ielts-yasi.englishlab.net

Note 1

Basically, this question is asking, "In what situations (or circumstances) do you waste time?" It is similar to the question, "What are some other examples of things that people do that you think are wastes of time?" but is not exactly the same. One of the most common examples of such a situation is traveling on the subway or bus to work or to school every day. But don't just say something like that, also say why or how you think time is being wasted (= not being used productively or efficiently) in that situation.

Another, different situation is when you (or people) procrastinate doing something that you know must be done, such as writing an essay for homework. People procrastinate when they want to avoid doing something. For example, you might say to yourself, "I'll just play one computer game before I write this essay" or, "I'll just watch this one TV program before I write this essay". In other words, procrastination usually involves doing something that is, more or less, a waste of time. For this example, the answer to "what are you doing when you waste time" might be "I'm sitting at my desk attempting to study", or "contemplating doing my homework"  or some such words. (Be careful of using this as an answer in the test. If the examiner knows that I have written this and hears such an answer from you, he or she might penalize you heavily. This is why I don't write "answers" on my website.)

Yet another example that I hope most IELTS test-takers don't personally do is gambling. Organized gambling activities (not social gambling such as when playing cards with your friends) is a waste of time because those organized gambling activities are mathematically designed so that, in the long-run, the player loses money - it's impossible to win in the long run. Since gamblers do it with the aim of making money, it is therefore a complete waste of time! This is an example of where a person has an illusion about (or ignorance of) the reality of the situation and tries to reach a goal that is illusory, or impossible. There are several examples of human activities or illusions like that.

Note 2

"Professional" means they make money, or even make their living from singing. The examiner might ask you this question to test you, to see if you know the difference between a "professional singer" and a "top level singer" = "a professional-level singer" = a "professional-quality singer". It is possible for some people to sing at a professional level but not make money from singing because they prefer to keep their current career. In other words, they remain amateur singers even though they sing at the same level as professional singers.

Note 3

If the examiner uses words such as "in order to stay healthy" or, "to keep healthy" then it means "with the aim of keeping healthy". Do you really think most 18-year-old young men who play basketball with their friends are doing it with the main goal of keeping healthy (maintaining their fitness)? I don't think that is the main goal of most of them, although most of them would be aware that playing basketball is a healthy activity. Some of them might be doing it in order to increase their endurance, similar to running many kilometers. This is improving or building one's fitness, which is not exactly the same as "maintaining or improving one's health". In fact, I think most young people don't do much with the specific goal of keeping healthy, except some who might avoid certain foods because they believe these foods are not good for the health. Those teenagers who have a weight problem and who watch their diet and who exercise in order to lose weight are probably doing it primarily in order to improve their appearance rather than improve their health. In contrast to that, most middle-aged and especially old people do exercise primarily for their health and only secondly in order to improve their appearance. Many young men go to the gym in order to build up their body (build their muscles) and, although this is a healthy activity, they are doing it more for the purposes of appearance or physical strength (e.g., to be better at a sport) than for reasons of "good health". For young women, it is similar - they go to the gym in order to have a "good figure" rather. This is a discussion topic so show the examiner your ability to talk about and explain fine shades of meaning (= small differences in meaning).

Note 4

Health and safety are two different things although they sometimes overlap. For example, dangerous fumes in a factory is both a safety and health issue. But wearing a safety helmet on a construction site is just a question of safety, not health. Obviously employers should be concerned about the safety of their employees - this is so obvious that most countries have laws concerning safe working conditions. Personal health issues, such as being overweight or smoking may or may not be suitable as issues that employers should be concerned about. This question touches on the issues of privacy, individuality etc.

Note 5

Can you walk away from (= abandon) your car if it is stuck in a traffic jam?

Note 6

• Who do you think is responsible for traffic jams?

• Do you think only the government can solve the problem of traffic jams?

There seems to be a question or two involving the words, "responsible for". Sometimes the words "responsible for" are used to mean "caused" such as, "Who is responsible for creating this mess on the floor?" At other times, "responsible for" is used to talk about who has a responsibility or duty to solve or manage a problem. Of course, these two are often the same person (or people), but not always. Listen carefully to the exact words of the question and communicate to the examiner if you are not sure what the examiner means by the question.

The second question here invites you to say something about what you think is (or is not) a responsibility of (local or city) government and the part that individuals could play to help alleviate this problem..

Note 7

A "routine" is habitual but a "schedule" is often just a one-time plan. For example, if you visit a new city, you might have a schedule (a time plan) of what to do for each day you are there. This is not a "routine". Pay attention to which word the examiner actually uses. Examiners are expecting students, especially high school students, to talk about private study schedules or timetables. A "study routine" is more than just a time plan - it includes the place and methods that people habitually employ when studying.

Note 8

I think the questions is expressed similar to that. Note that a "public transport system" really means "mass transport system" – it is for the use of the public but is not necessarily public owned (= owned by the state, the government). That is why the second question, "Do you think that only the government should be responsible for this?" seems to be used along with the first question. This second question is asking you to comment on a more political question, i.e., the question of privately owned public transportation systems such as subway systems, bus lines etc.  A different question, asking if only the government should be responsible for addressing the question of traffic jams, is asking you to compare the responsibility of governments, individuals and also possibly companies.

The definition of "public transport" or "public transport system" can also include public roads but usually it assumes that roads are publicly owned and is usually referring to systems such as subway systems, bus lines, inter-city train lines etc. However, certain roads, such as highways and freeways are, in fact, privately owned toll roads, and some subway and railway lines are privately owned in some parts of the world.

Note 9

It seems that the examiners are specifically testing how you answer a "would" question here. Don't use "will" to answer a "would" question!

Note 10

If the question is expressed that way, it can means "Do you think children themselves feel that time management is important?" Of course, the younger the child, the less they are likely to be aware of the concept of "time management" and "wasting time". Very young children need some free time to wonder about and reflect on the world, for example, the natural world around them when they are outside.

Note 11

The basic choice is between, a) the government, b) individuals & families, c) doctors & other health professionals, c) employers or a combination of a, b, c & d. If you choose b) more than the others, then the question of compulsory vaccination is logically answered by stating that vaccination should be voluntary. If you choose a) then you should logically state that vaccination should be compulsory.