IELTS Speaking: Free Time Activities

This practice question set is designed to help you prepare for all three parts of the IELTS Speaking test, focusing on the topic of “Free Time Activities During Different Seasons.”

The IELTS Speaking test is divided into three parts with approximate timings as follows:

• Part 1: 4-5 minutes (Interview-style questions)
• Part 2: 3-4 minutes (1-minute preparation + 1-2 minutes speaking)
• Part 3: 4-5 minutes (Discussion of more abstract ideas)

You can use this practice set to familiarize yourself with the format and develop your speaking skills on this common topic that allows you to showcase vocabulary related to seasons, leisure activities, and preferences.

Part 1: Interview Questions

In this section, the examiner will ask general questions about you and familiar topics. Answer these questions about seasonal activities and your free time:

1. What kind of outdoor activities do you enjoy during summer?
2. Do your leisure activities change with the seasons? How?
3. What’s your favorite season for outdoor activities? Why?
4. Do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities in winter?
5. How did you spend your free time as a child during different seasons?
6. Are there any seasonal festivals or events you particularly enjoy in your country?
7. Do you have any hobbies that are specifically tied to a particular season?
8. Has technology changed how you spend your free time throughout the year?

Note: The examiner may ask follow-up questions based on your responses.

Part 2: Individual Long Turn

In this section, you will be given a topic card. You will have 1 minute to prepare, and then you should speak for 1-2 minutes on the topic. The examiner will tell you when to stop.

Topic Card:

Describe a seasonal activity you particularly enjoy. You should say: – What the activity is – During which season you do this activity – Who you usually do this activity with – And explain why this seasonal activity is special to you

Part 3: Discussion Questions

In this section, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic from Part 2. These questions explore your ability to express and justify opinions and discuss more complex ideas.

1. How do you think climate change might affect traditional seasonal activities in the future?
2. In what ways do seasonal leisure activities reflect a country’s culture?
3. How do you think urbanization has changed people’s connection to seasonal activities?
4. Do you think people are becoming less aware of seasonal changes due to modern lifestyles? Why or why not?
5. How might seasonal activities contribute to a person’s wellbeing throughout the year?
6. What economic impacts do seasonal leisure activities have on local communities?
7. How do you think technology has influenced the way people engage with seasonal activities?
8. Do you think it’s important for children to experience different activities across all seasons? Why?

Sample Answers

Part 1 Sample Answer:

Q: What kind of outdoor activities do you enjoy during summer?

“During summer, I particularly enjoy water-based activities. I try to go swimming at least once a week, either at the local beach or at a lake outside the city. I also enjoy hiking in the mountains, which is much more pleasant in summer when the trails are dry and the weather is warm. On weekends, I often organize barbecues with friends in the park near my home. There’s something about the longer days and warmer temperatures that makes me want to spend as much time outdoors as possible, making the most of the pleasant weather before autumn arrives.”

Part 2 Sample Answer:

“I’d like to talk about apple picking, which is a seasonal activity I particularly enjoy during early autumn, usually around late September to mid-October in my region.

Apple picking involves visiting local orchards where you can select and harvest your own apples directly from the trees. The orchards are typically arranged with different varieties of apples in different sections, ranging from sweet to tart, and you’re given baskets to collect them as you walk through the rows of trees.

I usually do this activity with my family—my parents and sister—as it’s become something of a tradition for us. Sometimes we invite friends to join us, which makes it even more festive and enjoyable.

This seasonal activity is special to me for several reasons. First, it marks the transition from summer to autumn, which is my favorite season with its crisp air and beautiful foliage. There’s something deeply satisfying about connecting with the source of food and participating in the harvest process. The experience engages all your senses—the vibrant colors of the ripening apples, the fresh scent of the orchard, the satisfying snap when you pick a perfectly ripe apple from the branch.

What makes it particularly meaningful is the time spent with family away from screens and daily routines. We talk more, laugh more, and create memories as we decide which apples to pick and later discuss what we’ll make with them. After returning home, we often bake apple pies or make apple cider together, extending the enjoyment of this seasonal activity. It’s a simple pleasure that I look forward to every year.”

Part 3 Sample Answer:

Q: How do you think climate change might affect traditional seasonal activities in the future?

“Climate change is likely to have profound effects on many traditional seasonal activities as weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable and seasons shift from their historical norms.

Winter activities are perhaps the most obviously threatened. Many regions that have traditionally enjoyed reliable snowfall for skiing, snowboarding, and winter festivals are experiencing shorter snow seasons and more frequent warm spells. In some areas, winter tourism economies that have existed for generations may need to diversify or relocate to higher elevations. Traditional winter celebrations and sports competitions might need to be rescheduled or reimagined entirely.

Similarly, summer activities are being affected by extreme heat waves, making outdoor festivals, hiking, and camping potentially dangerous during peak summer months in some regions. Water-based activities might be impacted by both drought conditions reducing water levels in lakes and rivers, and by increased rainfall and flooding in other areas.

Agricultural seasonal activities like harvesting and foraging will likely need to adapt to changing growing seasons. For instance, the apple picking I mentioned earlier might shift to later in the year as trees adapt to changing temperature patterns. Traditional timing for activities like maple syrup collection, mushroom foraging, or crop harvesting festivals will likely need to adjust as growing seasons shift.

I believe we’ll see a gradual evolution in how seasonal activities are scheduled and organized. Communities might need to become more flexible, perhaps focusing more on the cultural significance of these activities rather than their traditional timing. This might actually lead to innovation and the development of new traditions that are more resilient to changing climatic conditions, though there will undoubtedly be some cultural loss as certain weather-dependent traditions become unsustainable.”

We encourage you to practice answering these questions, perhaps with a study partner or by recording yourself.

You can comment with your responses below, and we’ll provide brief feedback on your performance.

For more IELTS Speaking practice tests, you can also visit Traditions Topic.