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[The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.]
Travelling to work or college:
Q. How do you usually travel to work or college? [Why?]
A. I usually travel to work with my motorbike unless there is very bad weather, associated with rain or cold. I use this particular two-wheel vehicle mainly because of the flexibility and convenience it provides when it comes to travelling at my own pace as well as when it comes to parking.
Q. Have you always travelled to work/college in the same way? [Why/Why not?]
A. No, I haven’t always travelled to my work in the same way because I have lived and worked in different places where using public transportations, like buses or subway train, was a better option. Besides, I have lived within an easy walking distance of my work and college in the past.
Q. What do you like about travelling to work/college this way?
A. The best thing, which I really like about travelling to my work with my motorbike, is that it allows me to save a lot of time since I can easily avoid the busy roads with bad traffics. Besides, the fuel costs and maintenance costs of a motorbike are very minimal in comparison with a car.
Q. What changes would improve the way you travel to work/college? [Why?]
A. Where I live, most of the main and busy roads don’t really have any separate lanes for motorbike riders. So, adding separate lanes for motorbike riders in all main roads/streets, in order to help them avoid bad traffics, would be a big step forward towards ensuring a better travelling experience.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe a piece of electronic equipment that you find useful.
You should say:
and explain why you find this piece of electronic equipment useful.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
Sometimes, I think that if this particular electronic equipment were invented during the middle ages or little later, it surely would have been considered as one of the 7th wonders of the old world by replacing one of the existing ones. Today, I would like to talk about a piece of wonderful electronic equipment which I think deserves a lot more credit than we are ready to give.
This electronic equipment is called the mighty “vacuum cleaner”. Of course, we might not just call it “mighty” because we are probably too much used to working with it, but if we can just manage our world for a week without a vacuum cleaner, I am sure that we would gladly change your mind about putting the word “mighty” before a vacuum cleaner.
Anyway, so what is exactly so special about a vacuum cleaner? Well, we can answer this question by simply saying that this incredible equipment helps me clean my home and office, and all other places between them, and put them in order through the mechanism of an air pump and a suction device inside it. Now, even though, we have this equipment at our home since the time I can remember about things, but I didn’t really learn to use it until after I had started high school. Of course, for that, I will have to thank my elder sister since it was her who taught me how to switch it on and manoeuvre it on the floor and carpet to suck the dirt off them. By the way, unlike other vacuum cleaners, the one we have at home is lightweight and rather easy to operate on all kinds of surfaces.
Anyway, I find this electronic equipment really useful, mainly because it helps me and my family keep our home dirt-free and clean without using too much of our efforts and time. The equipment is useful also because it helps us save a significant amount of money since we don’t have to hire any cleaning person to clean our home.
Sample Answer 2:
This is an interesting topic. My immediate thought is that I don’t use all that much electronic equipment – I don’t even have a smartphone. I do use a lot of a rather commonplace technology; phone; laptop; ‘white goods’ like refrigerators and washing machines, but I think they’d be quite boring to talk about. I mean, there isn’t much I could say about learning how to use a fridge is there? Not to worry, I can think of something I find really useful and only acquired very recently. It has been a learning curve, but it is so worth it. I’ll tell you what it is, how I’ve learned to use it, how long I’ve had it and how come I find it so useful.
The piece of equipment is a GPS (global positioning satellite) watch. It’s called a tom-tom runner, and basically, if I wear it whilst out running it tracks various bits of information. It will tell me how long I’ve run for, what pace, what distance, the elevation and other useful things. It can buzz on my wrist after every mile for example which is either motivating or dispiriting depending on how well my run is going! When I get back home after my run, I simply connect the watch to my laptop, and through some magic of technology, it uploads my run onto a software programmed called Strava. This means I can see a map of where I’ve run, compare that day’s run with previous attempts at that route, and even see who else has done the same run if they use Strava too. It even tells me how many calories I’ve burned doing that run – never as many as I’d like if I’m honest!
How did I learn to use it?
Hmm, shall I be honest… I cheated a bit. I’m something of a late adopter of technology, I find it frustrating learning to use new equipment, and given that I’d been managing perfectly well without a fancy GPS running watch ever since I’d started running a couple of years ago I couldn’t see the benefits of putting myself through all that angst or working out how to use it properly. However, all of that changed in January this year. My running club had organized a three-month winter challenge, we were put in teams and had to commit to doing so many runs each week of a certain distance. To take part, I’d need a GPS watch. Points were given for distance, elevation and number of runs, with bonus points for running in sub-zero conditions or very early in the morning. The idea was to encourage us all to keep on running through the dark and dismal British winter. Rather reluctantly, I went to my local running shop. They were BRILLIANT. They recommended a ‘cheap and cheerful’ starter watch, and set it all up for me. They charged it, connected it up to my laptop (which I took in with me); downloaded all the software. All I had to do at first was push a button to start the watch when I set out, and push the same button again to stop! After my run, I just connected it to my laptop and as if by magic everything updated. To begin with, this was enough, but after a few weeks, I started to play around with other buttons on the watch and discovered it can do more fancy things! I am still learning how to use it properly, and it is rather trial and error, but now I can see the benefits of this nifty bit of kit I’m much more motivated to invest time in working out its finer features! I’ve now had the watch for just about 6 months.
Why do I find this GPS watch useful? Well, it’s been really unexpected, but I love that I now have a record of all my runs. Even if I feel I’ve had a bad day running, being able to see the overall distance I’ve covered, or the elevation builds my confidence. I was surprised at how many miles I actually cover each week. True, they are slow miles, but they add up all the same. It also has made running much more fun. I can see if friends have done the same run like me, and there is even a feature on Strava that allows me to identify other runners I pass en route, so you can see how your runs compare with theirs. There are some fun things too. There is a trend towards something called Strava Art. Basically, that means you deliberately try and run to create the outline of a picture with your route. During our winter challenge, we had to try and ‘draw’ a rabbit, with our run route (for Easter) and a heart shape (for Valentine’s Day). It was had planning it out, and plodding round the paths I was really unsure if it would actually work. Would the satellite pick me up? Would the route really turn out as expected once it was uploaded? It was incredibly rewarding when they did, but even when they didn’t that was really entertaining. Because everyone in the running club was doing the same challenge I really forward to seeing their shapes too.
What I’m trying to say, is that this unexpected bit of technology has really revolutionized my running. It enables me to track progress, it tells you if you’ve achieved a ‘Personal Best’ time on a particular segment, and it makes running much more social. It has also made me a bit more accountable to others. I can see what my friends are doing – but they can see what I’m up to as well. It makes me want to try harder so I’m not caught out slacking. Seven months ago, before I got my GPS watch I really didn’t understand why anyone would want one. Now, I feel bereft if I run without it. It feels like ‘if I can’t upload it on Strava afterwards, my run didn’t really happen!’ I know rationally, that is a stupid attitude, but honestly, it’s true. I think if you asked most runners, or cyclists who use this bit of electronic equipment they would sheepishly admit to the same thing. It seems it is quite true, you can’t miss what you never had. I never gave a moment’s thought to how useful a GPS watch might be until I was nudged into it by my running club, but now I find it hard to imagine how any runner could function without one! What a difference a few months makes eh?
I’m still not ready for a smartphone though… one day perhaps!
[ Written by – Lucy Marris (2016): Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam) ]
Sample Answer 3:
Presently, it is almost impossible to do without a laptop for an undergraduate student like me. So, recently I have bought a Dell Inspiron 17 7000 Series Laptop for my ordinary use of the money my dad gave am and the savings from my part-time job at a bar.
This a highly useful electronic device for me. It helps me in great ways. The outlook and design of the laptop are extremely beautiful and the operating system has been improved. This is a great piece for gaming as well. The design of this laptop comes with forged aluminium. Moreover, the laptop screen does not irritate eyes and the backlit keyboard helps to work in lower lighting condition. The touch display is made with Corning Gorilla Glass and it has made it stronger than the other brands with a smooth touchscreen. The excellent sound quality truly impresses me when I listen to music on this machine.
I was in trouble while using the laptop in the primary stage due to my ignorance on how to use a touchscreen. But gradually I developed skills and find it interesting to work by touching the screen. Besides, I was not familiar with the backlit keyboard and now it seems interesting. I can work even in dark. No chances for frequent mistakes while working in a darker room. The large display is another blessing for me. Earlier, I used a desktop which had a 14-inch CRT monitor. So, everything appeared smaller in size and shape. But the experience has changed completely with the 17-inch display. Though I was unable to smoothly operate the laptop for the first two or three days, I have learnt everything within a very short time.
I have been using the laptop for around one and a half months. By this time, I have been habituated to use it randomly. Even I am taking the laptop at my classes for presentations. A few months ago I asked my dad to buy me a desktop computer because my existing computer could not provide me with the required level of performances. It was too slow to run and even took an unusually long time to open the word processor. If I got connected to the internet, the situations turned worst. The machine turned non-responsive. Considering all the issues, I decided to buy a new computer for me. Surprisingly, I found that the price of the Dell laptop I just bought was within my budget and thus I bought this laptop from Dell and it was the latest model. Though it comes with a warranty for three years, I am careful in its use.
This laptop I recently bought is highly useful for me. Most of the times, I watch movies on it. The screen resolution is the top standard and comes with perfect sound quality. Moreover, I no longer have to worry about the backup time as it has a good charging backup (up to around 7 hours). So, the tensions to save the documents frequently are gone. The lightweight of this piece is also helpful for me. I can carry it easily on my shoulder if I have any presentations in the class. Considering all such aspects, this is a very helpful electronic equipment for me.
More Ideas to talk about this Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card topic:
Topic: Describe a piece of electronic equipment that you find useful.
1. The application of television is useful indeed. In fact, almost every home in the world today have a television set. I learned to use it from my mom. And I have been using it since an early age of my life. This is a highly useful piece of electronic equipment because it entertains us. in fact, television is the source of entertainment and information for many of the people in the world. They use television for numerous reasons.
2. Life would have been harder if there were no mobile phones, and to be more specific, it is iPhone. I have learned to use an iPhone all by myself. I bought the phone using my own bucks. And I have been using the phone for over the last five years. I think an iPhone is an interesting and highly useful electronic device as it helps to meet all the necessary needs of the present days. The photos taken using the phone are wonderful. The apps and other services are adorable indeed and the interface is splendid! So, I find it useful to me.
3. The invention of the digital camera has brought a sense of relief to everyone related to photography. I came to know about photography in a learning school. I have been using a digital camera for about the past three years. This is a really useful electronic device because of its advantage. Earlier, people needed to change the film rolls and now there are no such issues. You can take as much picture as you want or need. Besides, the image quality is also increased in such cameras while photo editing also is simple.
4. Electric oven helps to make foods warm and best for people like me who are engaged with work all the time. Learning to operate the device was not a big deal to me, and I learned it within a short time. I have been using the oven for a couple of years. An electric oven is a very useful device because it helps to keep the foods warm and fresh. In fact, this is not possible to cook every day and electric ovens help to warm the refrigerated foods. This is a blessing for all.
5. Can you imagine how the world would be without a photocopy machine? A large chunk of daily activities will be stopped across the world for the want of a machine. I learned to use the machine at my office and have been using for the last three years. I know how to use it and have used it so many times in my office. This is a really useful electronic equipment because it helps to copy necessary documents within a very short time. In fact, the device is helpful for everyone and especially for students like me is badly in need of such an electronic device.
Discussion topics:
Technology and housework:
Q. What kinds of machine are used for housework in modern homes in your country?
A. Pretty much all of the modern homes in my country use machines like refrigerators, oven (with burners), microwave oven, vacuum cleaners, dishwashing machines and laundry washing machines, for their housework. They also use electric kitchen appliances like electric kettles and blenders. The list would, in fact, go on but the household machines I have mentioned are quite common among modern houses in my country.
Q. How have these machines benefited people? Are there any negative effects of using them?
A. Men invented technology and machines to make their life more comfortable and easier. So, no wonder that these machines also have benefited people tremendously by cutting their time and efforts to a great deal to do household works. But, above all, the greatest benefit of having these machines, in my opinion, is that the people can feel at ease mentally no matter how hectic and fast pace life becomes. We can, nowadays, preserve food for longer than ever before, prepare food within a few minutes, clean our laundry and home without worrying too much and these have all been possible with the help of the modern machines we use at home. As a direct result, we have more time to enjoy with our family and spend outdoors than in the past.
Just as offering many benefits to people, these machines and modern technologies are not without any negative effects. For example, no doubt that refrigerators help us preserve our foods longer, but those foods lose many of their food/nutritional values also in the process. Besides, these machines tend to consume lots of energy/electricity in many cases which can prove out to be really costly for many households. However, the biggest fallout of using some of these machines is that people are becoming more and more lethargic even when it comes to doing simple things like washing a small piece of cloth with hands.
Q. Do you think all new homes will be equipped with household machines in the future? Why?
A. No, I don’t really think that all new homes will be equipped with modern household machines in the future primarily because of economic reasons. Let’s face it, not all homeowners are or will be rich enough to equip their homes with modern tools and machines. In fact, still millions, if not billions, of people around the world are struggling to get just some foods on their tables, and I don’t really see that is changing significantly in the future in order to make the homeowners comfortable and wealthy enough to equip their homes with machines, especially if he/she is building a “new home’ with “mud and leaves of trees” in some part of the African continent. In my country, a large number of modern houses would be equipped with modern tools and machines in the future, but the remaining would not be.
Technology in the workplace:
Q. What kinds of equipment do most workers need to use in offices today?
A. Today, most office workers would need to use computers and its peripheral pieces of equipment (like hard drive, modem, monitor and keyboards), fax machines, scanners, large whiteboard, phones/PABX systems, printers, photocopiers, projectors and paper shredders in order to run their day to day operations smoothly. Pen, pencils, markers, paper clips, staplers, highlighters, paper hold punchers, calculators and scissors are also used by many workers in offices today.
Q. How have developments in technology affected employment in your country?
A. Technological developments have transformed employment by increasing efficiencies in many cases in my country by getting more things done within a relatively shorter period of time. It also has helped create new employment opportunities and high paying jobs, based on technological services, which didn’t exist before. However, it can also be said that because of the technological developments, some people are losing their jobs since the traditional manual working environment is becoming more and more limited.
Q. Some people think that technology has brought more stress than benefits to employed people nowadays. Would you agree or disagree? Why?
A. I would disagree if anybody suggests that technology has brought more stress than benefits to works nowadays in principle because the technology was invented in the first place to make things easy for us at workplaces. For example, before technological advancements, a person, working at a restaurant kitchen, would need to spend hours in order to clean up all the dishes. But the same job is getting done today in minutes with the help of dishwashing machines, courtesy to the technological developments. In the same way, we don’t really have to run to a post office today in order to send an important mail as it can be done easily by using a computer without moving an inch!
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