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Chunks Conversation · Lesson 24
Causes & Explanations
Themed Conversation: Procrastination & Self-Discipline
Expression Chunks
I'd put it down to + noun / -ing
Meaning: Attributes a result or behavior to a particular cause.
Sample sentence: I'd put my procrastination down to wanting everything to be perfect.
Use it in your answer:
- Why do you personally procrastinate on certain tasks?Answer using: I'd put it down to...
- Why do some people dislike change so strongly?Answer using: I'd put it down to...
- What do you think causes perfectionism?Answer using: I'd put it down to...
- Why might someone lose motivation even when a goal matters to them?Answer using: I'd put it down to...
- Why do people sometimes abandon goals they were once excited about?Answer using: I'd put it down to...
That probably stems from + noun / -ing
Meaning: Suggests that something originates from an earlier cause or underlying factor.
Sample sentence: That probably stems from being afraid of making the wrong choice.
Use it in your answer:
- Why do you personally procrastinate on certain tasks?Answer using: That probably stems from...
- Why do some people dislike change so strongly?Answer using: That probably stems from...
- What do you think causes perfectionism?Answer using: That probably stems from...
- Why might someone lose motivation even when a goal matters to them?Answer using: That probably stems from...
- Why do people sometimes abandon goals they were once excited about?Answer using: That probably stems from...
That may have something to do with + noun / -ing
Meaning: Tentatively suggests a possible connection or cause.
Sample sentence: That may have something to do with how people were taught to deal with failure.
Use it in your answer:
- Why do you personally procrastinate on certain tasks?Answer using: That may have something to do with...
- Why do some people dislike change so strongly?Answer using: That may have something to do with...
- What do you think causes perfectionism?Answer using: That may have something to do with...
- Why might someone lose motivation even when a goal matters to them?Answer using: That may have something to do with...
- Why do people sometimes abandon goals they were once excited about?Answer using: That may have something to do with...
Topic Phrasal Verbs
Themed Conversation: Procrastination & Self-Discipline
put off
Definition: postpone
Sample sentence: I keep putting off tasks that feel overwhelming.
Practice questions:
- What is something you often put off until the last minute?
- Why do you sometimes put things off?
- What task have you been putting off recently?
- Do you put off difficult tasks or boring tasks more often? Why?
- What helps you stop putting things off and finally start?
catch up on
Definition: complete delayed work
Sample sentence: I use Sunday afternoon to catch up on things I missed during the week.
Practice questions:
- What do you usually need to catch up on after a busy week?
- Do you use weekends to catch up on sleep?
- What work are you currently trying to catch up on?
- Who do you like to catch up with when you have free time?
- How do you feel when you finally catch up on everything?
get down to
Definition: finally begin serious work
Sample sentence: I work better once I finally get down to the task.
Practice questions:
- What helps you finally get down to work?
- When do you find it easiest to get down to studying?
- What usually stops you from getting down to a difficult task?
- Do you need a deadline before you really get down to work?
- What task do you need to get down to soon?
Relaxed Conversation — 10 Questions
- What kinds of tasks are easiest for you to put off?
- What usually makes you procrastinate?
- Do you work better with a deadline?
- What helps you finally get down to work?
- How do you catch up when you’ve fallen behind?
- Are you good at doing things even when you don’t feel motivated?
- Does your phone make it harder for you to concentrate?
- Have you found any technique that genuinely helps you stay disciplined?
- Do you think procrastination is always a problem, or can delaying something sometimes help?
- What is one thing you’ve been putting off that you would like to finish soon?