Lesson 6: Talking About Hobbies (A1)

Learn a natural English conversation about hobbies, practice the present simple for likes and dislikes, and build your speaking skills!

Main Conversation

Anna: Hi Ben! What do you like to do in your free time?

Ben: Hello Anna! I enjoy playing football and reading books. How about you?

Anna: I like painting and sometimes I watch cooking shows.

Ben: That’s great! Do you play any musical instruments?

Anna: No, I don’t. I prefer drawing and sketching instead.

Important Vocabulary

  • hobby: an activity you do for fun.
    Example: “My hobby is collecting stamps.”
  • enjoy: to like something.
    Example: “I enjoy listening to music.”
  • prefer: to like one thing more than another.
    Example: “I prefer tea to coffee.”
  • free time: time when you are not working or studying.
    Example: “In my free time, I go for walks.”
  • sometimes: not always; at times.
    Example: “I sometimes cook dinner.”

Grammar Notes:

Present Simple for Likes/Dislikes

• We use the present simple to talk about routines, habits, and preferences, especially with verbs like like, love, hate, enjoy, prefer.

• For affirmative sentences, use: Subject + verb (-s/-es for he/she/it). Example: “She likes painting.”

• For negative sentences, use: Subject + do/does + not + base verb. Example: “I do not play guitar.”

• For questions, use: Do/Does + subject + base verb?. Example: “Do you enjoy reading?”

Exercises

1. Comprehension Questions

  1. What hobbies does Ben enjoy?
  2. What does Anna prefer to do?
  3. Does Anna play an instrument?

2. Speaking Practice

Role-play with a partner. Ask and answer questions about your hobbies:

  • “What do you like to do in your free time?”
  • “Do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities?”

3. Writing Exercise

Rewrite these sentences using the present simple (negative or question):

  1. She plays tennis. → Does she play tennis?
  2. I watch TV. → I don’t watch TV.
  3. They enjoy cooking. → ___________________________________

Additional Tips

  • Remember to add -s or -es for third person singular (he/she/it): “He likes music.”
  • Use frequency adverbs (always, usually, sometimes, never) to expand your sentences: “I often draw.”
  • Practice speaking in full sentences, not just one word answers.

تمام حقوق مادی و معنوی این محتوا به آموزشگاه زبان پرستو، بهترین آموزشگاه زبان اصفهان تعلق دارد.