Cue Card

Describe something you do that is a waste of time

You should say:

• What it is
• When you do it
• Why you do it
• And explain why you think it is a waste of time.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. What do you do to have work-life balance?
2. Do you continue to do something when you realize it’s a waste of time?
3. What kind of things make people feel stressed?
4. Why do some people refuse to rules?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I'm guilty of spending hours scrolling through social media, comparing my life to the curated highlight reels of others. I mean, who doesn't love a good Instagram scroll, right? But let's be real, it's a total waste of time. I'm not learning anything new, I'm not accomplishing anything productive, and I'm definitely not making any meaningful connections. And yet, I find myself mindlessly scrolling through my feeds, feeling like I'm missing out if I don't stay up-to-date on the latest trends and updates. It's like I'm trapped in some kind of social media Groundhog Day, reliving the same cycle of comparison and dissatisfaction over and over again.

But here's the thing: I know I'm not alone in this. We're all guilty of wasting time on something, whether it's binge-watching Netflix, playing video games, or scrolling through social media. And while it's okay to indulge every now and then, the problem arises when we let these habits consume us. We start to feel like we're not good enough, like we're not doing enough, and like we're stuck in a rut. And that's when we need to take a step back and reevaluate our priorities.

So, what's the solution? For me, it's about setting boundaries and being intentional with my time. I try to limit my social media use to specific times of the day, and I've started using website blockers to help me stay focused on my work. It's not easy, but it's worth it. Because when I'm not wasting time on social media, I can focus on the things that truly matter to me – my relationships, my passions, and my personal growth.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

waste of time

an activity that is not useful or productive

Watching excessive TV is a waste of time.

Playing video games all day is a waste of time.

curated highlight reels

a selection of the best or most interesting parts of something, often presented in a way that is intended to impress or persuade

Social media platforms often present curated highlight reels of people's lives.

The company's website features curated highlight reels of their products.

Sample Part 3 Answers

What do you do to have work-life balance? To be honest, achieving work-life balance is a constant struggle for me, but one thing that helps is setting clear boundaries between my work and personal life. For instance, I make it a point to not check work emails or take work calls during non-work hours, unless it's absolutely necessary. This helps me avoid the temptation to get sucked into work-related tasks and allows me to focus on my personal life. I also prioritize self-care activities like exercise, meditation, and spending time with loved ones, which helps me recharge and maintain my energy levels. By doing so, I'm able to approach my work with a clear mind and a sense of purpose, which ultimately leads to better productivity and a healthier work-life balance.

Do you continue to do something when you realize it’s a waste of time? I'd be lying if I said I never continue doing something even when I realize it's a waste of time. One thing that comes to mind is scrolling through social media mindlessly. I'll often catch myself scrolling through my feeds for hours, comparing my life to others, and feeling like I'm not doing enough. But when I take a step back and realize what I'm doing, I'm like, 'What am I even doing? This is such a waste of time!' And yet, I'll still continue scrolling, even though I know it's not serving me. I think it's because it's just so easy to get sucked into the endless loop of social media, and it's hard to break the habit. But when I do finally put my phone down, I always feel a sense of relief and regret for wasting so much time.

What kind of things make people feel stressed? I think one thing that makes people feel stressed is when they feel like they're not in control of their time. For example, when I'm stuck in traffic or waiting in a long line, I feel my stress levels rising because I feel like I'm wasting time and can't do anything about it. It's like, I'm being held hostage by circumstances beyond my control, and it's really frustrating. Another thing that can cause stress is when people feel like they're not meeting expectations, whether it's their own expectations or someone else's. When I'm working on a project and I feel like I'm not meeting my own standards, I can get really stressed out because I feel like I'm not doing enough. But when I take a step back and remind myself that it's okay to make mistakes and that I'm doing my best, I can calm down and focus on finding a solution.

Why do some people refuse to rules? I think some people refuse to follow rules because they feel like they're being constrained or restricted in some way. For example, when I was in school, I had a friend who always seemed to be pushing the boundaries and testing the limits. He would often break rules just for the sake of breaking them, and it seemed like he got a thrill from it. But when I talked to him about it, he said that he felt like the rules were stifling his creativity and individuality. He wanted to express himself and be his own person, and he felt like the rules were holding him back. I think that's a common reason why people refuse to follow rules – they feel like they're being forced to conform to someone else's standards, and they want to assert their own independence and autonomy.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

set clear boundaries

to establish clear limits or rules for something

I make it a point to not check work emails or take work calls during non-work hours, unless it's absolutely necessary.

sucked into

to be drawn into something, often in a way that is difficult to control

I'll often catch myself scrolling through my feeds for hours, comparing my life to others, and feeling like I'm not doing enough.

break the habit

to stop doing something that you do regularly, often because it is not good for you

But when I take a step back and realize what I'm doing, I always feel a sense of relief and regret for wasting so much time.

beyond my control

not able to be controlled or influenced by someone or something

It's like, I'm being stuck in traffic or waiting in a long line, I feel my stress levels rising because I feel like I'm wasting time and can't do anything about it.

pushing the boundaries

to try to do something that is not allowed or to go beyond what is considered acceptable

He would often break rules just for the sake of breaking them, and it seemed like he got a thrill from it.

stifling

to prevent something from developing or growing

He felt like the rules were stifling his creativity and individuality.