Speaking Advice: Make it personal

In the speaking test, and especially in part 3, it really helps if you give personal
examples:

Do you think it’s important for people to have hobbies? Why?

Yes, I think people need to have hobbies because we all need to do things we
enjoy in our spare time. In my case, I find that playing football once a week
with some friends helps me to relax, keep fit and forget about work. I think it’s
the same for everyone.

Can hobbies have any negative effects?

Yes, if you spend too much time on your hobby, it can affect other parts of your
life. I remember that one of my friends spent most of his time at university
playing computer games instead of studying. In the end, he failed most of his
exams.

Tip: Practise giving personal examples that begin with the phrases below:
– For example, I…
– In my case, I…
– I remember that / when…
– Personally, I…