IELTS Speaking Part 1: Hobbies Questions & Band 9 Answers (2026)

Hobbies is a very common topic. The examiner wants to know what you do in your free time to relax. To score Band 9, you need to show passion. Don't just list activities; explain why you enjoy them using words like creative outlet, unwind, or passionate.

How to Use These Sample Answers

Below are the latest 2026 questions for "Hobbies."

Important: These answers are written specifically for a student who loves photography and enjoys walking around the city alone to take pictures of buildings and streets. However, if you prefer playing sports (like football or tennis), or if you spend your free time gaming or cooking, these answers are not for you and will not fit your life.

So, here is the plan:

1. Read these samples to understand the Band 9 structure.

2. Use the IELTS Speaking Lab App to get personalized answers. It gives you perfect vocabulary that fits your real life—whether you collect stamps or climb mountains.

Part 1: Questions & Model Answers about Hobbies

1. Do you have a hobby?
Yes, I am absolutely passionate about photography. I love walking around my hometown with my camera to capture the moment. It allows me to see the world from a different perspective and notice small details that other people might miss.

2. Why do you like this hobby?
It is my main creative outlet. I spend so much time focusing on facts and logic for my studies, so photography helps me switch off my brain and just create something beautiful. It is the best way to decompress after a stressful week.

3. How often do you take photos?
I try to go out every weekend. I usually wake up early on Sunday mornings to catch the golden hour—that specific time just after sunrise when the light is soft and perfect. It’s become a ritual for me.

4. How did you learn to take photos?
I am completely self-taught. I watched hundreds of tutorials on platforms like YouTube to learn about lighting and composition. After that, it was just a process of trial and error until I started getting results that I was happy with.

5. Is your hobby expensive?
Unfortunately, yes. Camera gear is incredibly pricey. I had to save up for months just to buy my first proper lens. It can be a bit of a money pit because you always want to upgrade your equipment to get better quality shots.

6. Do you prefer doing this hobby alone or with others?
I definitely prefer doing it alone. Photography is a very solitary activity for me. I need to focus and be patient to get the perfect shot, which is hard to do if I have a friend chatting next to me. It is my personal me-time.

7. Do you share your work with anyone?
Yes, I have a dedicated account where I post them on social media. It’s really nice to get feedback and likes from strangers. It gives me a sense of validation and encourages me to keep improving my skills.

8. Did you have different hobbies when you were a child?
Yes, quite different. When I was younger, I used to play a lot of football with my cousins. But as I got older and busier with work, I stopped playing team sports and shifted towards more artistic interests.

9. What is the most difficult part of your hobby?
The editing process. Taking the photo is the fun part, but then I have to sit at my computer for hours to edit my shots. It requires a lot of patience and a good eye for color correction, which can be quite tedious sometimes.

10. Do you think hobbies are important?
Absolutely. I think everyone needs a way to unwind. If you only focus on work or study, you will eventually burn out. Having a hobby is essential for your mental health because it gives you a sense of purpose outside of your career.

11. Would you like to turn your hobby into a career?
I have thought about it, but I think I will keep it as a hobby. I am worried that if I start doing it for money, the pressure of deadlines might kill the enjoyment. I prefer to keep it as something I do purely for pleasure.

12. Tell me about a photo you are proud of.
Last month, I took a picture of an old man feeding birds in the park. I managed to frame the shot perfectly so the birds looked like they were dancing around him. It was a very candid moment, and it turned out to be one of my best pictures ever.

Key Vocabulary for IELTS Topic: Hobbies

Here is the complete glossary of every bolded word and phrase used in the answers above.

• Artistic interests: Hobbies involved with creating art (painting, music, photography).

• Camera gear: The equipment used for photography (camera body, tripod, bags, etc.).

• Candid moment: A photograph taken informally, usually without the subject's knowledge (not posed).

• Capture the moment: To record a specific event or feeling permanently.

• Creative outlet: An activity that allows you to express your creativity.

• Deadlines: The latest time or date by which something should be completed.

• Edit my shots: To improve photographs using software (adjusting colors, brightness, cropping).

• Feedback and likes from strangers: Comments and positive reactions from people online.

• Frame the shot: To compose a picture so the subject is placed perfectly within the image.

• Golden hour: The first hour after sunrise or the last hour before sunset, known for beautiful soft light.

• Lighting and composition: The technical skills of controlling light and arranging objects in a photo.

• Me-time: Time spent relaxing on one's own rather than working or doing things for others.

• Money pit: Something that costs a lot of money over time (often more than expected).

• Passionate: Having a strong love or enthusiasm for something.

• Perspective: A particular attitude or way of looking at something (literally or figuratively).

• Pleasure: A feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment.

• Post them on social media: To upload photos to apps like Instagram or Facebook.

• Proper lens: A high-quality or specific camera lens suitable for the job.

• Ritual: A habit or series of actions that feels special and is done regularly.

• Save up for months: To put money aside for a long time to buy something expensive.

• Self-taught: Having learned something on your own without a teacher.

• Solitary activity: Something you do alone.

• Tedious: Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome.

• Trial and error: The process of experimenting with various methods until one works.

• Unwind: To relax after a period of work or tension.

• Validation: The feeling that your actions or work are valuable and appreciated by others.

• Way to decompress: A method to release stress and relax.

Create Your Own Band 9 Answers

The answers above are perfect—if you are a photography enthusiast.
But what if you love cooking?
Or what if you are a fitness fanatic?
Your answers need to be true so that you can easily recall them during a stressful exam.

IELTS Speaking Lab helps you turn your real ideas into Band 9 answers.

1. Select your topic - Hobbies.

2. Input your rough idea (e.g., "I love baking cakes for my family").

3. Get personalized Band 9 answers instantly, with the perfect vocabulary for your story.

Start Generating Your Personal Answers Now →