Cue Card

Describe something that was broken in your home but was repaired

You should say:

• What it was
• In what way it was broken
• How it was repaired
• And explain how you felt about it.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Do you think products nowadays are of a higher quality compared to those made in the past?
2. What kind of things do people like to repair themselves?
3. Does society value jobs that are focused on repairing existing things?
4. Why do people like to get their mobile phones repaired in specialized stores?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I'm gonna tell you a story about my grandma's old sewing machine. It was this beautiful, vintage thing that had been passed down through generations. But when I was a kid, it just stopped working. My grandma was devastated - it was more than just a machine to her, it was a connection to her past. She'd tried to fix it, but nothing seemed to work. So, it just sat there, collecting dust in the corner of her sewing room.

Years went by, and I'd always see that machine whenever I visited. One day, I decided to take it apart and see if I could figure out what was wrong. I mean, how hard could it be, right? Well, let me tell you, it was a puzzle. I spent hours researching online, watching YouTube tutorials, and tinkering with the thing. But slowly, piece by piece, I started to understand what was going on.

The problem was that the tension on the bobbin had gotten all out of whack. It was a tiny issue, but it was enough to make the whole machine seize up. I adjusted it, put everything back together, and... voila! The machine roared back to life. My grandma was overjoyed. She started sewing again, making all sorts of beautiful things. It was amazing to see.

But here's the thing: that machine wasn't just a piece of furniture or an appliance - it was a part of our family's history. And when I fixed it, I wasn't just fixing a machine, I was preserving a piece of our past. It's funny how something as simple as a sewing machine can hold so much meaning. But it's true. Sometimes, the things that are broken in our lives aren't just objects - they're connections to the people and memories that make us who we are.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

collecting dust

to be unused or idle for a long time

The old bike had been collecting dust in the garage for years.

The book had been collecting dust on the shelf since college.

Sample Part 3 Answers

Do you think products nowadays are of a higher quality compared to those made in the past? I think it's a mixed bag, to be honest. On one hand, technology has advanced so much that a lot of products are more efficient and durable than they used to be. For example, my parents' old refrigerator from the 80s is still running, but it's a behemoth of a thing and uses way more energy than our new one. On the other hand, I feel like a lot of products are designed to be more disposable nowadays. Like, have you ever tried to fix a smartphone? It's almost impossible! They're just not made to be repaired. So, while some products are definitely better quality, I think a lot of them are actually made to be more convenient and cheap, rather than long-lasting.

What kind of things do people like to repair themselves? I think people like to repair things that hold sentimental value, or things that they're really attached to. For me, it's my old bike. I've had it since I was a kid, and I've fixed it up so many times. I've replaced the chain, the brakes, even the seat. It's just something that I feel connected to, you know? I've also noticed that people like to repair things that are hard to replace, like antique furniture or vintage clothing. There's something special about taking something old and making it new again. Plus, it's a great way to reduce waste and be more sustainable.

Does society value jobs that are focused on repairing existing things? I think society is starting to value repair jobs more, but it's still not as prestigious as other careers. I mean, think about it - when you're a kid, people always ask you what you want to be when you grow up, and it's always 'doctor' or 'lawyer' or 'engineer'. Nobody says 'I want to be a repair person!' But the truth is, repair jobs are so important. Without people who know how to fix things, we'd be throwing away so much more waste and contributing to pollution. I think there's a growing appreciation for the value of repair work, but we still have a long way to go in terms of recognizing its importance.

Why do people like to get their mobile phones repaired in specialized stores? I think people like to get their phones repaired in specialized stores because they want to make sure it's done right. I mean, our phones are basically an extension of ourselves at this point, and we can't live without them. So when something goes wrong, we want to make sure it's fixed by someone who really knows what they're doing. Plus, specialized stores usually have the right tools and expertise to fix the problem quickly and efficiently. I've tried to fix my phone myself before, and it's just not worth the risk of making it worse. I'd rather pay someone who knows what they're doing to fix it for me.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

mixed bag

a situation or collection of things that has both good and bad parts

The new policy has been a mixed bag - some people love it, but others hate it.