Describe a time you had a problem using a computer
Describe a time you had a problem using a computer
You should say:
- When and where it was
- What you were trying to do
- What the problem was
And explain how you solved the problem
“I remember about 6 months ago, I was working on a very important assignment on my laptop and the unthinkable happened. My laptop crashed right in the middle of a particularly long and complicated process! I knew it meant I had to start over from scratch, having almost completed the assignment.
I had spent hours and hours working on the assignment, and now it seemed that it was all for nothing. My initial reaction was to want to chuck the laptop out the window! I really was at a complete loss and couldn’t figure out what the problem was. I felt like I was banging my head against a wall trying to get this problem solved. After an hour or so, I decided to take a break from the computer to clear my head. I took a walk around the block and when I came back I was able to look at the problem from a fresh perspective. I decided to power down my computer and restart it. Sure enough, when I turned it back on, everything was working fine again. Talk about a sigh of relief – I was so glad to have the problem solved.
It was such a close call, and I think I aged a few years in those moments of stress and panic! But thankfully I was able to solve the problem and get everything back on track and completed just in time to meet the deadline. Phew!
Thank you.”
- idioms
The idiom “the unthinkable happened” means that a surprise event occurred which was particularly unlikely or unexpected. Example: “After months of planning and perfecting their strategy, the unthinkable happened and their team lost the competition.”
To start over from scratch means to have a completely fresh start with nothing from before. Example: After losing her job, she decided to start over from scratch and move to a different city.
“To chuck” is an idiomatic phrase meaning to discard or throw away. For example: “I chucked the old chair that was taking up too much space in my bedroom.”
The idiom “to bang one’s head against the wall” means to attempt something even though it is pointless. Example: She was banging her head against the wall trying to figure out the answer, but she just couldn’t do it.
A close call is an idiom used to describe a situation in which someone narrowly avoided a dangerous or unpleasant outcome. For example: “I almost got hit by a car, it was such a close call!”
The idiom, “to age a few years”, means to mature and become wiser over a short period of time. For example: “After going through a difficult situation, she aged a few years in a matter of months.”
The idiom ‘to get back on track’ means to return to a good plan or way of doing something after a period of difficulty or distraction. For example, “I made some bad decisions last month, but now I’m back on track and feeling more focused.”
Describe a time you had a problem using a computer – IELTS speaking part 3
Why do you think that people often have problems using technology devices?
I think that people often struggle with technology as it’s always changing so quickly. It can be very tricky to keep up with new devices and all the different features they come with.
As well as that, since many of us, especially older people didn’t grow up using technology, it often feels threatening and intimidating to try and learn the latest offerings. As a result, people may feel overwhelmed and become frustrated when things don’t work.
Do you think that it’s important for older people to learn how to use a computer?
“Definitely! I think it’s extremely important for older people to learn to use a computer. It can open them up to a whole new world of opportunities. For instance, they can use a computer to stay in touch with family members, look up information, or even learn something new.
Personally, I believe that computers are now an integral part of our everyday lives, and learning the basics of using one can help older people get the most out of their retirement.”
Do you think that technology has changed the way we learn today?
“Yeah, absolutely, I think technology has totally changed the way we learn today! We have access to so much more learning materials now, from online courses to videos and even virtual reality-based lessons.
With these tools, almost anyone with internet access can learn new things. As well as that, it makes learning more engaging and fun for students.
I believe that technology has really opened up so many new doors in the world of knowledge, and not to mention making life so much more convenient for us since we can now get what we need without having to go to the library.”
Do you think that children’s screen time needs to be controlled?
“Yes, certainly,I think kids’ screen time must be monitored. We have loads of research showing how too much screen time can be damaging for kids, both physically and mentally.
Technology can be great, sure, but we have to make sure our kids get a healthy balance of activities in their lives ,like outdoor activities, socializing, and physical activity.
I believe parents need to be role models and also set boundaries around tech usage. It’s extremely important, especially for young children to moderate the amount of time they spend in front of screens.”
More links to IELTS speaking Part 2 and Part 3 example answers
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