IELTS LEVEL 2 COURSE

MINSDSET FOR IELTS – LEVEL 2

UNIT 2: LEISURE AND RECREATION
SECTION 4: SPEAKING
SPEAKING PRACTICE - THEME: LEISURE AND RECREATION

1. LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Part 1
Do you like leisure activities? 
Sample answer
(Answer) Wow, definitely yes. Leisure activities, especially extracurricular ones
are the source of my life. (Reason) I feel like I can have my energy
boosted when I can enjoy myself through leisure activities and escape from
the hectic pace of life.
Extracurricular activities (n) Hoạt động ngoại khóa
Have my energy boosted (n) Làm cho năng lượng tăng lên
Hectic (adj) Vội vã, hối hả
Part 2
Describe a leisure activity that you like to do. (Mô tả một hoạt động ngoại
khóa mà bạn yêu thích)
Sample answer
(Answer) Well, I have to work 5 days a week and I am very tired after each
workday. Leisure pursuits are the things that help me recharge my battery and I
would like to choose badminton as my most favorite daily routine.
(Reason) Playing badminton helps me in different ways. The work is stressful,
demanding and it has been a drain on my enegery; therefore, I play that kind of
sport as a way of helping my mind free from all thoughts. (Example) When I am
focused on playing it, I feel extremely relaxed. My co-player is also one of my
colleagues so it is much easier for us to share things related to work and we feel
more motivated when we can work and play the same sport together.
(Reason) In addition, playing badminton also does wonders for my health as I
have to move and run a lot, thus boosts my agility. (Example) As I work in an
office, sedentary lifestyle is unavoidable, which may lead to acute diseases
related to our bones. I sweat a lot after each set but this helps me remove
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dangerous substances from my body. In short, I love badminton so much because

this makes my physical as well as mental health better.
Leisure pursuits (n) Hoạt động trong giờ giải lao
Recharge my battery (v) Nạp năng lượng
Daily routine (n) Thói quen hàng ngày
Has been a drain on my enegery (v) Lấy hết năng lượng
Does wonders for (Sb/St) (v) Rất tốt/có ích cho ai/cái gì
Agility (n) Sự nhanh nhạy
Sedentary lifestyle (n) Lối sống ít vận động
Physical/Mental health (n) Sức khỏe thể trạng/tâm trí
2. Describe a leisure activity you do with your family.
You should say:
 What it is
 When you do it
 How you do it
And explain how you feel about it.
Sample Answer:
Movie night is something I do routinely with my siblings. Sometimes we invite
friends, but it’s really a time we set aside for each other once a month. While we all
live and work in the same city, we live at opposite ends and getting together can be
a challenge with our current schedules.
It’s something we started doing in our early twenties. At the time my eldest sibling
and I had just graduated, but my youngest brother was still in university. I’d just
started my career, while my older brother was about a year into his. We were all
doing our best to get ahead and were seeing each other less and less. We all kept
trying to make plans but they’d always seem to fall apart at the last minute for
one reason or another.
I think it was my idea because I was missing them both quite a lot. I wanted to do
something really casual with them so we could let our hair down and relax. Going
to a restaurant seemed to be too much work, as anywhere decent requires a
reservation and research, and hanging out at a bar wasn’t likely to work
out because they can be really noisy environments. The idea came to me in the
shower one day, and it felt like a lightbulb switched on in my head.
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On my way to work, I messaged them both and suggested the idea of getting
together every few weeks. We could pick a movie or something from Netflix, order
a pizza or two, and microwave a few bags of popcorn. It wouldn’t require any work
and we’d set aside a few hours on a Sunday evening once a month. They loved it!
We’ve been doing it for the last few years and it’s been working perfectly. Aside
from one family emergency, we’ve been pretty consistent and haven’t skipped a
movie night yet.
I think I’m pretty lucky that my siblings live in the same city. I think it would be so
much harder if we all lived in different parts of the country, or even different
countries, but for as long as we all live nearby, movie night will survive.
Vocabulary and idioms for this answer:
Set aside (phrasal verb)
If you set aside something, you save it or keep it in order to use it for a particular
purpose.
Example: Have you set aside some money for your child’s education?
Get ahead (phrasal verb)
If you get ahead, you become successful in the work that you do.
Example: It’s tough for women to get ahead in politics.
Fall apart (phrasal verb)
If something falls apart, it stops working or gets cancelled because of problems. It
no longer continues.
Example: The deal fell apart because of lack of funding.
The last minute (idiom)
If something happens at the last minute, it happens at the latest possible
opportunity for doing it.
Example: He always leaves his homework until the last minute.
Decent (adjective)
If something is decent, it’s good or good enough.
Example: Are there any decent restaurants around here?
Hang out (phrasal verb)
If you spend a lot of time somewhere you are said to hang out there. You can also
hang out with people too.
Example: I’ve been hanging out all day at the beach.
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Work out (phrasal verb)

This phrasal verb can mean a few things. Most commonly it means to exercise, and
people work out at the gym. It also is commonly used if you’re successful. It can
also mean to figure out how to do something.
Example A: He works out at the gym every day.
Example B: If it doesn’t work out, you can always come back here.
Example C: I haven’t worked out how to do that yet.

Part 3
What kinds of leisure activities are popular in your country?
A lot of people seem to love going to the gym. Many employers provide cheap or
even free access to fitness clubs as part of their benefits package and the perks
they provide. I’ll often see my local gym packed with office workers after 5pm, all
using the membership cards provided by their employers. I think it’s for this reason
that I opt to go at other times of the day when it’s quieter.
It’s really popular for friends to get together in a bar after work too. As the workday
ends, it’s common to see businesspeople in suits arrive at the nearest bar for a
beer before they go home. I think they do this as a way to unwind after a stressful
day, before they see their spouse and kids.
Team sports are also popular. I think a lot of people miss playing the outdoor sports
they played in school, and so they get together in teams to play a game or two of
football or rugby. This isn’t something I’ve ever been interested in, but I often see
groups of men playing a game of football while I’m on the bus home.
I think while these kinds of leisure activities will remain popular for the foreseeable
future, video games will gain more of a foothold and people might opt to play
these instead of actually getting outside to play with their friends outside.
Vocabulary and idioms for this answer:
Opt (verb)
If you opt for something, you choose it. In particular you might choose it instead of
something else.
Example: Mary opted to retire early.
Unwind (verb)
To begin to relax after you’ve been working hard or feeling stressed or anxious.
Example: I need to sit down and unwind for half an hour.
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Foreseeable future (idiom)
The foreseeable future is the period of time when you can predict what is going to
happen based on the current circumstances.
Example: It’s unlikely the school will be closed for the foreseeable future.
Foothold (noun)
An initial or stable position from which you can progress, improve your status, or
become more successful. It’s linked to the place where you can put your foot to
support yourself if you were rock climbing.
Example: They have managed to gain a foothold in the South American market.
What leisure activities do young people like?
I think younger people tend to like video games and sports that require a lot of
physical activity. It’s rare to see an older person playing video games, and often
they have mobility restrictions that prevent them from playing a lot of sports.
I think this is changing quite significantly though, and it’s driven by technology and
laziness. Video game consoles weren’t available several decades ago, and they’re
a fairly recent invention. In the past, youngsters would have been more likely to
play board games, read, or play an outdoor sport. These things are going the way
of the dodo and will probably become less and less common as the years roll on.
Ironically one of the most popular video games is Fifa, a game in which people play
football on a screen instead of in real life.
Vocabulary and idioms for this answer:
Go the way of the dodo (idiom)
If something becomes outdated or obsolete, it is said to go the way of the dodo. A
dodo is an extinct species of bird.
Example: The prevalence of cellphones has caused payphones to go the way of
the dodo.
Roll on (idiom)
It’s used with things like time that move on slowly and evenly, like a ball rolling
along the ground.
Example: As the hours rolled on, I realized how difficult the task was.
Do leisure activities have to be educational?
I’d say no. While it’s certainly possible to blend learning with entertainment, leisure
activities are often a way to unwind.
Oftentimes people just want to watch a mindless movie or lighthearted TV show
just because they want to veg on the couch and switch off their brains. Perhaps
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they’ve had a long day at work, or spent a few weeks studying for an exam, and the
last thing they want to do is something that taxes their brain.
It is common for educational activities to have a fun component though. This is
especially true for activities developed for young children who wouldn’t be able to
struggle through a dry learning experience. Play needs to be incorporated into the
learning process, and so a lot of learning looks very similar to a leisure activity.
It certainly is possible for a leisure activity to be instructional though.
People picking up a new hobby, such as baking will learn a lot in the process, but
will treat it as a bit of casual fun instead of taking it as seriously as a culinary
student might.
Vocabulary and idioms for this answer:
Mindless (adjective)
If something is mindless, it means it doesn’t need a lot of mental effort. It can also
be something stupid and pointless.
Example A: People waste a lot of time doing mindless things.
Example B: The movie is full of mindless violence
Example C: It’s fairly mindless work. I don’t have to think a lot when I’m doing it.
Lighthearted (adjective)
Something that’s happy and not serious.
Example: It was a fairly light-heated conversation.
Veg (verb, very informal)
If you veg, you sit and relax. It comes from the word vegetate. It’s also said as veg
out.
Example: I’ve had such a tough week, and all I want to do is veg on the couch.
Switch off (phrasal verb)
It has two meanings, and in this case it means to mentally turn off and stop thinking
about something, or paying attention to someone. It can also mean to physically
turn something off, like a light or a TV.
Example: He just switches off an ignores me.
Tax (verb)
If something is taxing it requires a lot of mental or physical effort.
Example: It’s only a short report; it shouldn’t be too taxing to read.
Dry (adjective)
This word has a lot of meanings, but in this case it is a synonym of boring or very
serious.
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Example: The style was too dry for a children’s book.

Incorporated (adjective)
Something can be incorporated to mean included or combined into one thing.
Example: The best features from the old model have been incorporated into the
new one.
Pick up (phrasal verb)
This phrasal verb has a lot of different meanings, but in this case it means to start
or learn something new.
Example: She picked up a few German phrases while staying in Berlin.
Do men and women like different leisure activities?
Stereotypically, yes. Historically, you’d rarely see women playing more
aggressive male-dominated sports like rugby, but this is no longer the case and
women’s rugby leagues are relatively common.
I think a lot of this is due to culture. Girls, as they’re growing up, will be encouraged
to do more feminine things, and boys will be exposed to more masculine activities.
One hundred years ago the lines between so-called masculine and feminine
activities were quite clear and well defined, but nowadays people don’t care
anywhere near as much and the lines have blurred or even disappeared.
Thinking about my friends, we all seem to like very similar things irrespective of
gender. We all like going to see a movie in the same way we all like going to a bar
or playing some kind of sport, and I think that’s really cool.
Vocabulary and idioms for this answer:
Stereotypically (noun)
A stereotype is an idea that people have about what something or someone is like.
It’s usually wrong and usually prejudicial.
Example: It’s a common stereotype that all accountants are boring people. But this
is wrong because some are really fun people!
Male-dominated (adjective)
Something that’s male-dominated is controlled mainly by men, or it’s an activity
that’s mainly done by men.
Example: Politics is very male-dominated.
League (noun)
A league is a group of teams or players who regularly compete against each other.
Example: The National Football League
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Lines have blurred (idiom)

If the differences between two things blurs it becomes more similar so that you’re
no longer sure they’re actually different.
Example: Their adverts blur the line between art and advertising.
Irrespective (adverb)
It means despite a particular fact, situation, or quality.
Example: We consider all qualified job applicants irrespective of gender or age.

Why is it important for people to have a leisure time activity? (Tại sao thực
hiện một hoạt động ngoại khóa lại rất quan trọng với mọi người?)
Sample answer
Vocabulary
(Answer) Literally it is. (Reason) As you know, people are now occupied
with their responsibility both at workplace and at home; therefore, having a leisure
time activity will help them escape from the rat race to enjoy the time of
themselves. (Example) For example, if we attend a dance class after work, we can
not only refresh our mind but also have a chance to improve social
relationships.
Occupied with (adj) Bận rộn với việc gì
The rat race (n) Guồng quay mệt mỏi của cuộc sống
Improve social relationships (v) Cải thiện các mối quan hệ xã hội
 NOTICE
Glossary Box
Extracurricular activity (n) Hoạt động ngoại khóa
Have one’s energy boosted (n) Làm cho năng lượng tăng lên
Hectic (adj) Vội vã, hối hả
Leisure pursuit (n) Hoạt động trong giờ giải lao
Recharge one’s  battery (v) Nạp năng lượng
Daily routine (n) Thói quen hàng ngày
Be a drain on one’s enegery (v) Lấy hết năng lượng của ai
Do wonders for (Sb/St) (v) Rất tốt/có ích cho ai/cái gì
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Agility (n) Sự nhanh nhạy

Sedentary lifestyle (n) Thói quen ngồi nhiều, ít vận động
Physical/Mental health (n) Sức khỏe thể trạng/tâm trí
Occupied with (adj) Bận rộn với việc gì
The rat race (n) Guồng quay mệt mỏi của cuộc sống
Improve social relationships (v) Cải thiện các mối quan hệ xã hội

2. SPORT (Thể thao)

Part 1
What is the most popular sport in your country? (Môn thể thao phổ biến nhất
ở đất nước bạn là gì?)
Sample answer
(Answer) Wow, if I have to pick one, I would choose football (Reason) because it
is easy to gather a group to play this kind of sport. (Example) It is
so prevalent that if you travel to any area across our country, no matter urban or
rural, you may easily catch sight of a group of boys or men playing this kind
of team sport.
Prevalent (adj) Phổ biến
Catch sight of (St) (v) Hoạt động ngoại khóa
Team sport (n) Môn thể thao đồng đội

Part 2: Discuss a sports activity you watched or joined, you should say
 Where it happened
 What exactly happened
 Why it was memorable
Sample Answer:
Few years ago in 2001, I got a chance to see live cricket match between India and
New Zealand in the Punjab Cricket Association stadium, Mohali.
I went to the stadium along with my family members. When we just entered the
stadium, we saw huge crowd of thousands of people sitting over there to watch the
live match. We took our seats and were quite excited to see the match. Though I
am a fan of all the Indian cricketers but I was especially looking to see Sachin
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Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag. There was a big noise of audience coming out of
the crowd which suddenly became more loud when the Indian team made an entry
into the stadium.
India won the toss and started to bat first. Virendra Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar
were the openers who played well till the score reached around 200. It was
so thrilling when Sachin made his century and it was a dream come true looking
at him performing live. India won the match and we all were filled
with immense happiness after the achievement.
This sports event was the most memorable part of my life since it was the first
time I was watching a cricket match live and also, it was a privilege watching the
master blaster Sachin Tendulkar making his century.

Useful Vocabulary:
You may notice the following words or phrases in the above IELTS speaking cue
card response:
 Thrilling/astonishing
 Immense/huge
 Memorable/remarkable
 Privilege
 
Part 2
Describe a sports event you enjoyed watching.
You should say:
   what event you watched
   where you were
   who you watched it with
   and explain why you enjoyed watching it.

Sample answer
Vocabulary
(Answer) Well, I would like to talk about the final football match between U23
Vietnam and U23 Uzbekistan in Asian Football Championship in January, 2018.
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(Reason) You know, it is still spectacular and impressive although our team

didn’t win the cup for the following two reasons. Firstly because the team
contributed a notable performance in the decisive match under extremely
freezing weather. (Example) After miraculous victories over Iraq and Qatar, our
team was expected to create another mircale and be the champion. The team
played with all the strength and attempt they had despite the harsh weather
condition.
(Reason) Secondly, our team is the representative of patriotism and pride of
national identity. (Example) As you know, thanks to excellent team spirit, the
intense snow couldn’t prevent our boys from moving forward and fought
couragously. They tried their best to bring the prestigious trophy to our country.
Vietnamese people as well as other countries’ residents really appreciated their
constant effort throughout the tournament. Although we lost 1-2 by team
Uzbekistan at the last minute and couldn’t claim championship, we have still felt so
proud of our “heroes” and now they are the new-generation  idols of our country.
Spectacular and impressive (adj) Ngoạn mục và đầy ấn tượng
Notable performance (n) Màn trình diễn đáng nhớ
Decisive match (n) Trận đấu quyết định
Miraculous victories (n) Chiến thắng kỳ diệu
Patriotism (n) Lòng yêu nước
Pride of national identity (n) Niềm tự hào dân tộc
Team spirit (n) Tinh thần đồng đội
Prestigious trophy (n) Chiếc cúp danh giá
Tournament (n)
Mùa giải
 
Part 3
Do you think there is any connection between sport and economy? (Bạn có
nghĩ rằng thể thao và kinh tế có liên quan đến nhau không?)
Sample answer
Vocabulary
(Answer) Honestly, there is a strong connection between those two things, in
which games can help boost tourism industry by attracting people from other
countries to come to one country.  (Example) Nothing can be more obvious than
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the case of Russia and World Cup 2018, which attracted a huge number of tourists
from all over the world. Another example is Roger Federer, a well known tennis
player who has achieved a number of prizes in his life and he has a number of
fans who really want to travel to Switzerland to meet him. Thanks to a sports event
or an athlete, a huge number of people may come to one country and therefore,
national economy can be boosted.
Strong connection (n)
Sự liên quan mật thiết

Boost tourism industry (v)

Thúc đẩy công nghiệp du lịch
 NOTICE
Glossary Box
Prevalent (adj) Phổ biến
Catch sight of (Sb/St) (v) Bắt gặp hình ảnh
Team sport (n) Môn thể thao đồng đội
Spectacular and impressive (adj) Ngoạn mục và đầy ấn tượng
Notable performance (n) Màn trình diễn đáng nhớ
Decisive match (n) Trận đấu quyết định
Miraculous victories (n) Chiến thắng kỳ diệu
Patriotism (n) Lòng yêu nước
Pride of national identity (n) Niềm tự hào dân tộc
Team spirit (n) Tinh thần đồng đội
Prestigious trophy (n) Chiếc cúp danh giá
Tournament (n) Mùa giải
Strong connection (n) Sự liên quan mật thiết
Boost tourism industry (v) Thúc đẩy công nghiệp du lịch