When I have some downtime, I find myself gravitating towards urban photography. It is essentially the art of capturing the aesthetic of city life, focusing on architectural patterns and the candid movements of people in public spaces. I try to head out with my camera at least once every weekend, usually on a Saturday morning when the city feels slightly less frantic. As for equipment, I rely on my mirrorless camera, a 35mm prime lens which is perfect for street scenes, and a sturdy, lightweight tripod for those long-exposure shots at dusk. I also use a small editing tablet to process my files while I am at a café. I find this hobby incredibly grounding for a few reasons. Firstly, it forces me to be hyper-observant; instead of just rushing through the streets, I look for interesting play of light or unique human interactions that most people overlook. There is something immensely satisfying about freezing a fleeting moment in time that would otherwise be lost to memory. Beyond that, the technical challenge of balancing shutter speed and aperture keeps my mind occupied, providing a welcome mental escape from my professional obligations. It is a meditative process that allows me to re-engage with the environment around me, transforming the mundane concrete jungle into something visually striking and deeply personal. Whether I am capturing the golden hour reflecting off a glass skyscraper or the blurred motion of a passing tram, it gives me a genuine sense of fulfilment and creative release that I struggle to find in any other pursuit.
The cue card
Describe a leisure activity you like doing in your free time.
You should say:
- →What kind of activity it is?
- →How often do you do it?
- →What equipment do you need to do it?
- →And explain why you enjoy doing it.
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
Try it now, out loud
One minute to prepare, then up to two minutes to speak. Cover every point on the card, then compare with the Band 8 answer below.
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An activity or habit
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Note down your chosen activity and one specific detail for each bullet point immediately.
- 2
Use the one-minute preparation to outline your story flow rather than writing full sentences.
- 3
Focus on sensory details to make your description more vivid and easier to talk about.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
Say it out loud and get a band
Record your answer to this cue card: one minute of preparation, two minutes to speak, then request AI feedback on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.
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Useful vocabulary for this cue card
gravitating towards
being naturally attracted to or moving towards something.
candid
photographs taken without creating a posed appearance.
mirrorless
a type of digital camera without a reflex mirror.
long-exposure
using a long duration shutter speed to capture movement.
grounding
making one feel mentally stable and well-balanced.
hyper-observant
noticing small details that others might easily miss.
fleeting
something that lasts for a very short time.
mundane
lacking interest or excitement; dull and ordinary.
6 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1What types of leisure activities are popular in your country?
- 2Why it is important for people to have leisure activities?
- 3Why are some leisure activities more popular than others?
- 4Do you think that parents should choose leisure activities for their children?
- 5Has free time activities among people in your country changed much more than that of 2 decades ago?
- 6What changes do you think technology has brought in the way people enjoy their leisure activities?
Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.
Frequently asked questions
How should I start the cue card "Describe a leisure activity you like doing in your free time."?+
Note down your chosen activity and one specific detail for each bullet point immediately.
How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+
You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.
How is the cue card scored?+
Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.
Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+
Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.
Keep practising
More cue cards: an activity or habit
- Describe a meditation activity you tried
- Describe a mountain activity you want to try
- Describe a musical activity you tried learning
- Describe a pastime that demands great patience
- Describe a popular pastime for young people
- Describe a practical skill(driving, swimming...) you learned recently
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
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