Describe an activity that you do after school or work - Cue Card # 799
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe an activity that you do after school/ work.
You should say:
- what activity it is
- when and where you do it
- who you do it with
and explain how you feel about doing this activity.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer:
Until recently, I would remain happy to just sit at home and watch some TV after work. Now, while I have nothing against enjoying our time at home, this thing turned into a rather boring affair for me after a while. In other words, I needed to find some other kinds of activities. So, I went to a store one day about 6 months ago and bought myself a bicycle. Well, the reason for buying this bicycle was – yes, you have guessed it right – to tussle with it a little after work.
Of course, it was not the first time that I ever owned a bicycle and rode it. In fact, I used to own a very nice looking “two-wheeler” and ride it like a “pro” (“pro” as in “professional” here) when I was attending my university about 10 years ago. But, then, when I started a career, which required a different kind of lifestyle from my end, I had to give up the idea of riding a bicycle.
But, now, once again, I have gone back to my “old self”, a more adventurous one in that, while enjoying this activity after my work, or I should say, mainly after my work, in the afternoon, since I also happen to ride it in the morning during the weekends, some times. But, no matter, when or at what time, I am doing this activity, I always try to do it in a nearby park, since they are comparatively less crowded or busy than those city roads or streets. And yes, I enjoy this activity alone, even though it would be nice to have other fellow riders to accompany me sometimes.
But, riding alone or not, I am really enjoying this rather new activity since it allows me to become and behave like the “young me” once again! I am also feeling a way more “liberated” and positive about myself after starting this activity because it helps me take my mind away from the “toxic” work environment that I have to cope with sometimes.
Tips on answering this cue card topic:
Topic: Describe an activity that you do after school/ work.
This cue card topic assumes that you are either a student or a professional working in an office or running your own business. This is why it asks about an activity that you do after your class, office or work.
Let's assume first that you are a student. In that case, you need to tell about something that you usually do after you return from your school/ college/ university. So, it is obvious that you should talk about an afternoon or evening activity. And you can say that you play a sports/ game with your friends after you return from your school, or go out and enjoy the nature while also walking for a while, visit a nearby cafe and spend some time reading a book there, visiting a gymnasium to do some exercise and so on. There is no limit on the type of activity students might do after they return from school. So we suggest you pick something that you do and then plan and talk about this activity.
If you are a professional working in an office or running your own business, before giving details of the activity, let the examiner know when you usually return home from your workplace. Then describe an activity you usually do. It could be anything from playing a game or sport to cooking, gardening, walking, running, exercising, watching TV or reading a magazine or book.
A list of activities that you may talk about for this topic:
playing a game
taking part in a team sport
hitting the gym
cycling
reading a book/newspaper/magazine
bicycling
bird watching
fishing
listening to music
visiting a cafe
yoga
gardening
hiking
hanging out with friends
watching TV
cooking
playing video games
playing a musical instrument
art and crafting
scrapbooking
running
rollerblading
thrift shopping
homemaking
teaching children
This Cue Card topic comes with 4 accompanying questions which are -
what activity it is
when and where you do it
who you do it with
and explain how you feel about doing this activity.
We would suggest you to thank the examiner first before you get into the details of the activity. Then clearly mention what "activity" you do after returning from school or the workplace. This would clearly answer the first question.
Example: This is a nice topic, and I would like to thank you first before I get into the details of an activity that I do regularly after I return from my university.
For the second question, i.e. when and where you do it, give the time when you usually take part in this activity, how long you usually do it and whether you do it indoors or outdoor. If this is an outdoor activity also mention a line or two to explain why you like to do this activity at that particular place.
Example: I play football with my friends almost every evening except when the weather is too extreme. I normally return home at around 3:30 pm and take a shower, eat my meal and then take rest for a while. But when the clock ticks to 5:00 pm, I go out and play football for at least an hour with my friends. We play football, which happens to be my favourite sport, in a nearby playground which is only 10 minute's walk away from my home.
If you look at the example above, it has already answered the third question which asks "who you do it with".
Now we have only the fourth and final question remaining which asks about your feeling for this activity that you do. For that, give some positive feelings as it is an activity that you usually do to pass some leisure time. Also, mention a couple of benefits of that activity.
Example: I love playing football with my friends. I am passionate about this sport and like to spend my evening hours outdoor. So this activity gives me a perfect opportunity to be outdoor, do some exercise to remain healthy and fit, while also seeing my friends and spending some quality time together. This evening activity is something I truly enjoy.
Your preparation for this cue card topic would help you talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an activity you enjoy doing.
2) Describe something you often do.
3) Describe something you enjoy doing regularly.
4) Describe an activity that helps you keep healthy.
5) Describe an outdoor activity that you enjoy.
6) Describe something or an activity that you do with your friends.
7) Describe something that you do with your family.
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