1. Look at the profiles of 3 people in the article. What interests and hobbies do they have? What gadgets do you think they can’t live without? [Read and translate the text]

3 things I couldn’t live without

Sarah Tyson (New Zealand), age 16, high school student, likes: shopping & friends

“I’m not really into computers, gadgets and things like that, but I have to admit I really can’t imagine life without my iPod! It’s amazing being able to store the whole of your music collection on one tiny device. I like to listen to it when I’m walking to and from school. Also, I’d find it almost impossible to be without my mobile phone. I just couldn’t organise my social life without it, and my parents only allow me to stay out late on Saturday if I keep calling them. They want to know where I am. I’ve just bought a digital camera with my birthday money. It’s fantastic. I’ve taken so many photos of my friends. In fact, I’m even considering a career as a photographer. ”

Andy Cooper (UK), age 19, Physics student, likes: music & video games

“I’m a complete techno freak, so it’s hard to pick just three things I couldn’t live without! Firstly, though, I guess no one these days can survive without their mobile. Mine has got quite a good voice recorder on it so I often use it to record my university lectures so that I can listen to them again at home. It’s really handy. The second thing I really love is the portable DVD player that I won in a competition last year. I’m studying at a university far away from my home town so it’s really nice to be able to put on my headphones and watch movies on the long bus journey back. I’m a bit ashamed to admit it but I’m totally hooked on my PlayStation 2! I know I’m 19 but I am still very keen on it. I can play for hours! ”

Tina Appleby (USA), age 33, accountant, likes: cinema & photography

‘‘I’m a businesswoman so I suppose it goes without saying that I really couldn’t live without my laptop and PDA. I’m not a naturally organised person so my PDA in particular really helps me out. I use it as a diary, I change documents on it when I’m on the move and yes, I even play games on it on the underground on my way to work! It keeps my whole life together to the extent that I would feel quite lost without it! And my laptop allows me to store all the information my clients need. I don’t have to carry lots of heavy files when I visit them.

Apart from work, I’ve always had a passion for photography, so my absolute favourite gadget at the moment is my new digital camcorder. I’m having so much fun making home movies. I edit them using software on my laptop. It’s a great pastime. ”

2. Read the text again. Who (Andy, Tina, Sarah):

needs a particular gadget for his/her hobby?
values smth that they didn’t buy themselves?
isn’t very keen on technology?
uses a gadget to help with his/her studies?
would feel disorganized without a particular gadget?
feels embarrassed about smth he/she likes
is allowed more freedom because of a gadget?

3. Who or What do the underlined pronouns in the article refer to?

4. Match the highlighted words to the words/phrases below. Then use each one of the highlighted words in a sentence of your own.

convenient, other than, to the point, travelling,

interested in, alter, addicted to, thinking about.

5. Explain the words/phrases in bold. [in English]

6. Write an article about your favourite gadgets. What 3 things you couldn’t live without, what they do, why you couldn’t live without them? Use the texts as a model.

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