Cue Card # 76: Describe a hobby/pastime activity

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card # 76

Describe a hobby/pastime activity that makes you get lost for hours.

You should say:

• what hobby/pastime activity it is
• for how long you have this
• how common this activity is among others

and explain why you feel so passionate about this hobby/pastime activity. 

[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

Model Answer:

I am not sure if there are any disadvantages of living close to a big lake, but living close to a lake can certainly teach one how to do fishing. At least, it taught me and eventually led me to consider it as my favourite hobby and pastime activity.

So, fishing is what I really like, and I have liked it from the day when I first learned that fishes live in the water. But, I didn’t start to carry a fishing rod and catch fishes myself at a lake until and after I had finished my elementary school about 15 years ago. And, when I caught the first fish of my life, after spending a couple of hours at the lake on a hot summer day, I became hooked to this hobby.

Since then, I have spent countless hours in trying to catch fish by waiting on the shore, wading in dirty water, sitting on a boat, and riding on a tree log. I am not sure how many fishes I have caught in the last 15 years, but I am sure that I have spent a lot more money in buying different kinds of fishing equipment in order to “perfect” the “arts and science” of fishing. I have even caught cold numerous times in trying to catch fish. Anyway, I am not too sure if other people also like this fishing hobby as much as I do, but I see a lot of people going for fishing at different fishing corners different times of the year.

Anyway, I really like this hobby because it is very much like “gambling” except I don’t have anything to lose when I am fishing. I am also so passionate about this activity because it just makes me forget about all the worries I have for the time being. Besides, the thrill of catching a big fish, or the anticipation of it, surrounded by wind, water and beautiful nature, makes me really appreciate the little things of life like nothing else.