Unit 10:
YOUR FREE TIME
SPEAKING
Topic 1:
Long run:
Describe a hobby that you became interested in recently. You should say:
• How you first discovered this hobby
• Why you became interested in it
• How much time you spend on it
And explain what benefits this hobby brings to your life
Discussion Questions:
1. How do hobbies help people manage stress in modern life?
2. Do you think people today have more or less free time than previous
generations? Why?
3. How has technology changed the way people pursue hobbies?
4. Why do some hobbies become popular trends while others remain niche
interests?
5. Should schools encourage students to develop hobbies? Why or why not?
Topic 2:
Long run:
Describe a situation where you had to balance work/study and leisure time. You
should say:
• What the situation was
• How you managed your time
• What challenges you faced
And explain what you learned from this experience
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do many people struggle to maintain a good work-life balance?
2. How important is it to "draw the line" between work and personal time?
3. What strategies do you use to ensure you have enough free time?
4. How does culture influence attitudes toward leisure time in different countries?
5. Do you think employers should play a role in ensuring employees have a healthy
work-life balance?
Topic 3:
Long run:
Describe an occasion when you tried a new recreational activity. You should say:
• What the activity was
• Who you did it with
• How you felt about trying something new
And explain whether you would like to do it again
Discussion Questions:
1. Why are some people reluctant to try new activities in their free time?
2. Do you think people should regularly try new leisure activities? Why or why not?
3. How do people's leisure preferences change as they get older?
4. What role does social media play in influencing people's free time activities?
5. How important is it to have some "do nothing" time in your schedule?
Topic 4:
Long run:
Describe a cultural event you attended that you enjoyed. You should say:
• What the event was
• Where and when it took place
• Who you went with
And explain why you found it enjoyable
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do some people prefer cultural events over other forms of entertainment?
2. How accessible are cultural events in your city/country?
3. What can be done to encourage more young people to attend cultural events?
4. How have cultural events evolved with technology and social media?
5. Do you think traditional cultural events will remain popular in the future? Why or
why not?
Topic 5:
Long run:
Describe a favorite way you like to relax after a busy day. You should say:
• What activity you do to relax
• When you started doing this
• How often you do it
And explain why this helps you unwind
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some popular ways people relax in your country?
2. Why is it important for people to have time to relax each day?
3. Do you think young people and older people relax in different ways? How?
4. How has technology changed the ways people relax?
5. Do you prefer to relax alone or with others? Why?
Topic 6:
Long run:
Describe a sport or physical activity you enjoy. You should say:
• What the activity is
• When you started doing it
• How often you participate in it
And explain why this activity is important to you
Discussion Questions:
1. How does physical activity contribute to overall well-being?
2. Why do some people find it challenging to incorporate exercise into their routine?
3. Do you think schools place enough emphasis on physical activities? Why or why
not?
4. How have trends in fitness and exercise changed in recent years?
5. What role does competition play in motivating people to stay active?
Topic 7:
Long run:
Describe a quiet activity you enjoy doing at home. You should say:
• What the activity is
• When you usually do it
• How you became interested in it
And explain why you find it enjoyable or relaxing
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is it important for people to have quiet time to themselves?
2. Do you think the value of solitude is underappreciated in modern society?
3. How do introverts and extroverts differ in their free time preferences?
4. What quiet activities do you think are most beneficial for mental well-being?
5. How can families create space for both social and quiet activities at home?
Topic 8:
Long run:
Describe a time when you felt you were "slacking off" or not using your time
effectively. You should say:
• What the situation was
• Why you weren't using your time well
• How it made you feel
And explain what you did to improve the situation
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do people sometimes feel guilty about how they spend their free time?
2. Do you think all free time should be productive in some way? Why or why not?
3. How does social pressure influence how people choose to spend their leisure
time?
4. What's the difference between relaxing and wasting time?
5. How can people find a balance between productivity and leisure?
Topic 9:
Long run:
Describe an experience of doing something with maximum effort that you enjoyed.
You should say:
• What the activity was
• Why you put in so much effort
• Who, if anyone, was involved
And explain why you found it satisfying despite the hard work
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do people often feel more satisfied when they've put significant effort into an
activity?
2. How important is the concept of "flow" (being completely absorbed in an activity)
to enjoyment?
3. Do you think modern convenience has reduced opportunities for satisfying hard
work?
4. What role does challenge play in making leisure activities enjoyable?
5. How do people's attitudes toward effort differ across cultures or generations?
Topic 10:
Long run:
Describe a social activity you enjoy with friends. You should say:
• What the activity is
• How often you do it
• Who you typically do it with
And explain why you find it enjoyable
Discussion Questions:
1. How important are social activities for maintaining friendships?
2. In what ways has social media changed how people socialize?
3. Do you think people today spend enough face-to-face time with friends? Why or
why not?
4. How do preferred social activities differ across age groups?
5. What makes some social activities more meaningful than others?
