Describe a program or app on your computer or phone
Describe a program or app on your computer or phone
You should say:
- What it is
- How often you use it
- When/how you use it
- When/how you found it
One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.
How to plan it in one minute
- Jot down keywords for each bullet point to ensure you cover all requirements.
- Choose an app you genuinely use so your enthusiasm sounds authentic and natural.
- Focus on how the app changes your workflow rather than just listing its features.
Band 8 model answer
I would like to talk about an app called Obsidian, which has become an indispensable tool in my daily life. It is essentially a note-taking and knowledge-management application that functions as a personal digital brain. I use it almost religiously every single day, often starting my morning by drafting a to-do list and ending my evening by jotting down reflections on the books I have read. I access it primarily on my laptop, but I also keep the mobile version synced for whenever inspiration strikes while I am commuting. I stumbled upon this program about two years ago while I was spiralling down a YouTube rabbit hole, searching for ways to improve my productivity. A tech blogger described how it used a method called 'linked thinking', where you connect notes via hyperlinks rather than folders. That concept really resonated with me because it felt more like how a human brain actually operates. I decided to install it that very afternoon, and after a short learning curve, it became the backbone of my workflow. The reason I find it so incredibly useful is that it allows me to build a complex web of ideas over time. Unlike standard apps that just store information in a linear fashion, Obsidian helps me see patterns in my notes that I would have otherwise missed. It has transformed my writing process from a chaotic scramble into a structured, creative endeavour, making it far easier to retrieve information when I am working on a project or simply trying to remember a specific detail from a lecture months later.
262 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.
Vocabulary from the answer
- indispensable
- something that is absolutely necessary and essential
- religiously
- doing something regularly and with great consistency
- spiralling
- becoming quickly involved in a complex situation
- rabbit hole
- a complex situation that leads to more
- resonated
- evoked a sense of personal connection or agreement
- learning curve
- the rate at which someone gains new skills
- backbone
- the most important part of a complex system
- endeavour
- a serious effort or attempt to achieve something
Part 3 questions that follow this card
- What are the differences between old and young people when using apps?
- Why do some people not like using apps?
- What apps are popular in your country? Why?
- Should parents limit their children's use of computer programs and computer games? Why and
- how?
- Do you think young people are more and more reliant on these programs?
Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See the Part 3 guide.
Say it out loud and get a band
Record this card with the AI examiner: one minute of prep, two minutes to speak, then a band for fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation with the words that cost you.
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Frequently asked questions
How should I start the cue card "Describe a program or app on your computer or phone"?
Jot down keywords for each bullet point to ensure you cover all requirements.
How long should my answer be?
Speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.
Can I use this model answer in the exam?
Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.
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