Describe a time when you used your Cellphone/Smartphone to do something important IELTS Cue Card

IELTS CUE CARD TOPIC

Describe a time when you used your Cellphone/Smartphone to do something important

You should say:
What happened?
When did it happen?
How important the cellphone/smartphone was?
And explain how you felt about the experience.?

NOTE – The examiner gives you one minute to plan your answer, and to help you prepare for the topic, the examiner provides you with a pencil and a notepad. You’ll have to answer the questions given on the topic for one-to-two minutes

Sample Answer 1

Introduction

There is no denying this conviction that smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. Spending life without them is a daunting task.

Although I mostly use my smartphone to waste my time, I use it occasionally for productive purposes. One such instance is etched in my memories.

What happened? and When it happened?

It was the year 2020 when the whole nation was in lockdown. The virus was making inroads in our lives, and people were confined to the comfort of their homes.

During that time, the life of senior citizens became challenging because they had a higher risk of getting affected by the coronavirus.

During that time, I took it as my bounden duty to support my society’s older adults.

As in the modern era, most people carry a smartphone; I decided to make prudent use of this device to help senior citizens by forming a WhatsApp group.

How important the cell phone/smartphone was?

The smartphone was a blessing during that time, and I connected with vendors for groceries, vegetables and general items in the WhatsApp group.

The connectivity helped the senior citizens to order anything from the comfort of their homes without going out.

And explain how you felt about the experience.

The overall experience was amazing. My plan worked like a charm, bringing a paradigm shift in senior citizens’ lives by empowering them to live with dignity.

The hard work I did with determination, dedication and discipline bore good results

The blessings I received from the elderly will always remain etched in my memories.

Sample Answer 2

Introduction

In this modern era, the lives of people pivot around their smartphones. They use them to do various kinds of tasks.

Although I use my mobile phone for routine tasks only, on one occasion, I used it to do something significant.

What happened?

I had to submit an assignment online. I made a blueprint on paper and was about to type it on my laptop. However, to my dismay, the laptop didn’t work.

That time I used my smartphone to type the content.

When did it happen?

It happened last year when all study was online due to the Corona Pandemic.

How important the cell phone/smartphone was?

It was very important because, due to the lockdown, I couldn’t go outside to borrow the laptop from someone. I tried hard to repair my laptop, but my efforts went in vain.

During that challenging time, I made a prudent choice to type everything on my cellphone; To my joy, this plan worked like a charm.

Although it was time-consuming, I managed to send the assignment on time.

My brother provided me with unabated support during that time by reciting the text so that I could focus on typing.

And explain how you felt about the experience.

The experience was challenging because writing 3000 words on your smartphone is daunting. But I persisted with determination, dedication and discipline.

In the end, my hard work paid off. And I realized that in tough situations, rather than worrying, we should look for feasible solutions around us.

Sample Answer 3

Introduction

People of the contemporary epoch thrive primarily on mobile phones to handle their conflicts adroitly.

Although I am not a big fan of mobile phones, once I used my smartphone to do an important task

What happened? And When it happened?

In the year 2016, the government of India announced demonetisation. Due to that the notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 were banned. During that time many people were facing issues. Those who had money in the bank and were aware of how to use internet banking were able to manage.

But people from poor families were finding it hard to survive. They were not having the cash to pay for buying groceries and they were unable to withdraw from ATMs because of the limited availability of cash in the machines and long queues.

During that time, I decided to help the labourers staying nearby by using my smartphone.

How important the cellphone/smartphone was?

The challenging task became easier with the help of smartphones. I went to the grocery store with the labourers. They purchased the necessities of their choice and I made the payment through net banking by using my mobile phone.

After one month the labourers refunded my money by paying cash.

And explain how you felt about the experience.

The overall experience was satisfying because it helped me to solve the pressing problem of underprivileged people in society.

After getting the groceries the labourers had vibrant smiles on their faces which made my day. And I felt great after providing unabated support to them.

Sample Answer 4

Introduction

In the modern era, our lives pivot around our mobile phones. On many occasions, my smartphone has worked in my favor; one such occasion is worth mentioning.

What happened? and When it happened?

It was on the first day of my college. I was extremely enthusiastic and about to start my day with a bang.

I reached the college in time and was waiting for the main gate to open with other students in my class. Suddenly few guys came, and they told us they were our seniors, and after that, they started doing our ragging.

Initially, we took it lightly, but later on, when they crossed the limit, some freshers got irritated and confronted. The revolt irked the seniors, and they started beating one of the freshers.

At this time, I used my brain and shot the video on my mobile phone by going to the other side. The misbehaviour of the seniors was visible in that video.

How important the cell phone/smartphone was?

My idea worked like a charm. I instantly posted the video on the Instagram page of our college. Immediately, the authorities knew about it, and the college principal visited us.

He punished the seniors for indecently ragging the freshers. The video posted by me saved the dignity of the freshers.

And explain how you felt about the experience.

The overall experience taught me that the mobile phone is an important asset for us. Rather than wasting our time by watching unnecessary videos or indulging in gossip and chats, we must use it for productive purposes.

Sample Answer 5

Introduction

Life throws many challenges on us, and during that time it is advisable to think with a cool mind.

I have had one such situation where my mobile phone helped me to provide support to one of my dear ones.

What happened? And When it happened?

Last year the 2nd wave of the corona pandemic was wreaking havoc in my country. Due to that, all of a sudden, the government announced a lockdown. Just a day before the announcement, we were in school, and one of my friends named Andrew had left his books in the school.

Just after one week of the lockdown, the school announced the mid-term exams, and the authorities decided to conduct them online.

Hearing this, Andrew was in a state of absolute disarray because he couldn’t prepare for the exams in the absence of books. Moreover, he couldn’t buy the new ones, due to the ongoing lockdown.

Seeing Andrew’s plight, I decided to provide him with sending him the study material online.

How important the cellphone/smartphone was?

Firstly I tried to scan the document by attaching a scanner to my laptop. However, it was a daunting task because I didn’t have much time at my disposal.

After that, I downloaded an application by the name of Camscanner on my smartphone. It worked like a charm, and I sent all the study material to Andrew in just one hour.

Through my efforts, he studied and passed the exams with flying colours.

And explain how you felt about the experience.

The overall experience was satisfying. Andrew is my bosom friend who always supports him. By providing him with unabated support during a challenging time I was on cloud nine.

Sample Answer 6

Introduction

Although I do routine tasks through my mobile phone, Once I used it to do something important.

What happened? And When did it happen?

Last year, my class teacher selected me to deliver a speech on the occasion of Independence Day. Although I was happy that my educator considered me competent enough for such an opportunity, I was pet peeved (worried) about the preparation as I had less time at my disposal.

I prepared the speech in one day, but delivering it in front of a massive audience was a daunting task for me.

How important the cell phone/smartphone was?

During that time, I decided to use my smartphone for effective preparation for relieving the speech. I downloaded the voice recorder application from the play store and recorded my speech in it.

For one week, I regularly used that application, listened to my speech multiple times, and made the necessary changes. This technique worked like a charm because it allowed me to prepare effectively with determination, dedication and discipline.

There is no denying this conviction that rehearsals are a must for delivering a speech effectively, and with the help of my mobile phone, I was able to rehearse multiple times. Listening to the same content helped me memorize, and it got hardwired in my brain.

My confidence enhanced considerably, and when I delivered the speech in front of a big crowd, I got huge applause.

And explain how you felt about the experience.

The overall experience was satisfying, and the bulk of the credit went to my mobile phone, which provided me with unabated support for the presentation.

Follow up Questions

Here are some examples of follow-up questions that the examiner might ask during your speaking part 3 related to the cue card “Describe a time when you used your Cellphone/Smartphone to do something important”.

1. What do you usually do with a cell phone?

I use my cell phone for numerous tasks. Firstly I use it in my leisure time to watch entertaining videos on various topics. Apart from this, I use it for chatting and talking to my friends through text messages and voice calls.

Apart from this, it is useful for studies. I have joined numerous groups through my phone. Those groups provide quality study material at no cost. Lastly, I use it to attend online classes.

2. What are the differences between young and older adults using a cell phone?

Older adults usually use cell phones to talk to someone, and on some occasions, they use them to send text messages.

On the other hand, youngsters thrive primarily on mobile phones for most of their tasks. They use it to remain in touch with the rest of the world. Moreover, they have a thick uncanny knack for clicking a boatload of pictures daily to post on social media.

Lastly, they use it for study purposes. During the corona pandemic, many youngsters remain in touch with students by attending online classes through their smartphones.

3. Which is more important, using a cell phone to make calls or read messages?

In my opinion, it entirely depends upon the user. Some people prefer messaging, for their smartphone’s primary purpose is to send and receive messages. On the other hand, some individuals prefer to communicate by talking to their near and dear ones. For them making calls is the main feature of a mobile phone.

4. Do you think there should be a law to stop people from making phone calls in public?

In my opinion, in case of unforeseen contingencies and emergencies, it is necessary to make calls. So I am not in solidarity with a blanket ban on calling in public places; however, I believe we should motivate people to refrain from calling in public places because it is troublesome for others. To me, audio calls lead to noise pollution, discouraging us from focusing and concentrating.

5. What would your life be like if you didn’t have a phone?

In the modern era, mobile phones have become an integral part of our lives. We thrive primarily on them to perform our tasks adroitly.

I have developed this uncanny knack for using a mobile phone for most of my tasks, whether they are related to study, work or household chores. Due to this reason spending time without a phone will be a daunting task for me.

Vocabulary

1. Integral

Meaning: Necessary

Sentence: Our attitude is integral to our personality, and we thrive primarily on it to lead our lives towards an impressive growth trajectory.

2. Be etched on/in someone’s memory

Meaning: Memory that will not fade away with time

Sentence: I always seek flashes of inspiration from my English teacher. Under his guidance, there was a paradigm shift in my performance, and the quality time spent with him will always remain etched in my memories.

3. Bounden Duty

Meaning: A responsibility regarded as obligatory

Sentence: It is our bounden duty to keep our surroundings neat and clean and to do so we must plant trees and not throw litter here and there.

4. Work like a charm

Meaning: Be entirely successful or efficient

Sentence: My new laptop has numerous features that empower it to work like a charm.

5. At your disposal

Meaning: Available for you to use at any time

Sentence: There is no denying this conviction that willpower is a limited resource, and we must use it prudently. In the mornings, we have plenty of willpower at our disposal, which declines during the day, and by indulging in unnecessary tasks, we nosedive it considerably.