Welcome to the IELTS TIME Podcast! Today, we’re tackling a practical part 2 topic:
Describe a way or change that helps you save a lot of time. You should say: what it is, how you implement it, how difficult it is, and explain how you feel about the way/change.
Time management is something we all struggle with, and this topic asks you to talk about a way or change that has made your life more efficient. It could be a small habit, a productivity trick, or even an adjustment in your daily routine—anything that has helped you save precious minutes or even hours in your day.
To give you a clear idea of how to approach this, let’s hear from Joseph. He shares how batch cooking has helped him save time during the week. As you listen, pay attention to how he introduces the change, explains the process, and reflects on the impact it has had on his life. Let’s dive in!
One change that has helped me save a lot of time is batch cooking meals for the week. As a young adult, I used to spend too much time each day deciding what to cook, preparing ingredients, and making multiple meals. It felt like I was constantly in the kitchen. To solve this, I started dedicating one afternoon to cooking in bulk, which has freed up a lot of time during the weekdays.
To make this work, I start by planning simple meals for the week and buying everything in one grocery trip. On my cooking day, I chop vegetables, marinate meats, and prepare multiple dishes at once. For example, I often make a big pot of soup, a batch of grilled chicken, and some rice, which I can mix and match throughout the week. After cooking, I store everything in labeled containers and refrigerate or freeze them.
At first, it felt exhausting to cook for several hours in one go, but I soon realized that it was much more efficient. Plus, knowing that I always have a meal ready to eat is incredibly satisfying.
This change has truly transformed my daily routine. I no longer have to stress about cooking after a long day, I eat healthier, and I have extra time for studying and relaxing. It’s a simple habit, but it has made a huge difference in my life, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone with a busy schedule.
Welcome back to IELTS TIME. We just heard from Joseph, who talked about how batch cooking has helped him free up time during the week. It’s a great example of a simple yet effective change that makes life easier. But what if you’re struggling to come up with your own answer? Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered!
When you first hear a topic like this, you might panic a little. “I don’t do anything special to save time! My life is kind of a mess!” Well, first of all, take a deep breath. The key here is not to overthink it. You don’t have to have some life-changing, genius hack. Just think about your daily routine and where you used to waste time but found a way to fix it.
For example, think about your mornings. Are you someone who used to scramble around looking for clothes to wear, only to realize you forgot to iron your shirt? Maybe you started choosing your outfit the night before, and now your mornings are smoother. That’s a great example of a simple time-saving change.
Or maybe you’re a student who always felt overwhelmed with studying. You used to spend hours staring at your notes, but then you discovered a technique like the Pomodoro method—studying in focused 25-minute sessions with short breaks in between. Suddenly, you started getting more done in less time. That’s another solid example.
And what about social media? We’ve all been there—planning to scroll for just five minutes, and then an hour later, we’re watching videos of raccoons stealing food. If you decided to set app limits on your phone or only check social media at certain times of the day, that’s also a great change that saves time.
The point is, don’t get stuck thinking your answer has to be something complicated. Even small lifestyle changes—like ordering groceries online instead of wandering around the supermarket for an hour—can make a great response if you explain it well.
Now, let’s talk about structure. In your IELTS Speaking Part 2 answer, you want to keep things clear and logical. Start by introducing the change—what it is and why you decided to make it. Then, explain how you implemented it. What steps did you take? Was it easy or challenging? After that, talk about the results. How has this change improved your life? Do you feel less stressed? More productive? Happier? Ending with a personal reflection makes your answer feel complete and natural.
And here’s a little secret: the examiner isn’t looking for some groundbreaking idea. They just want to see that you can speak fluently, structure your answer well, and express yourself naturally. So, even if the change you talk about is something as simple as waking up ten minutes earlier, as long as you explain it clearly and confidently, it can be a fantastic answer.
So, here’s your challenge for today: think about one thing you do that saves you time. Maybe you plan your meals, maybe you organize your tasks differently, or maybe you’ve learned to say no to unnecessary commitments. Whatever it is, try explaining it out loud, just like you would in the test.
That’s all for today’s episode! If you found this helpful, don’t forget to subscribe and share it with a friend who’s preparing for IELTS. Until next time, keep practicing and stay confident!
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