Wayne JournalCalendar

DAY 02 · 15 October 2026 · British English

Routines, change & work-life balance

Practise this sheet →

Question 1 of 5 · Daily Routines

Do you prefer taking a shower in the morning or in the evening?

Your turn

Describe your own morning or evening routine. Give one preference, one reason, and one example.

I usually prefer taking a shower in the evening because my mornings are quite rushed. When I was at university, I had more free time, so I could take my time getting ready. But now that I'm working full-time, I prefer to keep my morning routine simple.

Useful expressions
  • Take a showerwash your body under a shower.
  • My mornings are rushedI have little time to get ready in the morning.
  • Have more free timehave more time available outside work or other responsibilities.
  • Work full-timework the normal full working week for a job.
  • The day before yesterdaytwo days before today.
  • My muscles are soremy muscles feel painful or tender, often after exercise.

Question 2 of 5 · Life After University

Has your daily routine changed since you started working?

Your turn

Compare your routine now with an earlier stage of your life. Try using “since,” “used to,” or “let alone.” If you have not started working, compare two periods of study instead.

When I was at university, I had much more free time. I could work out, play video games, watch movies, or listen to music whenever I wanted. But since I started working, my free time has decreased dramatically. Work-related activities, including commuting, now take up a large part of my day. Sometimes, I feel like my life revolves around work. I barely have enough time to relax, let alone think creatively or explore new ideas. That's probably the biggest change I've experienced since graduating.

Useful expressions
  • My free time has decreased dramaticallyI have much less free time than before.
  • Work-related activitiesactivities connected with your job.
  • My life revolves around workwork is the central focus of my life.
  • I barely have time to…I have almost no time to do something.
  • Let alone…introduces something even less likely or possible than what you just mentioned.
  • Think creativelydevelop ideas in new or imaginative ways.

Question 3 of 5 · Daily Commuting

What bothers you most about your daily routine?

Your turn

Describe a journey you make regularly. Explain one difficulty and one way it could be improved. If you do not commute, choose another routine journey.

I'd probably choose my daily commute. Taking the subway is convenient, but it can be absolutely packed during rush hour. Most of the time, I'm just standing there, waiting to reach my stop. And because the internet connection is sometimes unreliable underground, I can't always browse the internet properly. Honestly, a long commute can feel like a frustrating use of time.

Useful expressions
  • Daily commuteyour regular journey between home and work or study.
  • Train carriageone of the connected passenger sections of a train.
  • Packed during rush hourvery crowded at the busiest travel times.
  • Look things up onlinesearch the internet for particular information.
  • Browse the internetlook through websites, often without one specific search in mind.
  • The signal is terrible undergroundthe mobile connection is very poor below ground.
  • My commute really bothers memy journey to work or study causes frustration.
  • Get on someone's nervesannoy someone, especially repeatedly.

Question 4 of 5 · Working From Home

Would you prefer working from home?

Your turn

Give your view on working or studying from home. Support it with two reasons and acknowledge one possible drawback.

I'd be happier if I could work from home a few days a week. In a role that mainly involves computer-based tasks, much of the work can be done remotely. Meetings can also take place online, so being physically present in the office may not always be necessary. Working from home could save commuting time and reduce transportation costs. It could also offer more flexibility in how I manage my day. Overall, I think it could significantly improve my work-life balance.

Useful expressions
  • Work remotelywork somewhere other than the usual workplace, using communication technology as needed.
  • Attend meetings onlinetake part in meetings through an internet connection.
  • Be physically presentbe there in person.
  • Get more sleepspend more time sleeping.
  • Have more flexibilityhave more freedom to change when or how you do something.
  • Improve my work-life balancemake the relationship between work and personal life healthier or more manageable.

Question 5 of 5 · Productivity and Remote Work

Does working from home make people more productive?

Your turn

Give a balanced answer: explain who might benefit from remote work, who might find it harder, and why.

I think it really depends on the person and the nature of their job. Some people prefer working independently and can complete their tasks with clear instructions. For them, working from home might improve productivity if there are fewer interruptions. On the other hand, some roles involve regular communication and collaboration with different teams. Those people may benefit from opportunities to discuss ideas in person. Personally, I think a quiet home environment could help me concentrate, but I can't speak for everyone else.

Useful expressions
  • It depends on…the answer changes according to a particular factor.
  • The nature of their jobthe type of work and what it requires.
  • Work independentlycomplete work without needing frequent help or supervision.
  • Clear instructionsdirections that are easy to understand and follow.
  • Fewer interruptionsfewer events that break your concentration or stop your work.
  • On the other handintroduces a contrasting point of view.
  • Collaborate with different teamswork together with people from other teams.
  • I can't speak for everyone elsemy opinion or experience does not represent everybody.
Five Expressions to Recall

Read the meaning. Say the expression from memory. Then check.

Recall 1 / 5

Work is the main focus of my life.

Reveal expression

My life revolves around work.

Recall 2 / 5

There is almost no time to relax, and even less opportunity for creative thinking.

Reveal expression

I barely have time to relax, let alone think creatively.

Recall 3 / 5

My regular journey is becoming very annoying.

Reveal expression

My daily commute is really getting on my nerves.

Recall 4 / 5

It would make a substantial positive difference to the balance between work and personal life.

Reveal expression

It would significantly improve my work-life balance.

Recall 5 / 5

Different people and types of work lead to different answers.

Reveal expression

It depends on the person and the nature of their job.

Natural expressions
  1. My muscles are sore.
  2. I haven't been there for ten days.
  3. Before going to work.
  4. My free time has decreased dramatically.
  5. The time I spend.
  6. My two-hour commute really bothers me.
  7. The metro is very crowded.
  8. I can do all of this remotely.
  9. I can get more sleep.
  10. On the other hand.
  11. Specific instructions.
  12. I could achieve a better work-life balance.
  13. Can you check how long we've been talking?
  14. Let's wrap up for tonight.
Your practice plan
  1. Read the five recall expressions aloud.
  2. Choose two questions and answer without looking at the models.
  3. Check your grammar and how clearly you connect your ideas.
  4. Answer again, changing the details so they reflect your own experience.

Learn useful sentence patterns rather than memorising every paragraph word for word. Aim for clear ideas, accurate grammar, and natural connections between points.