Table of Contents
Expressing likes and dislikes is an essential speaking skill for English learners.
This post includes:
- Concise review of expressions of likes and dislikes.
- Expressing likes and dislikes exercises.
- Level: A1–A2 ESL/EFL learners.
- Answer key.
Concise Review: Expressing Likes and Dislikes
English offers several ways to express preferences. Some are simple and very common, while others are more informal or idiomatic.
Common Expressions for Likes
- like → I like pizza.
- enjoy → She enjoys reading.
- be into (informal) → I’m into video games.
- be mad about (informal, strong like) → He’s mad about football.
- be my cup of tea (usually negative) → Jazz is my cup of tea.
- be keen on (British English and informal) → She’s keen on photography and spends her weekends taking pictures..
Common Expressions for Dislikes
- don’t like → I don’t like coffee.
- dislike (more formal) → She dislikes loud music.
- hate (strong dislike) → He hates onions.
- loathe (very strong dislike) → I loathe waiting in lines.
- not be my cup of tea → Horror movies aren’t my cup of tea.
Grammar notes:
- Use verb + noun (I like apples) or verb + -ing (I enjoy cooking)
- With he / she / it, add -s → likes, enjoys, hates
- Expressing Likes and Dislikes Exercises
Expressing Likes and Dislikes Exercises
Exercise 1: Matching
Match each expression with its meaning.
| Expressions | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. I am really… 2. Jane enjoys… 3. My wife hates… 4. John is mad… 5. Romantic novels are not… 6. My parents are keen… | a. … window shopping. b. … my cup of tea c. … about collecting stamps. d. … watching horror movies. e. … into jogging. f. … on playing cards. |
Exercise 1
1–e
2–a
3–d
4–c
5–b
6-f
1–e
2–a
3–d
4–c
5–b
6-f
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct answer.
- I ___ horror movies. They scare me.
- a) enjoy
- b) dislike
- c) am into
- She ___ listening to music in the evening.
- a) enjoy
- b) enjoys
- c) enjoying
- I’m really ___ photography these days.
- a) into
- b) enjoy
- c) like
- He ___ broccoli.
- a) hate
- b) hates
- c) loathe
- Jazz isn’t my ___ of tea.
- a) glass
- b) cup
- c) piece
- We ___ playing board games together.
- a) enjoys
- b) enjoy
- c) enjoying
- She’s mad ___ travelling.
- a) with
- b) about
- c) into
- I ___ waking up early on Sundays.
- a) loathe
- b) am into
- c) enjoy
- They ___ spicy food.
- a) dislike
- b) dislikes
- c) disliking
- I am keen ___.
- a) on playing musical instruments.
- b) in playing musical instruments.
- c) onto playing musical instruments.
Exercise 2
1–b
2–b
3–a
4–b
5–b
6–b
7–b
8–a
9–a
10–a
1–b
2–b
3–a
4–b
5–b
6–b
7–b
8–a
9–a
10–a
Exercise 3: Gap Fill
Complete the sentences using the correct form of the words in brackets.
- I __________ (like) ice cream.
- She __________ (enjoy) reading novels.
- We __________ (be into) online games.
- He __________ (hate) loud music.
- I __________ (not be) my cup of tea.
- They __________ (dislike) rainy days.
- She __________ (be mad about) dancing.
- I __________ (loathe) doing homework late.
- He __________ (like) cooking at home.
- Horror movies __________ (not be) my cup of tea.
Exercise 3 (sample answers)
1. like
2. enjoys
3. are into
4. hates
5. am not
6. dislike
7. is mad about
8. loathe
9. likes
10. are not
1. like
2. enjoys
3. are into
4. hates
5. am not
6. dislike
7. is mad about
8. loathe
9. likes
10. are not
Exercise 4: Spot the Mistake and Correct It
Each sentence has one mistake. Find it and correct it.
- She enjoys to watch TV in the evening.
- I am in video games.
- He hate vegetables.
- Jazz is not my glass of tea.
- They are mad by playing football.
Exercise 4
1. She enjoys watching TV in the evening.
2. I am into video games.
3. He hates vegetables.
4. Jazz is not my cup of tea.
5. They mad about playing football.
1. She enjoys watching TV in the evening.
2. I am into video games.
3. He hates vegetables.
4. Jazz is not my cup of tea.
5. They mad about playing football.
Quick Recap
Here’s a short reminder of the main ways to express likes and dislikes in English:
- like / enjoy → I like coffee. / She enjoys reading.
- be into / be mad about / be keen on (informal) → I’m into photography. / He’s mad about football.
- (not) my cup of tea → Jazz isn’t my cup of tea.
- dislike / hate / loathe → I dislike crowds. / He hates onions.
→ Remember: use verb + noun or verb + -ing, and add -s with he / she / it.
Teaching Tip
To practise expressing likes and dislikes orally, ask learners to:
- Students A: Interview a partner using Do you like…? questions.
- Students B: Use at least one idiomatic expression (be into, my cup of tea) in their answers.
- Students A: Report back to the class: Write 5 sentences about your partner.
Check also like and don’t like exercise for kids.
