📝 Aptis Speaking Exam: Hobbies & Free Time

What do you like doing in your free time?
- Answer: "In my spare time, I’m a big fan of DIY projects. I love fixing old furniture or painting. It’s a great way to disconnect from my digital work and do something practical with my hands. If the weather is nice, I also enjoy going for a run in the park."
How often do you meet your friends?
- Answer: "I try to meet up with them at least once a week, usually on Friday evenings. We typically go out for tapas or catch a movie. It’s a vital part of my routine because it helps me unwind after a stressful week."
Is there a new hobby you would like to try in the future?
- Answer: "I’ve always been curious about pottery. I find the idea of creating something from clay very therapeutic. I’m planning to look for a local workshop next month to see if I can take it up as a weekend activity."

- Answer: "I can see a middle-aged woman kneeling in a garden. She is wearing gloves and using a small shovel to plant flowers. The garden looks very lush and green, and she seems very focused and at peace with her surroundings."
What are the differences between these two ways of spending free time?
- Answer: "The main difference is the level of stimulation. Gardening is a slow, outdoor activity that connects you with nature and requires patience. On the other hand, gaming is a high-energy, indoor hobby that often involves fast reflexes and digital interaction with others."
Which one is better for reducing stress?
- Answer: "It depends on the person. For me, gardening is better because the fresh air and the lack of screens help me relax. However, some people find that gaming helps them escape their daily worries by focusing intensely on a different world. Personally, I’d choose the garden."

Describe these two ways of enjoying art and music.
- Answer: "The first photo captures a massive social gathering at a concert, where the energy is shared with thousands of people. The second photo shows a very solitary and creative process, where an individual is expressing themselves through art in a quiet environment."
Why do some people prefer social hobbies while others prefer solitary ones?
- Answer: "It mostly comes down to personality. Extroverts usually gain energy from being around others, so they enjoy festivals or team sports. Introverts, however, might find large crowds draining and prefer hobbies that allow for reflection, like painting or reading."
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How has the way we spend our free time changed compared to our grandparents' generation?
- Answer: "Our grandparents spent much more time outdoors or engaging in manual crafts. Today, our leisure time is heavily influenced by technology. While they might have played cards or knitted, we are more likely to binge-watch series or scroll through social media, which makes our free time more passive."

Tell me about a hobby you had as a child. Do you still do it? Why do you think it is important for adults to have hobbies?
- Answer: "When I was younger, I was obsessed with collecting stamps. My grandfather and I used to spend hours organizing them in albums. I don't do it anymore because, as I grew up, my interests shifted toward more active pursuits like photography. However, I still have the albums as a keepsake. I believe it's absolutely crucial for adults to have hobbies. In our modern, fast-paced society, work often takes over our lives. A hobby provides a necessary outlet for creativity and stress relief. Without one, people are more likely to suffer from burnout. It gives you a sense of identity that isn't tied to your job, which I think is vital for long-term mental health."

📘 Detailed Resource Bank: Hobbies & Leisure

To be into something: Estar muy interesado o aficionado a algo.
- Ex: "I'm really into photography lately."
To kill time: Matar el tiempo (hacer algo para no aburrirse).
- Ex: "I played games on my phone to kill time at the airport."
To have a blast: Pasárselo en grande.
- Ex: "We had a blast at the concert last night."
A couch potato: Una persona muy perezosa que pasa mucho tiempo viendo la tele.

Take up: Empezar un hobby nuevo.
Give up: Dejar de hacer un hobby.
- Ex: "I had to give up piano lessons because I was too busy."
Mess around: Entretenerse o juguetear sin un propósito serio.
Chill out: Relajarse totalmente.