Part 1 · Band 5

What do you do in your free time?

Source-reported band score · 54 words

Sample answer

Okay. In my free time, I do many activities. For example, I play sports such as football or volleyball. And sometimes, I go swimming in the summer. I often go to beautiful places with my friends, such as parks and other places. And when I have time, I play video games. Is that all?

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The answer moves from sports to swimming, outings with friends, and video games, so it gives a clear sequence of examples. However, the ideas remain a list rather than developing one activity with a brief detail, and “Is that all?” sounds like a check to the listener rather than a natural closing. Practise speaking for 30 seconds from these same activities, adding one short detail about when or why you enjoy each.

Lexical Resource

You use relevant everyday words and specific examples, including “football or volleyball” and “video games,” which make your answer easy to understand. The range is basic, though, and “beautiful places” followed by “parks and other places” is vague and repetitive. Next time, name one more precise place or use a natural phrase such as “spend time outdoors” to make the description more specific.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

Your simple sentence patterns communicate the activities clearly, as in “I play video games” and “I go swimming in the summer.” You also use time phrases such as “sometimes” and “when I have time.” The answer relies mainly on short, similar structures, so it shows limited variety rather than a clear accuracy problem. Try combining a reason or contrast with one activity, while keeping the sentences easy to say.

Pronunciation

Pronunciation cannot be assessed from text, so this is a practice guide, not an assessment of a recording. Practise the word stress in “volleyball” and “beautiful,” then group the answer into thought groups: “I play sports / such as football or volleyball” and “When I have time / I play video games.” Record yourself reading these lines, check that each key word is clear, and compare a second recording after practising.

A transcript shows language and organisation. Fluency, delivery and pronunciation require an audio recording; the synthetic voice demonstrates the text, not the original speaker.

  • Add one short personal detail to an activity, such as when you usually swim or who you play sports with.
  • Replace “beautiful places” and “other places” with a specific place or a clearer phrase such as “places outdoors.”
  • Practise a 30-second answer without “Is that all?”; finish with a natural closing thought about why you enjoy these activities.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Explain what you enjoy about reading, such as learning about different subjects.
  • Mention the range of genres you read, including fiction and nonfiction.
  • Add a personal detail by describing your interest in self-improvement books.

Suggested structure

  1. Answer the question directly by naming your free-time activity.
  2. Give a brief reason you enjoy it.
  3. Describe the types of books you typically read.
  4. Finish with a personal detail about your reading habits or interests.
Useful vocabulary & examples
a wide range of
A large variety of different things.

I read a wide range of books, from fiction to nonfiction.

a bookworm
Someone who enjoys reading a lot.

I’d say I’m a bit of a bookworm.

self-improvement
The process of developing your abilities or making positive changes in your life.

I’m especially interested in books about self-improvement.

in my spare time
During the time when you are not working or studying.

I enjoy reading in my spare time.

Practise your answer →

Compare answers on this topic

Band 9

I enjoy reading books in my spare time. Reading can help expand our knowledge because it provides a wealth of information on various topics. I typically read a wide range of boo...

Band 8

Generally, I'm the kind of person who doesn't have enough free time. However, when I realize that I have some, I usually go to the gym or ride a bike around the city. I also con...

Band 7

I'm usually quite busy, but when I do have free time, I love to travel. I'm always ready for an adventure. With my backpack packed and waiting, I try to find affordable destinat...

Band 6

In my free time, I like reading books. It really helps me relax from my busy day. If it is a long weekend coming, I will enjoy going shopping with my friends, or doing something...

Band 5

In my free time, I often hang out with my friends, and sometimes I hit the books, as it is really beneficial for my future career.

Band 4

To be honest, I don't have a lot of free time because of my studies. However, when I do have some free time, I like to relax and enjoy activities that help me unwind. I try to m...