You are talking about a sport you have not tried, so conditional and future forms matter: "If I went, I'd...", "I'm hoping to...". The point about why you have not tried it yet is a good place to list honest reasons.
The cue card
Describe a sport you would like to try.
You should say:
what the sport is
where you could do it
why you haven't tried it yet
and explain why you would like to try it.
One-minute notes
- sport: skiing
- where: Amirsoy, mountain resort ~1.5 hours from Tashkent
- not yet: cost (rental, lift pass), afraid of falling, no friends who ski
- why: friend's videos, new skill as an adult; lesson first; this winter, share costs
Model answer (about 2 minutes)
A sport I'd really like to try is skiing. It's not very common in Uzbekistan, but in the last few years it's become much more popular, mainly thanks to Amirsoy, a ski resort in the mountains about an hour and a half from Tashkent.
I've wanted to try it ever since a friend posted videos from there last winter. Watching her fly down the slope with the mountains behind her looked absolutely incredible, especially compared with a grey winter day in the city.
I haven't tried it yet for a few reasons. The main one is cost: renting equipment and buying a lift pass for a day isn't cheap for a student. I'll also admit I'm a bit scared of falling and hurting myself, since I've never done anything like it. And until recently none of my close friends skied, so I didn't have anyone to go with.
The reason I want to try it is that I like the idea of learning something completely new as an adult, as a total beginner. If I went, I'd definitely book a lesson with an instructor first rather than trying to teach myself.
I'm hoping to go this winter. A couple of friends have said they're interested, and if we share the costs, it should be much more affordable.
Useful words and phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a slope | a slope |
| a lift pass | a lift pass |
| I'll admit | I'll admit |
| a total beginner | a total beginner |
| book a lesson | book a lesson |
| teach myself | teach myself |
| share the costs | share the costs |
| affordable | affordable |
How to answer
- Give the place with a local example: Amirsoy and its distance from Tashkent.
- Rank your reasons: "The main one is..., I'll also admit..., And...".
- Plan with a conditional: "If I went, I'd definitely book a lesson...".
- End with a real plan: "I'm hoping to go this winter".
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The AI examiner asks you these questions, listens to your answers and shows your mistakes.
Part 3: follow-up discussion questions
Why do people take up new sports as adults?
Often for their health, but also for a challenge. Adult life can become very routine, and learning a sport gives you the feeling of making progress again, which people miss after they leave school.
Are expensive sports only for rich people?
Unfortunately, often yes, at least at the beginning. Sports like skiing or golf need equipment and special places, so resorts and governments could do more, for example with cheaper student passes or free introductory lessons.
Which sports are most popular in your country?
Should schools offer a wider range of sports?
Part 2 strategy: the cue card guide. Next step: the Part 3 guide.
Practise this topic now
The AI examiner asks you these questions, listens to your answers and shows your mistakes.
