Cue Card # 58: Expensive hobby you can’t pursue very often

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card # 58

Describe an expensive hobby you can’t pursue very often.

You should say:

• what it is
• why it is an expensive hobby
• why you wish to pursue it regularly

and explain what you need to do to do it regularly. 

[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.]

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Model Answer:

Different people like to pursue different kinds of hobbies, depending on their interests, circumstances and financial abilities. Of course, there are hobbies which are very affordable. But, here I would like to talk about one particular hobby, I like to pursue often, which can be expensive.

I am talking about “travelling around the world”, which happens to be my most favourite hobby also, by the way. I also like to believe that there are very few people in this world, who don’t like to travel if they have enough means and opportunity. But, unfortunately, “travelling” can be expensive primarily because one has to pay a substantial amount of money for transportation and hotel costs, whether we are flying, taking a long train journey, or just travelling by bus. Of course, sometimes, we hear stories about how some people manage to travel by spending just a “few bucks”, but it is not always practically possible because prices vary in travel industry also, based on consumers’ demand. Besides, I also have to pay for standard “lodging”, which can be expensive, unless I am staying at below-average hotel rooms with restricted food options and no transportation facilities. Finally, I also have to worry about paying for a “Travel Guide” when I am travelling to an unknown place with a completely different kind of lifestyles, culture and language.

By the way, I want to travel as often as I can because it would help me learn more about different cultures, lifestyles and backgrounds in a more positive light. I want to travel more often also because it gives me relief from the stress of life.

Anyway, if I want to travel on a more regular basis, I would first need to save up enough money by either working two jobs or find a job that requires extensive travelling. Then, I would also need to do some extensive research in order to find a way to travel in a cost-effective manner. Finally, I would also need to connect with a “network of world travellers” who could help me get enough information on affordable travel.