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This podcast is designed to give English students extra practice by discussing events, history, culture and language.
Welcome to the VivaLing podcast. Today is all about gadgets, gadget problems, that is. What is a gadget exactly, you ask? It’s something small. It is often mechanical or electronic. It often has one purpose. For example, a can opener is a small mechanical or electronic device that people use to open cans. It does not have any other use ….. except for maybe when you you have a lot of wind in the house. Then you can use it to hold the recipe book open while you are cooking.
Listen to 3 people talk about their gadget problems, and then listen to the advice. When giving advice, we often use words like ‘can, could and should.’ Listen to Coach Soma talk about her gadget problem.
My name is Soma, and my gadget problem is my phone battery.
My phone battery dies very fast. I charge it in the morning, but in the afternoon it is already at 10%. What can I do?
Common problem, right?
First, Soma, you can check your apps. Some apps use a lot of battery, so you should close apps you aren’t using.
You could also make your screen darker. A bright screen uses more battery.
Now, listen to gadget problem #2.
Hi! My name is Sarah, and my gadget problem is my headphones. I like to listen to music when I’m on the bus, but the sound is very quiet, even when the volume is high. What should I do?
Hmm, that is annoying.
First, you can check the volume on your phone. I know, Sarah, obvious, right?
You could also check if your headphones are clean. Sometimes dust blocks the sound.
And you should try the headphones with another device. Maybe the problem is your phone and not your headphones.
Hope your music sound better soon!
One more gadget problem left. Let’s go!
Hello! I’m Nadine. I have a robot vacuum, like a Roomba, but it stops all the time and does not clean my room well. What can I do?
That can happen. First, Nadine, did you check your floor? Maybe there are too many things on the floor.
You should move small objects off the floor, like cables or socks.
You could also clean the brushes. Sometimes hair or dust gets stuck in them.
Then your robot vacuum can move more easily!
Some questions for you.
What was one suggestion I made for Soma’s phone battery problem?
If you said make the screen darker or close apps, you are right.
True or False – I suggested that Sarah check her headphones on a different device.
True, of course!
True of False – I told Nadine to look at her floor and pick up or move small objects, like tables and socks.
False – not tables. They aren’t small. Cables. You know, like what connects the lamp or your phone to the wall.
Gadgets can be super cool, but they can also break down or not function well. When they work, life goes smoothly. When they don’t? Well … sometimes it seems like it’s the end of the world.
Your homework: Think about a gadget that you have. What could be a problem this gadget can have? Use can, could or should and tell it to your VivaLing coach or family member.