Cue Card

Describe an activity you usually do that wastes your time

You should say:

• What it is
• When you usually do it
• Why you do it
• And explain why it thinks it wastes your time.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. How do you balance work and life?
2. Do you continue to do something when you are aware it is a waste of time?
3. What kinds of things make people feel pressured?
4. Why do some people refuse to abide by the rules?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I'm guilty of it, we all are - mindless scrolling through social media. I mean, how many of us have opened Instagram to check the time, only to find ourselves 30 minutes later still scrolling through our feeds, comparing our lives to the highlight reels of others? It's a vicious cycle, and it's eating away at our productivity and mental health. I've caught myself doing it too - I'll be waiting in line at the grocery store, or sitting at a red light, and before I know it, I've scrolled through an entire feed without even realizing it. It's like my thumb has a mind of its own.

But the thing is, it's not just the time that's wasted. It's the mental energy, the emotional labor, the constant comparison and dissatisfaction that comes with it. We're comparing our behind-the-scenes moments to everyone else's curated highlight reels, and it's a losing game. And let's not even get started on the impact it has on our relationships and our sense of self-worth. So, I'm making a conscious effort to be more mindful of my social media use, to set boundaries and prioritize real-life connections over virtual ones. It's time to take back control and make social media a tool, not a time-suck.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

mindless scrolling

scrolling through social media without a specific goal or purpose, often leading to wasted time

I spent hours mindless scrolling through Twitter and didn't even realize it.

I'm trying to cut back on mindless scrolling before bed so I can sleep better.

Sample Part 3 Answers

How do you balance work and life? Honestly, I'm still figuring this out. I think a lot of people struggle with balancing work and life, especially with the constant availability of technology. For me, it's about setting clear boundaries and prioritizing self-care. I try to avoid checking work emails or taking work calls during non-work hours, and instead focus on activities that bring me joy and relaxation, like reading or spending time with loved ones. I also make sure to schedule time for myself, whether it's a walk during lunch or a yoga class after work. It's not always easy, but I'm working on finding a balance that works for me.

Do you continue to do something when you are aware it is a waste of time? I'd be lying if I said I never do this. I think we've all been guilty of mindlessly scrolling through social media or watching hours of YouTube videos when we know we should be doing something more productive. For me, it's often a matter of procrastination - I'll get sucked into a rabbit hole of cat videos or memes when I'm feeling overwhelmed or stuck on a task. I know it's not the best use of my time, but sometimes it's hard to resist the temptation. I'm working on being more mindful of my habits and finding healthier ways to cope with stress and boredom.

What kinds of things make people feel pressured? I think social media is a huge source of pressure for a lot of people. We're constantly bombarded with curated images and updates from friends, family, and celebrities, and it's easy to feel like we're not measuring up. For me, it's the pressure to constantly produce content and present a perfect online persona. I feel like I need to be constantly posting and engaging, or else I'll fall behind or be forgotten. It's exhausting, and it's hard not to compare myself to others and feel like I'm not good enough. I'm trying to take a step back and remember that social media is just a highlight reel - nobody posts about their failures or imperfections.

Why do some people refuse to abide by the rules? I think some people refuse to abide by the rules because they feel like they're being suffocated by them. Maybe they feel like the rules are unfair or outdated, or maybe they just like to challenge authority. For me, it's about feeling like I'm being forced into a box or constrained by arbitrary rules. I like to think outside the box and push boundaries, even if it means breaking a few rules along the way. Of course, this can sometimes get me into trouble, but I think it's also what drives innovation and progress.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

burnout

a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, overwork, and lack of balance in life

I'm feeling burned out from working non-stop for months.

She's experiencing burnout from taking care of her sick family member.