English Lesson 64

Computers and daily routines

Using computers, a typical day at work or school, and routines and schedules.

How to practise
  1. Listen to an answer two times. Read the text while you listen.
  2. Shadow it. Set the speed to 0.75×. Play it again and speak at the same time as the voice.
  3. Turn on practice mode. The answers are hidden. Read each question and answer it out loud.
  4. Make it yours. Use the same phrases, but say true things about your city, your job and your life.
  5. Practise with a partner. One person reads the questions. The other answers without looking.
Speed

Part 1 · Interview

Computers

Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.

How often do you use a computer? What for?

I use a computer every day, mostly for work. I'm an architect, so I use design software for many hours. At home, I use my laptop for watching films, online shopping and paying bills.

  • mostly for workmainly for my job
  • design softwarecomputer programs for designing
  • paying billspaying for electricity, water, etc.

How did you learn to use a computer?

I learned when I was about ten. My father bought our first computer, and I spent hours playing games and trying things. Later, at school, we had computer classes. Most of what I know, I learned by myself, from trial and error.

  • I learned when I was…say when
  • trying thingstesting different actions
  • by myselfalone, without help
  • trial and errortrying many times and learning from mistakes

Do you think it is important to know how to use a computer? Why?

Yes, it's essential today. Almost every job needs basic computer skills. Even simple things, like booking a doctor's appointment or applying for a job, are done online now. People without these skills can feel left behind.

  • it's essential todayvery necessary now
  • basic computer skillssimple abilities with computers
  • feel left behindfeel they can't keep up with others

Do you like using the internet? Why?

Yes, I like it, because I can find answers to almost any question. I also use it to learn new skills, like design tricks. But sometimes I spend too much time online, so I try to take breaks.

  • find answers to almost any questionlearn nearly anything
  • spend too much time onlineuse the internet too much
  • take breaksstop for a short rest

Part 2 · Cue card

A typical day at work, school or college

You get 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Follow the four points on the card in order.

Candidate task card

Describe a typical day at work, school or college.

You should say:

  • what you do
  • how you do it
  • how long you have had this routine
  • and explain how much you enjoy your typical days
Ready 1:00

Start

I'd like to talk about a typical day at work. I'm an architect in a small design company.

What you do

I usually start at eight thirty. First, I check emails and have a short meeting with my team. Then I spend most of the morning working on drawings for buildings, like houses or small offices.

How you do it

I use design software on a big computer screen. I also sketch ideas by hand first, because it helps me think. In the afternoon, I sometimes visit a construction site to check the work, or I meet clients to show them our designs.

How long you've had this routine

I've had this routine for about three years, since I joined the company. Before that, I was a student, and my days were very different.

How much you enjoy it

I enjoy most of my days. I love the creative part, when an idea becomes a real design. The site visits are interesting too, because I can see buildings growing. The hard part is when clients change their minds many times. But overall, I feel lucky to do work I love.

  • a typical day at worka normal working day
  • sketch ideas by handdraw quick ideas on paper
  • a construction sitea place where a building is being built
  • since I joined the companysince I started working there
  • change their mindschange their decisions
  • I feel lucky to…I'm happy and grateful to

Part 3 · Discussion

Routines and schedules

Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.

Do you generally like routines?

Yes, I like having a basic routine. It helps me be organised and saves energy, because I don't have to decide everything every day. But I don't like it when every day is exactly the same. A little change keeps life interesting.

  • a basic routinea simple daily plan
  • saves energyuses less energy
  • keeps life interestingmakes life not boring

Do young people and old people have different attitudes to routines? Why?

Yes, I think so. Older people usually like routines, because they feel safe and comfortable. Young people often prefer change and new experiences. They get bored with doing the same thing every day.

  • attitudes toways of thinking about
  • feel safe and comfortablefeel secure
  • get bored withlose interest in

What are the benefits and drawbacks of having a daily routine?

The benefits are that you're more organised and productive, and good habits become easier. For example, exercise every morning becomes automatic. The drawback is that life can become boring, and it's hard to adapt when something unexpected happens.

  • drawbacksdisadvantages
  • productivedoing a lot of useful work
  • becomes automatichappens without thinking
  • adaptchange to fit a new situation

What factors influence people's daily routines?

The biggest factor is work or school hours. Family also matters a lot, for example, parents have to plan around their children. Other factors are where you live, how long the commute is, and even the weather.

  • factorsthings that have an effect
  • plan around their childrenmake plans that fit the children
  • the commutethe trip to and from work

How are work or study schedules today different from the past? Is this positive?

Today, schedules are more flexible. Many people can work from home or choose their hours. Students can study online at any time. This is mostly positive, because people have more freedom. But work and home life can mix too much.

  • more flexibleeasier to change
  • choose their hoursdecide when to work
  • mostly positivemainly good
  • mix too muchare not separate enough

How do you think people's routines will change in the future?

I think more people will work from home, at least some days a week. Some tasks, like cooking and cleaning, might be done by robots. So people may have more free time, but they'll need to plan their days more carefully.

  • at least some days a weeka few days or more
  • might be done by robotsrobots may do them
  • plan their days more carefullyorganise their time better

Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.