Describe an activity that usually wastes your time.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

What is it?
When & why do you do it?
How does it waste your time?

32 unique answers with expert feedback

Why do you think people engage in gossiping?

People often gossip due to a desire for social connection or to feel superior. It can also stem from insecurities or boredom, as discussing others' lives may provide a temporary distraction from their own issues.

What activities do you consider more productive than gossiping?

I believe activities like reading, learning a new skill, or engaging in sports are far more productive. These activities not only enhance personal growth but also provide a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

How can one avoid getting involved in gossip?

To avoid gossip, one can set clear boundaries, change the subject when gossip arises, or excuse themselves from conversations that focus on negative talk. Surrounding oneself with positive, constructive people can also help.

Band 6-7

00:00

One of the activity that usually waste most of my time is packing my skincare and body care products while I am travelling. This is probably because I use a lot of products for my skin and body. When it comes to travelling from one place to another place, it usually consumes most of my time rather than packing for my clothes and other things. Moreover, I don't think I can take each and every product from one place to other place while travelling but some products are very necessary and it needs extra care while packing them. So I think I could find a more alternate way to take this safely while packing while moving from one place to other place and furthermore, packing hair care products is also a hassle because all of these bottles and the packaging, it's very complicated and it's rather difficult to pack them in an easy order. In order to keep them safe, it requires a lot more care while packing it. Yeah, I do think packing all of these hair care products, skincare products and body care products wastes my time while packing.

Follow up questions

What strategies could you use to pack more efficiently?

I could create a checklist of essential products to take, prioritize multi-use items, and use travel-sized containers. Additionally, organizing products in separate pouches could save time and make packing easier.

Have you ever considered simplifying your skincare routine?

Yes, I have thought about it. Simplifying my routine by using fewer products or opting for multi-functional products could save time and make packing easier when I travel.

Do you think packing is more challenging for certain types of trips?

Absolutely. For longer trips or trips to different climates, packing becomes more complicated. I need to consider various products for different conditions, which adds to the time spent packing.

IELTS Cue Cards asked last week

Reported by Leap students who gave IELTS

Describe your favourite food at a traditional festival or a special event in your country

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

Pitampura Test Centre, New Delhi

Answer

I like to taste different types of cuisine. Here I would like to talk about my favorite dish at my traditional festival of Onam which is Sadya. Sadya is popular in my city. We are experimenting these cuisines on Onam festival day. Onam is a famous festival in my city. All family members get together in my home and we make a delicious Sadya. There are many ingredients includes that Sadya. Moreover, we make a big feast that day as well as we create a lot of memories together and we wear that day the traditional dress called Sari and men wear the Dhotis. That festival is really important to us because the whole day we are conducting different kinds of games at our homes and all the family members came together. It's a memorable day in my life. This is the festival. We are making the Sambar and Aviyal. These all the kinds of foods are making with the vegetables.

Talk about a toy you liked in your childhood

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 8

Sector 34 Test Centre, Chandigarh

Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

Whitefield Test Center, Bengaluru

Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7

Begumpet Test Centre, Hyderabad

Answer

When I was a kid, I had a little pencil box which had these four buttons which gave the pencil box an operative use. When you press the button, the box would open up. When you press the second button, a little part of it would slide out. Basically it was just a little electronical and a fun thing to have and I owned it when I was in 6th. One day after break, I was standing and talking there with one of my friends and another friend of mine was running through the hallway and accidentally she pushed my shoulder and my pencil box hit the ground and it broke into multiple pieces to the point that it was not functional anymore.

Describe a book you recently read

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 7.5

CBD Belapur Test Centre, Navi Mumbai

Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

Band 6-7

00:00

One activity that I would like to describe which usually wastes my time is watching a lot of web series. So actually the addiction to watching a lot of web series started during the COVID time when life was almost still. And there were a lot of web series that were getting released on a weekly basis. And also there were certain web series where each episode used to get released every weekend. And it used to make me wait for it and want for more of the web series episodes. And also I usually watch the web series to unwind from my hectic work life. And it is also a great source of entertainment. I like to watch web series at least an episode a day which makes me unwind from my day to day activities. And it gives a great relaxation to me. And it takes up most of my time because usually the web series which are being recently made is made a lot more interesting. Where you wouldn't want to stop watching after an episode. You would want to watch more and more of it. Because there is always a cliffhanger at the end of each episode. So you would always want to watch all the episodes in one sitting.

Follow up questions

How do you think watching web series affects your productivity?

Watching web series can significantly reduce my productivity as I often find myself binge-watching instead of completing tasks. It creates a cycle where I prioritize entertainment over responsibilities, leading to procrastination and stress.

What genres of web series do you prefer and why?

I prefer drama and thriller genres because they keep me engaged and emotionally invested. The storytelling and character development in these genres are often more compelling, making it hard to stop watching once I start.

Have you ever tried to limit your web series watching? What happened?

Yes, I tried to limit my watching by setting a specific time for it, but I found it challenging. The temptation to watch just one more episode often led me to break my own rules, highlighting how addictive it can be.

Band 6-7

00:00

Today I would like to talk about the activities that consumed most of my time. So while I was in China, I bought this gaming console called PlayStation 5. I bought it during my intern year. I carried it from China to India which is my home country. I used to play with the console a lot. I spent most of my time with the console which affected my school performance. I used to get really low grades which made me feel really sad. My parents used to scold me and they were like, what are you doing with your life? You need to study and do your post-graduation. But I got so addicted with the console that I even left studying. That was the thing that greatly affected my life. But after few years, I got to know the importance of studies and then I threw the console away and started studying for my post-graduation. Today I cleared my PLAB exam which is a United Kingdom Medical Licensing exam which helped me do my post-graduation in United Kingdom. With the help of getting rid of this console, it changed my life in a positive way. When compared with other people, I have...

Follow up questions

What other activities do you think waste people's time?

I believe activities like excessive social media use, binge-watching TV shows, and procrastination can waste a lot of time. Many people get caught up in these distractions, which can lead to negative impacts on their productivity and personal goals.

How can someone avoid wasting time on unproductive activities?

To avoid wasting time, it's important to set clear goals and priorities. Creating a schedule, limiting distractions, and practicing self-discipline can help. Engaging in productive hobbies or activities can also replace time-wasting habits.

What advice would you give to someone struggling with time management?

I would advise them to identify their time-wasting activities and reflect on their goals. Using tools like planners or apps to track time can be beneficial. Additionally, seeking support from friends or mentors can provide motivation and accountability.

Band 6-7

00:00

The activity that I considered is waste of time scrolling my Instagram website. I usually do when I get a time and I particularly take time out of my schedule, my working duty and I go on scrolling on Instagram and I see the people posting their day-to-day activities. Sometimes just I get involved in that and I started feeling like why they have been so much, they just, why they are so much involved, it influences me and it sometimes depresses me that I don't have that what they possess. So I think this is what makes me think that this activity is waste of time but being just getting in touch with what they are going through is not waste of time but being getting involved and getting influenced by them, their activities will divert our mind moreover it has both advantages that we can keep our mind in peace and get sort of entertainment with that. However, just we must not get completely involved and get influenced by them. Many when I feel like they are showing what only they have to show and the insight is very vast to be seen which they are hiding, so we must not get affected by them. Many people who are very emotional and sensitive, they get affected by that. So I think waste of time.

Follow up questions

How do you think social media affects people's mental health?

Social media can have both positive and negative effects on mental health. While it can provide a sense of connection and community, it can also lead to feelings of inadequacy and depression, especially when users compare themselves to others. It's important to use social media mindfully.

What are some strategies to limit time spent on social media?

To limit time on social media, one can set specific time limits for usage, turn off notifications, or schedule social media-free times during the day. Engaging in other activities like reading, exercising, or spending time with friends can also help reduce the urge to scroll endlessly.

Can you think of any positive aspects of using social media?

Yes, social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, share experiences, and discover new interests. It can also serve as a platform for learning and raising awareness about important issues, fostering a sense of community and support.

Show all 32 answers

Cue 1:What is it?

Clearly identify the activity that you find time-wasting.
Provide a brief context or background about this activity.

Example

The activity that usually wastes my time is scrolling through social media. I often find myself getting lost in endless feeds of posts and videos.

Cue 2:When & why do you do it?

Mention specific times when you engage in this activity.
Explain the reasons behind your choice to do this activity despite knowing it wastes time.

Example

I usually scroll through social media in the evenings after work, as a way to relax. I do it because it feels entertaining and helps me unwind, even though I know I could be doing something more productive.

Cue 3:How does it waste your time?

Discuss the impact of this activity on your daily schedule.
Mention any specific instances where it has caused you to lose track of time or miss out on other important tasks.

Example

It wastes my time significantly because I can easily spend hours on it without realizing. For instance, there have been nights when I planned to read a book, but instead, I ended up scrolling through social media until midnight.

Conclusion

Summarize your thoughts on the activity and its impact on your life.
Consider mentioning any steps you are taking to reduce this time-wasting activity.

Example

In conclusion, while social media can be entertaining, it often leads to wasted time that could be better spent on hobbies or self-improvement. I am trying to limit my usage by setting specific time limits for myself.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer unclear. It's important to provide specific details about the activity to engage the listener and demonstrate your language skills.

Tip

Use clear examples and specific details to describe the activity, such as what it involves and why you do it.

2: Lack of Structure

Failing to organize your response can confuse the listener. A well-structured answer helps convey your thoughts more effectively and keeps the listener engaged.

Tip

Follow the cue prompts in order: start with what the activity is, then explain when and why you do it, and finally discuss how it wastes your time.

Overly Negative Tone

Focusing too much on negativity can make your answer less engaging. While it's important to discuss time-wasting, balance it with a neutral or slightly positive perspective.

Tip

Acknowledge the downsides of the activity but also mention any benefits or reasons why you still engage in it.