Part 1 · Band 8

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Source-reported band score · 154 words

Sample answer

Well, I gravitate towards solitary activities in my free time, like reading books, taking strolls, solving puzzles, listening to calming music, or gardening to recharge my batteries and lift my spirits. When I do these activities, I can take my mask off and be myself without external expectations, leading to a great sense of tranquility. Reading is particularly enjoyable for me, as it allows me to escape into different worlds and experience various perspectives. I often find myself lost in novels that challenge my thinking or transport me to different cultures. Similarly, gardening provides a therapeutic outlet; nurturing plants and watching them grow gives me immense satisfaction. Additionally, I relish the peacefulness of a quiet walk in nature, where I can reflect on my thoughts and appreciate the beauty around me. These activities not only help me unwind but also foster a deeper connection with myself and my surroundings, ultimately enhancing my overall well-being.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The response develops in a clear sequence: it names several preferred activities, explains their emotional benefit, then gives more detail about reading, gardening and nature walks before summarising their effect on well-being. The main refinement is to prioritise one or two examples so the answer feels more focused for Part 1. Practise giving a 45-second version: keep the opening, expand on reading and gardening, and finish with one brief summary.

Lexical Resource

There is a strong, varied range in phrases such as “recharge my batteries,” “a therapeutic outlet” and “foster a deeper connection.” These choices convey both activities and their personal benefits precisely. A few expressions, including “take my mask off,” are vivid but may sound slightly dramatic in a conversational Part 1 response. As an optional refinement, choose simpler wording when it helps your answer sound more natural and direct.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

The response shows confident control of varied structures, including the relative clause in “where I can reflect on my thoughts” and the participle construction “nurturing plants and watching them grow.” The activity list is also grammatically parallel. There are no clear errors that need correction; one optional improvement is to vary the repeated sentence openings, such as “Reading,” “Similarly,” and “Additionally,” to make the spoken delivery less patterned.

Pronunciation

This is text only, so pronunciation cannot be assessed; the practice guide below is not an assessment of a recording. Practise the word stress in “solitary activities,” “therapeutic outlet” and “overall well-being.” Group the answer into thought units, for example, “Reading is particularly enjoyable for me / as it allows me to escape into different worlds.” Record a reading, check that each phrase is clear, then repeat it without reading.

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

  • Practise a 45-second version that names your activities, then develops only reading and gardening as examples.
  • Replace one formal expression, such as “foster a deeper connection,” with a simpler conversational alternative when speaking spontaneously.
  • Record one practice answer and check whether each example clearly links an activity to how it helps you feel.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Explain how an extra lesson after school affects the amount of free time you have.
  • Describe whether your schedule leaves time for hobbies or other activities, without adding activities you do not actually do.
  • Conclude by summarising how full your routine is at the moment.

Suggested structure

  1. Begin with the after-school lesson and where it takes place.
  2. Explain that attending it limits your free time.
  3. Clarify whether you have time for other activities.
  4. End with a brief summary of your current routine.
Useful vocabulary & examples
attend an extra lesson
go to an additional class or study session

After my school lesson, I attend an extra lesson.

have no free time
have no time available for leisure

Because of my lessons, I have no free time.

other activities
things to do apart from the main activity being discussed

I don't have time for other activities.

a full schedule
a routine with little or no unoccupied time

My schedule is full with school and an extra lesson.

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