IELTS SPEAKING CUE CARD
[PART 2]
A PROBLEM SOLVED
THROUGH
USING THE INTERNET
Describe a time when you solved a problem through the internet
You should say:
- What the problem was
- How you solved that problem
- How long it took you to solve it
And explain how you felt about it
A N S W E R
Well, it has been my habit to always consult Google whenever I need to know something and not ask anybody else, since I believe every answer to every question can be found online. Google Search provides various information like how-to articles or blogs to answer people’s queries. A few weeks ago, I was agitated when my laptop froze after it became idle. At first, I didn’t take it so seriously since I thought it was just a petty problem. I just rebooted my laptop and went fine after.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Habit [noun] – practice; custom
Consult [verb] – seek information; ask
Query [noun] – question; inquiry
Agitated [adj.] – upset; distressed
Idle [adj] (for computer) – not in use
Petty [adj.] – minor; trivial
Reboot [verb] – to start again; restart
TIPS
i.) FIRST PARAGRAPH: The speaker did not immediately talk about the problem (which he solved through the internet), instead, he talked about his attitude or habit when he needed to find a solution to a problem encountered every time. This kind of introduction gives the examiner an idea of what personality the speaker has and at the same time, the speaker’s ability to show his confidence in using the English language. Great introduction!
ii.) SECOND PARAGRAPH: Here, the speaker gave the problem or the situation he encountered. This is now the start of his answer. Do not delay giving the answer any longer since time is limited.
However, I noticed that that incident happened several times. If I didn’t move the computer mouse or if I couldn’t use the keyboard for 5 minutes, that Windows computer of mine would freeze, and no matter how I moved the mouse, the keypad, and the keyboard – nothing really happened. It really stretched my patience to the limit because it greatly affected my job. I actually do online trading and I monitor the stock market oftentimes, so it is a pain in the neck when my computer is acting up.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Incident [noun] – occurrence; event
Stretch (one’s) patience to the limit [expression] – to cause someone to lose patience
Pain in the neck [expression] – someone or something that is annoying
Act up [phrasal verb] – to not function properly
TIP
i.) In this part, the speaker explained his problem thoroughly. He provided enough details in order for the examiner to understand better. Also, observe how the speaker used collocations or expressions in this part. He sounded so natural as the expressions he used were not forced but they came out of his mouth naturally. On your exam, make sure to some good expressions or collocations but make sure you are 100% sure about how to use them.
Since I didn’t want to spend a fortune on a technician to fix the problem with my computer, I gave a shot at searching for some solutions on the internet. I stumbled upon an article about ‘How To Fix A Windows 10 Computer From Freezing When Idle’. I read the several possible solutions listed thoroughly. I tried the first suggested solution which was ‘Changing the Advanced Power Settings’. There, I learned that the ‘Sleep Mode’ of my computer was set to 5 minutes. So I changed the setting to ‘Never’. I really didn’t have any idea how on Earth it set to Sleeping mode, perhaps, I accidentally set it or somebody had used my laptop and changed its setting without my knowledge. Well whoever made it, I don’t mind anymore as it’s already solved. I was just glad and felt relieved after I fixed it.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Spend a fortune [expression] – to spend a lot
Give a shot [expression] – give it a try
Stumble upon [phrasal verb] – to find or meet by chance
Thoroughly [adv.] – in-depth; completely
(How) on Earth… [phrase] – used for giving emphasis
Relieved [adj.] – feeling reassured; relaxed
TIP
i.) In this part, the speaker gave a complete explanation of how he solved his problem. Of course, this is a very important part since this is what is being asked. He could never miss explaining how he fixed the problem as it is an integral part of the story. Then he ended his story by expressing his feelings after he successfully solved the issue. Easy to understand and the story is properly ended. Great one!
PART 3
What do people do online in their free time?
People nowadays usually spend long hours watching YouTube videos, playing online games, and interacting with their virtual friends on social media platforms. These are the modern and popular forms of entertainment that people, most especially the young generation, love doing in their leisure time, which is sometimes detrimental to their physical and mental health if it is done excessively. With the advent of online entertainment, people never get bored in their free time as they have a wide selection of online activities that will surely make them entertained.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Virtual friend [expression] – refers to a friend whom one meets online; opposite of an actual friend
Social media platforms [noun] – refers to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, to name a few
Leisure time [noun] – free time
Detrimental [adj.] – harmful; damaging
Excessively [adv.] – to a greater degree
With the advent [expression] – it means something is finally here / present
TIP
i.) The speaker gave a straightforward answer by talking about the online activities that people usually do during their free time. Instead of explaining each activity, the speaker generalized his explanation saying that those were the modern forms of entertainment that people did these days. He ended his answer with a closing statement saying that with those activities people would never have any dull moment in their free time. Not much talking but very on point!
Do you think many people waste their time online?
Yes, definitely and that is undeniable. Many people these days own one or two social media accounts like Facebook or Instagram. They spend so much time scrolling or browsing their accounts and seeing other people’s posts without realizing the many hours they consume.
Also, some people are willing to spend their whole day streaming YouTube videos to be entertained. I know that this is a great way to entertain themselves, however, it is not healthy anymore as they become uncontrollable – they become addicted to using the internet for a long period of time when they are supposed to do something worthwhile. Well, the internet does improve the lives of people as it gives convenience but people have to pay the price for abusing the internet.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Undeniable [adj.] – indisputable; cannot be denied
Scroll [verb] – to move the computer graphics in a particular direction
Browse [verb] – look through the content on a website
Consume [verb] – use up; utilize
Streaming [verb] – listening or watching a media file online in real-time without downloading a file to a computer
Worthwhile [adj.] – valuable
Pay the price [expression] – to experience the bad result of something you have done
TIP
i.) The speaker presented a very realistic answer as to how people in this generation waste their time online. He also pointed out that the way people spent their time online was damaging to their overall health. In this way, he’s able to make his answer longer and more convincing. The last statement is the speaker’s realization and this is impactful. Also, this makes his answer impressive.
What impacts does the internet have on students?
The internet revolutionizes the lives of students in a way that they become knowledgeable or well-informed. As there is easy access to information online, students become aware of what is happening in their own country and the rest of the world. Also, thanks to the various blogs or education websites, their knowledge has broadened – they learn things that their teachers have never taught.
However, the use of the internet, especially when it is excessive, takes its toll on the students’ emotional intelligence. Some become indifferent since there is less actual communication with other people. In addition, some students abuse the use of the internet making it a platform to bully other students. This internet technology has brought both favorable and unfavorable impacts on students.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Revolutionize [verb] – transform; change something radically
Take its toll [phrase] [expression] – to have a bad effect
Emotional intelligence [noun] – refers to the ability to manage one’s emotions and the emotions of others; being able to handle interpersonal relationships emphatically
Indifferent [adj.] – unconcerned about; uncaring about
TIP
i.) The speaker presented both positive and negative impacts of the internet on students. He clearly explained each of them with examples to support his argument. This makes his answer compact! When you take the exam, make sure to always provide a clear explanation in order for the examiner to understand clearly. It is your main goal to make the examiner comprehend your answer without an ounce of confusion.
What do you think people can do with the internet in the future?
Well, that is something that I cannot foresee. I really do not know because internet technology is always evolving depending on what interests the people. This technology is unpredictable! Take for instance video-calling. Who would have thought that we could communicate with our loved ones or friends who are living overseas in real-time with a video? Many years ago, that was considered a wild imagination by the non-believers of the internet. However, it became a reality and we are now enjoying it.
Well, my point here is that we cannot tell the future of the internet and what people can do with it but one thing is for sure, the internet will be much more advanced and be more beneficial to people in the future.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Foresee [verb] – anticipate; predict
Evolve (-ing) [verb] – progress; develop
Unpredictable [adj.] – uncertain; unforeseeable
Real-time [noun] – the actual time in which the event occurs
TIP
i.) The speaker expressed honesty in his answer as he didn’t know about the future. His introduction explained the unpredictability of the change in internet technology. He then gave an example of the unpredictability of the internet which people did not imagine in the past. Finally, his closing statement is simply reiterating his thought with regard to the unpredictability of internet technology.
Do not hesitate to speak your mind straightly, never force yourself to make up a story when you are so unsure. Sometimes making up a story doesn’t work.
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Meaning of Words and Phrases Sources: Collins, Macmillan, Cambridge, Oxford
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