Let me tell you a secret about IELTS Speaking - sometimes the simplest questions can be the most challenging. "Do you like sports?" seems straightforward enough, but when that examiner looks at you expectantly, your mind can suddenly go blank. I've been there myself during my own IELTS journey, and now as an English tutor, I've helped dozens of students navigate this exact question.
Why does "Do you like sports" trip up so many IELTS candidates?
The problem isn't vocabulary or grammar - it's the pressure to provide an interesting, developed answer that demonstrates language ability. Many students panic and give one-sentence responses like "Yes, I like basketball" or "No, I don't like sports." That's a missed opportunity to showcase your English skills. The key is to have a structured approach while sounding natural and enthusiastic.
What if I genuinely don't enjoy sports?
Here's where it gets interesting - you don't have to be a sports fanatic to give a great answer. I always tell my students: be honest but strategic. If you're not into sports, talk about why you prefer other activities while still demonstrating relevant vocabulary. For instance, you could say: "I've never been particularly athletic, but I do admire the dedication of professional athletes. Actually, I was just reading about how NLEX and Rain or Shine basketball teams persevered despite multiple injuries - Tony Semerad with his back issues, Matt Nieto's heel problem, and several others playing through pain. That level of commitment fascinates me, even if I'm not personally involved in sports."
How can I make my answer sound more natural and less rehearsed?
This is crucial - the examiner can spot memorized answers from miles away. I recommend using current sports examples to sound genuinely engaged. Take that situation with NLEX and Rain or Shine - when you mention specific details like "Dominic Fajardo's foot injury" or "Ritchie Rodgers' appendix operation," it shows you're discussing real sports knowledge rather than reciting prepared lines. Your tone should vary - sometimes using shorter sentences for impact, sometimes building longer, more descriptive passages.
What vocabulary should I include to boost my score?
Think beyond basic words like "fun" or "interesting." When discussing how to answer "Do you like sports" in IELTS Speaking with confidence, incorporate sports-specific terminology. For example: "The resilience shown by these athletes is remarkable. When Caelan Tiongson sprained his ankle and Kris Porter was out with flu at the close of the eliminations, their teams had to adapt quickly. This strategic element of sports - managing rosters, playing through adversity - is what I find most compelling." See how that sounds more sophisticated than just saying "sports are exciting"?
How long should my answer be?
Aim for 4-6 developed sentences. Here's what I typically suggest: start with a direct answer, provide a reason, give a specific example (this is where you can bring in that knowledge about the basketball teams), and connect it to a broader perspective. For instance: "I'm quite passionate about basketball, particularly how teams overcome challenges. The recent situation where NLEX and Rain or Shine were missing key players but are now expected at full strength demonstrates the unpredictable nature of sports. With approximately 7 players returning from various injuries, Wednesday's game should showcase their true capabilities when they're not hampered by health issues."
Can I talk about sports even if I'm not currently active in them?
Absolutely! Some of my best students have used examples from professional sports rather than personal participation. When learning how to answer "Do you like sports" in IELTS Speaking with confidence, remember that understanding sports culture can be as valuable as personal involvement. Discuss how "seeing teams like NLEX and Rain or Shine push through elimination games despite missing 5 and 2 players respectively shows the dramatic nature of competitive sports" - this demonstrates cultural awareness and analytical thinking.
What if I make a factual error about sports statistics?
Here's my professional opinion: minor factual inaccuracies won't hurt your score if your English remains strong. The examiner is assessing your language ability, not your sports expertise. That said, using precise numbers (even approximated) makes your answer more convincing. For example: "I'd estimate around 80% of the previously injured players are expected back for Wednesday's game, which completely changes both teams' dynamics." The exact percentage matters less than your ability to use numerical data in your response.
How do I handle follow-up questions about sports?
Prepare to expand on your initial answer. If you've mentioned the NLEX and Rain or Shine example, you might get asked about team dynamics or sports injuries. This is where your knowledge base becomes valuable. You could discuss how "having key players like Tony Semerad and Javee Mocon returning from injuries could increase their team's performance by 30-40% based on their previous scoring averages" - again, the numbers don't need to be perfect, but they make your answer sound more substantial.
Ultimately, mastering how to answer "Do you like sports" in IELTS Speaking with confidence comes down to having engaging content paired with strong language skills. Whether you draw from personal experience or professional sports examples like those basketball teams, the goal is to demonstrate vocabulary range, grammatical accuracy, and the ability to develop ideas coherently. Remember what we discussed about those teams - sometimes being at full strength makes all the difference. Approach your IELTS speaking test the same way: prepare thoroughly, know your strengths, and deliver your best performance when it counts.