IELTS Speaking Part 3: Money, Saving and Spending

We've been talking about something you saved up for.

我们刚才谈到了你存钱买的一样东西。

Now I'd like to ask you some broader questions.

现在我想问你一些更宽泛的问题。

Of course, I'm ready.

当然，我准备好了。

Do young people today find it harder to save money?

如今的年轻人是不是更难存钱了？

In many ways, yes, and it's not entirely their fault.

在很多方面是的，而且这并不全是他们的错。

Rents have soared, while starting salaries have barely moved!

房租飞涨，而起薪几乎没怎么动！

On top of that, spending has never been so effortless.

除此之外，花钱从来没有这么轻松过。

One tap on your phone, and the money's gone.

手机上点一下，钱就没了。

So is your phone the real enemy here?

那么真正的敌人是你的手机吗？

Ha, my bank statement would certainly say so!

哈，我的银行账单肯定会这么说！

To be fair, phones can also help us budget.

说句公道话，手机也能帮我们做预算。

My app rounds up every purchase and saves the change.

我的应用会把每笔消费凑成整数，把零头存起来。

Should schools teach children how to manage money?

学校应该教孩子如何理财吗？

Absolutely! I'd say it's long overdue.

当然！我觉得早就该这么做了。

Most of us leave school knowing algebra,

我们大多数人毕业时懂代数，

but not how interest on a loan works.

却不懂贷款利息是怎么回事。

I learned about credit card interest the hard way.

我是吃了苦头才了解信用卡利息的。

A single practical course could prevent years of debt.

只要一门实用的课程，就可能让人免于多年负债。

Do people today buy more than they really need?

现在的人是不是买得比真正需要的多？

Without a doubt, and advertising plays a huge part.

毫无疑问，而且广告起了很大作用。

Fast fashion is so cheap that we treat clothes as disposable.

快时尚太便宜了，我们把衣服当成一次性用品。

Some items are worn once, then simply thrown away!

有些衣服只穿一次，就直接扔掉了！

Is that changing at all, in your experience?

就你的经验来看，这种情况有在改变吗？

Yes, and it's really encouraging!

有的，而且这真的很让人鼓舞！

Second-hand shopping is booming among people my age.

二手购物在我这个年纪的人当中正火。

That said, it's partly about saving money, not the planet.

话虽如此，这部分是为了省钱，而不是为了地球。

Finally, can money really make people happy?

最后一个问题，金钱真的能让人幸福吗？

Up to a point, certainly, because it buys security.

在一定程度上当然可以，因为它能带来安全感。

But beyond that, experiences matter far more than possessions.

但超过那个程度，经历远比物质重要。

Thank you. That's the end of the speaking test.

谢谢。口语考试到此结束。

Oh, already? That went so quickly!

哦，已经结束了？时间过得好快！

Thank you very much. Goodbye!

非常感谢。再见！