how technology has changed our lives essay ielts

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IELTS Speaking Part 3: Technology

Topic:  technology.

1. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of modern technology.

Answer:  Modern technology today is an integral part of our lives, and therefore, we will have to live with it whether we like it or not. Among the advantages of modern technology, I can say that it has made our lives much easier than it used to be ever before a few decades ago. It has revolutionized our production systems in all kinds of businesses and industries by increasing the output, quality and efficiency at all levels. The advancement in the communication technology, with the advent of the internet, has made communication among us so easy and fast that we can actually talk to each other on video even if we are a world apart from each other. Besides, modern technologies also made it pretty easy for us to get access to virtually any kind of information at any time and anywhere through smart gadgets like the iPad, iPhone, Galaxy tablets and etc.  Finally, the use of modern technology has also made it very easy for us to travel long distances really fast. In fact, nowadays, we can travel a 10 miles distance within just a few minutes, if not any lesser, by using electric trains, aeroplanes and fast cars which were almost impossible even a few decades ago. On the other hand, one of the greatest disadvantages of using modern technology is it makes us “idle” to a point that we don’t even make an effort to do a calculation as simple as adding or subtracting and use a calculator to do it. But the problem with such “inaction” is that we are actually killing some of our memory cells in our brain. Modern technology is also being used to bring deaths and destruction upon this earth as it helps in building such advanced new war weapons that it was even impossible to imagine them even a few decades back. Finally, as most technological discoveries aim to reduce human efforts, it would only mean that more work is done by machines instead of humans. And as a result, more and more people are losing their jobs to machines as processes are becoming automated, and humans just can’t compete with such processes.

2. In what ways has technology changed your society?

Answer:  For better or worse, technology has changed our society in the way we are earning our livings and the way we interact with each other. It also has changed our “mobility”. Nowadays, because of technology, we don’t rely on just one source of income, and as a result, society has become more “affluent” than in the past. Another remarkable change, that has taken place in our society for good, is that we can travel to any place at any time without wasting our time. Besides, with the advancement of information technology such as the internet and smartphones, my small society feels like it has suddenly become a part of a “much bigger global community”.

3. How has technology changed the way we communicate?

Answer:  Technology pretty much has changed each and every aspect of our lives, but perhaps it is safe to say that it has changed the way we communicate with each other the most with the advent of the internet, mobile phones and smart gadgets.   Technology has indeed proved the age-old saying “talk is cheap”- so cheap that we talk to each other by using our phones pretty much always, whether we are staying close to each other or far apart, even when we don’t need it. We have also become lazy to walk even 100 feet or a few minutes these days if we are in need to communicate something to our friends or families since we can do the same in seconds just by pushing a button on our phones. But, if we are not in a mood or feel really lazy to “talk” sometimes, we simply leave or send a message on social media networks and “messenger” to inform others about our “status”. Finally, technology has made communication really “personal” as we can see each other on live video while communicating, no matter where we live with the use of the internet.

4. How has technology changed the nature of long-distance relationships?

Answer:  Technology has changed the nature of long-distance relationships mostly for the better. In the past, we would have to rely on “postal mails”, or expensive “long-distance” calls from our land phones, to communicate with each other. But even that was not always possible due to the limited “infrastructure” necessary to ensure these services efficiently. But, with the improvement in the communication infrastructure and communication technologies, such as internet and smartphones, we can not only communicate with each other in seconds, but we can actually see each other live on video, even if we live in another corner of the world. So, by the way, we wouldn’t be really very surprised if we see one day that the ‘postal mails” are being preserved in a museum as a “thing of the past”.

5. What are the limitations of technology when it comes to interpersonal relationships?

Answer:  Continuing a healthy “interpersonal relationship” is very important for our overall wellbeing. But, unfortunately, modern technology has affected our lives rather negatively by taking the all-important “emotion” away from us to a large extent. In fact, with the advancement of technology, we have become so busy and “robotic” that we don’t even care to say “hello” to the closest members of our families, let alone spending some quality “family time” with them. As a result, the “personal ties and bonds” are becoming very loose with our family members, especially when it comes to the elderly ones, and friends which certainly doesn’t augur well for the wellbeing of our society.

6. How could technology be considered a hindrance for us? Can we overcome it?

Answer:  Modern technology can be considered as an impediment for us when we are relying too much on it. In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to suggest that technology is limiting our potentials and growth, as humans, both physically and mentally. For example, before the advancement of modern technology, we used to walk to a local grocery shop, in order to buy our groceries, which was certainly good for our health and minds (since we could feel more closed to our natural surroundings). But, now, we simply ride in our vehicles to do the same task because we just feel too lazy to get out of our comfort zone. The end result of such “laziness”?  The answer is “Obesity” with a big “O”! However, the greatest, and also the most dangerous at the same time, in my opinion, hindrance is that we have actually started to believe that without technology, we just won’t be able to survive. In other words, we are leaving ourselves to the “mercy” of technology, and if, God forbids, it ever stops working, our very existence, as a human race, will be at stake. So, can we overcome this hindrance? Yes, we sure can if we just reduce our reliance on technology a little and make ourselves a bit more “active” both physically and mentally.

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IELTS Task 2 Writing – Technology – Band 9

Hi Students! Here is the Task 2 writing question that we covered recently. Remember to get editing feedback on your writing by clicking, “Task 1 or Task 2” green buttons in your My Student Account at www.gieltshelp.com/full-course/ (Use code A8TW9 to get a 10% discount when you join the Premium Package) Good studies.

IELTS Task 2 Writing

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. 

Many advancements in technology are making people’s lives easier, users need to think and do less to achieve tasks. Discuss the positives and negatives of this development and give your own opinion.

You should write at least 250 words.  

The progression in technology has enabled humans to simplify many tasks in daily life in order to obtain goals such that less effort is needed. Express the advantages and disadvantages of this change and provide your own perspective. 

TOPIC = new tech reduces the need for human effort

Controlling Idea = the pros and cons of this trend and my personal opinion

What does it mean that technology decreases human effort for goals?

A: A reduction in the amount of physical and mental energy, and the amount of time needed to accomplish tasks through technological automation.

Why is it important to determine technologies impact on humans?

Because most people rely on technology on a daily basis. Because it is important to know the long-term outcomes of the dependence on technology. 

Why do humans pursue easier living through technology?

People want to use their time on activities they choose and enjoy rather than what they must do, such as daily work. 

People want to avoid energy demanding labor. (People do not like to break a sweat.)

How does tech make people’s lives easier? (Think of examples)

Working remotely via the internet, washing machine, elevators, electric scooters 

***Thinking of great examples will empower you to write amazing essays!

What are the positives?

People can spend more time and energy on their hobbies and socializing. 

What are the negatives?

Low physical activity leading to muscular atrophy. Little effort leading to decreased motivation and sense of achievement. 

Your Opinion – Is it good or bad? Overall, it is good.

THESIS – (The last sentence of your introduction – it contains the key points of the essay. You should write a direct thesis, not indirect.)

The deficits of overreliance on technology are physical and mental deterioration for humans; however, I believe that the positives can be more significant such as saving time and energy for enjoyable healthy and social activities.

Introduction

(hook) Humans have become extremely dependent on technology in modern times. (Background – definition and importance) On a daily basis, people simplify their lives by using technological aids to communicate, work, and travel. The long-term effect of this relationship with technology warrants further investigation. (Thesis) The deficits of overreliance on technology are physical and mental deterioration; however, I believe that the positives can be more significant such as saving time and energy for enjoyable healthy and social activities.

Body 1 = Thesis point 1 (negatives of using tech) *Topic Sentence -> is a deeper definition/paraphrase of thesis point 1.

The daily use of technology has created stagnant lifestyles whereby people are less physically and mentally active and this leads to numerous psychological and physiological challenges. (Explanation – how does this happen, why does this happen? ***Quantitative). As people sit in front of their computer screens for 10 hours a day to accomplish their office work, instead of doing manual labour, they do not get exercise and this leads to obesity as well as cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, people play games on their smartphones rather than read academic books and this results in a lack of ability for critical thinking. (Example – be specific and use a personal example when the question asks you to do so.) I noticed on myself that the more I use my smartphone for entertainment, learning, and shopping, the more I become lazy and gain weight. Nevertheless, technology does have significant benefits when used wisely.     

Body 2 – Certainly, advancements in technology have alleviated much of the time and energy required to accomplish redundant daily endeavors which took up much of the day for generations in the past, and has freed up many hours in the day to invest in other, more preferred, activities. A century ago, people spent many hours cleaning their homes, walking to work, doing the dishes, which can now be done with the help of vacuums, cars and dishwashers, respectively. Instead of these chores, people can go to the park with their families or have a barbecue with their friends, thereby having more fun and enjoying life. Just last week, I saved three hours of my time on Saturday by throwing my clothes into the washing machine, and instead of painstakingly doing it by hand, I used this time to go bowling with friends. 

Conclusion (Main points restated, argument/position emphasized, take-home-message.)

Clearly, advancements in technology have had positive and negative impacts on human life, namely physical and mental wellbeing, and use of time and energy. With many perspectives considered, I am in support of using technology to decrease demand of human effort so that more time can be spend enjoying life. Importantly, each person must wisely decide the best way to make use of the time and energy that using technology provides, so that they become healthier and happier rather than the opposite.  

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Technology and Communication – IELTS Writing Task 2

Updated On Oct 27, 2021

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Many people think modern communication technology is having some negative effects on social relationships. Do you agree or disagree?

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Do you have an essay on this topic? Please post it in the comments section. One of our IELTS trainers will evaluate your essay from an examiner’s point of view and reply to the comment. This service is completely FREE of cost.

Opinion essay

Introduction

Paraphrase the topic of the essay (The impacts of digital communication on human relationships have long been a topic of controversy).

Give an insight into your viewpoint (From my perspective, modern means of communication may sabotage one’s relationships with other people).

Paragraph 1- Nowadays, various features such as built-in cameras and interactive games have been added to the mobile phone, making it multifunctional and thus even more popular. However, I believe the omnipresence of mobile phones in particular, or digital communication tools in general, often interferes with the bonding time that people share and thus has a negative influence on interpersonal relationships.

Paragraph 2- Some people use mobile phones mainly for virtual social networks, and notifications and messages from these sites may prevent them from having intimate conversations with their loved ones.

Conclude the topic by summing up your views and the extract of the essay.

Sample Essay

The impacts of digital communication on human relationships have long been a topic of controversy. From my perspective, modern means of communication may sabotage one’s relationships with other people.

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The most typical example of today’s communication technology is the mobile phone. Originally designed to provide people with instant access to telecommunication, it has become indispensable for most people in modern society. Nowadays, various features such as built-in cameras and interactive games have been added to the mobile phone, making it multifunctional and thus even more popular. However, I believe the omnipresence of mobile phones in particular, or digital communication tools in general, often interferes with the bonding time that people share and thus has a negative influence on interpersonal relationships. There is compelling evidence for my belief. If people use mobile phones for work purposes, business calls may disrupt any real-life conversations they have. This is the case for millions of working people who may have overlooked the importance of having smooth and uninterrupted conversations with other people. They may be unaware that relationships are at risk of eroding when people spend less quality time with each other. Also, if people use mobile phones to play games, the constant urge to complete game missions may disengage them from social gatherings. For example, many teenagers sacrifice real-life socialising time for mobile game playing time. In the long term, this would be likely to cause friends to drift apart.

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Some people use mobile phones mainly for virtual social networks, and notifications and messages from these sites may prevent them from having intimate conversations with their loved ones. There are many real examples of couples on the verge of breaking up because one or both partners have grown overly attached to social network applications on mobile phones, and they find it hard to maintain a sense of intimacy.

 Although most people use mobile phones for all personal as well as professional reasons and consequently, they need to pay constant attention to their phone, however, potentially isolating those in their company. In this way, mobile phones may dull real-life interactions and affect relationships as a result.

In brief, the constant distraction of modern communication devices such as mobile phones may cause the breakdown of numerous social relationships.

Band 9 Sample Essay

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Ever since the era of technology emerged, life has changed dramatically. Today where every second thing is being operated by digital contrivances, some ill effects have come floating by, as well. Generally, people put forth that the current digital scenario and communication devices and interfaces particularly have impeded and halted conventional interactions. I agree with this notion and shall be illustrating the same in the forthcoming paragraphs.

It is an inevitable truth that digitization has made our arduous lives extremely cosy and that it nearly ineluctable tangent that we all are on today. However, the impact it has had on social relationships are undeniably true. Family gatherings, outings and various other aspects of live communication have been trampled down upon with the uprising of online social networks. One to one discussion has been displaced by social media, the family time has been subjugated by facetime and webcams. Mobile phones have been the major disruptive cause in evicting out the person to person verbal communication. Owing to this sociability and amicability has been corroded off to substantial capacity. 

Secondly, people while being there in an online medium and e-communication transmission mask their realities to a larger level where it is hard to discern as to what one person is gravely going through behind the lenses. Moreover, a sense of harmony and connectedness has been deeply lacerated as one can’t get through the emotional streamline of others as well as it is in the case of one to one conversation. In addition to that, work from home, online schooling and internet parties can never compare and become congruent to the essence of offline setup. The gist and feel of very communication without screen barriers have definitely been exacerbated by the day to day unstinted techno-growth. Due to this, the communication gaps, misconstruction, misconception and misunderstandings have been preponderant and therefore, the relations have turned rancorous. For instance, many times the people who tend to be at loggerheads, resolve and laugh out the grudges they had post figuring out how paltry the issue was that could have never had been aired had the communication was in an offline environment. 

Though online communication tools are the need of the hour, the way it has obliterated and debilitated the lines of personal communication with a tinge of conversing effectively is indisputably true as well.

Therefore, in the conclusion, it could be stated that the layer of social harmony and personal belongingness has indeed been excruciated by the pillars and towers of online networking, where people communicate only when they are extremely in need of, thereby making them recluse and secluded.

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Courtney is one of our star content writers as she plays multiple roles. She is a phenomenal researcher and provides extensive articles to students. She is also an IELTS Trainer and an extremely good content writer. Courtney completed her English Masters at Kings College London, and has been a part of our team for more than 3 years. She has worked with the British Council and knows the tricks and tips of IELTS.

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Post your Comments

Posted on Dec 25, 2023

Hi. Hope you are well. I was wondering if it is okay to write ” I rather/partly agree with this statement ” in “Do you agree or disagree?” questions. More specifically in terms of Task Response and Coherence and Cohesion.

Many Thanks

IELTS Expert

Posted on Dec 26, 2023

Hello Setareh The expression suggested is very much mechanical in nature for coherence, thus should be avoided if you require bands above 7. Regarding Task Response, you can only use such an expression for the question which states ” to how much extent you agree or disagree”. Understanding the Parameters of IELTS is essential to Score good Bands, For a Detailed and Better Understanding of them, Avail a FREE Demo Session here.

Zhan-han-han

Posted on Dec 14, 2023

In the era of digitalisation, the huge reliance on information technology to change the world in a unique way is no longer a fresh perspective. The advent of AI adoption and vast social media interaction is partly blended into human’s daily life. As a result, it ramps up the globalisation and distance between people is getting shorter as digital technology integrates people around the globe. On the flip side, negative consequences have been imposed on deteriorating social relationship. Regarding this statement, I am on the same wavelength with the stated opinion by providing strong reasoning as below.

First, the innovation of present communication technology has established an adamant fact that it changes human lives by accelerating the socioeconomic changes. There are a lot of built-in apps and online games available for people to explore by using their sophisticated mobile phones. Nonetheless, excessive reliance on the mobile phones will aggravate the fundamental relationship-building with people in real life. According to a publication, the teenagers and young adults have spent an average of 4 hours daily on their mobile phones. The result indicates that they devote most of their leisure time on gluing to the mobile screens apart from working or studying. Moreover, most parents reveal the truth that their children enter their rooms once they are back from school. This negative and worrying phenomenon has been invading the original social life as an adult, and they are ignoring in fostering a genuine relationship with their loved ones through face-to-face conversation. In the meantime, the addictive behaviours on playing online games among teenagers inhibit their intellectual skills as this may impact how they think, interact and work when they are entering the working society.

Second, the online education and various virtual meetings have been promoted since the outbreak of the COVID-19 which restrict people from engaging in real world environment. The rise in the digital adoption has particularly provided convenience to majority of people as they have the chance to obtain learning certificates from prestigious institutions in the view of ensuring a stable internet connection during the lesson. Despite these conveniences, the virtual studying environment is simply incomparable to the physical learning condition as most of the lectures could not detect the implicit or verbal behaviours of the students to acknowledge whether they are fully comprehending their lectures. This certainly makes the learning outcome less desirable compared to conventional teaching method. For instance, I am the living example who currently pursuing an online MBA program. In fact, I have lost the real opportunities to have a post-class discussion with my classmates or lecturers as there was a time limit being imposed on the live session. In accordance with these constraints, I had to post my questions by sending e-mail and Whatsapp messages which increases the communication cost due to longer time taken for replies. This poses some barriers on me in fortifying relationship with faculty members and fellow classmates.

As whole, I am advocating strongly that unintended social consequences are eminent due to extensive use of advanced communication technology. Although online communication provides fresh alternatives to expand the choice of communication medium, this tool should not be supplanting the primary use of communication tool via physical interaction. As a fact, digital communication tool is providing supplementary outlet for the role of real-world communication when someone is not available for meet-ups.

Posted on Dec 15, 2023

Overall Band: 6.5 Main ideas are extended and supported but there is over-generalisation and lack of focus and precision in supporting ideas.A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used but flexibility is limited.

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IELTS Model Essay: Technology and Relationships

This model essay is on the topic of the effect of technology on the kinds of relationships we form. It’s a 2-part, or IELTS direct question essay.  It is taken from Cambridge IELTS 8 .

Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology. In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships people make? Has this become a positive or negative development?

I will start by taking you through my 4 Step Planning Approach . This will help you to understand the structure of my essay and the ideas in it. Then you can read my essay. Finally I have included a list of useful vocabulary in my essay.

I hope you find it useful!

First, I will carefully plan the essay.

Step 1: Understand My Task

What is the topic about.

The topic is about how technology has changed the types of relationships people make .

The phrase “types of” is important – it is encouraging you to talk about connections between people , rather than just intimate relationships (e.g. boyfriend / girlfriend), i.e. about relationships in a general sense. I think you need to cover this aspect in order to get a Band 7 or higher.

What kind of technology has changed relationships? I suppose things like smartphone, the Internet and also apps on phones and computers.

What is the topic NOT about?

The task is NOT about how technology has changed communication (although this will probably come into your discussion). It’s about how it has changed relationships .

How should I respond?

My task is to answer the 2 questions, so I need to:

• say how technology has affected relationships
• say whether this is positive or negative

Reword the task

It’s often useful to re-word the task to make it simpler and clearer, so i could reword the task like this:

How has technology (computers, phones, apps) affected relationships? Is this good or bad?

Step 2: Decide My Position

So what do I think? What are my answers to these 2 questions? What are my main ideas? This should just be a quick step, but you will probably start to expand your ideas in this step.

How has technology affected relationships?

• easier to stay in touch with people all over the world
• you can have a following / audience of millions via social media

Is this positive or negative?

Generally positive. 

Step 3: Expand My Ideas

Now I need to expand or develop my ideas . This is crucial if you are aiming for a Band 7 or higher in IELTS Writing Task 2 .

Step 4: Structure My Essay

• smartphone apps like zoom, whatsapp and skype offer cheap or free communication that lets you text or call people on the other side of the world instantly
• in the past, letters could take weeks and international phone calls were expensive
• people on tiktok have built following of hundreds of thousands

Generally positive:

• Can stay in touch with family, friends, former colleagues easily, so can sustain close relationships
• People build relationships with wider network of people, meaning access to greater social capital
• But a lot of these relationships quite tenuous and fleeting

So that’s my plan. It’s quite detailed…which means that when I write I can focus on my language, not my ideas.

Technology has changed the kinds of relationships people make between each other in significant ways over the last twenty years. This essay will consider two of these changes and whether or not these have had positive repercussions.

One of the major impacts of technology is that it has enabled us to easily stay in touch with friends and family on the other side of the world. Thirty years ago, if you wanted to communicate with a friend or relative, you would either have written a letter (which could have taken weeks to arrive) or made an expensive international phone call. Today, we can simply send a text message on WhatsApp or call them on Zoom. These technologies are either free or low-cost, and instantaneous. So it makes maintaining relationships over a long distance much easier.

Another big change is that social media has made it possible for us to build a relationship with thousands and sometimes millions of people. Some people on TikTok, for example, have quickly built an audience of millions and most people on Facebook have hundreds of friends at least. This kind of audience-style relationship was rare before the advent of social media.

I think that in general, these changes have been positive. It is now easy to maintain and build relationships with relatives, friends and work colleagues that you may previously have lost contact with. And it’s also possible to build a wider social network of people which you can tap into for advice and support. Access to this pool of social capital was almost impossible in the past.

However, it is also true that many of these relationships, especially those on social media, can be fleeting and tenuous. Is a Facebook “friend” really a friend or just a passing acquaintance? It’s therefore important that people don’t allow such relationships to displace close, nurturing friendships.

On the whole though, technology’s affect on our ability to stay in touch with people all over the world and to access a wider range of people has been positive.

(339 words)

Useful Vocabulary

• the kinds of relationships people make
• in significant ways
• positive repercussions
• major impacts of technology
• to easily stay in touch with
• on the other side of the world
• an expensive international phone call
• instantaneous
• built an audience of millions
• audience-style relationship
• the advent of social media
• maintain and build relationships with
• lost contact
• tap into for advice and support
• this pool of social capital
• fleeting and tenuous
• a passing acquaintance
• close, nurturing friendships

Fill In The Blanks Exercise

Without reading the essay again, try to complete the missing words from the essay. Many of the missing words are parts of collocations or word chunks. Good luck! (The activity is best done on a desktop or laptop computer).

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IELTS sample essay: Modern technology has made our lives more complicated

by Manjusha Nambiar · Published March 1, 2012 · Updated April 27, 2023

The following question was asked on an IELTS test held in Brunei in February 2012.

Modern technology has made our lives more complicated. Some people believe that we should do without modern technology and live a simpler life. Do you agree or disagree? This question is taken from www.ielts-blog.com

Model Answer

The way we live today is significantly different from the way our forefathers lived fifty or sixty years ago. Thanks to modern technology, today we have got just about every amenity we need to live a comfortable life. Some people believe that modern technology has made our lives more complicated. They are of the opinion that we should learn to do away with it. Is that possible? Let’s examine.

Modern technology might have made our lives more complicated, but one has got to admit that it has improved our lives in several other ways. For example, cars and buses have made commuting easier. Electricity has literally brightened our lives. Air conditioning has made summer months tolerable. Cell phones and internet make it possible to stay connected wherever we are. Home appliances are a boon for homemakers. Technology has also considerably improved our productivity.

On the flip side, technology has made our lives complicated too. There is no escaping from the always-on connectivity. Before the advent of cellphones and internet, taking a break was a whole lot easier. People just had to pack their bags and go to the place they like to unwind. Now that cellphone terminals are available in virtually every part of the world, people can never escape from their work or problems. Even when they are on a family vacation, few people can resist the temptation to check their work email. This need to stay constantly connected has only made our lives more stressful. Modern technology has also made us physically inactive and prone to develop several lifestyle diseases.

Does that mean that we should do without modern technology? Well, it is not as easy as it sounds. Technology is addictive. It is not easy to live without the technological innovations we are used to enjoying. Can anybody now think of a world where we don’t have access to electricity or telephone?  The truth is that we can’t.

After analyzing the situation it is felt that though modern technology has made our lives more complicated, it is not something that we can do without. What we need to do is to use it responsibly.

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Ielts writing task 2 sample 262 - technology has made our life too complex, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, some people think that technology has made our life too complex. however, other people think that it has made our life easier..

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Communication Technology Essay

This Communication Technology Essay is about how relationships have been impacted. This is the question:

Nowadays, the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology. 

In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships people make? 

Is this a positive or negative development?

Understanding the Task

You should be able to see that there are two parts that need to be answered:

The first part is about general effects and the second part is asking for your opinion about this. 

So it doesn't easily fit into an essay 'type'.

Don't worry about this. If you have learned to recognize different types of essay but you find one that does not seem to fit any, just focus on working out exactly what you are being asked. 

So in this one you have to brainstorm some ideas about the way relationships have changed. 

Stating your Opinion

For the second part you need to decide if it is positive or negative, or both. 

Choosing one side and writing about it is probably the simplest way to approach it. In other words:

• Body 1: The way relationships have changed
• Body 2: The negative impacts (or positive)

Although it says ' positive or negative ', it's YOUR opinion, so if you decide it is both it is fine to say this as long as you  make it clear . 

In this model Communication Technology Essay, the writer has stated that it is both positive and negative.

• Body 1: The way relationships have changed (positive)
• Body 2: The negative impacts

When you take a look at the model answer, you'll see the writer has discussed the new types of relationships and labelled them as positive, but then gone on to look at the negative sides.

There are usually several ways you can approach and organize an essay, not just one. As long as it is coherent and answers the question, that is fine. 

Now take a look at the model answer and the comments below. 

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology. 

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

It is evident that technology has transformed the ways of communication and influenced relationships in a variety of ways. In my opinion, there are both positive and negative effects of this.

The principal way in which relationships have been affected is that they tend to be at a distance rather than face-to-face. The advent of the internet has made it easy for business owners to communicate across the world, with remote job opportunities one call away. Online educational programs are available for people residing in different countries, and it is no longer a dream to attend live classes from the comfortable environment of a home. Not only this, the social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have revolutionized relationships, be it making online friendships with people from other countries or staying in touch with loved ones. Based on this perspective, technology has influenced relationships in a positive way. 

However, despite these advances, the quality of interaction has significantly declined in several respects. If people are developing most of their relationships online, this means that they may also have less fact-to-face contact. This kind of contact on a personal level is important for human beings to feel wanted and a part of society. This may be a particular problem for children's social development as they used to be seen playing out on the streets but are now too often indoors. Technology can also mean people are detached from what is going on around them even when they are out, as can be seen by the many people staring into their mobile phones as they travel or walk around. 

In conclusion, technology has brought some positive development in the ways people interact with each other. However, there are also some negative impacts of technology on the types of relationships people make. 

(299 Words)

This Communication Technology Essay would get a good score for the following reasons.

It fully answers the question, setting out the way the types of relationships people make have changed (they tend to be ' online ') and then expanding on this by giving examples. 

A balanced opinion is also clearly explained, with the impacts in the first body paragraph seen to be positive, and the second body paragraph dedicated to explaining the negative points.

The essay is also clearly organised and coherent, with the opinion clearly stated and the body paragraphs clearly each focused on one central idea.

There is also good vocabulary used and good collocations. For example:

• advent of the internet
• remote job opportunities
• social platforms
• revolutionized relationships
• people are detached from 

The grammar shows accuracy and a wide range of structures are used. 

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This essay is about old buildings and whether they should be protected. It's an opinion essay, as you have to give your opinion on protecting old buildings.

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Animal testing essay: In this essay, you are asked to discuss the arguments for and against animal testing, and then give your own conclusions on the issue. This means you must look at both sides of the issue and you must also be sure you give your opinion too.

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Agree or Disagree Sample Essay- Technology

How to write an ‘agree or disagree’ IELTS essay:

• Plan your answer – do you agree or disagree with the statement?
• Explain your reasons in your introduction, and mention what you will discuss.
• Write 2-3 paragraphs, developing your argument.
• Write a summary of your arguments in the conclusion.
• Read this sample essay for an example.

Life was better when technology was simpler. To what extent do you agree and disagree?

It is argued that our lives were more fulfilling when technology was less advanced. This essay disagrees with this statement and believes that computers and the internet have made life better. The essay will first discuss how smartphones save us time and then talk about how the internet has improved education, followed by a reasoned conclusion.

New phones, such as the iPhone, have made our daily lives much less laborious and give us more free time. Jobs that required lots of energy and time can now be done at the touch of a button. For example, if we wanted to communicate with one another in the past, we had to write a letter, take it to the post office and then wait for it to be delivered, whereas these days we can simply tap the email icon on our touch screen and send a message in seconds.

The internet has also enriched our lives by providing us with more information than we could ever need, thus making us more independent and effective learners. In the past students had to rely on a teacher or physical books for their education and these were often either unavailable or in a format that most people did not want, but now we can pick and choose what we want to learn. For example, there are now thousands of free online courses available on YouTube that anyone can watch and learn from anywhere in the world.

In conclusion, life has been improved by technological advancements, particularly labour saving devices like phones and learning opportunities provided by the internet.

Want to read more essays like this one? Check out our Writing Task 2 page.

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IELTS Vocabulary about Modern Technology

This resource will help you learn vocabulary about technology for your IELTS exam.

Technology is frequently used as a topic for the IELTS speaking test . It makes sense, therefore, to prepare to speak on the subject. We have developed some questions and answers. Pay careful attention to them. Pay particular attention to the collocations and phrases that have been highlighted for your benefit. 

Example of Speaking Part 1 Questions

What type of technology do you use in your home?

Answer: We have a number of labour-saving devices including state of the art technology in our kitchen. These appliances include an induction stove, a dishwasher, and an Internet-enabled refrigerator. All are connected through the Internet of Things so we can remotely control them.

Are you comfortable using modern technology?

Answer: You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to use technology today. It’s all about booting up , logging in and then clicking on the icon that will take you to your favourite application. On the single occasion that my computer crashed , I called someone in to re-install the programs otherwise I’m comfortable.

How do you keep your computer and data secure?

Answer: I always shut down the computer at night. I backup my files to a hard drive and I always keep hard copies of important documents. I am very careful with my privacy settings, especially in wireless hotspots .

Speaking Part 2 Questions

Describe an item of modern technology that is most important to you.

In this type of question, you should describe the type of technology that you use, how long you have been using it, how frequently you use it and how it is a necessary part of your life.

Answer: My laptop is the most important digital appliance in my home. I have had a laptop for years, but I have recently upgraded my computer .

I am computer literate . I study from home and I need Internet access to do my research. Advances in technology have also made it possible for me to work from home. I surf the web in search of freelance opportunities.

In my leisure time, I download books and music from the Internet . I pay for these via Electronic Funds Transfer . I do not condone online piracy, as I value the arts and believe that the authors and songwriters should be rewarded for their work.

I use social media networks to keep up with my friends and family across the globe and I also shop online from time to time.

Describe an invention that has changed how people live

You should say:

• how it has changed people’s lives
• what benefits did it bring
• explain if it is more important for younger or older people

Read and listen to the sample answer here .

Speaking Part 3 Questions

Do you think that there are any disadvantages to modern technology?

Answer: I think that there are several disadvantages. Security can be a problem with people hacking into the Internet . Also, modern technology tends to become rapidly obsolete so we become more and more a throw-away society. People are also losing physical contact with one another as they become glued to their screens .

In what ways do you think people will benefit from technologies in the future?

Answer: Emerging technology has the capacity to change our lives in so many ways. Robots and artificial intelligence are both reducing the amount of tedious work required in a wide range of industries and professions. We can now also get expert advice from across the globe using an internet connection .

In your opinion what are the basic computer skills that every person should have today?

Answer: All the information we require is available on the Internet, so everyone should be able to boot up a computer, log in and know how to use a search engine . Everyone should have access to the Internet so that they can surf the web .

Vocabulary to talk about Inventions

• turn something on its head:   change something completely  
• a landline:   conventional cable phone 
• the exception, not the rule: something very uncommon
• out of this world: unimaginable 
• so much more than (something): much more complex than
• come to expect: become accustomed to 
• keep up with the (latest news): know what is currently happening
• stop and think (for a moment): take a pause to think about something
• the stuff of science fiction: the content of sci-fi fantasies, unreal
• the downside: the negative aspect
• not all good news: not everything is positive
• bury your head in (something): be completely involved in something (a book, your phone)
• have an adverse effect on: have a negative result  
• a fact of life: something we all accept as true
• here to stay: something which will be permanent

Technology Vocabulary

• Access to the Internet – Able to connect to the Internet
• Advances in technology – Progressive forward movement in technology
• Back up your files – To save your data to another device
• Become rapidly obsolete – Quickly become out of date
• Computer literate – Adequate knowledge of a computer
• Control remotely – To control technology from a distance
• Downloading from the Internet – Take data off one computer to another via the Internet
• Electronic Funds Transfer – EFT Payment via the Internet
• Emerging technology – Brand new machines and software
• Glued to the screen – Unable or unwilling to leave the digital device
• Hacking into the network – To gain illegal access to the computer
• Internet access – The ability to enter the Internet
• Internet of Things – A network connecting machines in a location so that they can be remotely controlled
• Internet-enabled – Machines or appliances that have Internet access
• Keep a hard copy – Keep a paper copy
• Labour-saving device – An appliance that saves work
• Not rocket science – It is not very difficult
• Online piracy – The downloading of licenced media without payment
• Re-install the programs – To put computer programs back onto the computer
• Shop online – Shop via the Internet
• Shut down – Turn the computer off
• Social media networks – Online platforms for communication between people and organisations
• State-of-the-art technology – The best technology available
• Surfing the web – To move from one site to another on the Internet
• To click on an icon – To use the mouse to click on the pictures to get into programs
• To crash – To stop working suddenly
• To Log in – To sign onto the computer
• To upgrade your computer system – To get a larger, quicker or more modern computer
• Wireless hotspots – A location where the Internet is available

If you need more help with your IELTS speaking exam, have look at our tutorials here to help you prepare for IELTS .

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