Prompt
What do you like to do in your free time?
Band 9 sample transcript
Band 9 sample transcript
In my free time, I usually do a mix of something active and something quiet, depending on my mood. On weekdays, I tend to go for a brisk walk or a short run after work because it helps me clear my head and sleep better. I’m not training for anything serious; it’s more of a stress-release routine.
When I’m staying in, I like reading—mostly non-fiction, like psychology or personal finance—because I enjoy learning practical ideas I can actually apply. If I have a bit more time, I’ll also cook something new. I’m the kind of person who gets bored eating the same meals, so I’ll try a different recipe and experiment with spices.
At the weekend, I often meet up with friends for coffee or we’ll watch a film together. I try not to spend the whole day scrolling on my phone, so I keep social media to a minimum and do things that feel more refreshing.
Verified word count: 159
Why this answer scores highly
explanation
Fluency is maintained with clear organisation and natural pacing. Lexical resource is strong (“brisk walk,” “clear my head,” “stress-release routine,” “non-fiction,” “experiment with spices”). Grammar shows control over present simple, frequency adverbs, and complex sentences with conditionals and relative clauses. The tone is personal and authentic.
what this question tests
This Part 1 question tests your ability to speak naturally about everyday habits, extend your answer with a couple of relevant details, and use a range of vocabulary and tenses accurately without sounding memorised.
Natural phrases to reuse
depending on my mood
to show flexibility in preferences
I choose what to do depending on my mood.
If I have a bit more time, ...
to extend with an additional point
If I have a bit more time, I’ll cook something new.
I’m not ...; it’s more of ...
to clarify and sound nuanced
I’m not training competitively; it’s more of a habit.
Pronunciation and fluency notes
- Use connected speech in phrases like “kind of person” and “a bit more time.”
- Place sentence stress on key content words: “brisk walk,” “non-fiction,” “keep social media to a minimum.”
- Maintain a steady pace; pause briefly between weekday and weekend routines to sound organised.
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