Describe an incident when you encountered an issue with a piece of equipment – IELTS Speaking part 2, 3

1. Sample answer for Describe an incident when you encountered an issue with a piece of equipment – IELTS Speaking part 2

Describe a time when you had a problem with a piece of equipment

You are expected to say:

• What equipment it was
• What problem you had
• When you had this problem
• And explain what you did about this problem.

1.1. Example 1

Listen to Mytour's Part 2 Podcast sample here:

Over the past few years, I have faced a number of technical problems with my technological devices. Most of them are some very minor mistakes which can be easily fixed. However, there was one time when my iphone was so heavily damaged that I still remember to this day.

Talking about this iPhone, I had to save up money for about 4 months before I could finally lay my hands on it. Actually, this phone was just a second hand iPhone 5, but it meant a lot to me as it was the first item that I bought with my hard-earned money when working as a waiter. Despite the fact that it was a pre-owned phone, everything from the camera, the keyboard to the battery are still in perfect condition.

One day, when I was working in the coffee shop with a couple of friends, a female waiter inadvertently spilled a glass of water on my iPhone. Needless to say, I was very pissed off because the screen went blank right away. I immediately removed the sim card and tried to dry it with a soft towel borrowed from that waiter.

One of my friends suggested that I bury it in a container of uncooked rice and then place it underneath a bright and warm lamp, explaining that the dry rice will absorb the moisture out of my phone and the heat will speed up the process. I rushed home and did exactly what he said but sadly, it didn’t work.

Afterwards, I sent it to Cellphone S in hopes that they could get the phone back to normal. Unfortunately, the technical worker, after trying many times, said that my phone was beyond repair. I had no choice but to buy a new phone to keep in touch with friends and my family. As for the iPhone, I didn’t even bother selling it. It now belongs to my niece who uses it as a toy phone whenever she plays with her dolls.

Translation:

Over the past few years, I've encountered several technical issues with my gadgets. Most were minor and easily fixable. However, there was one incident with my iPhone that stands out vividly in my memory till now.

Regarding this iPhone, I had to save money for about 4 months before I could lay my hands on it. Despite being a used iPhone 5, it held great significance for me as it was the first item I bought with hard-earned money from my waitering job. Despite its pre-owned status, everything from the camera, keyboard to the battery remained in perfect condition.

One day, while working at a café with some friends, a waitress accidentally spilled a glass of water on my iPhone. Needless to say, I was furious as the screen immediately went blank. I quickly removed the SIM card and tried to dry it with a soft cloth borrowed from the waitress.

A friend suggested I bury it in a box of uncooked rice under a bright, warm lamp, explaining that dry rice would absorb moisture from my phone and the heat would expedite this process. I rushed home and did exactly as he said, but sadly, it was ineffective.

Afterward, I sent it to Cellphone S hoping they could restore it to normal. Unfortunately, the technician, after several attempts, informed me that my phone couldn't be repaired. I had no choice but to buy a new phone to stay in touch with friends and family. As for the iPhone, I didn't even consider selling it. Now it belongs to my granddaughter, who uses it as a toy phone whenever she plays with her dolls.

Key Vocabulary Points

• Technical problem: vấn đề kỹ thuật
• Lay SO’s hands on ST: chạm tay vào thứ gì đó
• Hard-earned money: tiền khó kiếm được
• Pre-owned (adj): sở hữu trước
• Function (v): hoạt động bình thường
• Inadvertently (adv): vô tình (adv)
• Needless to say: không cần phải nói
• Pissed off: bực mình
• Go blank: chuyển sang màu đen
• Absorb (v): hấp thụ
• Moisture (n): độ ẩm
• In hopes that: với hy vọng rằng
• Get ST back to normal: đưa cái gì đó trở lại bình thường
• Unfortunately (adv): không may thay
• Beyond repair: không còn sửa chữa được nữa

1.2. Example 2

Feel free to listen to Mytour's Part 2 podcast sample here:

Let me share a memorable incident from a few years ago, back when I was still a high school student. It was a time when smartphones were not as common as they are today, and possessing one was considered a real privilege.

On my mother’s birthday that year, my father surprised her with a brand new iPhone 4, which was among the most technologically advanced phones available at the time. Even though I knew the phone belonged to my mom, I couldn’t help but fall in love with it and was eager to show it off to my friends at school. So, one day, I came up with a clever excuse, claiming that I needed her phone for some school projects, and surprisingly, she believed me.

I vividly recall the morning after when I went to school with her phone tucked safely in my pocket, wearing a constant smile of excitement. Needless to say, my friends were equally enamored with the device, and I reveled in the attention it garnered. As we explored the phone’s features during our free time, my teacher unexpectedly entered the classroom, catching me off guard. In my haste to put the phone away, it slipped from my grasp and fell onto the unforgiving floor.

My spirits sank as I picked it up, fearing the worst. Fortunately, there was no visible damage to the screen, but the phone’s flashlight seemed to have a life of its own, constantly flickering. I recall thinking to myself, 'This is it, the end of everything.'

Later that afternoon, I gathered the courage to confess to my mother, and understandably, she was furious. However, as it turned out, all I needed to do was hit the reset button to fix everything. This incident remains a memorable lesson for me.

Translation:

I'd like to share a memorable incident from a few years ago when I was still a high school student. It was a time when smartphones weren't as common as they are today, and owning one was considered a real privilege.

On my mother's birthday that year, my father surprised her with a brand new iPhone 4, one of the most advanced phones at the time. Despite knowing it was hers, I couldn't help but admire it and eagerly show it off to my friends at school. So, one day, I came up with a clever excuse that I needed her phone for some school projects, and surprisingly, she believed me.

I vividly remember the next morning when I arrived at school with her phone carefully tucked in my pocket, a big excited smile on my face. Needless to say, my friends were also fascinated by this device, and I enjoyed the attention it garnered. While we were exploring the phone's features during our free time, my teacher suddenly walked into the class, catching me off guard. As I hastily tried to put the phone away, it slipped from my grasp and fell to the floor, unforgivingly.

Tôi siết chặt tim lại khi nhặt lên, lo sợ điều tồi tệ nhất sẽ xảy ra. May mắn thay, màn hình không hư hại rõ ràng, nhưng đèn pin của điện thoại dường như có ý thức riêng, nhấp nháy không ngừng. Tôi nhớ mình đã nghĩ: “Đây rồi, ngày tận thế.”

Vào cuối ngày đó, tôi dũng cảm thú nhận với mẹ và mẹ tức giận. Tuy nhiên, hóa ra, tất cả những gì tôi cần làm là nhấn nút đặt lại để khắc phục vấn đề. Sự việc này vẫn đọng lại trong tâm trí tôi như một bài học quý giá.

Từ vựng nổi bật:

• Memorable: đáng nhớ
• Real privilege: đặc quyền thực sự
• Surprisingly: thật ngạc nhiên
• Vividly recall: nhớ lại một cách sống động
• Enamored: say mê
• Unexpectedly entered the classroom: bất ngờ bước vào lớp
• Unforgiving: không thể tha thứ

2. Mẫu miêu tả một lần bạn gặp vấn đề với một thiết bị – Phần 3 của IELTS Speaking

Please join us in listening to Mytour's Part 3 podcast

2.1. What are the most prevalent household appliances found in every family?

Well, I believe that most households typically possess essential appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and televisions. These types of appliances provide numerous benefits and can significantly contribute to time-saving.

Translation:

Yes, I believe that most households typically possess essential appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and TVs. These types of appliances bring many benefits and can significantly contribute to time-saving.

• Households: hộ gia đình
• Refrigerators: tủ lạnh

2.2. How can individuals safeguard their equipment from damage?

Of course, to maintain the lifespan and functionality of any item, careful handling is essential. For example, if you wish to keep a refrigerator in optimal condition over an extended period, it is necessary to regularly clean it and promptly address any potential issues through timely repairs.

Translation:

Certainly, to preserve the longevity and functionality of any item, it requires careful handling. For instance, if you aim to maintain a refrigerator in optimal conditions for a long time, it's essential to perform regular cleaning and promptly address any issues that may arise through timely repairs.

2.3. If a piece of equipment breaks down, do you prefer to repair it or buy a new one?

The decision should be contingent upon the extent of the damage. If there is a reasonable possibility that the item can be restored to its normal functioning through repairs, I would certainly opt for the repair route. However, if the chances of restoration are slim, or if the cost of repairing would be exorbitant, then I would opt to purchase a replacement.

Translation:

The decision should depend on the extent of damage. If there's a reasonable chance that the item can be restored to normal functioning through repair, I would definitely choose the repair route. However, if the chances of recovery are minimal or if the repair costs are too high, then I would opt to purchase a replacement device.

• Damage: hư hại
• Restoration: sự phục hồi
• Exorbitant: quá đáng

2.4. Do you believe modern technology makes people lazier?

Indeed, I think so. Modern conveniences have significantly simplified life to the extent that people no longer need to exert as much effort as before. Take online shopping and delivery services as an example. In the past, buying goods required physically going to a store and conducting transactions face-to-face.

However, with the availability of online services, virtually anything can be acquired with a simple click. While this convenience may contribute to a degree of laziness, it undeniably saves people an immense amount of time.

Biến dị hóa:

Thực sự tôi tin rằng điều đó là chân lý. Các tiện ích hiện đại đã làm cho cuộc sống trở nên đơn giản hơn rất nhiều, đến nỗi con người không còn phải vất vả như xưa. Ví dụ như mua sắm và giao hàng trực tuyến. Trước đây, việc mua sắm yêu cầu di chuyển đến cửa hàng và thực hiện giao dịch trực tiếp.

Tuy nhiên, với sự tiện lợi của các dịch vụ trực tuyến, hầu như mọi thứ có thể được mua chỉ bằng một cú nhấp chuột đơn giản. Mặc dù sự tiện lợi này có thể góp phần tạo ra sự biếng nhác ở mức độ nào đó, nhưng không thể phủ nhận rằng nó giúp mọi người tiết kiệm rất nhiều thời gian.

• Acquired: mua
• Immense: bao la