Cue Card Sample
When you started using a new technological device - Cue Card # 785
- Details
- Written by IELTS Mentor
IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe a time when you started using a new technological device (e.g. a new computer or phone).
You should say:
- what device you started using
- why you started using this device
- how easy or difficult it was to use
and explain how helpful this device was to you.
[Instruction: 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:
I like new technology. I also like to own them and use them if I can, except, of course, these technological devices are not always easy for me to obtain because most of them actually don’t come cheap. Fortunately, the new technology, which I started using about a few years ago, wasn’t really that expensive.
This new technological device, I am talking about, is popularly known as the “smartphone”. Now, before starting to use a smartphone, I was already using a regular mobile phone (some people call it a feature phone) which, I thought, was a good technological device since it served my purposes perfectly. After all, I could communicate with my family and friends through this “strongly-built” device whenever I wished to do so. Therefore, I didn’t really need another device called a “smartphone”, or so at least, I had thought.
But, then one day, my only nephew, the son of my elder sister, flew abroad for higher education, and he demanded that I get a smartphone so that he wouldn’t only be able to have a voice chat with me but also have a live video transmission at the same time. Of course, my nephew’s insistence was enough of a reason for me to buy that smartphone. But I wanted to buy it for another reason, and the reason was, most of the people around me, including my friends, relatives, co-workers and neighbours, were already using some kind of smartphone that offered them some advanced features like connectivity to the internet, video/movie downloading, high-resolution camera, freedom to install and use some really handy applications, checking and sending emails and so forth. By the way, this smartphone was a bit difficult to use for me, initially, as it had a rather sensitive kind of screen and buttons, but I got used to it later on, slowly but surely.
Anyway, I was glad that I bought this new device because it proved out to be very useful. First, I could have live video chats with my beloved nephew and others as if they were never far away from me. Besides, it also allowed me to watch some of my favourite videos online and have some fun while I am on the run. Finally, some of the applications that I use now, for instance, a personal budget management application and an exercise application, have proven out to be very useful.
Model Answer 2:
Introduction:
In today's world, technological devices have become a necessity in our lives. With the advancement of technology, people tend to upgrade their gadgets to make their daily lives easier, and I also am a technology lover and I am never afraid of trying new technology - be it a hardware device or a new piece of useful software. Here, I will talk about my experience of starting to use a tabloid PC for the first time.
What device you started using:
The device I started using was a tabloid PC. I was given this device by my employer to carry out my official work. Before that, I was using a laptop, but this new device was much more portable and easy to carry.
Why you started using this device:
I started using this device because my work involved a lot of travelling and attending meetings. It was difficult for me to carry my laptop all the time. So, my employer decided to provide me with a more portable and convenient device, which was a tabloid PC.
How easy or difficult it was to use:
As I was used to working on a laptop, it took a couple of days for me to get accustomed to using this new device. The screen size was smaller, and the keyboard was different, which took a few hours for me to get used to. However, with time and practice, and it did not take more than three days, I got comfortable using it. Moreover, it had a touchscreen feature, which made it easier to operate.
And explain how helpful the device was to you:
The tabloid PC proved to be very helpful for me as it was lightweight, easy to carry and had a long battery life. It allowed me to work while travelling, attending meetings, and working remotely. It was also helpful in taking quick notes during meetings and presentations. The touchscreen feature made it easier to navigate through different applications, and it provided me with the same functionality as a laptop but with more convenience.
Part 3 - Detail discussion:
Discussion topic: "Technology and education"
Q. What is the best age for children to start computer lessons?
Q. Do you think that schools should use more technology to help children learn?
Q. Do you agree or disagree that computers will replace teachers one day?
Discussion topic: "Technology and society"
Q. How much has technology improved how we communicate with each other?
Q. Do you agree that there are still many more major technological innovations to be made?
Q. Could you suggest some reasons why some people are deciding to reduce their use of technology?
The answer to these part 3 questions - Speaking Sample 107: Part 3: Details Discussion
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