Describe a time when you had a problem with using the computer
CUE CARD
You should say:
When it happened
Where it happened
Why the computer couldn’t work
And explain how you solved the problem at last
ANSWER
1. (When it happened)
I had the honour of working as a front desk agent at one of the most beautiful resorts in Southeast Asia named JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay in July 2020. As a front desk agent, I relied on the computer a lot as it was the place in which all the information was stored. I was preparing for the arrival of Mr. Barack Obama while I found out that the computer I was using had suffered from a major breakdown.
2. (Where it was)
The computer was located right at the front desk of the resort, which was the hub of the whole resort. I was on edge and didn’t know how I could check Mr. Obama in with the computer being broken like this. Everything just messed up and I lost my own control and temper, starting to pour scorn on IT associates as well as some of my front desk colleagues.
3. (Why the computer couldn’t work)
After working around the problem, I managed to solve the issue just 10 minutes before the arrival of Mr. Obama to the resort. I came to the realization that the OPERA software, which was the property management system, crashed, causing the whole computer to stop working as well. It took me quite a long time to restart the computer as well as the software.
4. (And explain how you solved the problem at last)
I quickly got to the root of the problem. Usually, for cases like this, there is no other choice but to press the start button on the PC until the computer is shut down and restarts. I used this way and it turned out relatively successfully.
Vocabulary
1. Front desk agent (n):
A front desk agent is responsible for checking in and checking out hotel guests.
2. Breakdown (n):
Their car trip was a disaster – they had frequent breakdowns and never reached their destination.
3. to be on edge (phrase):
Is something wrong? You seem a bit on edge this morning.
4. to pour scorn on something/someone (idiom):
Critics of the president have been pouring scorn on the plan ever since it was first proposed.
5. Crash (v):
My laptop’s crashed again.
6. Root (n):
We must get to the root of (= discover the cause of) this problem.
