IELTS Speaking Part 3: Work-Life Balance and the Four-Day Week

We've been talking about a busy period in your life.

我们刚才聊了你生活中一段忙碌的时期。

Now I'd like to discuss some more general questions.

现在我想和你讨论一些更宏观的问题。

Sure, I'm ready.

好的，我准备好了。

Why do so many people struggle to balance work and life?

为什么这么多人难以平衡工作和生活？

Mainly because work no longer stays in the office.

主要是因为工作已经不再只留在办公室里了。

Our phones keep us connected to our bosses around the clock.

手机让我们一天到晚都和老板保持联系。

Even on holiday, people check their emails every morning.

即使在度假，人们每天早上也要查看邮件。

Over time, that constant pressure leads to burnout.

久而久之，这种持续的压力就会导致职业倦怠。

Have you seen this happen to anyone you know?

你身边有人遇到过这种情况吗？

Yes, my older sister, unfortunately.

有，很遗憾，是我姐姐。

She worked twelve-hour days at a law firm for years.

她在一家律师事务所每天工作十二个小时，持续了好几年。

Eventually, she became ill and had to take three months off.

最后她病倒了，不得不休息三个月。

Some companies are now trying a four-day working week.

现在有些公司在尝试每周工作四天。

Do you think that's a good idea?

你觉得这是个好主意吗？

I think it's a brilliant idea!

我觉得这个主意太棒了！

Studies suggest people get just as much done in four days.

研究表明，人们四天也能完成同样多的工作。

And they come back on Monday rested and far more motivated.

而且他们周一回来时精力充沛，干劲也足多了。

It sounds almost too good to be true.

听起来好得几乎不像真的。

Admittedly, it wouldn't work for every industry.

不可否认，这并不适用于所有行业。

Hospitals and restaurants can't simply close for an extra day.

医院和餐厅总不能说多关一天门就多关一天。

So it would need careful planning, sector by sector.

所以需要按行业逐一仔细规划。

Who is responsible for work-life balance, employers or individuals?

工作与生活的平衡，应该由雇主负责还是由个人负责？

Both, but I'd argue employers carry more of the responsibility.

两者都有，但我认为雇主的责任更大。

Individuals can set boundaries, like switching off notifications at night.

个人可以设定界限，比如晚上关掉通知。

But if the company culture rewards overtime, that's very difficult!

可如果公司文化鼓励加班，那就太难了！

My sister's new employer bans emails after six, and she's thriving.

我姐姐的新公司禁止六点以后发邮件，她现在状态好极了。

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

谢谢。口语考试到此结束。

Oh, really? That flew by!

哦，真的吗？时间过得好快！

It did. Good luck with your results.

是啊。祝你取得好成绩。

Thanks so much! Have a lovely afternoon.

非常感谢！祝您下午愉快。