Technology

1. Describing using devices/ the internet/ apps: Go on/ Jump on/ Hop on

Go on means ‘use’ and it’s the most common. Jump on and hop on also mean use but tend to be used where there is a sense of ease or convenience. Be careful to use these in the right mood. For instance, if I want to tell you that it’s quite convenient to use Google Maps to find the best restaurants near me, I might use hop on/ jump on. However, imagine that it’s more complicated or not as easy, or I don’t want to emphasise its handiness.

Examples:

  • Sometimes I hop on X and check my newsfeed when I’m bored.
  • When I take long flights I jump on my iPad and watch a movie.
  • I very often go on my phone and check the forecast.
  • I go on Instagram 3-4 times a day!

2. Describing using applications/ websites: Log in/ Log out/ Sign in/ Sign out/ Register/ Sign up to

Log in/ sign in mean to provide credentials to gain access to a service or system. Log in/ log out mean leave the application. Register/ Sign up to means enrolling in a service or program.

Examples:

  • I love logging into Instagram and checking what my friends have been getting up to.
  • Sometimes I never sign out.
  • I just signed up to this cool new shopping app.

3. Describing saving data: Back up

Backing up your device means to save a copy of important files in case you lose them.

Examples:

  • I back up my laptop every month.
  • I never back up my computer.. I really should though.

4. Describing starting/ closing devices: Turn on/ Turn off/ Switch on/ Switch off/ Shut down

Shut down tends to only be for the computer. The others are common for phones, tablets and also laptops.

Examples:

  • Sometimes when I’m with my friends, I just switch off my phone.
  • My computer is getting really old. I always have to shut it down to get it working again.
  • I always turn my phone off in work.

5. Describing choosing a channel/ station: Put on/ Stick on/ Throw on

When talking about channels, whether on tv, record players, video or audio streaming sites, you can put a movie, show, song or record on. Stick on and throw on are the same but more colloquial. You can keep the phrasal verb together or split it (put on a movie or put a movie on).

Examples:

  • After work I like to stick on an episode of The Simpsons.
  • I always put a movie on when I’m sad.
  • We threw on a little bit of Adele last night while eating dinner.
  • I always chuck on some reggae when cooking to put me in a good mood!

6. Describing Transferring data: Upload/ Download

  • I wasn’t able to upload my holiday pictures because our hotel’s wifi was down.
  • I tried to download the files but they failed.

7. Describing Synchronising data: To Sync/ To Sync up

Syncing/ Syncing up allows users to ensure that data, such as files, contacts, calendars, and settings, are consistent across multiple devices. Think of cloud storage systems.

Examples:

  • I always have issues synching up my music on the cloud.
  • I love how all my photos sync across all my devices.

8. Describing Browsing: To Browse (through)/ To Surf/ To Scroll (through)/ To Flick through

Browse and surf indicate general navigation, whereas scroll through and flick through are generally more for looking at sites on a smart device or navigating social media applications.

Examples:

  • Sometimes I browse through different products on the internet.
  • I love flicking through Instagram.
  • On Sundays, I flick through all the tv channels but there never seems to be anything good on!
  • I came across an interesting article while scrolling through my newsfeed.

Examiner: How often do you use a computer and for what purpose?

Student: I’d say I use a computer quite regularly, mostly for academic research and assignments. I also jump on WeChat to stay connected with friends and family.

Examiner: Have you ever taken a course to improve your computer skills?

Student: Yes, I have indeed. I took an online course last summer to brush up on my programming skills which was super helpful.

Examiner: Which device do you prefer to use for browsing the internet?

Student: I prefer to go on my phone because it’s really handy. I usually flick through my favourite websites and social media apps.

Examiner: Do you enjoy using the internet?

Student: Yes and no! It’s obviously a great way to keep up with the latest news, trends, and connect with people from around the world but at the same time it can all feel a bit overwhelming.

Examiner: What kinds of apps or websites do you like browsing?

Student: I enjoy browsing educational websites and apps for my studies mostly. On top of that, I like to keep up with news and scroll through social media platforms to see what my friends are up to.

1. How often do you use a computer and for what purpose?

2. Have you ever taken a course to improve your computer skills?

3. Which device do you prefer to use for browsing the internet?

4. Do you enjoy using the internet?

5. What kinds of apps or websites do you like browsing?

i) Describe an item of technology you have that is very important.

You should say:

● what the technology is

● when you got it

● how often you use it

and say how different your daily life would be without it.

ii) 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

iii) Describe a device that you had a problem with.

You should say:

● What equipment it was

● What problem you had

● When you had this problem

and explain what you did about this problem.

1. Do you think most electronic devices are user-friendly?

2. Do you think parents should control what internet sites their teenagers use?

3. Could you suggest reasons why some people are deciding to reduce their use of technology?

4. How has technology changed since you were a child?

5. What technologies do you think will impact the world the most in the future?