Describe a time when your computer broke down.: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

When & how did it happen?
What did you about it?
How did you feel about it?

27 unique answers with expert feedback

How did you feel when your laptop broke down?

I felt really upset and anxious when my laptop broke down. It wasn't just a device; it was a gift from my parents that held sentimental value. Losing it felt like losing a part of that special memory, and I worried about the important documents I had saved on it.

What did you do after the laptop broke?

After the laptop broke, I tried to dry it out and looked online for solutions. I attempted a forceful shutdown, but nothing worked. Eventually, I had to accept that it was damaged and started thinking about how to recover my important files, which was quite stressful.

Have you taken any precautions since then?

Yes, since that incident, I've become much more careful with my electronics. I always keep drinks away from my laptop and have even invested in a protective case. I also back up my important files regularly to avoid losing them in case of another mishap.

Band 6-7

00:00

Two years back my laptop got broke down and I suffered a lot at that period of time where I used to have all my personal details as well as my learnings, my study materials there and when it got broke down I felt like I don't have harm, I just feel like that. So, the thing what I did initially is, first I gave it to a repair shop and they mentioned like it will take 2-3 days to repair it, so on that 2-3 days when I don't have proper materials to read, I went through my friend's materials to go through all those things and it was really hard period of time because when you have all those details and when you completely depend on something and when you don't have that, I struggled a lot at that period of time and after 2-3 days I got it back and what they did is, all the data in there were got erased, so that is one more headache which I got, so at that time I just took a backup of all the materials from my friend's laptop and then restored it in mine and then I started with my learning, so this is what I did.

Follow up questions

How did you feel when you realized your data was erased?

I felt extremely anxious and frustrated when I found out that all my data was erased. It was like losing a part of my hard work and memories. I had to quickly think of ways to recover my study materials and ensure I wouldn't face such a situation again.

What steps do you take now to prevent data loss?

Now, I regularly back up my data on an external hard drive and use cloud storage services. This way, I can access my important files from anywhere and have peace of mind knowing that my data is safe, even if my computer breaks down again.

Did this experience change how you view technology?

Yes, this experience made me realize how dependent I am on technology. It taught me the importance of being prepared for technical failures and the need to have alternative resources, like physical books or notes, to rely on when technology fails.

Is this page helpful?

Band 6-7

00:00

I still remember when my computer was broke down. It wasn't a computer, it was a laptop. And I left Accenture that time and been applying for many, many jobs. And one day in the morning, I got up and suddenly I got a message from one of the companies where I applied. They said that please share your resume and in order to share that resume, I needed the laptop very much. So that time what I did, I opened my laptop and it was not functioning well. Initially I thought it takes time but later on, being, was trying to turn on the laptop, it took me around half an hour so I realized that there is a big problem here which has to be fixed. So I called one of my friend who is an engineer. So I tried to get it fixed by him but unfortunately he could not pick up my call. Then I didn't sit quiet, I just turned on my mobile and started browsing on YouTube what can be done and what are the steps should be taken in order to get the laptop fixed. So I came across with one video where the YouTuber was stating some troubleshooting step. I followed it and fortunately it worked for me. And that's it.

Follow up questions

How did you feel when your laptop broke down?

I felt really anxious and stressed because I needed to send my resume for a job application. It was a crucial moment for me, and the laptop malfunctioning added to my worries about finding a job.

What steps do you usually take to maintain your laptop?

I usually ensure that I regularly update the software, run antivirus scans, and clean the hardware to prevent overheating. I also back up my important files to avoid losing them in case of a breakdown.

Have you ever considered switching to a different brand of laptop?

Yes, I have thought about it. After that incident, I considered trying a different brand known for better reliability. I want to ensure that I have a dependable device, especially for work-related tasks.

Practice other cue cards

Band 6-7

00:00

Hello, actually, here I wanted to describe about an incident which happened with me and that is really a really bad incident happened with me. Actually, before three years ago, there was a COVID time. So my employer has been decided to provide work from home so that they so that my employer has been provided to laptop to each employee and ask each employee to work at home due to the COVID period. So I got a laptop from my office and I started work from home. So actually, at that time, my daughter was only one and a half years old. She was really naughty and so much active. She always like used to touch my laptop while work while I'm working on it. So one day when I just went to have a cup of coffee for me because I was exhausted at that time. After that, I when I back, I have seen that my daughter was playing with my laptop. So suddenly he just my laptop was fallen down from it from the table to the floor and floor was like with a tile. So it was hard. So that my laptop was broken. Some key was broken of my laptop and which were not working at that time. So I was so much scared. Even I yelled on my daughter as well. And I scared because that was a property which is associated with my employer. I need to give the answer how this this has been broken. So after that

Follow up questions

How did you feel when your laptop broke?

I felt really anxious and scared because it was my employer's property. I was worried about how to explain the situation and what consequences I might face. It was a stressful moment, especially with my daughter being so young and active.

What did you do after the laptop broke?

After the incident, I quickly assessed the damage and tried to fix it myself. I also contacted my employer to explain what happened. They were understanding and provided me with guidance on how to proceed with getting a replacement or repair.

Have you taken any precautions since then?

Yes, since that incident, I've made sure to keep my laptop out of reach of my daughter. I also created a designated workspace where she can't access my equipment. This way, I can work without worrying about accidents happening again.

Band 6-7

00:00

We used to have a common computer in our home which my father uses for his business and I used to use it for my educational purposes. Randomly the computer stopped working and we were not able to figure out the issue. And that's when we realized how a gadget is important in our life and how our world revolves around gadgets. In the past, for the past few years, we had to give it to repair in our area at a local shop and for the rest of the three days, for the rest of three days, I used my friend's laptop to get all my work done.

Follow up questions

How did you feel when your computer broke down?

I felt quite stressed and anxious because I relied on the computer for my studies. It was frustrating not being able to access my work and complete assignments on time.

What did you learn from this experience?

I learned the importance of having backup devices and being prepared for technical issues. It made me appreciate how much I depend on technology for my education and daily tasks.

Have you had any other experiences with technology breaking down?

Yes, I've had a few instances where my phone or tablet stopped working unexpectedly. Each time, it reminded me of how crucial these devices are in my daily life and the need for regular maintenance.

Show all 27 answers

Cue 1:When & how did it happen?

Begin by describing the situation when your computer broke down, including the date and time.
Mention any specific tasks you were doing at that moment that made the breakdown particularly inconvenient.

Example

It was a busy Monday morning, around 10 AM, when my computer suddenly froze while I was working on an important presentation for a client meeting. I had been typing away when the screen went blank, and I couldn't do anything to revive it.

Cue 2:What did you do about it?

Explain the immediate steps you took to try to fix the issue, such as restarting the computer or checking connections.
Mention if you sought help from someone else, like a technician or a friend.

Example

Initially, I tried to restart my computer, hoping it was just a temporary glitch. After several attempts, I realized it wasn’t working, so I called my friend who is good with computers. He suggested I take it to a nearby repair shop.

Cue 3:How did you feel about it?

Share your emotions during the incident, focusing on feelings like frustration or anxiety.
Reflect on how the breakdown impacted your day and your work.

Example

I felt extremely frustrated and anxious because I had a deadline to meet. The thought of losing my work made me panic, and I was worried about how I would explain this to my boss. It was a stressful situation.

Conclusion

Summarize the overall experience and what you learned from it.
Mention how you ensured it wouldn't happen again, like backing up your data.

Example

In conclusion, that experience taught me the importance of regularly backing up my work. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to save my files on cloud storage to avoid such stressful situations in the future.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Vague Descriptions

Using vague language can make your answer unclear. It's important to provide specific details about the incident to engage the listener and demonstrate your language skills.

Tip

Include specific details such as the date, the type of computer, and what exactly happened to make your story more vivid.

2: Neglecting Emotions

Failing to express your feelings can make your response less relatable. Sharing your emotions helps to connect with the examiner and adds depth to your answer.

Tip

Describe how you felt during the breakdown, whether it was frustration, anxiety, or relief, to make your answer more personal.

Lack of Structure

A disorganized response can confuse the listener. It's essential to structure your answer clearly to ensure it flows logically and covers all the cues.

Tip

Follow the cue card prompts in order: start with when it happened, then explain what you did, and finish with how you felt.

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