IELTS Speaking Cue Card: Describe a Way or Change That Helps You Save a Lot of Time
In this IELTS Speaking Part 2 lesson, you will learn how to answer the cue card “Describe a way or change that helps you save a lot of time.” This lesson includes two sample answers, useful vocabulary, idioms, and IELTS Speaking Part 3 follow-up questions to help you develop your ideas and improve your fluency.
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IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card
Describe a way or change that helps you save a lot of time.
- What it is
- How you implement it
- How difficult it is
- And explain how you feel about the way or change
Sample Answer 1: Making a Weekly Meal Plan
Time is precious and plays an indispensable role in everyone’s life. It is something we should value rather than waste. Today, I would like to talk about a simple change that has helped me save a lot of time.
In the past, I found it a hard nut to crack to decide what to prepare for breakfast, lunch or dinner every day. I often found myself working against the clock to get everything ready. To solve this problem, I started creating a weekly meal plan a few months ago, and now it has become a piece of cake.
First of all, I make a list of the dishes I need to prepare for the entire week. Then, I buy all the vegetables and other ingredients over the weekend. This simple habit saves me a great deal of time that I previously wasted deciding what to cook and making frequent trips to the market. I keep the meal plan somewhere visible, so I can easily check it whenever I need to.
Initially, I found it a daunting task to create a meal plan that suited everyone's preferences. However, with practice, I became more flexible and organised, and now planning my meals has become second nature to me.
I would say this change has been incredibly beneficial. Not only does it help me save precious time, but it also makes my daily routine more organised and stress-free. More importantly, I have more free time to spend with my family, pursue my hobbies or simply relax.
All in all, it is a small change, but it has made a big difference to my daily life. It has helped me make better use of my time and made my routine much easier to manage.
Sample Answer 2: Making a Daily To-Do List
Time is precious and plays an indispensable role in everyone’s life, so I always try to make the most of it. Today, I would like to talk about a simple change that has helped me save a considerable amount of time, which is making a daily to-do list.
Earlier, I often started my day without having a clear plan. As a result, I sometimes wasted time deciding what to do first and ended up working against the clock, especially when I had several assignments or important tasks to complete. To overcome this problem, I started making a to-do list every night before going to bed.
I simply write down all the important tasks I need to complete the following day and arrange them according to priority. I usually put the most important or urgent tasks at the top of the list. I also keep my phone away while working so that I can avoid unnecessary distractions. Whenever I finish a task, I tick it off the list, which gives me a sense of achievement.
Initially, I found it a little difficult because I was not used to planning everything in advance. Sometimes, I made an unrealistic list and could not finish all the tasks. However, with practice, I learned to set achievable goals, and now making a to-do list has become second nature to me.
I would say this change has been incredibly beneficial. It helps me stay organised, meet deadlines and avoid the last-minute rush. More importantly, I have more free time to relax, spend time with my family or pursue my hobbies.
All in all, it is a small habit, but it has made a big difference to my daily routine. It helps me stay on track and make better use of my precious time.
Useful Vocabulary and Idioms
- Indispensable: Essential or absolutely necessary.
- Hard nut to crack: A difficult problem to solve.
- Working against the clock: Trying to finish something before a deadline.
- A piece of cake: Something that is very easy to do.
- Second nature to me: Something that has become automatic through practice.
- Incredibly: Extremely or very much.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Follow-Up Questions and Answers
1. What can schools do to help students learn time management?
Schools can teach time management through practical activities rather than just giving students advice. For example, teachers could give students projects with specific deadlines and ask them to create a simple schedule for completing each stage. This would teach them how to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and avoid last-minute pressure. I think these skills would be useful not only at school but also in their future careers.
2. Is it necessary for children to learn time management?
Absolutely. I think it is essential because children have to balance their studies, hobbies, social activities and family responsibilities. If they learn to manage their time from an early age, they are more likely to become disciplined and independent. For instance, a child who sets aside specific time for homework and play can enjoy both without feeling stressed or rushing at the last minute.
3. Do people who can manage time well become successful more easily?
Yes, I would say so, although time management is not the only factor behind success. People who manage their time effectively can stay focused, meet deadlines and make steady progress towards their goals. For example, a student who follows a proper study schedule is likely to cover the syllabus more effectively than someone who keeps postponing their work. So, good time management can certainly give people an advantage.
4. Do you think parents should be responsible for teaching children to save time?
Yes, to a certain extent. Parents are usually the first people who can teach children how to organise their daily routines. They can encourage them to wake up on time, finish their homework before playing and prepare their school things in advance. By setting a good example, parents can help children develop these habits naturally. However, schools should also reinforce these skills.
5. Does technology help people save time? How and why?
Definitely. Technology has become a major time-saver because it allows people to complete many tasks within a few clicks. For example, people can pay bills, shop for groceries, attend online classes and set reminders using their smartphones. This can save them a considerable amount of time. However, technology can also be distracting, especially when people spend too much time on social media.
6. What can people do to save time?
I think the first thing people should do is plan their day and prioritise important tasks. Making a simple to-do list can help them stay organised and prevent them from wasting time on unnecessary activities. They should also avoid multitasking because it can reduce concentration. For example, if someone focuses completely on one task instead of constantly checking their phone, they can usually finish it much more quickly.
Tips to Improve Your IELTS Speaking Score
- Practise speaking for one to two minutes without long pauses.
- Use vocabulary and idioms naturally rather than memorising too many expressions.
- Include specific examples to explain how you save time.
- Use a range of grammatical structures accurately.
- Practise the Part 3 questions by explaining your opinions and supporting them with examples.
Conclusion
Weekly meal planning and daily to-do lists are two practical ways to save time. Choose the sample answer that best suits your experience, practise it aloud, and adapt the ideas to your own life. Regular practice can help you become more fluent, organised and confident in the IELTS Speaking test.
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