Expression Chunks
I got into + noun / -ing
Meaning: Informally describes how you started becoming interested or involved in something.
Sample sentence: I got into reading mysteries because a friend recommended one to me.
Use it in your answer:
- How did your favorite hobby first become part of your life?Answer using: I got into...
- What subject or activity became more interesting to you as you got older?Answer using: I got into...
- What first attracted you to your current field or profession?Answer using: I got into...
- What kind of music, film, sport, or activity did someone else introduce you to?Answer using: I got into...
- What interest do you have now that you never expected to enjoy?Answer using: I got into...
I became interested in + noun / -ing
Meaning: A neutral way to describe the beginning of an interest.
Sample sentence: I became interested in language learning after traveling abroad.
Use it in your answer:
- How did your favorite hobby first become part of your life?Answer using: I became interested in...
- What subject or activity became more interesting to you as you got older?Answer using: I became interested in...
- What first attracted you to your current field or profession?Answer using: I became interested in...
- What kind of music, film, sport, or activity did someone else introduce you to?Answer using: I became interested in...
- What interest do you have now that you never expected to enjoy?Answer using: I became interested in...
What initially drew me to + noun + was + noun/clause
Meaning: Explains the specific feature or reason that first attracted you to something.
Sample sentence: What initially drew me to teaching was the chance to work closely with people.
Use it in your answer:
- How did your favorite hobby first become part of your life?Answer using: What initially drew me to ___ was...
- What subject or activity became more interesting to you as you got older?Answer using: What initially drew me to ___ was...
- What first attracted you to your current field or profession?Answer using: What initially drew me to ___ was...
- What kind of music, film, sport, or activity did someone else introduce you to?Answer using: What initially drew me to ___ was...
- What interest do you have now that you never expected to enjoy?Answer using: What initially drew me to ___ was...
Topic Phrasal Verbs
Themed Conversation: Hobbies & Passions
get into
Definition: become interested in
Sample sentence: I got into podcasts because a friend recommended one.
Practice questions:
- How did you get into your favorite hobby?
- What kind of music have you gotten into recently?
- Is there a sport you’d like to get into?
- What subject did you get into at school?
- Have you ever tried to get into something because your friends liked it?
take up
Definition: start doing an activity
Sample sentence: I'd like to take up photography when I have more free time.
Practice questions:
- What hobby would you like to take up?
- Have you taken up anything new recently?
- What hobby did you take up when you were younger?
- Is there an activity you would never take up? Why?
- If you had more free time, what would you take up?
give up
Definition: stop doing something
Sample sentence: I nearly gave up, but I decided to try one more time.
Practice questions:
- What is something you almost gave up but continued doing?
- What makes you want to give up when something is difficult?
- Have you ever given up a hobby?
- When is it sensible to give up?
- What is something you would never want to give up?
Relaxed Conversation — 10 Questions
- What hobby do you spend the most time on these days?
- How did you first get into it?
- Is there something you loved doing when you were younger but stopped?
- What hobby would you like to take up if time and money weren’t an issue?
- Do you prefer hobbies that help you relax or hobbies that challenge you?
- Have you ever become unexpectedly obsessed with a new interest?
- Which hobbies are more enjoyable with other people?
- Do you think everyone needs a hobby outside work or school?
- What is something you tried once and immediately knew wasn’t for you?
- If you could become highly skilled at one hobby overnight, what would you choose?