Conversation: Technology in Everyday Life

Model answer: Probably my smartphone, although I hate to admit it. It's my map, my camera, my dictionary and my way of staying in touch with friends all in one. If I lost it for a week, I'd manage, but I'd certainly feel disconnected, especially when I'm travelling around the city on my own.

Model answer: In many cases, yes. You often see families at a restaurant where everyone is staring at a screen. The main consequence, as I see it, is that we pay less attention to each other. Having said that, phones are also extremely useful, so the real issue is knowing when to put them away.

Model answer: My grandparents used to write letters or wait for a weekly phone call, whereas I can video-call my relatives in Germany whenever I like. That's wonderful, but I sometimes wonder whether the constant contact makes our conversations less special. A long letter used to mean something, because it took real effort to write.

Model answer: It depends on the decision. I wouldn't mind a computer suggesting the quickest route to school, but I'd be uneasy if it decided who gets a place at university. Humans can explain their reasoning and take special circumstances into account, whereas a program might simply follow rules nobody fully understands.