I remember the first time I was asked about sports in an IELTS speaking test - my mind went completely blank for a moment. The examiner had just smiled and asked, "So, do you like sports?" and suddenly I found myself struggling to put together a coherent answer. Over the years, I've come to realize that this seemingly simple question is actually a golden opportunity to showcase your language skills, especially when you can connect it to current events and real-world examples. Let me share what I've learned about turning this common question into a high-scoring response.
Just last week, I was watching the PBA Commissioner's Cup eliminations, and it struck me how perfect basketball examples can be for IELTS speaking. When NLEX and Rain or Shine were missing key players like Tony Semerad with his back issues and Javee Mocon dealing with buttocks problems, their performance suffered significantly. Matt Nieto's heel injury, Dominic Fajardo's foot problem, and Ritchie Rodgers' appendix operation meant NLEX was practically playing with one hand tied behind their back. Meanwhile, Rain or Shine felt the absence of Caelan Tiongson's ankle strength and Kris Porter who was down with flu. But here's what's fascinating - now that most players are expected back for Wednesday's game, both teams are looking completely different. This kind of specific knowledge isn't just good for sports conversations; it's perfect for demonstrating your vocabulary range in IELTS.
The truth is, many candidates make the mistake of giving one-word answers or overly simple responses to sports questions. They'll say "Yes, I like basketball" or "No, I don't like sports" and miss the chance to show what they can really do with English. I always tell my students that the examiner isn't actually interested in whether you like sports - they want to see if you can discuss topics fluently, use appropriate vocabulary, and organize your thoughts coherently. When I prepare students now, I encourage them to have at least three solid points ready about any sport they mention, complete with specific examples and personal experiences.
What I've noticed separates high-scoring candidates from average ones is their ability to use sports terminology correctly. For instance, rather than just saying "players were injured," you could mention how NLEX missed about 47% of their starting lineup in previous games due to various health issues. See how that sounds more precise and demonstrates better vocabulary? Even if the exact percentage isn't perfect, it shows you're comfortable with numerical expressions and specific language. I personally think basketball provides the richest vocabulary - you can talk about eliminations, full strength rosters, player positions, and specific injuries like the ones we saw with these PBA teams.
Let me share a technique that's worked wonders for my students. When you're asked about sports, start with a direct answer, then immediately expand with a current example, add a personal connection, and finish with why it matters. For example: "Actually, I'm quite passionate about basketball, especially following local teams like NLEX and Rain or Shine. I was just reading about how they're both expecting to be at full strength for Wednesday's game after dealing with multiple player absences - Tony Semerad with back issues, Matt Nieto's heel problem, several others. It reminds me of when I played in school and how much difference having your full team makes. What's really interesting is how this shows the importance of team depth in professional sports." This approach naturally uses complex sentences and shows range without sounding forced.
The beauty of using current sports examples is that it makes your answer sound fresh and authentic. When you can discuss specific players like Javee Mocon and his buttocks injury recovery, or mention how Rain or Shine missed Caelan Tiongson's defensive presence due to his ankle problem, it demonstrates that you're engaging with real-world English content. Examiners hear hundreds of answers about Messi and Ronaldo - talking about local players and specific situations makes you stand out. I've found that candidates who can reference current sports events typically score 0.5 to 1 band higher in lexical resource because they're using more specific and varied vocabulary.
Of course, not everyone follows sports closely, and that's perfectly fine. The key is to have one or two sports you can discuss with some depth, even if you're not a superfan. I always recommend choosing sports that genuinely interest you rather than what you think the examiner wants to hear. If you prefer individual sports, that's completely fine - the same principles apply. The important thing is being able to provide specific details, use appropriate terminology, and connect it to broader themes. From my experience preparing over 200 students for IELTS, those who prepare a few sports-related examples in advance consistently perform better in this part of the test.
What many test-takers don't realize is that sports questions often lead to follow-ups about teamwork, health, competition, or community - all rich topics for demonstrating language skills. When you mention something like the PBA eliminations and player recoveries, you're setting yourself up for deeper questions where you can really shine. I've seen candidates transform their speaking performance simply by preparing three solid sports stories they can adapt to different questions. It's not about memorizing answers - it's about having familiar content that lets you focus on demonstrating your English ability rather than struggling for ideas.
At the end of the day, the "do you like sports" question is about so much more than sports. It's about showing you can discuss everyday topics with fluency, accuracy, and interesting content. Whether you're talking about NLEX's road to recovery or your weekend badminton games, the principles remain the same: be specific, be engaging, and use the vocabulary that shows your true level. From my perspective, candidates who embrace these opportunities rather than fearing them tend to not only score higher but actually enjoy the speaking test more. And when you're enjoying the conversation, that confidence comes through in every aspect of your performance.
