As an IELTS instructor with over two decades of experience, I often find students getting tripped up by seemingly simple questions. One such question is “What sports or hobbies did you do at school?” While it appears straightforward, this question in the IELTS Speaking test is designed to assess more than just your vocabulary. It delves into your ability to narrate, describe, and express yourself fluently and engagingly.
Understanding the Question’s Significance
This question, often appearing in Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test, aims to evaluate several key skills:
- Fluency and Coherence: Can you speak smoothly and naturally about your past experiences?
- Lexical Resource: Do you possess a wide range of vocabulary related to hobbies, sports, and school life?
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Can you use a variety of grammatical structures accurately?
- Pronunciation: Is your pronunciation clear and understandable?
Tackling the “Sports and Hobbies” Question Effectively
Here’s a step-by-step approach to help you formulate a strong response:
1. Brainstorm and Choose:
- Think back to your school days. What activities did you participate in? Did you enjoy sports like basketball, swimming, or badminton? Were you part of clubs like debate, drama, or music? Did you have hobbies like reading, painting, or playing video games?
- Select one or two activities that you feel most comfortable and enthusiastic talking about. Choose activities that allow you to showcase a range of vocabulary and grammar.
2. Structure Your Response:
- Start with a clear topic sentence: “During my school years, I was particularly passionate about…” or “One hobby that I dedicated a lot of time to was…”
- Elaborate on your chosen activity: Describe what the activity entailed, why you enjoyed it, and any memorable experiences related to it.
- Use descriptive language: Instead of just saying “I liked playing basketball,” try “I was captivated by the fast pace and teamwork required in basketball.”
- Incorporate past tenses: Use the past simple, past continuous, and past perfect tenses accurately to describe your experiences.
3. Illustrate with Examples:
- Provide specific examples to make your response engaging and memorable. For instance:
- “I vividly remember the thrill of scoring the winning goal in our inter-school football tournament.”
- “Our drama club’s performance of ‘Hamlet’ was a resounding success, and I felt incredibly proud to be a part of it.”
School hobbies
Example Response
“When I reflect on my school days, one hobby that truly stands out is playing the piano. I was always fascinated by the complexity and beauty of music, and the piano became my instrument of choice. I took weekly lessons and dedicated hours to practicing. I particularly enjoyed learning classical pieces by composers like Beethoven and Mozart. I even had the opportunity to perform at a school concert, which was a nerve-wracking yet exhilarating experience.”
Top Tips for Success
- Be Authentic: The examiners are not looking for extraordinary talents or accomplishments. Speak genuinely about your experiences.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse answering similar questions beforehand. This will help improve your fluency and confidence.
- Focus on Communication: Remember, the goal is to communicate your ideas effectively. Don’t get bogged down in trying to use overly complex vocabulary or grammar.
By following these tips and preparing thoughtfully, you can confidently tackle the “What sports or hobbies did you do at school?” question and impress the examiners with your language skills. Good luck!
