Thank you for agreeing to participate. I'd like to ask you some questions about hobbies to begin. Do you have a hobby or interest that you regularly spend time doing?
🎧 Question Audio
C1-C2 Sample Answer
CEFR C1-C2 target
State the habit or experience directly, then add a reflective reason.
Use pauses after contrast markers such as although, not simply, and rather than.
Yes, I regularly spend time reading and taking short walks. Reading gives me a quiet break from screens, while walking helps me clear my head. I like these hobbies because they do not require much equipment, so I can do them even when my schedule is busy. What I value about a hobby is not productivity but a mental space that is not performance-based.
C1-C2 key phrases to imitate
a mental space that is not performance-based
in practical terms
as a regular part of my routine
a quiet break from screens
clear my head
do not require much equipment
when my schedule is busy
C1-C2 sentence structures
I would characterize my ... as ..., in the sense that ...
Although ..., I tend to ..., especially when ...
What makes this sustainable / meaningful is that ...
It is less about ... than about ...
Q9 Interview Q2PreferenceSpeaking Interview
Thank you. If you were to select a new hobby, what would you choose and why?
🎧 Question Audio
C1-C2 Sample Answer
CEFR C1-C2 target
Compare options naturally instead of listing them mechanically.
Stress the phrase that shows preference or priority.
If I chose a new hobby, I would learn photography. It would push me to notice details in ordinary places, like light, color, and people's expressions. I also like that photography can be social or personal, depending on whether I go out with friends or practice alone. Photography appeals to me because it trains deliberate attention, which is a useful skill even outside art.
C1-C2 key phrases to imitate
deliberate attention
what I tend to prioritize
depending on the situation
push me to notice details
ordinary places
social or personal
practice alone
C1-C2 sentence structures
What I gravitate toward is ..., largely because ...
Depending on the situation, I might ..., but generally ...
The reason this appeals to me is that ...
I would put ... ahead of ... because ...
Q10 Interview Q3Story / ExampleSpeaking Interview
Interesting. Now tell me what might prevent you from starting this new pastime.
🎧 Question Audio
C1-C2 Sample Answer
CEFR C1-C2 target
Build a short narrative or hypothetical with a clear cause-and-effect line.
Segment the response into choice, reason, and consequence.
The main thing that might prevent me is time. A new pastime sounds exciting at first, but it is easy to postpone it when school or work becomes demanding. Cost could also be a problem if the hobby requires equipment, classes, or regular travel. The main barrier would be the friction of beginning, so I would need to make the first step almost effortless.
C1-C2 key phrases to imitate
the friction of beginning
what makes this choice compelling
the main obstacle would be
might prevent me
sounds exciting at first
postpone it
becomes demanding
C1-C2 sentence structures
If I were given the chance to ..., I would ..., primarily because ...
One experience that stands out is ..., not because ..., but because ...
The main challenge would be ..., so I would ...
What makes this choice compelling is ...
Q11 Interview Q4TradeoffSpeaking Interview
Great. Some people believe it is better to have one interest outside of work or school that you dedicate yourself to rather than multiple smaller ones. What do you think about that and why?
🎧 Question Audio
C1-C2 Sample Answer
CEFR C1-C2 target
Give a nuanced position with concession before your main argument.
Use intonation to signal contrast, qualification, and final judgment.
I think having multiple smaller interests is better for most people. One serious hobby can be satisfying, but several hobbies give a person different ways to relax. For example, someone might play basketball for exercise, cook for creativity, and read when they need quiet time. I prefer a range of interests because it creates multiple sources of renewal instead of putting all emotional pressure on one activity.
C1-C2 key phrases to imitate
multiple sources of renewal
I would take a qualified position
on balance
multiple smaller interests
one serious hobby
different ways to relax
quiet time
C1-C2 sentence structures
I would take a qualified position: ..., although ...