Importance of Having at Least One Hobby

It is important for children, young adults, working people and the retired to have at least one hobby. What's your opinion about this?

Annotated response

10 correction notes

Showing 10 correction notes.

hobbies play a significant role in people's lives, regardless of age or occupation. From children to retirees, having at least one enjoyable activity outside of daily responsibilities can provide a range of mental, emotional, and physical benefits. , I this argument, and the reasons will be .

To begin with, hobbies can provide a valuable outlet for stress relief and personal growth, especially for working people and young adults who face . For example, someone who enjoys painting or playing a musical instrument after work can feel more relaxed and mentally refreshed. However, without such an outlet, burnout or mental health issues. As a result, having a hobby not only improves personal well-being but also boosts productivity in everyday life.

hobbies help develop important life skills such as discipline, patience, and creativity. Therefore, encouraging children to explore hobbies from a young age can help shape and social skills. According to a study by the University of Oxford, children involved in extracurricular hobbies like sports or music tend to perform better academically and show higher emotional intelligence. On the other hand, not having a hobby may lead to boredom or overdependence on , which can negatively affect both learning and development.

, I firmly believe that having at least one hobby is essential for individuals of all ages from children and young adults to working professionals and retirees. Hobbies not only enhance mental well-being and personal development but also help people lead more balanced and fulfilling lives.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.0

The response presents a clear, consistent position supported by well-chosen ideas about stress relief, skill development, and passive entertainment, with generally precise vocabulary. The main limitation is uneven development across the four groups mentioned in the prompt, particularly the retired, and some repetitive phrasing patterns.

IELTS criteria

How each score was decided

Task Response

7.0

The position is clear and sustained, with relevant main ideas and an example plus a cited study, but development is uneven since children and workers are discussed in detail while the retired are barely addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion

7.0

Progression is logical with clear paragraphing and varied linking devices, though connectors like 'However' and 'Therefore' are occasionally used mechanically and some cohesive phrases feel formulaic.

Lexical Resource

7.0

Vocabulary is flexible and precise with natural collocations such as 'outlet for stress relief', 'burnout', and 'passive entertainment', although some formulations, like 'thoroughly explained as follows', are formulaic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

7.0

The response uses a range of complex structures with generally good control. Unnecessary commas after 'that' in 'There is no denying that, hobbies' and 'It is widely accepted that, hobbies' interrupt the clauses they introduce, although the intended meaning remains clear.