Shadowing Practice: IELTS Speaking Part 1: HOBBIES | Band 7.5 - 8.0 + Sample Answers - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Hey everyone, and welcome back to Tiny Talks!
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We know that many IELTS learners worry about running out of ideas during the speaking test.
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You might understand the question perfectly, but finding enough things to say is a whole different challenge.
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That's exactly what this channel is here for, to help you build ideas and feel more confident with common IELTS topics.
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In this video, we're covering part one of the IELTS Speaking Test, and today's topic is hobbies.
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As usual, the lesson will be divided into two parts.
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First, you'll listen to a short conversation between the examiner, Mr. David, and the candidate Sarah, as they discuss several common questions about hobbies.
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Then, in the second part, we'll explore some useful words and phrases from the conversation and show you how to use them naturally in your own answers.
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Before we begin, here's a quick reminder.
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In the real test, part 1 questions can cover many different everyday topics.
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However, here at Tiny Talks, we focus on one topic at a time to make your learning experience more organized and effective.
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So, are you ready to talk about hobbies?
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Let's get started!
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Hi Sarah, hope you're doing well today.
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Let's talk about something many people enjoy in their spare time, hobbies.
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What do you usually do in your free time?
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In my free time, I usually enjoy cooking.
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It's something I genuinely look forward to after a hectic day.
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I love experimenting with different spices and trying out new recipes I find online.
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For me, it's both relaxing and rewarding at the same time. That sounds wonderful.
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How long have you had this hobby?
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I've actually been doing it for quite a while now.
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I first dabbled in cooking when I was about 14, mostly just helping my mom bake on weekends.
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But I only started taking it seriously and cooking independently during my university years.
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So, I'd say it's been a solid 7 or 8 years now.
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That's amazing.
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How often do you spend time on your hobbies?
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I'd love to cook every single day, but with my packed schedule, that's not always feasible.
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So, realistically, I dedicate time to it about two or three times a week, mostly on weekends.
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Sometimes I spend a whole Sunday afternoon in the kitchen, which I really enjoy.
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That's when I can truly immerse myself in the process without feeling rushed.
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I see.
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That sounds like a good balance.
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Did you have different hobbies when you were a child?
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Definitely.
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As a kid, I was way more outdoorsy.
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I used to spend hours rollerblading around my neighborhood and playing badminton with the kids next door.
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Back then, cooking never really crossed my mind.
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My hobbies were much more physically demanding compared to the creative pastimes I enjoy now.
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So there's been quite a shift.
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Let's dive a bit deeper.
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What influenced your choice of hobbies as you got older?
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I think the biggest reason was entering university and living on my own.
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To be honest, I wasn't good at cooking at first.
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I could only make a few basic things.
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But then, I started watching simple, lazy meal recipes online that were easy to follow and surprisingly tasty.
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Success with those gave me a huge confidence boost, so I began experimenting with more challenging things like cookies, brownies, and cheesecakes.
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I started gifting them to my friends and family, and seeing their faces light up with joy was gratifying.
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I guess that's when it slowly turned from a necessity into a hobby.
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Okay, I see.
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Do you have the same hobbies as your family members?
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Not really.
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We're actually quite eclectic as a family.
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My dad is an avid gardener and my sister is completely obsessed with photography.
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That being said, my mom does enjoy baking.
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So there is some overlap there.
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But generally, we all have our own unique ways of spending our leisure time.
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I think that's a good thing because we can learn something new from one another.
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Okay.
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Do you prefer hobbies you do alone or with others?
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Hmm.
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I think I lean towards doing things alone.
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For me, cooking is almost a meditative experience experience.
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It's a time when I can focus entirely on what I'm doing without getting distracted.
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It's my personal sanctuary where I can just listen to music and create something.
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However, the best part is definitely sharing the final dish with family and friends afterwards, so it becomes social in the end.
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One last question for this part.
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Would you like to try a new hobby in the future?
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Why or why not?
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Yeah, I'd love to give photography a try.
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My sister is really passionate about it, and she's always showing me the stunning shots she takes.
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Sometimes she lets me use her camera, and I've realized it's actually far more engaging than I expected.
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Besides, I think it would go really well with my cooking hobby
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because I could take aesthetic photos of the dishes I make.
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Photography is a fascinating way to capture memorable moments.
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So if I had more free time, I'd pick that hobby up next.
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All right, that's the end of IELTS Speaking Part 1.
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Now let's move on to Part 2 of the test.
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And that's a wrap on today's speaking sample.
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Did you catch everything Sarah shared?
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If not, don't worry.
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Now let's move into the second part of our lesson, vocabulary.
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We've highlighted some great vocabulary from today's topic, hobbies, that you can add to your own answers to level up your speaking in similar questions.
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So grab your notebook and let's dive in!
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HECTIC
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This adjective describes a situation that is very busy
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and often a bit stressful because so many things are happening at the same time.
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For example, My mornings are always hectic because I have to get the kids ready for school.
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DABBLE IN
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This verb phrase means to try an activity
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or become involved in something in a casual way without making a serious commitment to it.
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For example, she dabbles in photography but does not plan to make it a career.
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PACT This adjective is used to describe a place,
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schedule, or situation that is completely full with very little extra space or free time left.
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For example, the subway is always packed during the morning rush hour.
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Feasible This adjective means that something is possible to do and can be carried out easily or conveniently in a particular situation.
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For example, taking a short online course is a feasible option for people with full-time jobs.
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Immerse myself in This verb phrase means to become completely involved in an activity and give it your full attention and focus.
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For example, I love immersing myself in a good novel during long flights.
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Outdoorsy This adjective describes someone who enjoys spending time outside and taking part in outdoor activities.
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For example, my cousin is very outdoorsy and often goes hiking and camping.
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Rollerblading This noun refers to the activity or sport of skating using inline skates,
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often as a form of exercise or recreation.
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For example, rollerblading is a fun way to get some exercise in the park.
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This noun means an activity that people regularly do in their free time simply because they enjoy it.
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For example, playing chess is a popular pastime for many seniors.
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Light up with joy This verb phrase describes a situation where someone's face suddenly shows great happiness and excitement.
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For example, the children's faces light up with joy when they see the ice cream truck.
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Gratifying This adjective describes something that gives you a strong feeling of satisfaction,
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pleasure, or personal fulfillment.
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For example, helping students achieve their goals is incredibly gratifying for many teachers.
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Eclectic.
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This adjective describes something that includes a wide variety of different styles,
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interests, or ideas rather than following just one type.
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For example, her wardrobe is eclectic, featuring everything from elegant dresses to sporty outfits.
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Avid This adjective is used to describe someone who is extremely enthusiastic and passionate about a particular interest or activity.
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For example, he's an avid reader who finishes several books every month.
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That being said This linking phrase is used to introduce a statement that contrasts with what was just said.
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For example, The restaurant is a bit pricey.
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That being said, the food quality is absolutely worth it.
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Overlap This noun refers to a situation where two things share certain features,
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characteristics, or areas in common.
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For example, there is a lot of overlap between yoga and Pilates exercises.
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Lean towards This verb phrase means to prefer one choice over another or to favor a particular option.
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For example, I lean towards working in the morning because I'm more productive then.
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Sanctuary This noun refers to a place that provides safety,
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privacy, comfort, and peace, especially when you need a break from daily stress.
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For example, for many people, their bedroom is their personal sanctuary after a long day.
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Engaging This adjective describes something that is interesting and able to keep people's attention and interest for a long period of time.
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For example, the teacher uses engaging activities to make science lessons more enjoyable.
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That's the end of all the new vocabulary for today!
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We really appreciate you watching until the end of this video.
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We hope this video helps you prepare well for your IELTS Speaking Part 1.
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Don't forget to download the PDF in the description for the full script and vocabulary from our episode today.
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We'd love to hear your feedback, so leave a comment below to help us improve.
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And make sure to hit that subscribe button and turn on the notification bell so you'll never miss our latest videos.
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Keep up the great work with your studies and we'll see you again very soon in the next video.
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Happy learning!

Context & Background

In the IELTS Speaking Test, Part 1 usually involves casual conversation about familiar topics, such as hobbies. In this episode, a candidate named Sarah shares her experiences with cooking—a delightful hobby that helps her unwind after a busy day. She reflects on how her hobby evolved from childhood play to a serious passion over the years, which provides a rich context for learners preparing for this segment of the exam. Understanding how to discuss hobbies authentically can enhance your responses and capture the examiner's interest.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "I genuinely look forward to..." - Use this phrase to express anticipation for an activity.
  • "It's both relaxing and rewarding..." - This phrase highlights the dual benefits of a hobby.
  • "I started dabbling in..." - A great way to describe initial attempts at a new activity.
  • "I dedicate time to it..." - Use this structure to indicate how often you engage in a hobby.
  • "There’s been quite a shift..." - This expression represents changes in interests over time.

Incorporating these phrases into your English speaking practice can help you articulate your thoughts more clearly and improve your overall fluency. By learning how to use them naturally, you are also taking a significant step towards achieving a higher band score in the IELTS exam.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To master the nuances of speaking about hobbies, follow this shadowing technique. This method will not only help you improve your English pronunciation but also boost your confidence during the IELTS Speaking Test.

  1. Watch the Video: Start by watching the video on hobbies. Pay close attention to the conversation between the examiner and Sarah.
  2. Listen and Repeat: Replay the conversation multiple times. Try to shadow speak—repeat what you hear simultaneously, mimicking the intonation and pronunciation.
  3. Break Down the Phrases: Focus on key phrases from the list above. Practice saying them out loud until they feel natural.
  4. Record Yourself: Once you feel comfortable shadowing, record your voice. Compare it with the original audio to identify areas for improvement.
  5. Engage in Conversation: Finally, find a language partner or use online platforms to practice speaking about your hobbies. Use the phrases you’ve learned to make your conversation more dynamic.

This shadowing guide is designed to enhance your English speaking practice; by employing these methods, you will effectively build your vocabulary and conversational skills centered on hobbies. Remember, regular practice using platforms like YouTube can help you become more adept at speaking English.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.