Describe a device you possess that you find challenging to operate | IELTS Speaking Part 2

Part 2: Describe a device you possess that you find challenging to operate

Describe a device you possess that you find challenging to operate
You must tell:
What it was
How you did it
What difficulty you faced
How you handled the difficulty
And explain why you felt proud of it

Here is a sample for the topic “Describe a device you own that you find challenging to operate“.

Sample 1

Vocabulary

• Technophobe (n): Người sợ công nghệ
• to get the hang of (phrase): quen với cái gì 
• Health-conscious (a): ý thức về sức khỏe 
• Sleek (a): bóng mượt 
• Seamless = Flawless (a): hoàn hảo 
• Right off the bat (phrase): Ngay lập tức
• Sturdy (a): chắc chắn
• A breeze (n): Một chuyện dễ dàng
• Health metrics (n): Chỉ số sức khỏe

Sample 2

Part 3: Technology

Besides Part 2, please also refer to Part 3 for this topic.

1. What technology do people currently use?2. Why do big companies introduce new products frequently?3. Why are people so keen on buying iPhones even though they haven’t changed much from one iPhone to the next?4. Why do technology companies keep upgrading their products?5. What changes has the development of technology brought about in our lives?6. Does the development of technology affect the way we study? How?

1. What technologies are currently being used by people?

Example 1: Technology is omnipresent. We extensively use our smartphones, which integrate various technologies like wifi, bluetooth, airdrop, and more. I speculate that in the future, people will employ numerous other fascinating technological innovations!

• Tech stuff: đồ công nghệ

Example 2: Recently, people have been employing diverse technologies such as smartphones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds. These devices undoubtedly bring significant advantages to users not only in terms of work efficiency but also in physical and mental well-being. Additionally, advancements in AI and VR have garnered considerable attention among technology enthusiasts. A clear example of this is Chat GPT, which raises considerable concerns about the future of human roles.

• Utilize (v): sử dụng hiệu quả thứ gì
• Yield benefits: tạo ra những lợi ích 
• artificial intelligence(n): trí tuệ nhân tạo)
• Virtual reality (n): thực tế ảo

2. What is the reason for big corporations to frequently introduce new products?

Example 1: I believe it primarily stems from their desire to increase sales. It's part of consumerism. They launch new product lines every quarter or year to boost sales and create a perception that products bought three months ago are now outdated, despite still functioning perfectly.

• consumerism: chủ nghĩa tiêu dùng quá đà
• obsolete: cũ

Example 2: From my perspective, the prominent reason behind this business strategy is to maintain competitiveness in the market and sustain customer interest. Regularly launching new products helps companies stay current, meet evolving consumer demands, and gain a larger market share.

• Salient (a): quan trọng nhất, nổi bật nhất
• Capture a larger market share: nắm bắt được thị phần lớn hơn

3. Why do people show such interest in purchasing iPhones even though there have been minimal changes from one model to the next?

Example 1: Well, it's the same reason I mentioned earlier, consumerism. If someone doesn't acquire the latest product, like the IP 14 Pro Max for instance, they might feel left behind, even though the IP 12 is still perfectly functional. Another reason is simply because they want to experience the latest features such as the “Dynamic Island” on the IP 14, and because they have the means to do so.

• latest: mới nhất
• falling behind: tụt hậu

Example 2: People's attraction to purchasing newly released iPhones, despite minimal changes from one model to another, can be attributed to various factors. Firstly, Apple's marketing skills create hype and anticipation around each new iPhone launch, generating excitement among consumers. Secondly, for many, owning the latest iPhone becomes a status symbol and a way to stay current with the latest technology trends. Thus, they purchase the latest models not necessarily for their superior functionality or design, but to display their wealth and status.

• Gravitation toward something (n): Việc bị thu hút/ hấp dẫn vào thứ gì đó
• Prowess (n): sự tinh thông
• Superiority (n): Sự ưu việt

4. Why do technology companies continually upgrade their products?

Constantly upgrading products is essential for remaining competitive. Nokia serves as an example of a company that failed to innovate itself, and now that empire is a thing of the past! Therefore, I believe that having the ability to upgrade your products and having a unique selling point are your competitive advantages in this market.

• renew: làm mới
• a thing of the past: đi vào dĩ vãng
• competitive edge: lợi thế cạnh tranh

5. How has the advancement of technology impacted our lives?

Many changes have occurred, both positively and negatively. With just a few clicks, I can find anything I need online, access a wide array of products, and engage in comparative shopping to secure the best deals. However, there are drawbacks as well, as we increasingly rely on technology. Chat GPT, a new type of AI, serves as an example. Many students no longer engage in critical thinking or essay writing; instead, they simply input the question into the bot and perform a brainless “copy and paste”.

• comparison shopping: mua hàng so sánh

6. How does the development of technology influence our studying methods? In what ways?

Certainly, as technology progresses, students can access free resources in virtually every field. Take IELTS, for example; you can study for it at zero cost thanks to Google, with slides and videos covering all four skills! On the flip side, reliance on AI like Chat GPT poses a potential threat to students if used incorrectly.

• evolves: phát triển