IELTS Speaking part 1 | Being alone

Sometimes it is good to spend time alone but not everyone like to be or do things alone?

Think about these questions –

1. Why do you like spending time alone?
2. Why do you not like spending time alone?
3. Do you prefer other people to be around? (Why?)

Examples

• I would have to say that I don’t really enjoy spending time alone. I am bit of an extrovert, so I enjoy being around other people.  I go out a lot to meet my friends either for meals or we catch up over a few glasses of wine at the weekends.
• I don’t mind my own company so spending time alone doesn’t bother me, I am a bit of an introvert. I am happy to chill out reading a book or watching television. I have recently taken up yoga so that is something I enjoy doing when it is quiet early in the mornings with nobody around.

Extrovert (Noun) (c) – UK /ˈek.strə.vɜːt/ US /ˈek.strə.vɝːt/ – an energetic person who enjoys being with others

Introvert (Noun) (c) – UK /ˈɪn.trə.vɜːt/ US /ˈɪn.trə.vɝːt/ – a person who is shy, quiet, and prefers to spend time alone rather than often being with other people

Chill out – phrasal verb – to relax completely or not allow things to upset you

Do you ever spend time completely alone? You may live in shared accommodation or with parents, so it is difficult to spend time on your own.

Look at these questions –

1. Was the last time you spent alone a long time ago?
2. Do you do anything special so you can be alone i.e. go for a walk?
3. Are you ever alone?

Examples

• I rarely spend time alone really. I am always out and about. I think the last time I spent alone was a few months ago when I took some time off work. I just pottered around the house and read quite a few books. It was nice to have the place to myself for a few days as I share an apartment with two other people.
• The last time I spent alone was last night. I like to go for a walk in the evenings just to get a little exercise as I sit at a desk all day because of my job. I really like to get some fresh air and collect my thoughts when I am out walking. It’s a good way to stay in shape as well, as we all know sitting at a desk all day makes it easy to put on weight.

Out and about – collocation – active- doing the things you usually do

Potter around/about – phrasal verb – US UK /ˈpɒtər/ mainly UK – to spend time in a pleasant, relaxed way, often doing small jobs in your house

Collect one’s thoughts – (idiomatic phrase) – to organise one’s emotional state or thinking – to think a short time before making a decision

Stay in shape – (idiomatic phrase) – to keep fit/healthy

You may like to read, listen to music, practice yoga, or even meditate.

Look at these questions –

1. What do you usually do and why?
2. Is being alone relaxing?

Examples

1. I find being alone helps me to relax. I can just unwind and don’t have to think about anything in particular. Sometimes I will just lie on the couch and listen to some of my favourite tunes or maybe pick up a book. I also like to meditate which I find very relaxing. To be able to do that I have to be alone with no others around distracting me.
2. If I am alone, I always try and keep myself busy. I will usually do some housework or spend time texting my friends to see what they have been doing. I also like to go onto Youtube as there are some really interesting documentaries.

Unwind (Verb) – UK  /ʌnˈwaɪnd/ US /ʌnˈwaɪnd/ – to relax completely after a busy period of work or other activity

Documentary (Noun) – UK /ˌdɒk.jəˈmen.tər.i/ US /ˌdɑː.kjəˈmen.t̬ɚ.i/

If your work is very busy or you share accommodation, you probably value spending some time by yourself. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, we are in the middle of a global pandemic and lots of people may feel isolated being alone.

1. Why would you like to spend more time alone – Yes/no?
2. Would you feel lonely if you spent more time alone?
3. Do you think your friends would find it strange if you spent more time alone?

Examples

• I definitely wouldn’t want to spend more time alone. As I mentioned earlier, I don’t like to spend that much time by myself, so I make sure I keep myself busy meeting friends or doing work at home. To be honest I feel quite lonely when I am by myself.
• I would love to spend more time alone as I share an apartment with two other people. It would be nice to have my own place and to be able to do what I want when I want. However, at the moment due to COVID, I am happy that I have some company. I can’t imagine what it would be like to spend a lockdown period completely alone.

Own place (slang) – your own place to live