Question Prompt

The 20th century has given us inventions that have changed our lives in many ways. Big inventions, like television, computers, or microwave ovens, have had such a great impact on our culture that they seem to overshadow the small ones, like ballpoint pens, headphones, or calculators

Write an essay in which you argue whether the “big” inventions or the “small” ones play a more important role in your daily life and provide reasons to support your position.

Answer

   Some people would think that “small” inventions play a more important role in our daily life because, like ballpoint pens, people use them almost every time. However, I do not think so. I think the “big” inventions can play more important role, like computers, televisions, and cell phones.

   Some “big” inventions change the ways that people gain information. Before televisions and phones were invented, people use newspapers or word of mouth to know what was going on in the world. These are the most troublesome, the lowest way for people to get information and sometimes may miscommunicate some information and cause panic or miss the opportunity and cause huge adverse consequences. But after televisions and phones have invented, it caused a little change. People could use television to know what was going on in the world in faster way. And now, just a few people use newspapers to know what happens in the world, almost everyone uses cell phones to get information, and these let people could search for any information that they want to know on the internet actively and know information faster. For example, for me, when I am using my phone, I can always see a lot of news from the reports on the spot or live video which can never be shown in the newspaper at once because it will take lots of time for the newspaper to identify, modify and publish. So, I reckon that “big” inventions can play a more important role.

   Another reason is that some “big” inventions make people travel more conveniently. For example, in ancient times, if people wanted to travel, they can just walk or a carriage was drawn by a horse. It would take a long time to travel. But after the plane was invented, people could go anywhere in a short time. Me, in ancient, if I wanted to travel to North America, it is impossible, but now, if I wanted to travel there from Beijing, it just takes me 13 hours to get there by plane. And you can get a comfortable trip which is carriage drawn by horse could not give you. So, I consider that “big” inventions can play a more important role because some of them make our trip more convenient.

   Last but not least, like the computer, it has had a profound impact on society. And in my daily life, I use the computer almost everywhere. Whether using the computer to finish my homework, just like now, I am using the computer to write an essay, or using it to program or play computer games, it has permeated every aspect of my life. I could not imagine life without computers. So, I think it changes our life a lot.

   All in all, I think “big” inventions can play a more important role.