I have recently taken up swimming at a local leisure centre called The Oasis, which has become a staple of my weekly routine. I try to head there at least three times a week, usually early on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and then once on a Saturday afternoon when it is slightly less crowded. I initially started swimming because I spend far too much time hunched over a laptop for work, and I noticed my posture was really beginning to suffer. I needed something that would force me to move my entire body rather than just tapping away at a keyboard. It has become a form of meditation for me; there is something incredibly soothing about the rhythmic sound of water and the total lack of digital distractions in the pool. Regarding my physical well-being, the impact has been quite profound. Swimming is a low-impact exercise, which means it is gentle on my joints while simultaneously providing a rigorous cardiovascular workout. By swimming laps, I have noticed a significant improvement in my lung capacity and muscle tone. Because water provides natural resistance, every stroke helps to strengthen my core and back muscles, which has effectively eliminated the chronic lower back pain I used to experience. It is not just about weight management; it is really about building functional strength and improving my overall stamina. After a forty-minute session, I feel invigorated rather than exhausted, and I find that my energy levels remain stable throughout the rest of the day, which makes it far more effective than just hitting the gym for weights.
The cue card
Talk about a sport or exercise that you do for fitness.
You should say:
- →What it is?
- →How often do you do it?
- →Why do you do it?
- →and explain how this activity or sport helps your fitness.
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
An activity or habit
How to answer this cue card: a one-minute plan
- 1
Note the specific sport and why you started it to build a narrative foundation.
- 2
List sensory details like sounds or feelings to make your description sound authentic.
- 3
Focus your final minute on explaining the specific physical health benefits you have noticed.
Model answer
Band 8 sample answer
Say it out loud and get a band
Record this card with the AI examiner: one minute of prep, two minutes to speak, then a band for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation with the words that cost you.
Say it and get a band free →8 words
Useful vocabulary for this cue card
staple
a main or important element of something
hunched
bent over with shoulders raised and forward
low-impact
exercise that does not put strain on joints
cardiovascular
relating to the heart and blood circulation system
lung capacity
the amount of air the lungs can hold
functional strength
strength that helps with daily life movements
invigorated
feeling very healthy, energetic, and full of life
stamina
the ability to sustain physical or mental effort
6 questions
Part 3 follow-up questions
- 1What are the best ways to keep fit?
- 2What do you do to keep fit?
- 3What daily physical activities are popular in your country as a form of exercise?
- 4Which age group in your country spend most time on regular physical activities?
- 5Do you think most people consider exercise a chore or do they find it fun?
- 6How can we encourage young people to stay healthy?
Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See how to answer IELTS Speaking Part 3.
Frequently asked questions
How should I start the cue card "Talk about a sport or exercise that you do for fitness."?+
Note the specific sport and why you started it to build a narrative foundation.
How long should I speak on an IELTS cue card?+
You get one minute to prepare, then speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.
How is the cue card scored?+
Part 2 is not scored on its own. Your whole Speaking test gets one band from four criteria: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The cue card is where the examiner hears whether you can keep going for two minutes.
Can I use this sample answer in the exam?+
Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.
Keep practising
More cue cards: an activity or habit
- Describe a bodyweight workout routine outdoors
- Describe a challenging fitness activity
- Describe a challenging puzzle activity
- Describe a craft activity that reuses waste
- Describe a creative activity you do at home
- Describe a creative writing activity at school
- All 705 IELTS cue cards 2026
- IELTS speaking practice with AI scoring
- IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and answers
- IELTS Speaking Part 1 questions
- IELTS speaking predictions
- IELTS pronunciation practice
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