Cue Card

Describe a time you enjoyed a day off work or school

You should say:

• Where you were
• What you did
• Who you were with
• And how you felt about it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Do people have more free time now than in the past?
2. What do people in your country like to do when they are free?
3. Do you think most people are able to manage their free time well?
4. What’s the difference between the things people do in their free time now, and the things they did in the past?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I woke up to the sound of silence. No alarm blaring in my ear, no rush to get to the office. It was a rare day off, and I was determined to make the most of it. I rolled over, feeling the warmth of the sun peeking through the blinds, and let out a deep sigh of relief. No meetings, no deadlines, no emails to answer. Just me, myself, and I, with a whole day to do whatever I pleased.

I started by making myself a cup of coffee, the good stuff, not the rushed, burnt coffee from the office machine. I savored every sip, feeling the caffeine kick in and my senses come alive. Then, I did something I never get to do on a weekday: I read the news. Not just the headlines, but the actual articles, the opinion pieces, the human-interest stories. It was like a breath of fresh air, a reminder that there's a world beyond my desk.

After getting my news fix, I decided to tackle a project I'd been putting off for months: organizing my backyard. It was a mess, overgrown and neglected, but I saw an opportunity to create something beautiful. I spent hours digging, planting, and pruning, getting my hands dirty and feeling the sun on my skin. It was meditative, therapeutic, and utterly satisfying. I felt like I was creating something from nothing, bringing order to chaos.

As the day drew to a close, I realized that this was what I'd been missing: time to recharge, time to refocus, time to remember what's truly important. It wasn't just a day off; it was a reminder that life is too short to be stuck in a cubicle all day. It was a wake-up call to prioritize my own happiness, to make time for the things that bring me joy. And as I drifted off to sleep that night, I knew that I'd carry this feeling with me, long after the day was over.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

make the most of it

to use an opportunity to the fullest, to get the most benefit or enjoyment from a situation

I'm going to make the most of my day off and go on a hike.

She made the most of her time in college and graduated with honors.

a breath of fresh air

something that brings new energy, excitement, or relief to a situation

The new employee was a breath of fresh air in the office.

The weekend was a breath of fresh air after a long week of work.

get my hands dirty

to get involved in a project or activity, often in a hands-on way

I love getting my hands dirty in the garden.

He got his hands dirty fixing his own car.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Do people have more free time now than in the past? I think people have a different kind of free time now than they did in the past. With the rise of technology, we have so many more options for how to spend our free time, but we also have a lot more distractions. I mean, think about it - we can access almost any piece of information, watch any movie or TV show, or connect with anyone in the world from our phones. That's a lot of power, but it also means that we're constantly being pulled in different directions. I think people are busier now than they used to be, but it's a different kind of busy. We're not necessarily working more hours, but we're always 'on' and connected, which can make it hard to really relax and enjoy our free time.

What do people in your country like to do when they are free? I think people in the US love to get outside and be active when they're free. We're a pretty outdoorsy country, and there are so many beautiful national parks and natural areas to explore. Hiking, camping, and biking are all really popular, and a lot of people also enjoy sports like basketball, soccer, and football. But we also love our screens, and a lot of people spend their free time binge-watching TV shows or playing video games. I think what's interesting is that people are also really into experiences now - they want to try new foods, attend concerts and festivals, and travel to new places. It's not just about relaxing at home anymore; people want to make the most of their free time and create memories.

Do you think most people are able to manage their free time well? Honestly, I don't think most people are great at managing their free time. I think we all get caught up in the idea that we need to be constantly productive and achieving something, even when we're not working. We feel guilty if we're not using our free time to learn a new skill or work on a project, but the truth is, sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is just relax and do nothing. I think people struggle to prioritize self-care and make time for the things that bring them joy, and instead get sucked into social media or other distractions. It's hard to find that balance, but I think it's really important for our mental and physical health.

What’s the difference between the things people do in their free time now, and the things they did in the past? I think the biggest difference is that people used to do a lot more things that were just for fun, without any other purpose. They'd play board games, go to the park, or just hang out with friends without feeling like they needed to be accomplishing something. Now, it feels like everything we do has to have a purpose or a goal - we're always trying to improve ourselves or achieve something. Don't get me wrong, that can be great, but I think we've lost some of that carefree spirit. People used to just enjoy the moment and not worry so much about what they were getting out of it. I think that's something we could learn from the past and try to incorporate more into our lives today.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

make the most of

to use something (such as time or an opportunity) in the best possible way

I'm trying to make the most of my summer vacation by traveling and trying new things.

She's making the most of her free time by learning a new language.