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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe Something That Saves Your Time

Updated on Oct 08, 2024, 15:14

Overview

An IELTS Speaking cue card is a prompt designed to evaluate your ability to express yourself fluently and coherently on a given topic within a specific timeframe. Today, we focus on the topic ‘Describe Something That Saves Your Time.’


This prompt invites you to identify and discuss an item or practice that notably decreases the time required for your daily activities. Such innovations can streamline routines and enhance productivity, whether it's a tool, technique, or habit. Throughout this article, we will provide sample answers to illustrate effective ways to structure your response for this cue card topic.

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe Something That Saves Your Time

You should say

  • What it is?
  • When do you usually do it?
  • Why do you do it?
  • And explain how you think it saves your time?
Sample Answer 1

Introduction (Covers: What it is?):

 

  • The time-saving tool I rely on daily is my smartphone's voice assistant.
  • It allows me to perform tasks using voice commands, such as setting reminders and composing messages.
  • This feature has become integral to how I manage my daily schedule efficiently.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When do you usually do it?):

 

  • I use the voice assistant predominantly when I'm commuting to work or running errands.
  • It helps me maximise my productivity during otherwise idle moments.
  • Using it during hectic periods ensures I stay organised without the need to input tasks manually.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: Why do you do it?):

 

  • Its accuracy in understanding my commands ensures seamless task execution.
  • Integration with other apps allows for broader functionality, from controlling smart home devices to accessing real-time information.
  • The hands-free operation enhances safety and convenience, especially when multitasking.

 

Conclusion (Covers: And explain how you think it saves your time?):

 

  • Overall, the smartphone's voice assistant streamlines my daily routines by reducing the time spent on manual tasks.
  • It enables quick access to information and task completion without interrupting my workflow.
  • This efficiency not only saves time but also enhances my overall productivity throughout the day. 
Sample Answer 2

Introduction (Covers: What it is?):

 

  • A time-saving device I find invaluable is my programmable coffee maker.
  • This appliance automates the process of brewing coffee according to my schedule.
  • It's designed to simplify mornings by having coffee ready as soon as I wake up.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When do you usually do it?):

 

  • I use the programmable coffee maker every evening before bed to set it for the next morning.
  • This ensures I start my day with freshly brewed coffee without the need to wait or prepare it manually.
  • It's particularly convenient during busy mornings when every minute counts.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: Why do you do it?):

 

  • The programmable feature allows me to customise brewing times and coffee strengths to suit my preferences.
  • It eliminates the need for manual preparation, saving time and effort in the morning rush.
  • This device ensures consistent quality and taste, enhancing my coffee experience.

 

Conclusion (Covers: And explain how you think it saves your time?):

 

  • In essence, the programmable coffee maker simplifies my mornings by eliminating the time spent on coffee preparation.
  • It contributes to a smoother start to the day, allowing me to focus on other tasks without compromising on enjoying a good cup of coffee.
  • This efficiency not only saves valuable minutes but also enhances my overall morning routine.
Sample Answer 3

Introduction (Covers: What it is?):

 

  • One item that significantly saves me time is my electronic meal planner app.
  • This app helps me plan meals efficiently by providing recipes, grocery lists, and scheduling options.
  • It's designed to streamline meal preparation and grocery shopping tasks.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When do you usually do it?):

 

  • I use the electronic meal planner app weekly to plan meals ahead of time.
  • This allows me to organise ingredients and cooking times to fit my schedule.
  • It's particularly useful during busy weeks when planning ahead saves me from last-minute decisions.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: Why do you do it?):

 

  • The app offers a variety of recipes tailored to dietary preferences and nutritional needs.
  • It automatically generates grocery lists based on selected recipes, minimising time spent on shopping.
  • Its calendar feature helps me manage meal preparation efficiently, ensuring balanced meals throughout the week.

 

Conclusion (Covers: And explain how you think it saves your time?):

 

  • The electronic meal planner app optimises my meal planning and preparation process.
  • It reduces the time spent on decision-making, grocery shopping, and cooking planning.
  • This efficiency allows me to focus on other priorities while maintaining a healthy and well-organized eating routine.

Understanding how to effectively structure your response to the cue card topic ‘Describe Something That Saves Your Time’ is crucial for achieving a high score on the IELTS Speaking test. 

 

Here is how each of the section should be answered:

 

Introduction (Covers: What it is?):

 

  • Begin by briefly introducing the item or practice you will discuss that saves your time.
  • Mention why this particular item or practice is significant in your daily routine.
  • State your interest or experience with using this time-saving method.

 

Describing Your Experience/Opinion/Interest (Covers: When do you usually do it?) :

 

  • Describe in detail how this item or practice saves your time.
  • Share personal experiences or examples illustrating its effectiveness.
  • Express your opinion on its usefulness or any preferences you might have related to it.

 

Key Highlights (Covers: Why do you do it?):

 

  • Highlight specific features or aspects of the item or practice that make it effective.
  • Discuss any notable benefits or efficiencies gained from using it.
  • Compare it with other methods or items you've used before, if relevant.

 

Conclusion (Covers: And explain how you think it saves your time?):

 

  • Summarise briefly by reaffirming the importance of this time-saving item or practice.
  • Reflect on how it contributes to your productivity or quality of life.
  • End with a concluding remark that reinforces its significance in your daily routine.

 

These guidelines ensure that you structure your response coherently and maximise your speaking time effectively within the 2-minute limit. 

 

Also Read:

Follow-up Questions

Understanding how to handle follow-up questions in Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test is crucial as it allows you to further elaborate on the topic you discussed in Part 2. In this segment, the examiner will ask you questions related to time management and the specific time-saving device or practice you described earlier. 

Q1. Do you believe in Time Management?

Answer 1: Absolutely, I believe time management is essential for maintaining productivity and achieving goals efficiently. When you have a structured approach to how you allocate your time, you can prioritize tasks effectively and avoid procrastination.

 

Answer 2: Yes, I strongly believe in time management as it allows me to make the most of each day. By planning and organising my tasks, I find that I can accomplish more in less time, which ultimately reduces stress and improves overall productivity.

Q2. What do you think? Today’s technology is used everywhere. Does it save time?

Answer 1: Certainly, modern technology has revolutionised how we manage our time. Devices and apps designed for efficiency, like the smartphone's voice assistant I mentioned earlier, streamline tasks and make information readily accessible, saving considerable time in daily routines.

 

Answer 2: Absolutely, today's technology plays a crucial role in saving time across various aspects of life. From automated appliances to productivity apps, technology enables faster communication, task automation, and access to information, significantly enhancing efficiency in both personal and professional spheres.

Q3. Do you think Planning is important for time management?

Answer 1: Yes, planning is fundamental for effective time management. When you plan your day or week in advance, you can allocate time wisely to different tasks and ensure nothing important gets overlooked. It helps in setting priorities and maintaining focus on what needs to be accomplished.

 

Answer 2: Absolutely, planning is key to successful time management. It allows you to anticipate potential challenges, allocate resources optimally, and ensure that deadlines are met efficiently. Without proper planning, it's easy to lose track of time and miss out on achieving your goals.

Q4. Do you think children should learn to manage time?

Answer 1: Yes, I believe teaching time management skills to children from a young age is crucial. Learning how to prioritise tasks, manage deadlines, and organise their activities not only enhances their academic performance but also prepares them for future responsibilities and challenges.

 

Answer 2: Absolutely, it's important for children to develop time management skills early on. By learning how to manage their time effectively, they can balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and personal interests more efficiently. These skills also foster independence and self-discipline as they grow older.

FAQs

Q. How to crack the Cue Card task?

Ans. To excel in the Cue Card task of the IELTS Speaking test, focus on structuring your response effectively. Begin with a clear introduction, describe your chosen topic comprehensively, highlight key points or examples, and conclude succinctly. Practice speaking fluently within the given time limit to ensure coherence and relevance in your answers.

Q. How to make notes for cue card IELTS?

Ans. When preparing notes for an IELTS cue card, jot down keywords or phrases related to the topic. Include prompts for introduction, main points, and conclusion. Use bullet points to organise ideas logically, ensuring they are clear and easy to recall during your speech. Avoid writing full sentences to promote natural speaking flow.

Q. Is eye contact important in IELTS speaking?

Ans. Yes, maintaining good eye contact is crucial in the IELTS Speaking test. It demonstrates confidence, engagement, and sincerity in your communication. Eye contact also helps establish rapport with the examiner, enhancing the overall impact of your responses.

Q. What are common mistakes in IELTS speaking?

Ans. Common mistakes in IELTS speaking include speaking too quickly or too slowly, which can affect clarity and coherence. Another mistake is not fully addressing the cue card topic or deviating from the task. Lack of vocabulary variety or grammatical errors may also lower your score. Practice can help mitigate these issues.

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