Part 2
Part 2 - Cue Card
Describe a piece of technology you own that you feel is difficult to use.
You should say:
- When you got it
- What you got it for
- How often you use it
- And explain how you feel about it.
Part 2 Sample Response
OK, so I'm going to talk about my smart home system - specifically the hub that's supposed to control everything. I got it about... maybe six months ago? It was actually a Christmas present from my brother who's really into all this tech stuff. He thought it would make my life easier, you know, being able to control lights and heating from my phone and all that.
The thing is, setting it up was an absolute nightmare. The instructions were... well, they might as well have been written in another language. I spent literally hours trying to connect all the different devices, and half the time the app would just crash or say 'device not found' even though I was standing right next to it.
I probably use it... I don't know, maybe once or twice a week. Mainly just for turning lights on and off, which is ridiculous really because I could just use the normal switches. And then there's the voice control feature - don't even get me started. It never understands what I'm saying. I'll say 'turn off the bedroom light' and it'll start playing music or something completely random.
To be honest, I feel a bit frustrated with the whole thing. I mean, technology is supposed to make life simpler, but this just adds another layer of complexity. Sometimes I catch myself thinking about how my parents managed perfectly fine without any of this stuff. My brother keeps saying I'll get used to it, but honestly, I think some things are just overengineered. Give me a good old-fashioned light switch any day!
Essential Vocabulary
Types of difficult technology
- smart home system - connected home devices
- fitness tracker - wearable health monitor
- complicated remote - multi-function controller
- voice assistant - AI speaker device
- robotic vacuum - automated cleaner
- smart thermostat - programmable heating control
- wireless printer - cable-free printing device
- drone camera - flying photography device
Technical difficulties
- connectivity issues - problems connecting devices
- steep learning curve - difficult to learn
- user interface nightmare - confusing controls
- constant updates - frequent software changes
- compatibility problems - devices don't work together
- battery drain - uses power too quickly
- glitchy software - buggy programs
- overengineered - too complicated for its purpose
Setup and usage problems
- pairing devices - connecting gadgets together
- syncing issues - problems matching data
- factory reset - return to original settings
- troubleshooting - fixing problems
- instruction manual - user guide
- error messages - problem notifications
- crashes constantly - stops working often
- freezes up - becomes unresponsive
Feelings about technology
- tech-savvy - good with technology
- technophobe - afraid of technology
- love-hate relationship - mixed feelings
- frustrated beyond belief - extremely annoyed
- ready to throw it out - want to get rid of it
- not worth the hassle - too much trouble
- intimidated by - scared to use
- overwhelmed with features - too many options
Usage frequency
- gathering dust - not being used
- occasional use - sometimes used
- daily struggle - problems every day
- barely touch it - rarely use
- when I remember - infrequent use
- forced to use - must use but don't want to
- given up on it - stopped trying
- still figuring out - learning to use
Natural Spoken Phrases
- "Don't even get me started on..." introducing frustration
- "The thing is..." explaining main problem
- "It might as well be..." comparison for emphasis
- "I spent literally hours..." expressing time wasted
- "Give me... any day" preferring simpler option
- "I catch myself thinking..." personal reflection
- "To be honest..." admitting feelings
- "You know what I mean?" seeking understanding
Part 3
Part 3 Discussion Questions
- What technology do people currently use?
- Why do big companies introduce new products frequently?
- Why are people so keen on buying iPhones even though they haven't changed much from one iPhone to the next?
- Why do technology companies keep upgrading their products?
- What changes has the development of technology brought about in our lives?
- Does the development of technology affect the way we study? How?
Part 3 Sample Response
Why are people so keen on buying iPhones even though they haven't changed much from one iPhone to the next?
That's a really good point actually. I think it's partly about status, you know? Having the latest iPhone is like... it shows you're keeping up with things. There's definitely a social element to it.
But I also think Apple's really clever with their marketing. They make these tiny improvements seem revolutionary, and people buy into it. Plus, once you're in their ecosystem with all your apps and data, it's really hard to switch to something else. My sister's been complaining about her iPhone for years but she still upgrades every time!
Essential Vocabulary
Current technology use
- ubiquitous smartphones - phones everywhere
- wearable tech - devices worn on body
- smart home devices - connected home gadgets
- streaming services - online entertainment
- cloud storage - online file storage
- contactless payments - tap to pay
- virtual assistants - AI helpers
- fitness trackers - health monitoring devices
- wireless everything - no cables needed
- IoT devices - Internet of Things gadgets
- digital wallets - phone payment systems
- augmented reality - enhanced real world view
Frequent product releases
- planned obsolescence - designed to fail
- competitive market - many companies competing
- consumer demand - what buyers want
- profit margins - money companies make
- innovation cycles - regular new features
- market share - portion of sales
- brand loyalty - sticking to one company
- revenue streams - ways to make money
- stockholder pressure - investor demands
- technology lifecycle - product lifespan
- first-mover advantage - being first to market
- quarterly targets - business goals
iPhone buying behavior
- status symbol - shows social position
- brand prestige - company reputation
- ecosystem lock-in - hard to switch brands
- peer pressure - social influence
- FOMO (fear of missing out) - anxiety about being left behind
- incremental updates - small improvements
- marketing hype - advertising excitement
- brand loyalty - dedication to Apple
- social currency - social value
- keeping up with the Joneses - matching others
- consumer psychology - buyer thinking
- upgrade culture - always getting newest
Product upgrades
- competitive pressure - need to beat rivals
- technological advancement - tech improvements
- market expectations - what buyers expect
- feature creep - adding more functions
- staying relevant - remaining important
- patent races - competition for inventions
- R&D investment - research spending
- market differentiation - standing out
- obsolescence strategy - making old products outdated
- innovation imperative - must keep improving
- shareholder value - investor returns
- continuous improvement - always getting better
Technology's life changes
- digital transformation - complete change to digital
- always connected - constant online access
- work-life blur - no clear boundaries
- instant gratification - immediate satisfaction
- information overload - too much data
- social media impact - effects of platforms
- remote possibilities - distance working/learning
- automated daily tasks - machines doing chores
- 24/7 availability - always reachable
- digital divide - gap between tech users
- screen dependency - addiction to devices
- convenience culture - everything made easy
Technology in education
- online learning platforms - digital education sites
- interactive whiteboards - smart classroom boards
- educational apps - learning programs
- digital textbooks - electronic books
- virtual classrooms - online teaching spaces
- personalized learning - customized education
- gamification - making learning game-like
- instant feedback - immediate responses
- collaborative tools - group work software
- accessible education - learning for everyone
- self-paced study - learn at own speed
- multimedia resources - various media types
Natural Spoken Phrases
- "Where do I even start?" overwhelmed by options
- "It's not all positive..." balanced view
- "That's a really good point..." acknowledging question
- "I have to say..." personal opinion
- "When you think about it..." deeper reflection
- "The way I see it..." personal perspective
- "It's a double-edged sword..." pros and cons
- "At the end of the day..." final thought