CONTENTS
Sample questions and answers from speaking part 1, 2 and 3
Words and terms frequently used when talking about work
Learn how to use wide variety of parts of speech, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives
Find out groups of words that usually used together by native speakers
References to teaching and authentic materials related to this topic: IELTS blogs, podcasts, videos and articles
Download this article in PDF.
Technology: Sample questions and answers for IELTS speaking exam
Part 1
- Do you use any gadgets on a daily basis?
-Although, I don’t consider myself an addict, I couldn’t properly function without my laptop and smartphone. All in all, we’re now experiencing the influence of the computer age that has made it impossible to ignore the cutting-edge technologies.
- How much time do you spend using a computer at work or at home?
-Daily I spend roughly 4 to 6 hours working on the computer, either doing my home assignments or project work. However, it comes in handy for other extra-hour activities as well, such as watching YouTube, editing my new videos and podcasts, chatting with my friends, that takes up to 2 hours a day.
- Have you ever bought anything online?
-Yes, I frequently buy things online. This is mainly because I don’t have time to roam brick-and-mortar stores. I appreciate how fast and easy it is to order anything you can think of online. My last purchase like that was a new set of studio headphones for my boyfriend’s birthday.
- Has the Internet made your job/studies easier?
-Indeed, thanks to the Internet, my learning has become quicker and smoother. For one, I can easily access any necessary literature, articles without looking through all the library materials. Second, the Internet tools have made online collaboration with other students possible.
- Do you like working online or in the office?
-I actually see benefits in both. However, it is truly very convenient to stay in touch with colleagues anywhere I go. I just need a laptop and the Internet connection. This flexibility allows me to work everywhere – even in the airport or taxi.
Part 2
Talk about some technology that you have started using fairly recently. You should say:
-
- What it is and what it does
- How it makes life better or easier
- How it is different to other similar technology
And say whether you think you will still be using it in ten years’ time or not, and why
I bought a bicycle two months ago from a shop near our house. At first, I thought of buying a large-sized bike. However, I wanted the other members of my family to use it too so I bought I medium-sized one.
My new bike is very helpful to me. My weekly routine includes going to work, the supermarket, and park. These are short-distance destinations which I can get to without driving a car.
Life is a lot better now that I have a bike. For one thing, I am able to save money. I spend less money now on gas because I don’t have to use my car for short-distance trips. For another, I will also spend less money for car repair because my car’s lifespan will increase for infrequent use. Riding a bike is also a form of aerobic exercise which gives your heart and lungs a good workout. This protects people from diseases like high blood pressure, heart problems, obesity, and arthritis.
A bicycle is different from other vehicles. First, it does not require fuel and therefore helps save the planet by reducing air pollution. Second, finding a parking area is not a problem if you use a bicycle. Third, riding a bike is a form of exercise while driving other vehicles is just a sedentary activity.
I will still be using a bicycle in ten years’ time because the benefits are huge. I am able to save money since I don’t have to buy fuel. I am also able to maintain my good health. Lastly, I am able to get to my short-distance destinations conveniently.
Part 3
- Do you think people rely too much on technology today?
Well, in my opinion, travelling by train is the safest. So far, it is the means of transportation that I almost never heard of being in an accident. Since it has its own railway, it does not have much chance to come across with other vehicles that could collide with. I think most accidents that happen with trains are due to mechanical or technical issues which could be avoided if the system is being checked and monitored properly.
- What are some great inventions you know about?
Two great inventions that I know of are the wheel and telephone or cellphone. These inventions are so important in daily life that their absence can cause loss of human lives. For example, without the phone it would be very hard to report an accident immediately. Without wheeled motor vehicles it would be impossible to quickly rush victims of an accident to a hospital.
- Do you think that the advance of technology has improved standards of education in schools?
Advanced technology such the use of computers and the internet has improved the standards of education in schools. These technologies allow the students and teachers to find answers to their academic questions. For example, they can find the answers to their academic problems from other parts of the world through the internet when no available answers can be found in their locality.
Key vocabulary: Definitions and examples
WORD
DEFINITION
EXAMPLE
TECHNOLOGY AT HOME
appliance
a device, machine, or piece of equipment, especially an electrical one that is used in the house, such as a cooker or washing machine
We have different kinds of appliances at home.
household
used to describe something that is used in the home
This household appliance is no longer working.
chore
a job or piece of work that is often boring or unpleasant but needs to be done regularly
The whole family cooperate in doing all the household chores.
to operate
to work or cause something to work, be in action, or have an effect
I do not know how to operate this new washing machine.
to repair
to put something that is damaged, broken, or not working correctly, back into good condition or make it work again
My neighbor knows how to repair all kinds of household appliances.
useful
effective; helping you to do or achieve something
She was very happy about the useful appliance she bought.
TECHNOLOGY – TRANSPORTATION
transportation
a vehicle or system of vehicles, such as buses, trains, etc. for getting from one place to another
The Government does not have problems about the city’s transportation.
mode
a way of operating, living, or behaving
This mode of transportation is very slow.
convenient
suitable for your purposes and needs and causing the least difficulty
Taking a taxi is the most convenient way to go to the city museum.
destination
the place where someone is going or where something is being sent or taken
Please do not forget to tell me your destination.
to travel
to make a journey, usually over a long distance
He loves to travel by car.
distance
the amount of space between two places
The distance between my house and workplace is very short.
self-driving car
a vehicle that is capable of sensing its environment and navigating without human input
Prototype self-driving cars first took to Europe’s public roads in 2013.
infrastructure
the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, and power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
Over the next three years we are committed to the biggest investment in Britain ‘s transport infrastructure in our history.
drone
aircraft without a human pilot aboard
In the past three decades, the world has witnessed an immense evolution in the sphere of drone technologies.
TECHNOLOGY – COMMUNICATIONS -IT
communications
the various methods of sending information between people and places, especially phones, computers, radio, etc.
Young people today are very interested in communications.
signal
a series of electrical or radio waves that are sent to a radio or television in order to produce a sound, picture, or message
I can’t hear her clearly because the phone signal is not powerful enough.
gadget
a small device or machine with a particular purpose
I dislike using this gadget because I usually lose small things.
message
a short piece of information that you give to a person when you cannot speak to them directly
I haven’t read your text message because I left my cellphone at home.
to contact
to communicate with someone by calling or sending them a letter, email, etc.
You can’t contact me at that time because I will be very busy at work.
to receive
to get or be given something
Did you receive my message?
augmented reality
a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world, thus providing a composite view
Nowadays many brands experiment with augmented reality.
machine learning
a field of computer science that uses statistical techniques to give computer systems the ability to “learn”
Every day there seems to be a new way that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is used to enhance our daily life.
software development
complex process of creating computer programs, libraries, online documentation, digital media and mobile apps
Software development is the process of creating new software solutions.
innovation
a “new idea, device or method”, the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, unarticulated needs, or existing market needs
In recent years the value of innovation has been demonstrated in many sectors.
invention
a new idea, thing, process, word etc that has been invented
He had patented several inventions during the late 1920s.
cloud computing
the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data
Service providers create cloud computing systems to serve common business or research needs.
cutting edge technologies
technologies at the latest or most advanced stage of development; innovative or pioneering technologies
Through the years, scientists have introduced cutting-edge technologies intended to make life a lot more convenient for humans.
cyber security
protection against the criminal or unauthorized use of electronic data
Some people have argued that the threat to cyber security has been somewhat inflated.
game changers
an event, idea, or procedure that effects a significant shift in the current manner of doing or thinking about something
New technologies are big game changers in many industries.
decentralized energy
very large number of small-capacity units that are all connected to the powergrid
Decentralized energy is now recognized as an essential part of the solution to the challenge of ensuring a low-carbon energy future.
artificial intelligence
the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence
The use of artificial intelligence systems requires processor speeds three to four times as high
TECHNOLOGY – AT THE WORKPLACE
elevator
a device like a box that moves up and down, carrying people or goods from one floor of a building to another or taking people up and down underground in a mine
The elevator can only carry 10 people.
skyscraper
a very tall modern building, usually in a city
Offices are usually found in skyscrapers.
air conditioner
a machine that keeps the air in a building cool
It is hot in here because there is no air conditioner.
computer
an electronic machine that is used for storing, organizing, and finding words, numbers, and pictures, for doing calculations, and for controlling other machines
I cannot work without a computer.
photocopier
a machine that makes copies of documents using a photographic process
The employees requested the manager to buy a new photocopier.
office
a room or part of a building in which people work, especially sitting at tables with computers, phones, etc., usually as a part of a business or other organization
The office is noisy because there are 100 employees working in it.
transnational corporations
companies that spread out their operations in many countries to sustain high levels of local responsiveness
The growth in the number and size of transnational corporations since the 1950s has generated controversy because of their economic and political power.
TECHNOLOGY – ADJECTIVES
sophisticated
advanced and complicated
Today companies use highly sophisticated computer systems.
advanced
sophisticated, complex, more evolved
Lasers are the latest and the most advanced light sources.
genetic
of or relating to genes or heredity
All the cells in the body contain the same genetic information.
global
relating to the entire world
Social , cultural , economic , global change is rushing at us , propelled by new information technologies.
TECHNOLOGY – VERBS
to evolve
develop gradually
Evolved to the point where you are not involved in the daily decisions.
impact
effect or influence
The impact of technology cannot be overstated.
overstate
express or state too strongly; exaggerate
The impact of technology cannot be overstated.
rethink
think again about, especially in order to make changes to it
It will be necessary to rethink the strategy and decide what must be done in order to get back on track.
creative
good at thinking up new ideas and clever ways of doing things
I admire him because he is just so creative in his work.
imaginative
having or showing creativity or inventiveness
Children who enjoy imaginative play have been shown to be more likely to smile.
empower
to give somebody more control over their own life or the situation they are in
Information and education empower people.
accelerate
happen or make something happen at a faster rate
The growth in IT has accelerated in recent years.
Word Formation
WORD
PART OF SPEECH
EXAMPLE
transporter
noun
The transporter can carry all the books.
transporting
noun
Transporting people is not an easy job.
housing
noun
The housing is made of quality materials.
to house
verb
We need a comfortable place to house the visitors.
communicative
adjective
The new student is not communicative to his classmates.
communicating
noun
Communicating to all employees is a tiring task.
communicator
noun
The communicator is silent this time.
operator
noun
The elevator operator is tired of his work.
operation
noun
The machine is already in operation.
to operate
verb
Laundry workers will operate steam cabinets, use steam and vacuum presses or finish items by hand.
Collocations
to arrive by
to travel by
to go by
to come by
verb+by+
bicycle
to talk on
to communicate on
to chat on
to say on
verb+
phone
mode of
way of
manner of
system of
verb+
transportation
use
operate
utilize
manipulate
verb+
appliances
clever
useless
latest
modern
new
electronic
kitchen
adjective+
gadget
website
magazine
link
access
search engine
service provider
user
dating
shopping
technology
age
Internet+noun
Internet
current
emerging
the latest
modern
advanced
leading-edge
innovative
communication
computer
digital
energy
information
educational,
environmental
medical
military
adjective+
technology
Useful resources
IELTS Websites
- IELTS Topic Vocabulary for Speaking test: Technology[thetesttaker.com]
- IELTS Speaking sample: Technology Topic [ielts-up.com]
- Technology Vocabulary[ieltsadvantage.com]
- IELTS Speaking Part 3: Technology Questions and Model Answer [ieltsliz.com]
- Technology – IELTS sample speaking tests [ipassielts.com]
Podcasts
- The Rick Thompson Report: Technology and The Future (January 2017) [teacherluke.co.uk]
- TED Radio Hour: Building Better Cities [npr]
- Zapp! English Listening 3.8 – The Future[zappenglish.com]
Articles
Videos
More videos:- Band 9 Sample IELTS Part 3 Answers About Technology [allearsenglish.com]
- TED Talk by Ray Kurzweil: The accelerating power of technology [ted.com]
Downloads
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