Cue Card

Describe a piece of equipment that is important in your home

You should say:

• What it is
• How often you use it
• Who you use it with
• And explain why it is important.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. What kinds of appliances are in people’s homes?
2. What are the differences between young people and old people when it comes to their attitudes towards home appliances?
3. What kinds of professions require people to use machines?
4. Will many people’s work be done by robots in the future?

Sample Cue Card Answer

My trusty coffee maker is the real MVP of my home. It's the first thing I see when I wake up and the last thing I think about before I go to bed. I mean, what's a morning without a freshly brewed cup of joe, right? It's more than just a machine, it's a ritual. Every morning, I stumble into the kitchen, bleary-eyed, and flip the switch. The gurgle of the machine, the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans... it's like a symphony to my senses. And let's not forget the taste - rich, bold, and just the right amount of crema. It's like a warm hug in a mug.

But it's not just about the coffee; it's about the memories we've made around it. Family gatherings, late-night study sessions, and cozy nights in with a good book - my coffee maker has been the silent witness to it all. And it's not just a one-trick pony either. I've used it to make tea, hot chocolate, and even the occasional cup of instant noodles (don't judge me!). It's a versatile beast, and I love it for that.

Of course, there are some downsides. Like when it decides to malfunction and starts spewing coffee grounds everywhere. Or when I forget to clean it, and it starts to smell like a combination of old socks and despair. But those are just minor quibbles in an otherwise beautiful relationship. My coffee maker is more than just a piece of equipment; it's a trusted companion, a daily ritual, and a reminder that even in the chaos of life, there's always time for a good cup of coffee.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

MVP

Most Valuable Player

My coffee maker is the MVP of my home.

She's the MVP of our team.

Bleary-eyed

Half asleep or tired, often with blurry vision

I stumbled into the kitchen bleary-eyed and flipped the switch.

After a late night, I woke up bleary-eyed and disoriented.

One-trick pony

Something or someone that can only do one thing well

My coffee maker is not just a one-trick pony.

He's a one-trick pony, all he can do is play the guitar.

Sample Part 3 Answers

What kinds of appliances are in people’s homes? One of the most important appliances in many people's homes is the refrigerator. It's hard to imagine life without one, but the truth is, they're a relatively recent invention. Before refrigerators, people used iceboxes, which were essentially wooden boxes lined with tin and filled with ice to keep food cold. But with the advent of electric refrigeration, people were able to keep their food fresh for longer periods of time, which revolutionized the way we live and eat. Today, refrigerators come in all shapes and sizes, from compact mini-fridges for small apartments to massive side-by-side models with all sorts of bells and whistles. But no matter what kind of fridge you have, it's likely that it's a crucial part of your daily life.

What are the differences between young people and old people when it comes to their attitudes towards home appliances? When it comes to home appliances, there's a big difference between how young people and old people view them. For older generations, appliances are often seen as a necessary evil - they're useful, but they're not necessarily something to get excited about. Many older people remember a time when appliances were much simpler and less high-tech, and they may be skeptical of all the new-fangled features that come with modern appliances. On the other hand, younger people tend to take appliances for granted - they've grown up with them, and they expect them to be sleek, efficient, and connected to the internet. Young people are also more likely to be interested in the latest smart home technology, which allows them to control their appliances remotely and monitor their energy usage in real-time.

What kinds of professions require people to use machines? There are many professions that require people to use machines, but one of the most obvious is manufacturing. Factory workers use machines to assemble and package products, from cars to electronics to food. But machines are also crucial in healthcare, where doctors and nurses use them to diagnose and treat patients. For example, MRI machines and ultrasound machines are used to create detailed images of the body, while ventilators and dialysis machines are used to support patients who are critically ill. Even in offices, machines are used to print and copy documents, and to keep the building running smoothly. And of course, there are many other professions that rely on machines, from construction workers who use cranes and bulldozers to build skyscrapers, to farmers who use tractors and plows to plant and harvest crops.

Will many people’s work be done by robots in the future? It's likely that many people's work will be done by robots in the future, at least to some extent. We're already seeing this happen in industries like manufacturing, where robots are being used to assemble products and package them for shipping. And it's not just manual labor that's being replaced - robots are also being used to perform tasks that require intelligence and problem-solving, like data analysis and customer service. But while robots may take over some jobs, they'll also create new ones - for example, someone will need to design and maintain the robots, and to train them to perform specific tasks. And in many industries, robots will work alongside humans, freeing us up to focus on the tasks that require creativity and empathy.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

take something for granted

to assume that something will always be available or will always work

I take my car for granted until it breaks down and I have to walk everywhere.

We take our smartphones for granted, but they're actually incredibly powerful devices.