Sample answer
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.
Part 1 · Band 5
What do you do in your free time?
Source-reported band score · 26 words
Answer analysis
Fluency & Coherence
Your answer moves clearly from socialising (“hang out with my friends”) to studying (“hit the books”), then gives a reason linked to your future career. That makes the sequence easy to follow, though each idea is developed only briefly. Practise speaking for 20 seconds: deliver this answer, then add one relevant detail about either activity without changing your main point. Fluency cannot be assessed from text alone.
Lexical Resource
“Hang out with my friends” and “hit the books” are natural, topic-appropriate expressions, and “beneficial for my future career” communicates your reason clearly. The main limitation is the narrow range: the answer names two activities but gives little descriptive detail. To extend your vocabulary, practise adding one precise detail about what you enjoy about spending time with friends or what you study, while keeping the wording conversational.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
The sentence is grammatically sound: “I often hang out with my friends” is linked to a second activity, and “as it is really beneficial for my future career” gives a clear reason. The sample is short and relies on one sentence pattern, so it offers limited evidence of range. Next, practise expressing the same ideas in two sentences, using a simple contrast such as “but” while keeping the relationships between ideas clear.
Pronunciation
This text does not provide evidence for assessing your pronunciation, so this is a practice guide, not an assessment of a recording. Try stressing the key words in “hang out with my friends” and “hit the books,” then group the answer into thought units: “In my free time / I often hang out with my friends / and sometimes I hit the books.” Record yourself saying it, listen back, and check that each phrase is easy to understand.
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 brief detail about either seeing friends or studying so your answer develops beyond listing activities.
- Practise delivering the answer in two sentences, with a clear transition between social time and studying.
- Record a 20-second response and check that the main words in “hang out” and “hit the books” are easy to hear.
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
- Answer the question directly by naming your free-time activity.
- Give a brief reason you enjoy it.
- Describe the types of books you typically read.
- 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.
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
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 place...
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...