IELTS Cue Card: Describe an activity that you engage in and waste your time

IELTS Cue Card: Describe an activity that you engage in and waste your time.

Describe an activity that you engage in and waste your time.
You should say :

• What is that activity and when did you start the indulgence?
• Why did you engage in that activity?
• Why do you think it as a waste of time?

and what else can be done?

Sample Answer:

Although, nowadays it is a popular trend to say that I am very busy. But, if we observe a little closely, we will find that most of us waste our time in such an unconscious manner that we do not even stay aware of it. I also engage in this activity of net and social media browsing, which, I came to realise lately, is a sheer waste of time. Whenever I have a break at work or whenever I am at home, I instantly start browsing on my phone. Reading and watching different posts, messages, blogs and other such useless gossip turned into adrenaline pumpers and eventually, the addiction. These quivers offered by the internet start offering vicarious entertainment, and one gets hooked to them. I started this habit only a year ago, when I bought my new smartphone. The feature phone I used to have earlier had no such space for internet windows.

I started with opening an account on Facebook, which is a very common cult among netizens. It was after that that I started receiving so many comments, posts, videos and whatnot on my account. Once I started diving in them, I kept on pushing deeper and deeper. Some are funny to watch, while others have an aphrodisiac nature. Some criticise the PM while others support the government. Some comments make you feel like a hero, while others bring embarrassment. It is this colourful play of different emotions and temperaments which becomes an inducement for any user and similarly for me.

For the first few months after I bought the smartphone, I could not even realise the long durations at a stretch, just floating in those clouds and networks. It was only lately when I started feeling a severe backache and detected a rise in my lens number. I had literally punished my health for the sake of the activity of sitting with that stupid device in any bad posture. Then I realised that there is nothing creative or productive which is drawn out of this useless activity, which not only consumes time but health as well.

STRONG WORDS

 

Word	Meaning
Quiver	Sudden vibrations: Loud music at the party sent shivers through my body.
Vicarious	Not original, derived: One should not believe in vicarious satisfactions.
Atrophy	Judicious policies do not allow atrophy of natural resources.

Follow-up Questions

Q. 1 Why do people engage in activities other than work?

Sample answer: Actually, the urgency in life at all times can drive a person crazy. Therefore, one takes a break in work as well as in the thought process. Otherwise, one would become totally mechanical with no time for amusing and creative things. Therefore, to spend some time for personal rejuvenation, people engage in activities other than work.

Q. 2 How does an activity become a time-wasting activity?

Sample answer: Initially, no activity can be termed a time-wasting activity. Even listening to a joke will be called an amusement and entertainment, necessary for living beings. But when we indulge in an activity for a longer duration, then it becomes a matter of concern to evaluate the productivity and utility of that activity; otherwise, it becomes an atrophy. For instance, drinking wine occasionally can be entertainment, but overindulgence in drinking will change its character from amusement to devastation.

Q. 3 What should the parents do to avoid children getting overengaged in video games?

Sample answer: First of all, children, even till the graduation level, should not be handed the mobile phones. They can learn their apt soft skills on a desktop or personal computer placed in a common place for everyone. Secondly, even if they use the mobile phones of parents for some time, they should be duly observed and should not be allowed for overtime. Moreover, parents should educate their children about the uses and drawbacks of using a mobile phone at an early age. Rather, they should encourage them to participate in outdoor games, instead.

Q. 4 How can people spend their time creatively?

Sample answer: Books are considered to be the best friends in free time. Reading good books not only provides information on so many streams, but it also paves the way for the generation of new ideas after the accumulation of knowledge. Apart from this, one can be engaged in outdoor games and adventures. This will help in maintaining good health and enthusiastic spirits.

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