IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe exercise you do without equipment

A Band 8 model answer with the one-minute plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it, and the Part 3 questions that follow.
  • 262 words
  • An activity or habit
  • 1 minute to prepare
  • 2 minutes to speak

The cue card

Describe exercise you do without equipment

You should say:

  • →what the exercise is
  • →where and how often you do it
  • →who you usually do it with
  • →and explain why you prefer this activity to going to a gym.

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

An activity or habit

How to plan it in one minute

  1. 1

    Jot down the specific routine (e.g. push-ups, squats, planks) so you can give concrete details straight away.

  2. 2

    Note the frequency and setting (e.g. 5 mornings a week, living room) to keep your delivery fluent.

  3. 3

    List two clear contrasts with gym workouts (e.g. saves commute time, zero cost) to expand the final point.

Model answer

Band 8 model answer

Band 8262 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

I would like to talk about a simple bodyweight circuit that I do almost every morning in my living room. It mainly consists of basic movements like push-ups, deep squats, lunges, and abdominal planks. Because it relies entirely on my own body weight for resistance, I do not need any fancy gear or weights at all, just a bit of clear floor space and a glass of water nearby.

I tend to do this routine about five days a week, usually straight after getting out of bed at around seven o'clock. I find that doing three sets of each exercise takes roughly twenty-five minutes, which fits neatly into my morning schedule before I have to get ready for work. Most days, I train entirely on my own, as I treat this time as a quiet opportunity to wake up properly, clear my head, and mentally prepare for the day ahead. Occasionally at weekends, my flatmate joins in, and we will put on an upbeat playlist to make it a bit more lively.

There are several reasons why I favour this over going to a traditional gym, but the biggest factor is sheer convenience. In the past, having to pack a sports bag, commute through heavy traffic, and queue for machines often meant a quick workout turned into a two-hour ordeal. That friction made it far too easy to talk myself out of exercising. With bodyweight training at home, there are virtually no barriers to getting started, so I can stay consistent without wasting time or spending a fortune on monthly membership fees.

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8 words

Vocabulary from the answer

  • bodyweight circuit

    a series of exercises using one's own weight without machinery

  • fancy gear

    expensive or specialised equipment

  • fits neatly into

    suits a schedule or routine easily without conflict

  • clear my head

    stop worrying and achieve mental calm or clarity

  • sheer convenience

    the extreme ease or usefulness of something

  • two-hour ordeal

    a long, tedious, and unpleasant experience

  • friction

    obstacles or difficulties that slow down an action

  • barriers to getting started

    factors that make beginning a task difficult

5 questions

Part 3 questions that follow this card

  1. 1Why do so many people struggle to maintain a regular exercise routine nowadays?
  2. 2How do modern attitudes towards physical fitness differ from those of previous generations?
  3. 3What role should local authorities play in encouraging citizens to stay active?
  4. 4Do you think digital fitness gadgets do more harm than good?
  5. 5How might people's approach to staying healthy change in the future?

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. Read Band 8 answers to these Part 3 questions: physical fitness and modern lifestyles.

Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe exercise you do without equipment"?+

Jot down the specific routine (e.g. push-ups, squats, planks) so you can give concrete details straight away.

How long should my answer be?+

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.

Can I use this model 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

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