Goals

Hello everyone, and welcome to IELTS TIME, the podcast where we explore IELTS speaking topics and help you prepare effectively. I’m your host, Archer. Today, we’re focusing on a Part 3 topic: Goals. Setting goals affects all of us, whether it’s about our career, personal life, or even society as a whole.

In this episode, we’ll go through 9 typical Part 3 questions about goals, with Jessica asking the questions and Joseph giving detailed answers. After the dialogue, I’ll review each question carefully, go over the ideas Joseph provides, and highlight useful vocabulary and phrases that you can use in your own answers.

So let’s get started and listen to the dialogue.

Do you think children are more likely to achieve their goals if they are encouraged?
Yes, I do. Encouragement plays a huge role in building a child’s confidence. When parents or teachers show belief in a child, it gives them the courage to keep trying, even if they fail at first. For example, a child who wants to learn the piano might quit if no one supports them, but with encouragement they’re more likely to keep practicing and eventually succeed.

Who do you think has a greater influence on the goal-setting of children, teachers or parents?
I’d say parents have a stronger influence overall, because they shape the child’s values and lifestyle from a very young age. Teachers can inspire specific ambitions, like wanting to become a scientist or an artist, but the long-term mindset usually comes from home. Of course, in some cases, a passionate teacher can have a life-changing impact, but that’s less common than parental influence.

Is it important for teenagers to set goals? Why?
Yes, I think it’s essential. Teenagers are at a stage where they’re trying to figure out who they are and what they want in life. Having goals gives them direction and helps them avoid getting lost in distractions. Even simple goals, like improving grades or learning a new skill, can build discipline and a sense of achievement that prepares them for adulthood.

Do people usually set different goals at different stages of life?
Definitely. Goals are closely linked to priorities, and priorities change as we age. For instance, a teenager may dream of getting into a good university, a young adult might focus on building a career or buying a house, and someone older may prioritize health and spending time with family. It’s natural, because what matters most to us shifts over time.

Have your life goals changed since your childhood?
Yes, they’ve changed a lot. When I was a child, my goals were quite idealistic — I wanted to be an astronaut, for example. As I grew older, I realized my strengths and interests were different, so my goals became more practical, like having a stable career and maintaining a good work-life balance. I think it’s quite normal for people to adjust their goals as they become more realistic about life.

Do you think people are less committed to goals now than in the past?
In some ways, yes. In the past, people often had fewer choices, so once they set a goal, like working in one profession, they stuck with it for life. Nowadays, because of globalization and technology, people are exposed to so many opportunities that they often change directions. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re less committed, but maybe they value flexibility and personal growth more than stability.

What factors motivate people to achieve their goals?
I think motivation usually comes from two main sources: internal and external. Internally, people might be driven by passion, ambition, or a desire to improve themselves. Externally, factors like family expectations, financial rewards, or competition can also push them to keep working hard. For example, many students study abroad not only because they want to learn, but also because their families want them to have better career prospects.

Which is more important, personal goals or work goals?
That’s an interesting question. I’d say both are important, but in different ways. Career goals tend to be more tangible and realistic — you can usually plan a clear path to achieve them, like getting a promotion or finishing a degree. Personal goals, like improving health, building better relationships, or just being happy, are often less concrete and harder to measure. For example, how do you really set a goal to “be happy”? It’s more of a general wish than a specific target. Still, personal goals shape your overall well-being, which can influence your work life too. So while career goals might be easier to achieve, personal goals are essential for long-term fulfillment.

What goals should a society have?
Well, I think every society should focus on two big things: fairness and sustainability. On the one hand, equity is really important — making sure people have equal access to education, healthcare, and opportunities. If society reduces those gaps, it not only helps individuals but also creates more trust and stability overall. On the other hand, I’d say protecting the environment has to be a top priority. Things like cutting carbon emissions and investing in renewable energy are essential if we want future generations to live well. So, in my view, society’s goals should balance people’s well-being today with long-term sustainability.

Well, that was a great series of answers from Joseph. Now, let’s take a closer look at what he said in the dialogue. I’ll summarize each answer first, then we’ll immediately explore why it works and highlight useful vocabulary.

Question 1: Do you think children are more likely to achieve their goals if they are encouraged?
Joseph pointed out that encouragement helps build a child’s confidence and persistence. He gave the example of a child learning the piano, explaining that with support, the child is more likely to keep practicing and eventually succeed.

Looking closer, Joseph’s example makes the idea concrete, and the phrase “gives them the courage to keep trying” is very effective for expressing motivation. Using examples like this makes your answer more vivid and relatable, which is exactly what examiners like to hear.

Question 2: Who do you think has a greater influence on the goal-setting of children, teachers or parents?
Joseph explained that parents generally have the strongest influence on children’s goal-setting because they shape values and lifestyle from an early age. He noted that teachers can inspire specific ambitions, but parental guidance usually has a longer-lasting impact.

This answer works well because Joseph balances nuance. Phrases like “shape the child’s values and lifestyle” and “long-term mindset” help convey complex ideas clearly. Mentioning that teachers can occasionally have a life-changing impact adds depth.

Question 3: Is it important for teenagers to set goals? Why?
Joseph emphasized that goals provide direction and prevent distractions. Even small goals, like improving grades or learning a new skill, can build discipline and a sense of achievement that prepares teenagers for adulthood.

Here, linking goals to life stage adds depth. Expressions such as “helps them avoid getting lost in distractions” and “build discipline and a sense of achievement” are especially useful. Notice how he gives both practical and abstract reasoning to support his point.

Question 4: Do people usually set different goals at different stages of life?
Joseph described how priorities shift with age. Teenagers may focus on university, young adults on careers or buying a house, and older adults on health or family.

This is effective because it uses concrete examples to illustrate an abstract idea. Phrases like “closely linked to priorities” and “what matters most shifts over time” are versatile and can be applied to other questions about life changes.

Question 5: Have your life goals changed since your childhood?
Joseph explained that childhood goals are often idealistic, like wanting to be an astronaut, whereas adult goals are more practical, such as having a stable career and maintaining work-life balance.

Contrasting idealistic and practical goals shows reflection. Phrases like “quite idealistic” and “became more practical” help you clearly describe changes in thinking or priorities.

Question 6: Do you think people are less committed to goals now than in the past?
Joseph said that people today have more choices and opportunities, so they may change direction more often, whereas past generations often stuck to one career for life.

This works because it compares two time periods logically. Expressions like “exposed to so many opportunities” and “value flexibility and personal growth more than stability” are very useful for discussing social or generational differences.

Question 7: What factors motivate people to achieve their goals?

Joseph pointed out that motivation comes from internal sources, such as passion and ambition, and external sources, like family expectations, financial rewards, and competition. He gave the example of students studying abroad for personal growth and family reasons.

Separating internal and external motivation makes the answer structured and clear. Words like “driven by passion,” “family expectations,” and “financial rewards” are versatile vocabulary for many topics about ambition and motivation.

Question 8: Which is more important, personal goals or work goals?
Joseph made a great point by contrasting the two. He said career goals are usually more tangible, while personal goals like health or happiness are harder to measure. He even posed a thought-provoking question: ‘How do you really set a goal to be happy?

This answer is strong because it contrasts abstract and concrete goals. Phrases like “tangible and realistic,” “less concrete and harder to measure,” and “long-term fulfillment” help express nuanced ideas. Using a rhetorical question as Joseph did makes your answer sound more thoughtful.

Question 9: What goals should a society have?
Joseph said that fairness and sustainability are key. He highlighted equity in education, healthcare, and opportunities, and the importance of environmental protection for future generations.

This works well because it balances abstract ideas with concrete examples. Phrases like “equity is really important,” “equal access to education, healthcare, and opportunities,” and “future generations” are especially useful for talking about societal issues.

That brings us to the end of today’s episode on Goals. When you practice, try to first summarize the main idea in your own words, then explain why it matters, give an example, and use clear, natural language. Doing this will help your answers sound structured and natural.
Thank you for joining me on IELTS TIME. Keep practicing, and I’ll see you in the next episode!