8.1 Introduction
Talking about hobbies and interests is a great way to start conversations and connect with others. It helps in building relationships, expressing yourself, and improving your English-speaking skills.
In this chapter, you will learn:
✔️ How to talk about your hobbies and interests.
✔️ Common phrases and vocabulary related to hobbies.
✔️ How to ask and answer questions about hobbies.
✔️ Real-life conversations and practice exercises.
8.2 What Are Hobbies and Interests?
A hobby is something you do in your free time for fun, such as playing sports, reading books, or painting.
An interest is something you enjoy learning about or discussing, like history, science, or music.
| Hobbies | Interests |
|---|---|
| Playing football | Space and astronomy |
| Painting | Wildlife conservation |
| Gardening | History |
| Reading books | Artificial Intelligence |
| Cooking | Music and dance |
8.3 How to Talk About Your Hobbies
When talking about hobbies, use these sentence structures:
- I like + (hobby).
- I like reading books.
- I like playing chess.
- I enjoy + (hobby).
- I enjoy swimming in the morning.
- I enjoy watching movies.
- My hobby is + (hobby).
- My hobby is painting.
- My hobby is gardening.
- I am interested in + (interest).
- I am interested in photography.
- I am interested in learning new languages.
8.4 Asking About Hobbies and Interests
To ask someone about their hobbies, use these questions:
| Question | Example Answer |
|---|---|
| What are your hobbies? | My hobbies are painting and reading. |
| What do you do in your free time? | I usually play the guitar. |
| Do you have any hobbies? | Yes, I love cycling. |
| How do you spend your weekends? | I spend my weekends hiking. |
| Are you interested in sports? | Yes, I love playing badminton. |
8.5 Common Vocabulary for Hobbies
Outdoor Hobbies
🏀 Playing sports (football, cricket, badminton)
🏃♂️ Running and jogging
🚴♀️ Cycling
🏕️ Camping
🏊 Swimming
Indoor Hobbies
📚 Reading books
🎨 Painting and drawing
♟️ Playing chess
🍳 Cooking
🎸 Playing musical instruments
Creative Hobbies
📷 Photography
🧵 Knitting and sewing
📝 Writing stories and poems
🎭 Acting and drama
🎤 Singing
Technology-Related Hobbies
💻 Coding and programming
🎮 Playing video games
📹 Making YouTube videos
📱 Graphic designing
8.6 Sample Conversations
Conversation 1: Talking About Hobbies
👩 A: What do you like to do in your free time?
👨 B: I love playing the guitar. What about you?
👩 A: I enjoy painting. It helps me relax.
Conversation 2: Asking About Interests
👨 A: Are you interested in music?
👩 B: Yes! I love listening to classical music. What about you?
👨 A: I prefer rock and pop music.
Conversation 3: Discussing Weekend Activities
👩 A: How do you spend your weekends?
👨 B: I usually go hiking with my friends. Do you like outdoor activities?
👩 A: Yes! I enjoy cycling and jogging.
8.7 Expressing Your Feelings About Hobbies
When talking about hobbies, you can express your feelings in different ways:
| Expression | Example |
|---|---|
| I love… | I love playing basketball. |
| I really enjoy… | I really enjoy cooking. |
| I am passionate about… | I am passionate about photography. |
| I am crazy about… | I am crazy about video games. |
| I don’t like… | I don’t like swimming. |
8.8 Talking About Why You Like a Hobby
Sometimes, people may ask why you like a certain hobby. You can answer like this:
| Question | Possible Answer |
|---|---|
| Why do you like reading books? | Because it improves my knowledge. |
| Why do you enjoy painting? | Because it helps me express my creativity. |
| Why do you love football? | Because it keeps me fit and active. |
8.9 Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
- My hobby is __________. (drawing / driving)
- I enjoy __________ movies. (watching / walking)
- I am interested in __________. (music / cooking)
- Do you like __________? (play / playing chess)
Exercise 2: Speaking Practice
Practice asking and answering these questions with a friend:
- What are your hobbies?
- How do you spend your free time?
- Are you interested in outdoor sports?
Exercise 3: Writing Practice
Write a short paragraph about your favorite hobby.
8.10 Summary of Key Points
✅ Hobbies are activities you enjoy doing in your free time.
✅ Interests are things you like learning about or discussing.
✅ Use phrases like “I like,” “I enjoy,” and “I am interested in” to talk about hobbies.
✅ Common hobbies include sports, music, art, and technology.
✅ Asking about hobbies is a great way to start conversations.