IELTS SPEAKING CUE CARD
[PART 2]
Describe a situation when you didn’t have enough time
You should say:
- When it was
- What you tried to do or finish
- Where you were
And explain why you didn’t have time
A N S W E R
I lead a busy life since I work as a nurse and at the same time a full-time mom to my two children. There are many occasions that I run out of time to finish my work in the house or complete errands, but let me tell you the time when I really wished that the universe would stop time for at least a few minutes so I could finish preparing all the food for my son’s birthday. Last year, my husband and I wanted to surprise our son on his seventh natal day by preparing all of his favorite foods. The day before his birthday, my husband and I already planned a big birthday surprise for him and we decided to do it during dinner time since both of us needed to work during the day.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Lead a busy life [expression] – used to describe what life someone has
Run out of time [phrase] – to have no more time
Errands [noun] – tasks; chores
Natal day [noun] – another term for a birthday
My husband agreed with me that I would prepare all the foods, although he was having second thoughts knowing that I was busy but I insisted since I wanted to make our son be in seventh heaven eating his favorite dishes prepared by his loving mom. Anyway, on the day of my son’s birthday, I was really busy at the hospital so I ended up working until 2 PM when in fact, I was supposed to finish at one in the afternoon, so I hurriedly went back home as fast as lightning and arrived thirty minutes after.
Then I started preparing my son’s favorite dishes such as spaghetti, fried chicken, and vegetable salad – my son is a big fan of vegetables like me and chocolate chip cookies. All the foods were successfully and neatly prepared except for cookies.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Have second thoughts [phrase] – to doubt
Insist [verb] – to make a firm stand; be resolute
In seventh heaven [phrase] – to be very happy; overjoyed
End up [phrase] – to reach or come to a situation
As fast as lightning [idiom] – to be very quickly
A big fan [expression] – to like very much
While I was kneading the dough for chocolate cookies, I lost track of the time that it was about time that my family would arrive. I was panicking that I really wanted to stop time so I could finish. Then our doorbell rang, I was a bit upset since my family had come home and I couldn’t do anything to complete the baking. Instead of frowning, I just opened the door and greeted my son with a happy birthday, and hugged him so tightly. He was very happy and his smile made me feel at ease. Although I couldn’t bake the cookies on time, my effort still paid off after seeing my son devouring the food happily.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Knead [verb] – work into the dough by moistening the flour using hands
Dough [noun] – flour mixed with water
Lost track of time [idiom] – to forget the time
Upset [adj.] – disappointed; unhappy
Frowning [noun] – displeasure
At ease [phrase] – relaxed or calm
Pay off [phrase] – succeed; yield good outcomes
Devour [verb] – to eat hungrily or quickly
PART 3
Do people in your country value time?
Yes definitely, we all share the same mentality that time is money. We believe that one should never waste time as wasting time means wasting an opportunity. This kind of thinking is rooted in our culture which for me is something that we all should be proud of. It is rare to see someone in my country who disregards time. For instance, in a business situation, people always arrive ten or fifteen minutes before the set time of appointment, this is to give importance to the business counterparts and to show respect and responsibility.
In casual meetings like seeing friends, we always make it a point to come at least five minutes early, if in case we cannot avoid tardiness, we make an effort to inform them in advance. I could not be prouder of this culture and I hope that this will be cultivated even in the next generation.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Mentality [noun] – way of thinking; the psychology of…
(has) rooted [verb] – establish deeply and firmly
Disregard [verb] – ignore; pay no attention
(Business) counterpart [noun] – a person who has the same position or purpose as another who works in a different organization
Tardiness [noun] – being late
I could not be prouder [expression] – to be very proud
Cultivate [verb] – to develop more
TIPS
i.) The introduction is straightforward – the speaker did not paraphrase and answered immediately why people in his country think that they give importance to time. He used the old saying, ‘Time is money’ then elaborated his answer by giving a better explanation.
ii.) In order to make his answer better, he connected his answer to the culture that their country has in terms of valuing time plus giving examples. This makes his answer organized and well-discussed. When you discuss your answer in Part 3, always make things straightforward and easy to understand so that it supports your argument.
Is time management important?
Without question, it is more than necessary because it helps people organize the things that they have to do in their respective lives. When there is time management, they can surely finish their task or work without any pressure or stress and they can always attain peace of mind. That itself is a precious product of time management.
Also, the ability to manage time effectively can make people go a long way and I am living proof of that since I have been successful by far in life because I always make an effort to manage my time. I cannot thank my parents enough for teaching me the importance of time management.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Without question [phrase] – without doubt; definitely
Pressure [noun] – insistence; compulsion
Peace of mind [noun] – being calm & quiet
Living proof [noun] – when you say that someone is living proof, you mean that the person sets a good example of something
Go a long way [expression] – to be successful
I can’t thank (someone) enough [expression] – used to express gratitude or appreciativeness to someone
TIPS
i.) The speaker varied his answer by not only using the common direct answer like ‘Yes – No’, but he also used an alternative way of saying ‘yes’ and that is ‘without question’. This sounds really natural and he proved to the examiner that his vocabulary knowledge is not limited. As an IELTS test taker, try your best to not repeat the same expressions over and over again.
ii.) More than necessary → another way of saying very important
iii.) The speaker answered this question by giving the examiner a possible situation on why time management is important and what people can get if they value time management. Also, he considered himself as an example of his argument that best proved that when people manage time, they can be successful. The technique in Part 3 is to always make sure that your discussion is enough and it won’t make the examiner wonder but understand clearly.
What are the effective ways to manage time?
I believe it varies from person to person, I cannot give an answer that fits everyone since it depends on the lifestyle or the work a person has. I can only speak for parents since I am one. As you know, parents oftentimes have a hectic schedule, so time management is always a challenge.
However, it is always possible to manage time by setting a schedule in advance and diligently following it. If a parent does not have any set schedule for doing all the house chores, his house will be cluttered and that is not inviting to visitors. I am sure that some people practice some best ways to achieve time management, however, to be honest, that is the only way I can think of.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Vary from person to person [expression] – another way to say ‘it depends on the person’
Hectic [adj.] – restless
Diligently [adv.] – careful and spending much effort
Clutter [verb] – make untidy
TIPS
i.) The speaker was very honest in answering this question. Yes, I agree with the speaker that ‘it depends on the person’. There are ways that work well with others but not with you. So since he couldn’t give an answer that would fit all, he instead talked about the ways that parents did to achieve time management. Since he is also a parent, it’s very easy for him to discuss the best way since he also practices it in his life. His answer is really natural!
ii.) The speaker ended his answer by acknowledging that there are other effective ways but he could only talk about the ways that parents did.
TAKE NOTE: The question is asking him ‘ways’ so he has to provide plural or more than one way BUT remember this if you cannot think of another answer, better use the technique that the speaker used. Acknowledge that there are other ways but it’s just that you can’t think of another one. That is alright, it’s not all the time that you can think of another answer. Be confident doing that and don’t be anxious.
Do you think time management plays an important role to succeed in life?
Yes, it does being able to manage time means being responsible. Time management is a form of self-discipline since one is obligated to follow the schedule he has set to finish his work or fulfill his goal. Most successful people in the world understand that, as they themselves manage their time more effectively. Bill Gates is a very good example of this, every day he follows a routine to be productive and never wastes a single time as ordinary people do often in their lives.
So, I believe most successful people have very good time management skills and that is one factor that unsuccessful people do not have.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Self-discipline [noun] – the ability to control oneself
Obligate [verb] – oblige; commit
Fulfill [verb] – carry out; accomplish
TIP
i.) The speaker answered philosophically and realistically. His answer is being thought deeply which is practical. Also, he provided a realistic example that would support his argument. Then ended his answer with a realization by comparing the difference between successful and unsuccessful people.
Understand how the speaker
answers the topic questions in
Part 1 about
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Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
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