IELTS Expert User b1 Term 11 subject 2 lesson 9
PART 1
Voicino 1
Listen and repeat.
checking email
paying bills online
doing homework
Look at the pictures. Which activity takes the most time? Which one takes the least amount of time?
Listen to the podcast. What two small activities does Naomi talk about?
Listen again. What do these words mean?
1 wisely
a in a boring way
b in a smart way
c in an exciting way
2 technique
a a place to go
b a difficult process
c a way of doing something
3 responded
a answered someone
b asked something
c didn’t understand someone
4 tasks
a times you have to be somewhere
b things you have to do
c places you go to work
5 as well as
a and
b but
c so
PART 2
Pronunciation 1
Listening for weak forms of didn’t
Listen to the extracts from the podcast. Focus on how the speaker says the words in bold.
1 It didn’t take very long.
2 Then I didn’t need to put those tasks on my to-do list.
Pronunciation 2
Listen. Which speaker (A or B) says didn’t like the speakers in A? Write A or B.
1 I didn’t know how much time I was wasting.
2 I could have answered the emails right away, but I didn’t.
3 I didn’t realize paying my bills online was so easy.
4 It didn’t take as much time as I thought
Pronunciation 3
Check (✔) the statement that is true.
In fast speech, English speakers often drop the /d/ sound at the beginning of didn’t.
In fast speech, English speakers often drop the /t/ sound at the end of didn’t.
PART 3
Write it
WRITING Read the post Matthew wrote on the Tools for Life podcast website. What has he achieved since the podcast? Why didn’t he do these things in the past?
Tools for Life
After heard this podcast, I knew I had to try Naomi’s technique. I don’t have many problems with emails, but I do have a lot of homework! Up to now I’ve had a lot of trouble managing all the work for my different classes. To be honest, sometimes I don’t prepare for class as much as I should because I’m tired or busy, or have something better to do. But I always felt worried and stressed about it.
So I sat down and made a to-do list. Even that was a little frightening!! put all the jobs into two groups: short jobs that I could do in less than five minutes) and long jobs. i immediately started with a few short jobs-I put away my papers, cleaned my desk, and things like that. I felt much happier right away. I had so much energy, I worked on one of my “lang jobs” afterward – wrote an outline for a research paper that’s due next week.
So far, this has been working well! feel more positive about what’s on my to-do list. From now on, I’m going to try to study a little every day, and I’ll probably finish my research paper early next week. If you’re stressed about organization, definitely try Naom’s plan!!
How has this technique changed Matthew’s life? Do you think he’ll continue to make improvements? Why or why not?
WRITING SKILLS Read the information about time expressions and match the time expressions (1-4) with ones of the same meaning (a-d). Then find and underline some of the time expressions in Matthew’s post.
Use time expressions to talk about actions and experiences in the present, past, and future.
1 immediately
2 so far
3 before
4 in the future
a up to now
b from now on
c right away
d in the past
WRITE IT Write a post about how you manage your time and the things you have to do. If you already use Naomi’s technique (or a similar one), describe your experiences. If you don’t use a time- management technique, describe how you’ve been managing up to now and say what you might do in the future to manage your time better.
PART 4
Practicino 1
LISTEN FOR MAIN AND SUPPORTING IDEAS
Listen to the podcast. Answer the questions.
1 What is the first tip?
2 What is an example of the first tip?
3 How is the first tip helpful for Tina?
4 What is the second tip?
5 How is the second tip helpful for Tina?
6 According to Andrew, which of the two tips can save you more time?
Practicino 2
READING
Read the comment by BusyBee221. Then read the statements and check (✔) the ones that are true.
Peyman wrote:
After I listened to the latest episode of Tips with Tina, I immediately decided to try Andrew’s tips for saving time. Like Tina, I’m always losing my keys. I also spend a lot of time looking for my wallet in the morning. So, I put a bowl on the dresser in my bedroom, and I started putting my keys and my wallet in it when I got home every evening. I tried it for a week, and it really made a difference. Before, I used to feel rushed every morning, and I would sometimes get to class late, but now I don’t feel rushed at all. I got to class on time every day last week, and I even had time to stop for coffee on my way to school. The second tip was harder to follow, but I did my best. I managed to say “no” to one invitation last week when my friend invited me to a movie. I felt guilty about it for a while, but I was really glad that I refused the invitation. While my friend was at the movies, I finished my paper for my history class. It felt great!
So far, Andrew’s tips are working for me. I think they’ll keep saving me time in the future.
1 BusyBee221 tried Andrew’s tips.
2 He started putting his wallet and keys in a bowl by the front door.
3 He didn’t have to look for his keys, but he still got to class late every morning.
4 He said “no” to one friend’s invitation.
5 He was able to write a paper because he didn’t go to the movies with his friend.
6 He wishes that he had said “yes” to his friend.
Practicino 3
WRITING
Write your own comment responding to Tina’s podcast and peyman’s comment.
Decide if you think Andrew’s tips are helpful.