to risk my family and me’s lives.

What you did

As I had no work to do, I spent one week relaxing. On the first day, I sunbathed after applying oil to my hair. It was a genuinely relaxing feeling; that day, I didn’t talk much to anyone and spent my time in solitude.

On the second and third days, I visited a nearby farm where I spent six enchanting hours in the fields. I ate fresh mangoes over there.

On the fourth and fifth days, I visited various religious places in the remote villages near Manali.

I cooked meals for the whole family on the sixth and seventh days.

How did you feel about it?

To my surprise, the seven days were full of fun and excitement. I was away from the pressurized life of the cities. Moreover, I did many things beyond the conventional domain, like cooking and walking in the fields.

It was an exceptional experience, and the quality time spent in the hills of Manali will always remain etched in my memories.

Follow up Questions

Here are some examples of follow-up questions that the examiner might ask during your speaking part 3 related to the cue card “Describe a situation when you enjoyed free time/ Describe something you did in your spare time during childhood”.

1. What do people in your country like to do when free?

People do numerous activities whenever they have free time at their disposal. The pursuit most people cherish is playing chin music with their near and dear ones, and they do it persistently, whether in person or by calling their near and dear ones. Apart from this, people have this uncanny knack for using their mobile phones to play games, listen to music and watch videos during their free time.

2. Do you think parents should make plans for their children?

In this modern era sitting idle is a sin because it provides your competitors to get ahead of you. In such a scenario, the parents must plan for the children to do positive things in their leisure time. Furthermore, effective planning helps to reduce children’s overindulgence in devices and gadgets such as PlayStations and smartphones.

3. Are most people able to manage their free time?

In this modern era, there are many options for spending free time. So most people manage their free time by going to parks, shopping malls, amusement parks, etc. Furthermore, they spend gala time organizing parties and attending events.

4. What is the difference between the things people did in their free time in the past and the things they do nowadays?

In the past, the central focus of people was on playing outdoor sports in their free time. But no, we have a plethora of options at our disposal, and apart from outdoor games play indoor sports and engage in many other pursuits.

5. Is free time good for students?

In the past decade, many students have experienced a paradigm shift in their lives. It is because of the education industry revolutionization. Things like studying from home and online classes have made inroads into our lives.

In such a scenario, the stress at the students’ disposal has increased considerably. Moreover, they have to deal with fierce competition in most fields.

To have peace, the students need to have free time. It allows them to think beyond the conventional domain to resolve conflicts encountering them adroitly.

Moreover, it allows them to spend free time with their near and dear ones.

Vocabulary highlights:

1. Plays chin music

Meaning: Gossip

Sentence: Rather than wasting precious time playing chin music with others, we should cultivate the habit of reading every day to become smart cookies.

2. Unequivocal

Meaning: Leaving no doubt

Sentence: It is unequivocal to say that to remain happy as a clam, we should refrain from going nuclear over trivial issues. We should not cry buckets and work hard to travel on a gravy train.

3. Stringent

Meaning: Rigorous

Sentence: It is a fact that being stringent is not the best trait of a leader. Those leaders who work in tandem with their team members get on swimmingly with them.

4. Be etched on/in someone’s memory

Meaning: Memory which will not fade away with time

Sentence: During the lockdown, I was happy as a clam as I had time to play chin music with my family. That helped me get on swimmingly with them. The time I had those days will remain etched in my memories.

5. Uncanny Knack

Meaning: Strange Habit

Sentence: One of my friends has this uncanny knack for nodding his head while conversing with others.