Is multitasking a myth?

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

1. Do you often do two things at once?
2. What distracts you most when you work or study?
3. Do you keep your phone near you when you work?
4. How do you organise your day?
5. What time of day do you concentrate best?
6. How do you cope with a lot of work?

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about how you work.

Choose the word that fits.

1. Many people believe it is a that we can do two things at once.
2. I can't if my phone keeps buzzing.
3. A noisy office is a big for workers.
4. Her improved when she worked on one thing at a time.
5. We have a tight on Friday.
6. Let's the urgent tasks first.
7. Too many emails cause an information .
8. A to-do list is a more way to work.

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

1. a myth is a
   scientific resultcommon but false beliefshort break
2. to concentrate = to
   focus your attentionwork fasterstop working
3. a deadline is the
   end of a holidayfirst day of worklast time to finish
4. to prioritise = to decide what is
   most importantleast usefulvery old
5. efficient = working
   well without wasting timeonly at nightvery slowly
6. an interruption is something that
   helps you sleepstops what you are doingmakes you laugh

Use these phrases to sound careful and accurate.

• It seems that...Схоже, що...It seems that we can't really do two things at once.
• People tend to...Люди схильні...People tend to make more mistakes when they multitask.
• This is likely to...Це, імовірно,...This is likely to slow you down.
• It can take a while to...Може знадобитися час, щоб...It can take a while to refocus after an interruption.
• As a result,...У результаті,...As a result, the work takes longer.
• Research suggests that...Дослідження вказують, що...Research suggests that switching tasks costs time.
• I try to focus on one thing at a time.Я намагаюся робити одне за раз.I try to focus on one thing at a time.
• That may be true for most people, but...Це може бути правдою для більшості, але...That may be true for most people, but not for everyone.

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

1. Psychologists say that real multitasking is usually fast switching between tasks.
   TrueFalse
2. Switching has no cost for most people.
   TrueFalse
3. Interruptions seem to be costly for concentration.
   TrueFalse
4. The text says everyone is a good multitasker.
   TrueFalse
5. The text recommends turning off notifications.
   TrueFalse

1. Which tasks can you do at the same time, and which can't you?
2. When do you find it most difficult to concentrate?
3. How could a workplace or a school reduce interruptions?
4. Do you think young people are better at multitasking than older people?

Common mistakes: tend to + verb, likely to + verb, and because of + noun. ✗ People tend make mistakes → People tend to make mistakes. ✗ Because the noise → Because of the noise.

1. It
   seemsis seeming
   that multitasking is a myth.
2. People
   tend totend
   make more mistakes when they switch tasks.
3. Research
   suggestssuggest
   that interruptions are costly.
4. This is
   likely tolikely
   slow you down.
5. BecauseBecause of
   the noise, I couldn't concentrate.
6. He was interrupted;
   as a resultbecause
   , the work took longer.
7. She
   doesn't maymay not
   be able to focus today.
8. It
   is appearingappears
   that very few people are real supertaskers.

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

1. It is seeming that this is true. →
2. People tend make mistakes. →
3. This is likely slow you down. →
4. Because the noise, I couldn't work. →
5. The meeting was long. Because, we were tired. →
6. Research suggest that it is difficult. →

Answer in detail. Use hedging: seems, tends to, is likely to.

1. When do you multitask during the day?
2. What distracts you most when you study or work?
3. Tell me about a time when you made a mistake because you were doing two things at once.
4. How do you organise your tasks when you have a lot to do?
5. What do you tend to do when you can't concentrate?
6. What advice would you give to someone who is always distracted?

Three people try to be productive. Compare how they work. Who is probably losing the most time? Who has the most efficient habits? What advice would you give each one?

Your teacher will time you.

1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
2. Part 1: how you usually work or study (use hedging: I tend to..., I probably...).
3. Part 2: what distracts you and how you cope with it.
4. Part 3: how you would change your habits to be more productive.

1. Do you often do two things at once?
2. What distracts you most?
3. Do you keep your phone near you when you work?
4. How do you cope with a lot of work?
5. What time of day do you concentrate best?
6. How do you prioritise your tasks?
7. Do you use lists or apps to organise yourself?
8. What helps you focus?

1. Who in your family does too many things at once?
2. Who always has a tidy desk?
3. Who do you know that never seems stressed?
4. Who often interrupts you?
5. Who taught you to organise your time?
6. Who is the most productive person you know?

1. Should schools ban phones in class?
2. Is it better to work in silence or with music?
3. Are open-plan offices good for productivity?
4. Should employers allow more breaks?
5. Can technology help us concentrate?