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📕 A2: Grades 10-12 • SMARTPHONES & TECHNOLOGY

Troubleshooting Tech: Phone Problems

Learn to talk about phone issues using the present perfect tense. Practice vocabulary for repairs, warranties, and upgrades through role-play and writing.

Troubleshooting Tech: Phone Problems
💬 Warm-up
1 What problems do people often have with their phones?
2 Have you ever broken or lost your phone? What happened?
3 What do you do when your phone has a problem?

🎯 Objectives

  • Use present perfect to talk about phone issues.
  • Describe common smartphone problems.
  • Role-play calling a repair shop.
  • Write a formal email about a technical issue.
In this block:

📚 Vocabulary

1.
repair
"I need to repair my phone screen because it's cracked."
to fix something that is broken
2.
warranty
"My phone is still under warranty, so the repair is free."
a written promise from a company to repair or replace a product if it breaks
3.
upgrade
"I want to upgrade my phone to a newer model."
to get a better or more advanced version of something
4.
update
"I downloaded the latest software update for my phone."
a new version of software that fixes problems or adds features
5.
storage
"My phone is full because I have no storage left."
the space where you save files, photos, and apps on a device
6.
battery
"My battery dies very quickly now."
the part of a phone that gives it power
🗓️ Friday, 9th October 2026
repair
to fix something that is broken
warranty
a written promise from a company to repair or replace a product if it breaks
upgrade
to get a better or more advanced version of something
update
a new version of software that fixes problems or adds features
storage
the space where you save files, photos, and apps on a device
battery
the part of a phone that gives it power

✍️ Practice

Guess the missing word.
1. I took my phone to the shop for a screen repair because I dropped it.
2. Have you installed the newest software update on your phone?
3. The phone has a one-year warranty so I don't have to pay for the fix.
4. I want to upgrade my phone to the latest model.
5. The phone won't turn on because the battery is completely dead.
6. My phone keeps saying I have no storage left for new photos.
🗓️ Friday, 9th October 2026
1. I took my phone to the shop for a screen repair because I dropped it.
2. Have you installed the newest software update on your phone?
3. The phone has a one-year warranty so I don't have to pay for the fix.
4. I want to upgrade my phone to the latest model.
5. The phone won't turn on because the battery is completely dead.
6. My phone keeps saying I have no storage left for new photos.

📖 Reading

My Phone Broke! A Troubleshooting Guide

Last week, my phone started having problems. First, the battery went from 100% to zero in just two hours. I thought maybe I needed a battery replacement. Then, a message appeared: 'No storage available.' I couldn't take photos or download apps. I also noticed my phone was running really slow. A friend said, 'Maybe you need a software update.' So I checked for an update, but the phone said it was up to date.

I decided to call a repair shop. The technician asked, 'Have you had any problems with the warranty?' My phone is still under warranty, so he said the repair could be free. He also asked if I wanted to upgrade to a newer model. But I just wanted my phone fixed. After the repair, the technician said, 'I have replaced the battery and cleared some storage.' Now my phone works perfectly again.

So what did I learn? First, check your battery health. Second, delete old files to free up storage. Third, keep your software update current. And always remember to ask about the warranty before paying for any repair. If the problem is serious, maybe it's time for an upgrade. But most issues have a simple solution!

Comprehension Questions

1.
What was the first problem the writer noticed with the phone?
The battery went from 100% to zero in just two hours.
2.
Why couldn't the writer take photos?
Because a message said there was no storage available.
3.
What did the friend suggest?
The friend suggested that the writer might need a software update.
4.
Was the phone under warranty? How do you know?
Yes, the technician said the repair could be free because the phone is still under warranty.
5.
What three tips does the writer give at the end?
Check battery health, delete old files to free up storage, and keep software updates current.

🎧 Listening Practice

Calling the Repair Shop

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Listening context

Comprehension Questions

1.
What is the first problem Jessica describes?
The battery is draining very fast.
2.
How long has Jessica had the phone?
She has had it for six months.
3.
What does Jessica say about storage?
She has almost no storage left even after deleting photos.
4.
Why does Jessica think the repair might be free?
Because her phone is still under warranty.
5.
What two things does Jessica ask for help with?
She asks for a repair or maybe an upgrade if the problem is serious.

🗣️ Pair Work

Role-Play: At the Repair Shop

"Work with a partner. One person is the customer with a phone problem. The other is the repair shop worker. Use the vocabulary and present perfect tense. Follow the steps below."

👉 Customer: Greet the worker and explain your problem using present perfect (e.g., 'My battery has died quickly.').

👉 Worker: Ask questions about the problem, warranty, and whether they have tried an update.

👉 Customer: Answer the questions and ask about repair cost or upgrade options.

👉 Worker: Offer a solution (e.g., repair, replace battery, or suggest an upgrade).

👉 Customer: Thank the worker and decide what to do.

🚀 EnglishDee Tasks

KEYWORDS: repair warranty upgrade update storage battery
✍️ WRITING

Tech Problem Email

Write an email to a repair shop. Describe a problem with your phone. Use present perfect. Be polite and formal. 80-100 words.

✅ Checklist:
  • 80-100 words.
  • Use 4 vocabulary words.
  • Correct present perfect tense.
  • Formal email structure (greeting, problem, request, closing).
🎙️ SPEAKING

Repair Call Recording

Record a 45-second talk as if you are calling a repair shop. Describe your phone problem. Use present perfect. Speak clearly and naturally.

✅ Checklist:
  • 45 seconds.
  • Use 4 vocabulary words.
  • Use present perfect tense.
  • Clear pronunciation and natural pace.
Helpful Phrases
  • I have had a problem with my phone's...
  • The battery has been dying very fast.
  • I have not tried a software update yet.
  • Is my phone still under warranty?
  • Can you repair the screen?
  • I would like to upgrade to a newer model.