Part 1

Do you use any gadgets on a daily basis?

Yes, surely I do... Although I don't consider myself a geek, I quite enjoy using all
the new items like laptops and smartphones... All in all, we're living in
the computer age and it's impossible to ignore cutting-edge technology.

How often do you use Internet?

I use Internet every day... It helps me with my studies and it entertains me when
I’m down... Surfing the Internet is my hobby... I also frequently use World
Wide Web for communication purposes... Though I don't like social media like
Facebook, I often use video conferencing for talking.

Do you own a computer? If so, how often do you use it and for what
purposes?

Yes, I have a personal computer and a laptop... I use my laptop mainly for
education... It is very light and fits in my bag easily, so I take it with me to
school... Meanwhile, my PC has a large screen and convenient keyboard, so I
use it for word processing and browsing websites. It is an old, but still well-
oiled machine...

Part 2

Now, have a look at the card and prepare a monologue.

Describe your favourite gadget. You should say:

 What is it
 When did you get it
 How often do you use it

and say why is it so important to you

I don’t own many gadgets... I have a PC, laptop and a smartphone and I can’t
imagine my life without either of those... However, my laptop is the most
important piece of technology for me... I got it as a birthday present from my
parents a few years ago and I use it nearly every day now. Although at first using
it was like rocket science for me, after a few weeks I was able to do everything I
needed... From browsing websites to reinstalling the operating
system... What's more, without my laptop I wouldn’t be able to do my homework
for the university... Also, I use it for surfing the Internet and finding whatever I
want, whether it is a piece of code for my project or a useful tip on how to cook a
steak... Generally, my laptop became an essential device for me...

Part 3

Do you think we need to know much about computers?

Well... Not too much, but there is definitely a couple of essential things everyone
should know. First of all, you need to know how to enter a web address... how
to navigate websites... It is very important nowadays to be able to surf the
net for the information you need...

What is the most impactful piece of technology in our lives?

In my point of view, the Internet is the most important technological advance of

our time... It gives us so many new opportunities to discover anything we want
about our world! You just need to boot up your computer an go online... And
with wireless networks at home and public Wi-Fi hotspots we can do it easily
and almost everywhere.

How computers affect our everyday life?

In a positive way, certainly. They help with so many things, starting from writing
and printing your own essay and ending with developing advanced programs
and digital editing... Without computers studying would have been time-
consuming and inefficient...

How effective is the use of computers in the classroom?

Hmm… in my opinion, using computers in the classroom is very effective. I
think it is important for students to become competent in the use of computers
To master the use of computers. to prepare them for the workplace … you know,
computers are used everywhere in the workplace now. But… I also think that
having computers so easily available gives teachers the opportunity to introduce
students to the variety of information on the Internet.

 computer age: the period in modern history characterized by rapid

technology development and widespread computer use. Living in a
computer age has many benefits.
 computer buff: a user who is good at working with a computer. Mike is a
computer buff. He got an A+ on his programming exam.
 computer fatigue: a syndrome of tiredness resulting from long computer
usage. About 60% of IT specialists are affected by computer fatigue.
 cutting-edge: something innovational and leading. Cutting-edge
technology.
 desktop PC: a personal computer that remains on a desk. I have an old
desktop PC that I use for surfing the net when I’m home.
 digital editing: a process of changing digital materials like audio or video
files. Being good at digital editing is essential in our time.
 download (podcasts): to save a copy of a file from the internet to your own
device. Yesterday I downloaded a few films that I plan to watch during the
weekends.
 essential: something you can’t imagine your life without. Internet is an
essential piece of technology for many people.
 gadget: an advanced piece of technology, like smartphone. Nowadays
almost everybody owns a gadget.
 geek: someone who is obsessed with technology, especially computers. My
friend is a real geek. He owns a bunch of computers and other gadgets.
 hold the line: wait a minute. She told me to hold the line, because she had
to open the door.
 large screen: a big-sized monitor. A few days ago I decided to renew my
computer, so I bought a large screen for it.
 light years ahead: very far away from. Modern computers are light years
ahead of those which people used in 90s.
 on the cutting edge: at the forefront of progress. Paul's new laptop is on
the cutting edge of technology.
 operating system: the most important program that runs the computer. I
chose to buy a laptop which is based on the Windows operating system.
 out of steam: tired, exhausted. Due to today's intense workday I am out of
steam, so I won’t be able to work tomorrow.
 rocket science: a very complicated subject for someone. Biology is a rocket
science for me. I don’t understand anything in it.
 send an attachment: send an email with an added file. My brother sent an
attachment with his homework to the professor.
 silver surfer: an old person, who uses the Internet. Uncle Bob is a silver surfer.
He uses the Internet every day, although he’s almost 70.
 social media: media used to interact with other people. Facebook is the biggest
social media in the world.
 time-consuming and inefficient: something that takes too much of your time
and isn’t rational to do. I find watching football time-consuming and inefficient.
 to access websites/email: to visit websites/email. John accessed his email today
to see if he had received any letters.
 to back up files: to make a copy of files in case of a computer problem. I had to
back up files on my computer, because I was going to reinstall my operating
system.
 to be stuck behind a computer: to use computer for a long period of time. A lot
of teenagers are stuck behind their computers all day.
 to boot up: to start a computer. I booted up my computer as soon as I got home.
 to browse websites: to search for websites. I spent a few hours browsing the
websites today, until I found was I was looking for.
 to crash: to suddenly stop working. My computer crashed when I was writing
my essay.
 to go online: to use the Internet. Millions of people go online every day.
 to navigate a website: to find what you need on the website. Navigating a
website is not very easy, especially if the website is poorly designed.
 to pull the plug: to end an activity. After being stuck behind a computer all day,
I decided to pull the plug.
 to push someone's buttons: to do specific thing to irritate somebody (usually
intentionally). I became so angry because he pushed my buttons by adding
pepper to my ice cream!
 to surf the web: to look through websites, searching for something you need, or
simply for entertainment. I was surfing the web yesterday for three hours,
because I had nothing else to do.
 to upgrade: to renew a software or a piece hardware. Thanks to the new
program for students, I updated my computer for free.
 well-oiled machine: something that works perfectly well. My computer, despite
being 7 years old, is still a well-oiled machine.
 widespread computer use: that is to say people use computers very often.
 Wi-Fi hotspots: a public place where you can access the Internet. Our
university has a Wi-Fi hotspot. It is very convenient.
 wireless network: a network where users can access the Internet without using
any cables. We have installed a wireless network at home.
 word processing: writing, editing and producing words on a computer, using
special programs.There are tons of word processing programs.