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What do you usually do on weekends? Some people go out with friends, while others prefer to stay home and relax after a long, stressful week. To help you score high on the topic “Weekends” in the IELTS Speaking test, this article provides useful ideas, sample responses, and essential vocabulary for IELTS Speaking Part 1.

1. Common IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions – Topic: Weekends

Here are typical questions that IELTS examiners ask to assess your speaking skills on the topic of weekends. Be sure to check the IELTS Speaking band descriptors to understand how to meet each criterion effectively. Prepare your ideas for these frequently asked questions:

  • What do you usually do on the weekend?

  • What did you do last weekend?

  • Do you make plans for your weekend?

  • Do you enjoy your weekends now more than you did when you were a child?

  • What would your ideal weekend be like?

  • What do other people in your hometown usually do on weekends?

  • How important do you think it is to have free time on the weekends?

2. Sample Answers – IELTS Speaking Part 1: Weekends

In Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test, questions are personal and informal. This section is designed to ease you into the test and reduce anxiety.

Question: What do you do at the weekend?

Normally, I go out to some stunning natural places to let off steam with my family or friends. But if the weather is not nice, I prefer to stay home the entire weekend. Most of the time, I just use the Internet to kill time.

High-scoring Vocabulary:

  • Stunning natural places: beautiful outdoor destinations

  • Let off steam: relax, relieve stress

  • Kill time: pass time doing something nonproductive

Question: Do you make plans for your weekend?

No, I do not. I consider myself a routine-oriented person, so I usually repeat the same tasks and activities every weekend. However, if something unexpected happens, I can easily put my routine aside, though it rarely occurs.

High-scoring Vocabulary:

  • Routine-oriented: following a fixed routine

  • Unforeseen: unexpected

  • Put something on the sideline: set aside or postpone

Question: What did you do last weekend?

Let me think. Last weekend, my Sunday class was canceled, so my friend and I visited a local market called Dong Xuan to enjoy the local cuisine. Thanks to this unplanned outing, I had a chance to recharge my batteries and improve my mood for the upcoming week. I also had quality time sharing thoughts with my friend.

High-scoring Vocabulary:

  • To pay a visit to: visit

  • Local cuisine: traditional food

  • Recharge one’s batteries: refresh and relax

  • Gain a better mood: feel happier

  • Have quality time: spend meaningful time

3. Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking – Topic: Weekends

To impress the examiner in the IELTS Speaking test, strong ideas must be supported with flexible use of topic-related vocabulary. Below are useful words and phrases for the topic Weekends – Part 1:

3.1 Common Vocabulary for Weekends

Vocabulary

Meaning

Example

Hang out

Spend time socially

Do you still hang out at the pool hall?

Chill out at home

Relax at home

I like to chill out at home on weekends.

Sleep in

Wake up late

I usually sleep in on the weekends.

Get together with friends

Gather with friends

We often get together on Saturdays.

Go shopping

Go to stores

I always go shopping for groceries on weekends.

All-in package

Package holiday

I prefer solo travel over an all-in package tour.

3.2 Common Collocations and Idioms – Topic: Weekends

Expression

Meaning

A well-earned rest

A break that is deserved after hard work

Have a change of air

Experience something new

Make a day of it

Spend the whole day enjoying an activity

Leave work aside

Stop thinking about work

Be full of beans

Feel very energetic

Shake off tension and negative thoughts

Get rid of stress and worries

Put one’s mind at ease

Feel relaxed and calm

Go with the flow

Let things happen naturally

Confidently Score High on IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Weekends Topic

We hope the sample questions, model answers, and topic-specific vocabulary above will help you respond confidently and naturally in the IELTS Speaking Part 1 test on the topic of weekends. You can also apply these phrases in everyday conversations for real-life fluency.

To save time and plan efficiently for your IELTS test, consider booking the Speaking test on the same day as your Listening, Reading, and Writing sections. You may choose between the IELTS Academic or General Training Speaking test, depending on your goal and level.

Once you decide on the right test for you, find your nearest IDP IELTS test center and register for your IELTS exam today.

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About this Article

Published on 09 January, 2024

About this Author

One Skill Retake - IELTS Australia
Quynh Khanh

Tôi là Quỳnh Khanh - Content Writer có hơn 5 năm kinh nghiệm về lĩnh vực giáo dục