IELTS Speaking Part 3: Technology Questions and Model Answer

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Technology is a popular topic in speaking part 3. Below are some common questions with a model answer underneath.

  • What modern technological devices are most common in your country?
  • Do you think modern technology is useful?
  • Do you think people rely too much on technology?
  • Do you think men and women view technological devices differently?
  • Why do you think people spend so much money buying the latest devices?

Model Answer

  • Question: Do you think men and women view technological devices differently?
  • Answer: Yes, I do. For starters, men are usually more obsessed with gadgets. They are almost like children with the way they want to play with the latest gizmos and learn all their new functions. They are constantly fiddling around with their new toys. I also think that gadgets are a kind of ego for men. I mean they often compare their new toys with each other to see who has the best one. Women, on the other hand, are more down to earth and see devices more rationally as a means to communicate with others or to perform a particular function. Of course, this is pretty stereotyped but it seems to hold true for most men and women I know.

Useful Expressions

  • fiddling around with something = playing with something
  • down to earth = realistic, practical
  • stereotyped = putting people into a group or categorising them not based on fact

Note:  As you can see this model answer is from a woman’s perspective, if you would like to give a sample answer from a man’s perspective, please post it in the comments box. Feel free to post your answers to other questions as well.

Recommended

Technology Vocabulary for Speaking

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IELTS Reading & Vocabulary: GM Foods

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Below are two passages on GM foods which require you to answer multiple choice questions. The questions are given under the passage but there is also a link to the questions at the end of the first paragraph to allow easy access – look for “Q’s”. This is a useful exercise to practise reading and build awareness of vocabulary for this topic.

GM Food

Genetically modified food is produced from plants which have had their genes tweaked in the lab. Scientists “cut and paste” a gene from another organism into a plant’s DNA to give it a new characteristic. This can be to increase yield or to allow the plant to exist in a more hostile environment than normal. Pro-GM scientists say this means cheaper more plentiful food but opponents argue we do not know the consequences of meddling with nature.  Qs

1. The genetic makeup of GM foods has been………

a) twisted.

b) altered.

c) cut.

2. By genetically engineering plants, they ……………

a) are likely to increase in size.

b) can produce more.

c) are unable to exist in difficult conditions.

3. One issue with GM plants is the potential to………

a) breakout causing undetermined consequences.

b) infect wild plants with unknown results.

c) cross pollinate.

4. It is thought, by specialists in biotechnology that policies governing GM crops should be…….

a) tightened.

b) relaxed.

c) reviewed.

5. GM foods ought to be ……….

a) reclaimed for the use of multinational companies.

b) used safely.

c) no longer privatised.

Farmers have modified their crops for thousands of years by crossing similar species. However, modern GM is controversial. Critics say the modified crops could “escape” and cross with wild plants, with unknown consequences. They also argue that more chemicals are used on some GM fields which may have a negative impact on wildlife. And while no study has found GM food to be harmful to humans, opponents say it is too soon to be sure.

A group of biotechnology experts say it is time to loosen Europe’s draconian regulations on genetically modified crops. In a report released today they argue that genetically modified crops have been used safely for decades, so no longer need to be automatically treated as unsafe. They also say that genetically modified crops should be reclaimed from multinational companies and treated as a public good.

Questions 1-5

Choose the best answer A-C.

1. The genetic makeup of GM foods has been………

a) twisted.

b) altered.

c) cut.

2. By genetically engineering plants, they are……………

a) likely to increase in size.

b) able to produce more.

c) not able to exist in difficult conditions.

3. One issue with GM plants is the potential to………

a) breakout causing undetermined consequences.

b) infect wild plants with unknown results.

c) cross pollinate.

4. It is thought, by specialists in biotechnology that policies governing GM crops should be…….

a) tightened.

b) relaxed.

c) reviewed.

5. GM foods ought to be ……….

a) reclaimed for the use of multinational companies.

b) used safely.

c) no longer privatised.

Answers
  1. b
  2. b
  3. c
  4. b
  5. c

All reading exercises on ieltsliz.com have been written by myself to help you prepare for your IELTS test.   

Liz

Vocabulary
  • tweak = adjust, modify, regular (the synonyms relate to the context)
  • cross with = reproduce with, cross pollinate
  • meddling with = interfering with
  • loosened = relaxed
  • regulations = rules / policies
  • experts = specialists
  • released = made public / issued / announced
  • draconian = strict / tough / harsh

Passage from: BBC News and New Scientist 14/03/14 

It is also possible to get this topic for writing task 2 or speaking part 3 in your IELTS test. Use this article to learn ideas and useful vocabulary.

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Multiple Choice Question in IELTS Listening

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It is possible to have a multiple choice question in section 1 of IELTS listening. In section 1, you need to listen to two speakers and with this type of question you need to choose between various options in each answer. In section 1, the multiple choice questions and answer options are slightly easier. Don’t forget that you will probably hear the information from more than one option in the recording, but only one will be the right answer.

IELTS Listening Practice: Multiple Choice Questions

Questions 1-3: Choose the correct letter A, B or C.

1. Dinner is on

A. Friday at 6pm
B. Friday at 7pm
C. Friday at 7.30pm

2. Beth is

A. vegetarian
B. unable to eat anything made from milk
C. able to cheesecake

3. Beth will need to park

A. in another part of the street
B. next door
C. in a car park down the road

.

Transcript and Answers

Click below to reveal the transcript and answers to this lesson:

Transcript
Hi, Beth. Do you fancy coming round to dinner sometime this week?
That sounds lovely I’m pretty busy at the start of the week but I’m free on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening.
Great. Let’s make it Friday at 7pm then.
Oh sorry, I’ve just remembered that I’ve got a meeting on Friday and won’t finish until at least 6 so there’s no way I’ll make it for 7.
Shall we make it half past 7 then? Would that be better?
Yes. I’m sure I’ll be able to make it for then.
I was thinking of doing a chicken roast with cheesecake to follow. Is that ok or are you vegetarian again?
Well, I did go through a vegetarian period a while ago but I’m not veggie anymore. However I have just discovered that I’m lactose intolerant so I have to avoid any milk products which means I’ll have to pass on the cheesecake I’m afraid.
Oh that’s alright. I’ll just do something else for dessert then.
Great. Sorry to be a bother.
Don’t worry it’s absolutely fine. Oh by the way, you’ll need to park a quite a few doors down because there’s building work going on next door and our part of the road is occupied.
Ok, thanks for letting me know. See you Friday.
Bye
Answers
1. C
2. B
‘… I’m lactose intolerant so I have to avoid any milk products…’
The answer can’t be C because Beth says ‘…I’ll have to pass on the cheesecake..’ and this means she must say no to the cheesecake.
3. A
‘…you’ll need to park a quite a few doors down..’ because ‘…our part of the road is occupied .’ and this means further down in another part of the street.

Recommended

More Section 1 Practice: Form Completion, click here
Picture Multiple Choice, click here

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Technology Vocabulary for Speaking

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So many students confuse academic language for writing task 2 and spoken, informal language. In this lesson, you will learn lots of language for your speaking test for the topic of technology.

Forms of the word:

  • technology (n)
  • technologies (pl n)
  • technological (adj)

The article below is about why men like modern technological devices. It’s written informally and with humour. I’ve underlined useful words for you to learn and practice using. The questions are at the bottom of the passage but I’ve also put a couple of links to them in the passage itself for easy access – check the Qs link.

Why Men Like Gadgets

Be it communication devices, play station, music systems, sports gear, cars and other electronic equipments, men share a special relationship with gadgets. It’s only when a woman understands her man’s fondness for these gizmos, are they able to balance their relationship with them. Here’s why men believe in romancing their gadgets:

Sense of freedom

For most men, the cell phone, or their wireless PDA and compact notebook are symbols of freedom. The mere fact that they own one such gadget makes a man feel unbound. Men can store a lot of information in their tiny devices and feel confident. Qs

Questions:

  1. Men are always after the latest ………….
  2. There’s nothing worse than sitting next to a ………… person
  3. I wouldn’t say he’s lacking in ……….. He’s so full of himself.
  4. If you can’t get to sleep, try to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks after 5pm or not using any ………. such as tablets that have a bright screen late at night. That should …………..

Sense of power

Gadgets like laser pointers provides a sense of power for men. Men love to feel powerful and gadgets enhance their supremacy, at least they feel so. The SUV cars and high-speed Internet connections are all demonstrations of power for men.

Ego-boosters
The funkiest cars, the tiniest video camera, the most expensive function-laden watch, and the fastest computer – all these work as ego-boosters for men. In fact, men use gadgets to impress each other. Arm wrestling, bike racing or drinking competitions are no more the ways to prove masculinity; it’s these gadgets that do the trick now. They are the new way to show off wealth, taste, advancement and knowledge. Qs

Questions:

  1. Men are always after the latest ………….
  2. There’s nothing worse than sitting next to a ………… person
  3. I wouldn’t say he’s lacking in ……….. He’s so full of himself.
  4. If you can’t get to sleep, try to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks after 5pm or not using any ………. such as tablets that have a bright screen late at night. That should …………..

Gadgets lure women
A classy car, latest cell phone, expensive watches and other gadgets, men think, help impress women.

Need to fidget
Men often have a tendency to get restless easily and gadgets contribute to the cause. Television remote control, mobile phones, laptops are few perfect examples of “fidgeting gadgets” men tend to use.

Stress buster
Men prefer to avoid talking about the subject that’s giving them stress and gadgets often work as a stress buster in such situations. Engaging themselves in gadgets is the way men choose to de-stress themselves.

Source of article: Passage from Times of India

Vocabulary Practice

Complete the sentence using a word or words taken from the article above. This is not an IELTS reading exercise, it is just an exercise to practice using the language in the passage. You may need to change the form of the word.

  1. Men are always after the latest ………….
  2. There’s nothing worse than sitting next to a ………… person
  3. I wouldn’t say he’s lacking in ……….. He’s so full of himself.
  4. If you can’t get to sleep, try to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks after 5pm or not using any ………. such as tablets that have a bright screen late at night. That should …………..
Vocabulary

Here is a list of useful vocabulary. See below for the audio to listen to the pronunciation.

  • gadget = tool, device , implement (informal)
  • gizmos = gadget, device (informal)
  • unbound = liberated
  • ego = self-image, self-esteem
  • ego-booster = something that enhances a person’s self-image (informal)
  • funky = cool, trendy, happening (informal)
  • do the trick = do exactly what is needed (informal)
  • function-laden = full of functions (informal)
  • fidget – move nervously and continuously (informal)
  • stress buster = something which reduces stress (informal)
  • to be after something = to want something (informal)
  • to be full of oneself = to be over-confident and have a lot of self-esteem

 Answers
  1. gadgets or gizmos (could also be singular)
  2. fidgety
  3. ego
  4. gadgets or gizmos / do the trick

Passage from Time of India

Example of an IELTS speaking question with model answer:

  • Question: Do you like modern technology?
  • Answer: Yes, I do. I’m pretty gadget mad actually. Whenever they release an up-grade, I’m the first in line to see what new functions they’ve incorporated into the new model and how it works. My friends are always saying that I spend too much money on the latest gizmos.

Recommended

IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions for Technology Topic

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Recent IELTS Essay: Handwriting Skills for Children

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Below is a recently reported essay question with some useful ideas. This essay question appeared in 2015 and again in 2020. Read through the ideas and learn any new vocabulary.

Some people think that it is important to teach children the skill of handwriting.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Reasons in Support of Children Learning Handwriting Skills

  • handwriting is a basic tool in many subjects, for example doing tests, taking notes and writing homework.
    • poor handwriting skills or illegible writing can have negative effects on school performance
  • learning handwriting is linked to learning to spell, basic reading and grammar
    • these are basic and fundamental requirements for any school child
  • good handwriting skills should be taught at an early age to form good habits as it is essential later in life
    • in some situations it is better to write by hand rather than type
  • there is a link between cognition and writing by hand
    • children learn better when they are forced to write something by hand

Other Ideas

  •  teaching children how to touch-type would be more useful
    • being proficient in the use of modern technological devices by touch typing is essential for the future
  • focusing on handwriting which is less relevant today, is a waste of time for children
    • time could be better spent on developing other useful skills and knowledge
  • handwriting is linked to learning to spell but spell check is a function that all computers have
    • therefore less time should be spent focusing on this

Feel free to post more ideas if you have them.

………………………….

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IELTS Tips: Conclusion or Overview for Writing Task 1?

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Writing a conclusion or an overview for IELTS writing task 1 reports is a question that many people have. Watch the video below to learn excellent tips about which paragraph to add. Knowing whether you need an overview or conclusion can make all the difference to your results.

Conclusion or Overview for IELTS Writing Task 1

The video below will explain whether you should aim for a conclusion or an overview in your IELTS writing task 1 academic paper.

Summary:

Do I need a conclusion for task 1?

Well the answer is no, you don’t. In fact, it’s a bad idea to have a conclusion for task one. You have an overview for task 1 and you have a conclusion for task 2 for for your essay. Now a conclusion is a paragraph that repeats and restates the main points and of course in a short report you shouldn’t be repeating any information. So don’t have a conclusion. But you do need to have an overview. So that’s question two:

What is an overview?

Well overview is a paragraph and it contains all the key features of the chart or graph or whatever you have for your task 1. So all the key points are collected together and put in a overview paragraph.

Is the overview important?

It is so important it is critical for you IELTS writing task 1 this is for the criteria, task achievement. That’s 25% of your marks and if you don’t have an overview, it will be almost impossible to get above band score five for that criteria. So very important indeed. And number 4:

Can I write an overview and a conclusion?

Please don’t. Again the overview contains all the key features and the conclusion is a repeat. We don’t want repetitive information. Also when you have an overview and a conclusion together, it means that you are dividing your key features into two different places and this will affect the criteria of coherence and cohesion, which is all about paragraphs. So it’s very important that all your key features are collected in one paragraph, in the overview, and they’re not again repeated anywhere else in that report. So definitely you cannot have both. And the last one :

Where can i put the overview?

The overview statement usually goes after the introduction but it is possible to put it at the end of your report after the body paragraphs. Which is the best place? For me, I prefer it after the introduction. I like to read all the main points before I read the details but again that’s up to you. Both places are logical. Now if you want some more lessons here are some links to help you prepare for you IELTS test see you soon: IELTS Writing Task 1 Structure and Paragraph Organisation

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IELTS Speaking Recent Topic: Sky

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This has been a reported topic in speaking this month. It’s a new topic but of course some of the questions will be similar to the topic of weather. Here are some possible questions for this topic.

The Sky

  • Do you ever look at the sky?
  • What do you think about when you look at the sky?
  • Are there often clouds in the sky in your country?
  • Is the sky often overcast?
  • Is star-gazing popular in your country?
  • Are there often spectacular sunsets or sunrises in your country?

Model Answers

  • Question: Do you ever look at the sky?
  • Answer: To be honest, the only time I really pay any attention to the sky is if there is an amazing sunset or if I need to see what the weather’s like. The weather can be changeable where I live, so I sometimes take a quick look at the sky to see if it there are any dark clouds on the horizon and it might rain.
  • Question: Is star-gazing popular in your country?
  • Answer: I wouldn’t say it was popular but there are quite a few people who enjoy it, I suppose. In summer, we often get really clear night skies when you can see a multitude of stars and they’re all incredibly bright. I must say, even I go out and take a look then.

Vocabulary

Here is a useful vocabulary list for this topic. Below is an audio for the vocabulary.

  • overcast = cloudy, no sun is visible
  • a grey sky = overcast, cloudy
  • sunset = the sky turns different shades of orange, pink and red as the sun goes down
  • dark clouds on the horizon = threatening weather in the distance
  • star-gazing = looking at the stars
  • crystal clear night skies = very clear skies at night with excellent visibility
  • cloudless sky = a blue sky without clouds
  • small fluffy clouds = small clouds that do not threaten rain
  • multitude of stars = many stars
  • foggy = misty, low visibility due to mist
  • partly cloudy = some clouds

 

Audio for Model Answers 

Use the ideas and language for the models and adapt it to the questions you might get in the test.

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IELTS Speaking Part 2: Difficult Topics with Tips

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Below are a few topics which many students find difficult. Plan your ideas and answer so that you are ready for a difficult topics in your test. Remember that whatever you choose to talk about, you must be able to talk for up to 2 minutes on that topic. So, be wise and choose something you can talk about easily.

Click “Tips” to reveal tips for the topic.

A Good Law

Describe a law which you think is good.

You should say:

  • what kind of law it is
  • when you first heard of the law
  • how the law is upheld
  • and explain why you think it is a good law

Tips

If you don’t know much about laws, choose a simple law such as a the helmet law which requires motorbike riders and cyclists to wear a helmet or go for the compulsory primary and secondary school education which prevents children from skipping lessons and ensures they get a solid, basic education.

 

A Wrong Decision

Describe a decision which you have made that you feel was wrong.

You should say:

  • what the decision was
  • why you made that decision
  • why you think it was the wrong decision to make
  • and explain how you would alter that decision if you could

Tips

This could be a bad decision about a holiday you chose, a job you did, some advice you gave someone or even something really simple like a bad decision you made while you were cooking.

 

A Journey that Didn’t Go As Planned

Describe a journey you have taken that didn’t go as you had planned.

You should say:

  • where you were going
  • who you were traveling with
  • how you were travelling
  • what went wrong
  • and explain what you would have done differently.

Tips

This is a tough topic because not only do you need to think of a story but you also need to pay attention to the grammar tenses you use. This topic will require you to use the 3rd conditional which is used when expressing regrets (if I had known ….., I wouldn’t have ……). Try to stick to a simple story about a time when you did a trip but you had bought the wrong tickets or there was an unexpected delay which caused problems.

 

A Museum You Like

Describe a museum you like.

You should say:

  • what kind of museum it is
  • what kind of people go there
  • when you first went
  • and example why you like it.

Tips

Many students dislike this topic because they are not familiar with museums. In this case, choose to talk about a museum of local culture – that way you can talk about local culture, traditional ways of life and other interesting historical points about where you are from. If you are familiar with museums, make sure you add lots of detail about your first trip there – who you went with, how old you were, your first impression etc.

A Family Business

Describe a family business you know.

You should say:

  • what kind of business it is
  • how you first heard of this business
  • how often you go there
  • and why you think it is a good business

Tips

This sounds like a tough topic but in fact it isn’t. A family business could be a simple as a local shop that is run by a family or a family run restaurant. If you don’t know any family run businesses, then you could start your talk this way “I don’t really know any family run businesses but there is a fantastic shop round the corner from my house which is as friendly as any family run shop….”

Make sure you prepare ideas for as many topics for speaking part 2. This is not an academic talk or a formal talk so if you make your talk personal and friendly, you will do better.

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