Present Tenses – Lead In

Grammar for IELTS 1. Present Tenses Present Tenses – Lead In

A. Context Speaking

What hobby relaxes you? Why?
Do you like drawing? Explain briefly.
Share a hobby you enjoy outdoors.
Tell me about reading as a hobby.
Playing music—is that your hobby?
Describe a craft you’re into.
Cooking as a hobby—do you?
What’s your favorite indoor activity?
Is photography your hobby? Explain why.

B. Context Listening

Pre-listening Activity: Look at the pictures and predict the activities the student does in his free time.
Listening Activity: Listen to the interview where a woman interviews a student about free time activities. Check if your predictions were correct.
Listening Activity (Review): Listen again and decide if the following statements are true or false. Correct false statements.
- 1. Peter is waiting for his friends.
- 1. He isn’t studying much this month.
- 1. His parents own a shop.
- 1. He practices the guitar most mornings.
- 1. He frequently uses the Internet.
- 1. His cousin is living in America at the moment.
- 1. Peter doesn’t support any football teams.
Post-listening Activity: Review your answers from Exercise 3 and answer these questions.
- 1. Which sentences are about a permanent situation or fact?
- 1. Which sentences are about everyday habits?
- 1. Which sentence is about an action happening at the moment of speaking?
- 1. Which sentences are about a temporary situation?

Show Answer Key and Audio Transcript

Answer Key

2 1 playing and watching football; playing the guitar in a band
3 I T 2 F He is studying really hard for his exams this month. 3 F His parents own a restaurant. 4 F He practises the piano most mornings. 5 T 6 F His cousin is living in Thailand. 7 F He supports his local team.
4 1 sentences 3 and 7 2 sentences 4 and 5 3 sentence 1 4 sentences 2 and 6

Transcript

Interviewer: Excuse me. I’m conducting a survey on how people spend their free time. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?

Pete: Oh, er, OK. I’m just waiting for my friends – they’re always late, so I should have a few minutes!

Interviewer: Right, now, can I have your name?

Pete: It’s Peter, Peter Harley – H A R L E Y

Interviewer: And do you work or are you a student, Peter?

Pete: Well, both actually. I’m studying really hard for my exams this month – I’m doing maths at university – but I also help my parents out. They own a restaurant, and I work there as a waiter in the evenings, so I don’t get a lot of free time during the week.

Interviewer: It sounds as if you’re very busy.

Pete: Yes, I am, and my mum’s always saying I don’t help enough in the restaurant! But I do manage to find some free time most days.

Interviewer: Great. Now, can you have a look at this list and tell me whether you do any of these things and if so, how often?

Pete: Sure. OK, well, I love music and I’m learning to play the piano. I get up really early and practice for an hour or so just about every day. I also play the guitar in a band with some other friends. We used to practice together at least three times a week, but these days we only manage to meet about once every two weeks.

Interviewer: What about the next thing on the list: computer games? I assume you’re too busy to play them.

Pete: Well, I used to play them all the time, but now I’m too busy studying, and I don’t miss them at all!

Interviewer: And do you use a computer for other things?

Pete: I use the Internet just about every day for my studies, and I also use it to keep in touch with my friends and family. My cousin is living in Thailand at the moment, and he sends me regular emails to let me know how much fun he’s having! He’s always visiting exciting places.

Interviewer: Yes, the Internet is making it much easier for people to stay in touch with each other. Now, how about team sports?

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