Mixer #147 | Intermediate B1

Do you have enough gadgets?

Six people share their thoughts about gadgets and whether they wish they had more.

Script
Vocab
Quiz

Warren / Canada
I don't think I have enough gadgets. I think ... I don't think anyone should have too many, but I'm definitely wanting to have a few more devices to help me. Right now, I only have a regular cellphone, but I really wanted to get an iPhone. Actually, my iPod, I put through the washing machine by accident, and it managed to keep working for a year, but now the insides have rusted out and it doesn't work, so I need to get one of those, too.

Tim / United States
I don't have too many gadgets. I have essential things, like I have a cellphone, I have a computer, a camera, and that's basically it. I don't really get a lot of gadgets and random items, because if I don't use something very often, I don't see the point of having it, so I get rid of it, or I'll just not buy it in the first place.

Gareth / England
Yeah, I have quite a few gadgets, quite a few old mp3 players that I no longer use, and every time Apple releases a new product, I have to have it, so it's a little bit like an obsession for me.

Katia / Mexico
No, I do not have many gadgets. I avoid anything that is technical or that is complicated. The simpler, the better. I find things, like gadgets, a little bit difficult to use, and many times I don't think they are necessary, so I rather not use or have any gadgets.

Lindsay / United States
No, I don't; my husband does. He's always buying a new gadget, a new computer, a new projector, a new DVD player. But for me, no, I don't like gadgets. I just got an iPhone, so that's probably my only real gadget.

Sunny / Korea
I don't think I have too many gadgets. I only have the regular ones people have, like computers, mp3 players, but I really like to try new stuffs, even ... if I had some chance.

Learn Vocabulary from the Lesson!

device

I want a few more devices for work.

A device is a gadget. It is a small electronic machine used to simplify a task. Notice the following:

Do you know how to work this device?
That's a new device. What does it do?

by accident

I put my iPod through the washing machine by accident.

When something happens by accident, that means you made it happen by mistake. Notice the following:

I hit your car by accident. I promise to fix it.
We broke the machine by accident. I promise to get you a new one.

see the point

I don't see the point of having it

When you see the point of something, you understand it why it happens. Notice the following:

I don't see the point of studying if I can use my book on the test.
I see your point, but I still disagree.

in the first place

I'll just not buy it in the first place.

'In the first place' means 'to begin with'. Notice the following:

This hotel is terrible. We should never have come here in the first place.
I hate the topic of my paper. It is so boring. I wish I had not chosen it in the first place.

no longer