Everyday technology — speaking questions
35 everyday questions about everyday technology, each with a natural answer and the key phrases to use.
A25
Tell me about the headphones or earbuds you use. When do you wear them during the day?
What's actually on your phone's camera roll right now? Tell me about the last few photos you took.
Which gadget or device do you use the most in a normal day? Describe it and what you do with it.
Do you prefer texting people or actually calling them? What's the difference for you?
What's the first thing you do with your phone when you wake up? Walk me through your morning routine with it.
B110
How do you keep track of all your passwords and logins? Tell me your method, even if it's not perfect.
Have you ever been the 'tech support' for your family or friends, fixing their gadget problems? Tell me about it.
Let's be honest about charging cables and chargers. What's your relationship with them like?
These days menus, tickets and even parking use QR codes. How do you feel about scanning a code for everything?
Before you buy something or book a place, how much do you rely on online reviews and ratings?
Tell me about a time your phone died or ran out of battery at a really bad moment. What happened?
Imagine you woke up tomorrow and there was no internet for a whole week. How would you cope?
Imagine an older relative just got their first smartphone. What advice would you give them to get started?
If your phone or laptop could talk, what do you think it would say about you? Have a bit of fun with it.
How do you keep your important photos and files safe? Describe your system, even if it's a bit messy.
B212
Tell me about a time autocorrect or a typo on your phone caused a funny or awkward moment.
Do you prefer shopping online or going to an actual shop? What does each one give you that the other doesn't?
How do you deal with all the notifications your devices send you during the day? Do you let them buzz or shut them off?
Someone tells you they spend way too long on their phone and want to cut back. What would you suggest?
Tell me about a group chat you're in that's either brilliant or impossible to keep up with.
Think about finding your way around now versus before GPS apps. How has it changed the way you get around?
A friend keeps getting suspicious texts and emails asking for money or details. What would you tell them to stay safe?
When you get a new gadget, do you read the instructions or just dive in and figure it out? Why?
Do you think people today rely too much on technology in everyday life? Why or why not?
Is there an older piece of technology you still miss, like a cassette player or an old game console? Tell me about it.
Is there an app that genuinely changed something in your daily life? Tell me the story of how you started using it.
What's your view on smart home gadgets, like voice assistants or smart lights? Worth it, or more trouble than they're worth?
C16
Rank your top three apps you really couldn't live without, and tell me why each one made the list.
Tell me about a time you had to learn a new piece of technology or software from scratch. How did it go?
How do you imagine the everyday gadgets in your home will be different ten years from now?
Tell me about a time an app or phone update suddenly changed how something worked. How did you react?
Rank the everyday gadgets in your home from most to least useful, and defend your top choice.
If you could uninvent one piece of everyday technology, what would it be and what would life be like without it?