Hello listeners, welcome to the IELTS TIME Podcast! In today’s episode, we’ll be focusing on the Part 3 topic of saving time. We’ll now hear Joseph answer some typical questions on this topic, giving you a great example of how to approach these questions. Let’s get started!
What can schools do to help students learn time management?
Schools can help students manage their time by teaching them how to use planners or digital tools for scheduling tasks. They can also assign projects with staggered deadlines to encourage better planning. Additionally, workshops on prioritization and avoiding procrastination can help students build strong time management habits for the future.
Is it necessary for children to learn time management?
Honestly, I’m not entirely convinced that every child needs strict time management. Being organized is useful, sure, but kids should also have the freedom to be spontaneous. If their schedules are packed every minute, where’s the space for creativity and just having fun? Too much focus on efficiency can create unnecessary pressure, which isn’t always healthy. Plus, many kids naturally figure out how to manage their time as they grow, so they don’t need to be mini CEOs from age five.
Do people who can manage time well become successful more easily?
No, I don’t think time management is a key to success at all. Compared to qualities like creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving, time management is much less important. Many successful people are not perfectly organized, but they succeed because they take risks, think innovatively, or have strong connections. Being too focused on managing time efficiently might even limit flexibility and new opportunities. So, while it’s a useful skill, it’s far from the main factor in achieving success.
What can people do to save time?
Saving time is so important, especially with how busy everyone is. First, being organized helps a lot—just planning your day, even roughly, keeps you from scrambling. Then, cutting out distractions like phones and social media is key. Setting boundaries with them can save a lot of time. Also, learning to say ‘no’ to things that aren’t important is crucial. And being efficient with daily tasks, like meal prepping or combining errands, helps too. Delegating when possible is another good one. Ultimately, it’s about being smart with your time, not just trying to do more.
Does technology help people save time? How and why?
Yes, technology definitely helps people save time. With tools like smartphones, apps, and automation, tasks that once took hours can now be done in minutes. For example, things like banking, shopping, and scheduling can be done quickly, without having to leave the house. Technology also helps with communication, allowing us to connect with people instantly, regardless of distance. This makes everything more efficient. However, it’s important to use technology wisely, as it can also become a distraction if not managed properly.
Do you think parents should be responsible for teaching children to save time?
No, I don’t think it’s the parents’ responsibility to teach children to save time. Childhood should be about exploration and learning naturally, not strict efficiency. Instead of focusing on saving time, parents should encourage curiosity and problem-solving, which are more valuable in the long run. Plus, time management is something people develop as they grow, often through experience rather than direct teaching. So while parents can guide their children, I don’t think they should be responsible for making them overly time-conscious.
Welcome back to IELTS TIME! I’m your host Archer, and today’s episode is all about saving time. In the last segment, we heard Joseph answer some typical questions about this topic. Now, I want to break down each question and show you how you can approach them using the right vocabulary, ideas, and structure to give an effective and natural response.
Let’s dive in, starting with the first question Joseph answered:
‘What can schools do to help students learn time management?’
When it comes to this question, the key is to focus on ideas that are both practical and realistic. Schools can play a big role in teaching time management, but you don’t have to give a generic answer. Think about tools that schools can provide. You could mention things like planners, digital apps, or even assignments that help students break tasks into smaller chunks. Joseph talked about staggered deadlines, which is a great example! It shows that students don’t have to do everything at once.
For vocabulary, think about terms like ‘time management tools,’ ‘prioritization,’ ‘deadlines,’ ‘scheduling,’ and even ‘task breakdown.’ These are words that will show the examiner you know how to talk about time management in a meaningful way. Don’t forget to consider the impact on students’ overall well-being. Schools should also teach students to find a balance between study, extracurricular activities, and rest—otherwise, they might burn out.
Here’s a possible example of what you could say
‘Well, schools can provide tools like planners or digital apps to help students organize their time better. They can also give assignments with staggered deadlines so students learn how to break tasks down and avoid leaving things until the last minute. But just as importantly, schools should teach students the value of balance—knowing when to focus and when to take breaks is key to good time management
Next, let’s look at the second question:
‘Is it necessary for children to learn time management?’
This one is interesting because you can either say ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ but you want to explain why. You could argue that time management is helpful, but it’s not necessarily critical for every child. Think about how kids need time to be creative, play, and just be themselves. Too much focus on time management could make childhood feel more like a job than a time for growth and exploration.
For vocabulary, words like ‘structured routine,’ ‘balance,’ ‘creativity,’ and ‘free time’ will help frame your answer. The idea here is to balance the benefits of time management with the need for personal growth.
For example, you might say:
‘Well, it’s important for children to learn some basic time management skills, but I don’t think it’s necessary to push them too hard. Children need time to play, explore, and develop their creativity. Over-scheduling them can be harmful, as it might take away from their ability to think outside the box or just enjoy being a kid. So, while learning to manage time is helpful, it shouldn’t be a top priority.’
Let’s move on to the next one:
‘Do people who can manage time well become successful more easily?’
Here’s where you can show that you understand success is multi-faceted. Time management is important, but it’s not the only factor. There’s also creativity, adaptability, and taking risks. Some people might be incredibly organized but struggle with innovation, while others may not be as time-efficient but succeed because of their bold ideas or leadership skills.
For this answer, the vocabulary is key. Use words like ‘efficiency,’ ‘productivity,’ ‘adaptability,’ ‘creativity,’ and ‘risk-taking.’ These will help you explain that success depends on a combination of factors, not just how well someone manages their time.
for example, you might say:
‘No, I don’t think time management is the main factor in success. Sure, it’s helpful to be efficient, but success also depends on creativity, taking risks, and even being adaptable to change. Some people are very organized but lack the ability to think outside the box, while others might be less structured but thrive due to their innovative ideas or leadership qualities.
Moving on to the next question:
‘What can people do to save time?’
This is a great one to show your practical side. People can save time by being organized, setting priorities, and cutting out distractions. Joseph mentioned things like using digital tools to plan your day and eliminating time-wasters like social media. You might also mention things like meal prepping or batching tasks, which are excellent ways to save time in daily life.
The key here is to highlight time-saving strategies. You could also talk about the importance of being focused and not multitasking, because when people juggle too many things at once, they can actually waste more time.
For vocabulary, words like ‘prioritize,’ ‘batch tasks,’ ‘eliminate distractions,’ and ‘focus’ will be really useful.
Here is what that could sound like…
‘To save time, people need to prioritize their tasks. Using a planner or app to schedule their day can help. They should also try to eliminate distractions like social media, which can really waste time. Another great strategy is batching tasks, like doing all your errands at once, or meal prepping so you don’t have to cook every day. Being focused and avoiding multitasking is key, too.’
Now, the second-to-last question:
‘Does technology help people save time?’
This is one where you can definitely go both ways. Technology can be a huge time-saver with apps and tools that help you organize tasks, communicate quickly, and even automate parts of your life. But on the flip side, technology also comes with distractions—social media, constant notifications, etc. It’s important to mention the need for balance when using technology.
For vocabulary, terms like ‘productivity tools,’ ‘automation,’ ‘distractions,’ and ‘balance’ will be useful.
You might say:
‘Yes, technology definitely helps save time, especially with tools like scheduling apps or digital assistants. These make it easier to stay organized. However, technology can also be a major distraction. Social media or constant notifications can steal a lot of time if we’re not careful. So, while technology is useful, it’s important to strike a balance and use it wisely.’
And finally, the last question:
‘Should parents be responsible for teaching children to save time?’
This one is tricky because parents obviously play a huge role in children’s development, but teaching them to save time doesn’t have to be a major responsibility. Instead, parents can help children develop organizational habits and good routines, but creativity and free play are just as important. If parents focus too much on time-saving, kids might miss out on spontaneous moments that are key to their growth.
For vocabulary, think about words like ‘routines,’ ‘habits,’ ‘creativity,’ and ‘balance.’
One way to put it is:
‘No, I don’t think it’s the parents’ responsibility to teach children to save time. Of course, they can help children develop good habits and routines, but kids also need time to play, be creative, and explore. If parents push them to be overly organized, it could limit their development in other important areas.
That’s all for today’s episode. Thanks for listening, see you next time!
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