Cue Card

Describe a time that a piece of equipment of yours was broken (such as a TV)

You should say:

• What the equipment was
• When the problem was
• What you did after it was broken
• And how you felt about it

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. What are the common home appliances that people use these days?
2. Do you think modern technology makes people lazier?
3. What can people do to protect their equipment from technical problems?
4. When an electrical item of yours does not work, would you repair it or buy a new one?
5. Are you good at handling problems on your own?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I was in the middle of a heated gaming session with my friends online when disaster struck. My trusty gaming monitor, which I had spent countless hours with, suddenly went dark. I mean, it just went black. No warning signs, no flickering, nothing. I thought maybe it was just a loose cable, but nope, it was dead. I tried to revive it, but it was gone. I was left staring at a blank screen, my friends were still screaming at me to get back in the game, and I was left wondering how I was going to explain this to my parents.

It was a 24-inch 4K monitor, and I had spent a pretty penny on it. I had to have it replaced, but in the meantime, I had to use my old laptop screen, which was a major downgrade. I mean, it was like going from a sports car to a bicycle. But, I had to make do. I spent the rest of the night playing on my laptop, but it just wasn't the same. I kept thinking about my poor monitor, wondering what had caused it to die on me like that.

The next day, I took it to the repair shop, and it turned out that the graphics card had overheated and fried the whole thing. I was relieved that it wasn't something more serious, but still, it was a major bummer. I had to shell out some cash to get it fixed, but I was just glad to have it back in working order. Now, I make sure to keep a closer eye on my equipment, making sure it doesn't overheat or get damaged in any way. I don't want to go through that again.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

went dark

stopped working suddenly

My phone went dark on me during the concert.

The lights went dark during the storm.

shell out

to pay money, usually reluctantly

I had to shell out $100 for the new video game.

She had to shell out a lot of money for the concert tickets.

Sample Part 3 Answers

What are the common home appliances that people use these days? You know, I think most people these days have the usual suspects in their homes - a TV, a computer, a smartphone, a fridge, a stove, a microwave, and of course, a washing machine and dryer. I mean, these are just the basics, right? Everyone needs them to get by. And then there are the extras like a dishwasher, a vacuum cleaner, and a coffee maker. I've got a friend who's really into smart home stuff, so he's got all these fancy devices that can control the temperature and lighting in his house remotely. But for most people, I think it's just the essentials.

Do you think modern technology makes people lazier? I think that's a fair point. I mean, with the rise of automation and AI, a lot of tasks that used to require human effort can now be done with just a few clicks. And that's great, don't get me wrong. But at the same time, I think it's made us a bit too reliant on technology. I've caught myself mindlessly scrolling through my phone for hours, just because I can. And I'm sure I'm not the only one. But I think the key is to find a balance. Technology can be a powerful tool, but we need to use it in a way that complements our lives, not controls them.

What can people do to protect their equipment from technical problems? Well, I'm no expert, but I think the simplest thing people can do is just take care of their stuff. You know, don't drop your phone in the toilet, don't spill coffee on your laptop. Just basic common sense. But beyond that, I think it's a good idea to keep your software up to date, back up your data regularly, and just generally be mindful of how you're using your devices. And if you're feeling fancy, you can always invest in some protective gear like a phone case or a surge protector. I've got a friend who swears by those things.

When an electrical item of yours does not work, would you repair it or buy a new one? Honestly, I'm a bit of a throwaway society kind of guy. If something breaks, I'll try to fix it, but if it's not worth the hassle, I'll just get a new one. I mean, time is money, right? But at the same time, I've been trying to be more mindful of my environmental impact, so I've been trying to repair things more often. Like, I recently fixed my old bike instead of buying a new one, and it was actually kind of fun. So, I guess it depends on the situation. If it's something simple, I'll try to fix it. But if it's a complicated or expensive fix, I might just bite the bullet and get a new one.

Are you good at handling problems on your own? I'd like to think so! I mean, I'm a pretty resourceful guy. I've had my fair share of DIY disasters, but I've also had some successes. Like, I once fixed my own leaky faucet, and it was a real confidence booster. But at the same time, I'm not afraid to ask for help when I need it. I've got a friend who's a total handyman, and I'm always bugging him for advice. So, I guess you could say I'm good at handling problems on my own, but I'm also not too proud to ask for help when I need it.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

throwaway society

a society that consumes and discards products quickly, without repairing or reusing them

I'm a bit of a throwaway society kind of guy.

bite the bullet

to accept a difficult or unpleasant situation and do what needs to be done

If it's a complicated or expensive fix, I might just bite the bullet and get a new one.