Module 02 —Free Time & Friends
Listening Part 2 recycle · Speaking Part 4 opinions · free-time word partners
PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral
Why this lesson now? Third recycle of Listening 2 with new topic vocabulary.
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
Ask your partner: 'What do you do to relax after a busy week?' Answer in at least two sentences.
'Watching a film is more relaxing than playing sport.' Do you agree? Give a reason.
Which verb goes with 'a hobby' — do, play or go? What about 'sport'? What about 'chess'?
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minGiving and extending an opinion (PET Speaking Part 4)
Opinion + reason + example, then bounce the question back with 'What about you?'
In Speaking Part 4, the examiner gives you and your partner a topic linked to your photographs and then stays silent while you discuss it together for about three minutes. The candidates who score well never just say 'I agree' or 'I don't know'. They give an opinion with a linking phrase ('I think… / In my opinion…'), add a reason with 'because', give a personal example, and then hand the turn back to their partner with a question. This keeps the conversation between the two of you, which is exactly what the examiner is listening for.
→ I think playing team sport is better than watching TV, because you meet people. For example, I play five-a-side every Friday. What about you?
→ In my opinion, free time with friends is more important than free time alone, because you can talk about your problems.
→ I'm not sure I agree — I'd say it depends on how tired you are after school or work.
Question 1.Which opening gives the strongest Speaking Part 4 opinion?
Question 2.Best way to hand the turn back to your partner:
Question 3.'____ my opinion, friends are more important than money.'
Question 4.Which sentence gives a reason?
Question 5.Which phrase politely disagrees?
Quick check 1.In Speaking Part 4, who does most of the talking?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
to spend relaxed time together
Where do you usually hang out with friends?
to talk and share news after a while apart
Who do you need to catch up with soon?
to walk or run for exercise or relaxation
How often do you go for a walk or run?
to play five-a-side (football)
a small, fast version of football with five players a side
Have you ever played five-a-side? Would you like to?
to watch a movie or several episodes of a show
What was the last film or box set you watched?
an evening spent at home / away from home socialising
Do you prefer a night in or a night out? Why?
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use each word partner in a full opinion sentence — this is Speaking Part 4 practice, not just vocabulary recall.
Ask your partner
- Where do you usually hang out with friends?
- How do you catch up with old friends now?
- What's your favourite way to chill out?
"I keep fit by…"keep fit
Which is better after a hard week — a night in or a night out? Give a reason and an example.
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 35 words about how you and your friends usually spend a free evening.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minLinking in fast free-time phrases
Consonant + vowel words link together: 'hang_out', 'chill_out', 'catch_up'.
- • I like to hang out with friends.
- • Let's chill out and watch a film.
- • We should catch up soon.
- • I go for a run every morning.
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minReading recycle — free time is changing
A survey of teenagers and young adults across Europe found some surprising changes in how people spend their free time. Ten years ago, most people said their favourite free-time activity was watching television with family. Today, the most common answer is 'hanging out with friends', whether in person or online.
The survey also found that team sports remain popular, but for different reasons than before. Fewer people play sport to compete and win; more say they play because it helps them relax and meet new people. Five-a-side football, in particular, has grown quickly because it needs a small group, doesn't take much time, and can be booked for an hour after work or school.
Watching films has also changed. Instead of going to the cinema, most young people now watch a film or a box set at home with friends, often with snacks like popcorn. Researchers say this shows that free time today is less about the activity itself and more about who you spend it with.
Question 1.What was the most common free-time activity ten years ago, according to the survey?
Question 2.Why do people play team sport today, according to the text?
Question 3.Why has five-a-side football grown quickly?
Question 4.What is the main change in how people watch films?
Question 5.What is the researchers' overall conclusion?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minListening Part 2 recycle — planning a free evening
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Ryan:Hey Chloe, are you free on Friday evening? A few of us are getting together.
Chloe:I should be, yes — what's the plan?
Ryan:We were thinking of playing five-a-side at the sports centre, then getting food after.
Chloe:Five-a-side? I haven't played in ages, but I'd love to. What time?
Ryan:We've booked the pitch for seven, so maybe meet at half six to warm up.
Chloe:Sounds good. Actually, could we do half seven instead? I've got a class until seven.
Ryan:That's fine, we'll just start a bit late. Oh, and afterwards a couple of people can't play because of injuries, so they're planning to watch a film at Priya's instead.
Chloe:Nice — maybe I'll join them after the game if it's not too late.
Ryan:Good idea. Bring some trainers, not football boots — it's an indoor pitch.
Chloe:Got it. See you at half seven, then.
Question 1.What are Ryan and his friends planning for Friday evening?
Question 2.What time did they originally book the pitch for?
Question 3.Why does Chloe want to change the meeting time?
Question 4.Why are a couple of people not playing football?
Question 5.What footwear does Ryan tell Chloe to bring?
Question 6.What might Chloe do after the game?
Part 3 audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Riverside Free-Time Club — new members
Information sheetNotes taken during the club's information talk
- Day the club meets:
- Activity this month:
- Time the pitch is booked:
- What to bring:
- Activity for non-players:
- Where the film group meets:
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minSpeaking Part 4 — general conversation with your partner
Opinion + because + example + 'What about you?'
Task
The examiner introduces a topic linked to your Part 3 photographs and then stays silent while you and your partner discuss it for about three minutes.
Example
A: I think a night out with friends is better than a night in, because you get new ideas from other people. For example, I always feel happier after seeing my friends. What about you? B: I'm not sure I agree — I'd say it depends how tired I am.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Complete: 'I keep fit ____ playing football twice a week.'
Q2.Rewrite politely: 'You're wrong' as a Speaking Part 4 disagreement starter.
Write a short message (35–45 words) to a friend suggesting a free-time activity together this weekend. Give a reason for your choice.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Hi! Do you fancy playing five-a-side on Saturday? A few of us have booked the pitch for six, and it's a great way to relax after exams. If it rains, we could watch a film at my place instead. Let me know!
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Speaking Part 4 rehearsal: in pairs, discuss the topic 'free time and friends' for three minutes. Your teacher stays silent and only scores you at the end.
Examiner
"Now, talk together about whether it is better to spend free time with friends or alone."
Talk together about
Is it better to spend free time with friends or alone?
Share opinions, agree and disagree — you do not have to talk only about yourself.
Ideas you could discuss
- How people feel after a busy week
- Which activities need other people
- How much free time people actually have
Round off the discussion
Together, agree on one activity that is better done with friends and one that is better done alone.
Useful discussion language
Useful phrases
Candidate A — Playing five-a-side football
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see in the photo?
- • Where are the people?
- • What are they doing?
- • How do they look?
- • Do you enjoy playing sport in the evening?
Candidate B — Watching a film with friends
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see in the photo?
- • Where are the people?
- • What are they doing?
- • How do they look?
- • Do you prefer watching films at home or at the cinema?
Useful phrases
- • In the photo I can see…
- • They seem to be…
- • It looks as if…
- • In the background…
- • They look…
Show model 1-minute description
In this photo I can see a group of adults playing football outside under bright lights. It looks like an evening game because the sky is dark. They seem to be enjoying themselves — one man is smiling as he runs. I think this is probably a regular five-a-side match with friends after work.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Use these if the Speaking Part 4 practice finishes early. ~11 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Record a two-minute Speaking Part 4 answer with a partner (or alone, imagining answers) on the topic below.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Topic
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Complete the word partner gaps, then write one full sentence for each.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Gaps
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Listening recycle: read the Ryan and Chloe script aloud twice, then answer the questions from memory.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Questions
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Speaking Part 4: opinion + reason + example, then bounce back with 'What about you?'
- Free-time word partners: do a hobby, play five-a-side, go for a walk, hang out, chill out, keep fit.
- Listening Part 2 wrong options often reuse words you actually hear — listen for the full meaning, not single words.
- Politely disagree with 'I'm not sure I agree, because…' rather than stopping the conversation.