Ready for C1 p 26. The Benefits and Drawbacks of Changing Clocks. Speaking. Sample Answer

What are the benefits and drawbacks of changing clocks in the spring and autumn?

Sample Answer:

Anna: So, we need to discuss the highlights and challenges of adjusting (1)___________ in the spring and autumn. What are your (2)______________ on this?

Tom: Well, one clear benefit is that when we put the clocks (3)______________ in spring, we get longer evenings, (4)__________ is perfect for (5)_______________ activities. Don’t you agree?

Anna: Absolutely. I love the extra daylight too—it feels like you have more time in the day. However, (6)____________ an hour of sleep when the clocks (7)____________ forward is tough. My alarm clock goes (8)____________ an hour earlier, and I feel like I’m racing (9)___________ the clock to get ready.

Tom: Same here. That adjustment is hard at first. Yet in autumn, when we put the clocks (10)_____________, we get that extra hour of sleep, which feels amazing.

Anna: Definitely! Besides, I like how everything feels slower in autumn. When the evenings get (11)___________, it’s nice to hear the tick-tock of a (12)______________ in a quiet room. It makes me (13)____________ cosy.

Tom: Certainly, but don’t you think (14)____________ days in autumn can be a drawback too? Some people find it depressing when the clocks go (15)_____________ and it gets dark earlier.

Anna: That’s true. I suppose it depends on how you look at it. On the practical side, the original idea of changing (16)____________—saving energy (17)_________ using more daylight—made a lot of (18)_____________ when people worked around the (19)______________ or relied on natural light.

Tom: But is it still reasonable now? We have electric lights and flexible working hours. Some people say the disturbance to sleep patterns and routines (20)_____________ any benefits.

Anna: I can understand that. Plus, when the clock says it’s time to change, it affects everyone, (21)____________ they like it or not. That can be frustrating for people who already have a tight schedule.

Tom: Exactly, but I think some people still enjoy the tradition. There’s something comforting about hearing a grandfather (22)_______________ chime softly or strike the hour after the (23)____________ change. It feels like a connection to the passage of (24)__________ and the changing seasons.

Anna: I hadn’t thought of it like that, but you’re right. Changing the clocks (25)___________ make us pause and reflect. So, to sum up, the advantages are longer evenings in spring and the (26)___________ to rest more in autumn, while the disadvantages are the disruption (27)______________ sleep and routines, especially in spring.

Tom: My thoughts (28)______________. It’s a (29)_____________ bag, isn’t it? (30)____________ we’re setting clocks (31)_____________ or setting clocks (32)______________, there are (33)_____________ and roundabouts. I guess it just depends on (34)___________ you handle the change.

KEY

1. clocks

2. thoughts

3. forward

4. which

5. outdoor

6. losing

7. go

8. off

9. against

against the clock: as fast as possible. If you do something against the clock, you do it as fast as possible and try to finish it before a certain time.

E.g.

against the ~

to work against the clock (= to work fast in order to finish before a particular time)

I was racing against the clock, but I finished the test just before the bell.

10. back

11. darker

12. clock

13. feel

14. shorter

15. back

16. clocks

17. by

18. sense

19. clock

around/round the clock: ​all day and all night without stopping.

E.g.

Staff have been working around the clock to resolve the problems.

20. outweighs

21. whether

22. clock

23. clocks

24. time

the passage of time: the passing of time 

E.g.

With the passage of time, things began to look more hopeful.

25. does

26. chance

27. to

28. exactly

29. mixed

30.  Whether

31. ahead

32. back

33. swings

34. how