4. How does this compare with the situation 20 years ago?
Well, 20 years ago, people did not have much compared to nowadays
:
no computer, no DVD
player, definitely no washing machine or air-conditioner. My parents bought their first computer 10
years ago. My grandparents got a gas stove only like 15 years ago. Before that they had to buy coal
to keep the fire going in the old-fashioned stove they had. It was really bad for the environment
actually. I think it became common for people to have a TV around 1985 in China; that is only
around 26 years ago.
5. Do you think that technology has improved family life?
Yes, without a doubt. Life is more comfortable and convenient. That is why most people spend
a lot more time at home nowadays
.
In the past, my grandparents used to go out all the time; they
would meet up with their friends, go dancing, play mahjong or something else. These days, most
people stay at home to watch TV or surf the Internet. It also means that family members can spend
more time together, although it doesn't mean they communicate more tha
n before…
288
A Technological Item You Own
(
Computer)
Tell me about a technological item you own/owned
.
You should say:
what the item is
how much it cost
how often you use/used it
and say whether you are/were pleased about it.
.
My laptop
:
When did you get it? What brand? Expensive?
.
Describe
:
design, battery, wide screen, very light
.
How often do you use it? On a daily basis for my studies
.
And also for entertainment: download, chat, read, listen to music, play games
.
Could you live without your laptop? I am addicted to it.
Last year, my father bought me a laptop from a Taiwanese company and so far I am very
pleased with it. The brand is Acer, and it cost my parents about four thousand yuan. I think it is quite
reasonable for a nice electronic notebook.
Its design is extremely cool and trendy. My laptop is very slim and light. I can carry it anywhere
I go, and it is a pleasure to work on it because the screen is wide, and the keyboard is user-friendly,
with large touch-buttons
.
The battery is long-lasting and I can keep my computer on for more than
6 hours in a row once it is charged.
I use my laptop on a daily basis for different purposes. First, I often get on the Internet to do
some research when I have to write a paper for university. I must type some essays and sometimes
make some charts for my classes. I also use my laptop to improve my English. For example, I can
listen to some audio-recordings online, and I often visit websites related to the IELTS exam.
In addition
,
my laptop can be used for entertainment. I can read the news on line anytime I want.
It is relaxing as well as informative. I also download music and movies on the Internet, and my
roommates and I frequently get together to watch a film on my computer.
On top of this, I can classify my pictures, and I set up my own blog for my relatives and friends
to keep in touch with me.
It would be very hard for me to live without a computer nowadays
.
My laptop has become an
essential part of my daily routine. Whenever I get home, I usually turn it on right away. I know I am
not the only one though, as most of my friends are also addicted to their computer and especially
computer games
.
My laptop will be even more useful next year in Australia. I will continue my
studies at Sydney University, and I will definitely bring my computer along to study, and to stay in
contact with my family and friends who won't leave China.
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