Describe Something you Want to do But don’t Have Time For- IELTS Cue Card

And explain why you don’t have time for it.

Sample Answer 1

In the present day and age, with people being swamped with work and packed schedules, it leaves virtually no time for engaging in any leisure activities. As a budding content writer and tutor, I, too, find myself preoccupied with a number of tasks and hardly any free time. Here, I would like to talk about something I want to do but do not find time for – volunteering.

As an enthusiastic and dedicated member of Girl Guides throughout my school years, I used to extensively volunteer at an elderly people’s care home during my holidays. I enjoyed doing the various tasks there, from decorating the hallways for Christmas to spending time with the old folks while they regaled me with tales from their past. During my time as an undergraduate and, later, postgraduate, I participated in a number of community service projects with a Rotaract club in my city. I also volunteered with the Missionaries of Charity during my first semester of postgraduate studies. During my time with them, I cared for and spent time with children with disabilities. I enjoyed the work there, but as my academic pressures increased, I had to leave with a heavy heart. Then, the pandemic struck, so volunteering was no longer an option.

In the future, when the situation gets better and I have sufficient free time on my hands, I would like to go back to volunteering once again. I genuinely enjoy taking care of and spending time with people of all ages and it always teaches me valuable lessons about myself and life in general. Volunteering has helped me develop empathy, compassion, and patience with people and I look forward to inculcating more such positive values when I get to volunteer next.

Sample Answer 2

Everyone has a never-ending wish list or bucket list of things they desire to accomplish. However, due to time constraints, they are unable to accomplish their goals. On the other hand, some people understand the value of time and try to achieve their goals efficiently as they are aware of how time affects their lives. Here, I’d like to discuss something I’d like to do but don’t have time for right now.

So, I’ve been planning to learn Spanish for a very long time because, in today’s interconnected world, it’s highly essential for an individual to remain multilingual. Moreover, knowing different languages would make traveling and living in that country more fulfilling and satisfying. As a result, learning the 2-most spoken language, Spanish, would be a valuable asset because it would increase my chances of getting connected with the people who live there and understanding their culture and tradition. Simultaneously, it would open a door full of opportunities in the employment market.

Learning a new language is challenging and is similar to running a marathon or high-diving into an ocean, which is surely not an easy task. It, too, takes a bit of time & effort, consistent practice, professional assistance, and plenty of dedication. As a result, learning Spanish is neither easy nor difficult. To be honest, I was swamped with work commitments and the hectic daily life of a demanding profession, and family distractions prevented me from learning Spanish.

Vocabulary

• Never-ending

Meaning: (especially of something unpleasant) having or seeming to have no end
Eg: Migrating to Australia is one of her wishes in her never-ending wish list.

• Desire

Meaning: strongly wish for or want (something)
Eg: Mike desires to visit the Maldives.

• Asset

Meaning: an item of property owned by a person or company, regarded as having value and available to meet debts, commitments, or legacies.
Eg: Keith’s verbal skills were an asset to the company.

• Swamped

Meaning: overwhelm with an excessive amount of something; inundate
Eg: John couldn’t attend the party because he was swamped with work.

• Prevent

Meaning: keep (something) from happening.
Eg: The government imposed a lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus.

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