SPEAKING LESSON 6 – INTERMEDIATE

Speaking Part 1:
COMPUTERS

1. Do you use computers?

2. How often do you use your computer?

3. What kind of computer skills do you have?

4. How important is your computer to you?

5. What kind of activities involves using computers?

a techie: somebody who has an interest in technology

a computer buff: an expert computer user
technophile: someone who loves technology, usually digital devices
technophobe: someone who is afraid of using technology
breakthrough development = technological advance
transboundary communication: cross-border communication
high-spec (a): high in specifications, such as numbers or hardware ranking
low-spec (a): low in specifications, such as numbers or hardware ranking
word processing: producing written texts on a computer
to crash: to suddenly stop working
time-consuming and inefficient: something that takes too much of your time and isn’t rational to do
to be stuck behind a computer: to use computer for a long period of time.
to pull the plug: to end an activity
widespread computer use: that is to say people use computers very often
well-oiled machine: something that works perfectly well.
ROBOTS

1. Are you interested in robots?

2. Do you like robots to work at your home?

3. Do you want to visit a hospital in which robot is the doctor?

4. Will robots replace human beings in the workplace completely?

5. Will robots take over the world someday?

Pros: Cons:
help eradicate war, disease & poverty become a threat to human survival
help us make better diagnoses unlikely to exhibit human emotions (love or hate)
find new ways to cure cancer have the potential to become more intelligent than any human
do tedious (mundane/repetive) tasks get hacked
allow us to do the more interpersonal and creative aspect of work track and analyse an individual’s every move online
perform complex functions (facial recognition) be abused by terrorist groups
perform intensive human labour & backbreaking tasks take over the planet completely & permanently
reduce the workload of humans be the end of humanity

Speaking Part 2:
Describe a time when you started using a new technological device (e.g new computer or phone)
You should include:
– What device you started using
– Why you started using this device
– How easy or difficult it was to use
And explain how helpful this device was to you.

Rounding off questions:

1. Are you considered yourself a techie?

2. Do you think young people is too addicted to computers and smartphone?
Speaking Part 3: Answer -> Explain -> Example
What is the best age for children to start computer lessons?

How much has technology improved how we communicate with each other?

Do you agree that there are still many more major technological innovations to be made?

Why are some people better at thinking of ideas than others?

How easy is it for an adult to think of a new idea?

What role should the government play in encouraging innovation?

Do you know anyone who has a knack for coming up with ideas? Does this person think out of box?

Have you ever hit upon an innovative idea or plan?

Is there any recent product or idea that you wished rolled out a little earlier?