IELTS Speaking Part 1: Hobby
4 common Part 1 questions on hobby, each with a sample answer at the length Part 1 actually wants.
Do you have any hobbies?
Yes, I do. I enjoy reading and hiking because they help me relax and recharge. I also like learning new things, so I sometimes take online courses as a hobby.
When did you start this hobby?
I started hiking a few years ago when a friend invited me on a weekend trip. At first it was just a casual activity, but I quickly fell in love with nature and the sense of freedom. Now it’s something I try to do regularly.
Why do you like this hobby?
Because it clears my mind and reduces stress. It also makes me feel healthy and connected to the natural world. Plus, it’s a great way to spend time with friends without being stuck indoors.
Would you like to try a new hobby in the future?
Yes, I’d love to try learning a musical instrument again, maybe the guitar. I think it would be challenging but rewarding. Having a creative hobby would balance my academic life nicely.
Reading a model answer is not the same as saying one. The sample above shows what a strong Part 1 answer sounds like. What it cannot tell you is how yours sounds — whether you hesitate, repeat the question back, or run out of things to say at forty seconds.
You can record an answer to this exact question and get it marked on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and pronunciation — the same four criteria the examiner uses.
Common questions
How long should Part 1 answers be?
Two or three sentences. Part 1 is a warm-up and one-word answers stall the conversation, but a ninety-second speech on your home town is the wrong length too — the examiner has a list of questions to get through.
How long does Part 1 last?
Four to five minutes, covering three familiar topics. Your identity is checked first, then the questions start.
Can I ask the examiner to repeat a question?
Yes, and it costs you nothing. Asking for a repeat is normal conversational English; guessing at a question you misheard and answering the wrong one is far more damaging.
Model answers written and reviewed by The English All-in-One IELTS team. They are teaching models showing what each band looks like, not real candidate scripts.