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
- Men are always after the latest ………….
- There’s nothing worse than sitting next to a ………… person
- I wouldn’t say he’s lacking in ……….. He’s so full of himself.
- 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
- Men are always after the latest ………….
- There’s nothing worse than sitting next to a ………… person
- I wouldn’t say he’s lacking in ……….. He’s so full of himself.
- 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.
- Men are always after the latest ………….
- There’s nothing worse than sitting next to a ………… person
- I wouldn’t say he’s lacking in ……….. He’s so full of himself.
- 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 …………..
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
- gadgets or gizmos (could also be singular)
- fidgety
- ego
- 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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Hi Liz, U are marvelous and doing such a great job. First of all, Get well soon our iron lady. I am very inspired by u.
Secondly, please post the cue cards predictions 2023. It will be a great help.
In last, Happy new year and May this year bring a lot of happiness for u
Thanks in advance
I’ll be posting predicting topics for speaking part 1 tomorrow. Others will follow later.
Is equipment countable, shall we use equipments?
Equipment is uncountable.
Hey Liz.Help me about Grammar.Whose book I should follow?
I’ll be releasing a Grammar E-book in about 6 weeks. Although it is Grammar for Writing Task 2, it will still be based on overall English grammar to improve your level of English. I’ll post a notice when the e-book is ready.
what is your book name , which i will buy from bookshop….kindly tell us your all written books name…
This website contains over 300 pages of free practice lessons, tips, model answers, topics etc – all for free. I also have two e-books which you can purchase as well as advanced writing task 2 lessons. You can find them in my store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/
hello, thank you so much! can I use these informal words in my ielts writing test?
Writing task 2 is formal. Writing task 1 academic is formal. IELTS writing task 1 GT depends on whether it is a formal or informal letter.
All your teachings really pretty like you. Thanks a tonne.
Hi mam I am preparing my ielts exam your videos helping me a lot
Thanku so much
Exactly this website surely help us .Thanks a lot.
Greetings mam,
Mam, I’ve a question in my mind related to vocabulary. Can we use these vocabulary words for any topic or we’ve to stick for technology topic ?
For instance, can I use ” ego-booster ” for any topic or it’s only for technology. If I say, cricket is a ego-booster for me or reading English novels help me to stress buster.
Please read all my tips on the main speaking page and review all model answers: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-speaking-free-lessons-essential-tips/
Is writing a word count is necessary or notin the end of both the tasks?
No, it’s not necessary.
No, is not necessary to count the words if you feel its enough so can can stop writing.
Thanks Liz for your ideas!
Hi
Can we use informal words in ielts speaking? such as gadgets, funky, do the trick, fidget, stress buster, to be after something and gizmos.
Yes. The speaking test is informal and it is essential you use these kinds of words. However, this is not true for writing which is formal.
Thank you.
The funny thing is I have’t met an IELTS teacher so far who would say the same as the previous teacher. It is constantly changeable when it comes to defining the Speaking part as formal or informal. The matter refers to other portions and facets of the IELTS test.
It is not my opinion that the speaking test is informal. It is a fact. IELTS speaking is informal. Please make sure that you are getting information from teachers who have actually completed the IELTS examiner training or from official sources.
Hai Liz, I am facing problem in writing..I want to know is there any difference in general and academic essay writing..and obviously this site is very good..
See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-gt-academic-writing-differences/ and then review all tips on the main writing task 2 page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/. For advanced learning in writing task 2, purchase these lessons: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
hi,im facing problem in reading because i cant finish my reading in given time.so could you please help me for improving my reading problem.tell me what should i do………
See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-tips-how-can-i-improve-my-score/ and then review my practice lessons: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/
Hello Elizabeth mam , I have more problem in reading what should I do ?Please could you tell me? As I am very worried because my exam is near.
See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-tips-how-can-i-improve-my-score/ and also my main reading page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/
Beautiful! 🙂
Dear Liz
Thanks you are doing very well.I have issue with reading I always take so long to finished my reading and can’t finish.
How can I improve
See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-tips-strategies-and-comprehension/
Amanpreet Singh, hi i am Aman, special hi to mam Elizabeth liz, i want to say only Awesome to you like Mike the Miz wwe.
could word ”NATIZEN” be suitable for the 2nd blank.
Well, when students feel panic, they forget everything whatever they know. So, everybody feel panic.. Those students who are strong physically, mentally they can fight with fear and win the game.This is called self-believe, self-confidence.Well I,m also one player.. I have to take out every fear and i should move on n grow stronger…..
Oom
Hİ LİZ my name is ceren.Im turkish and studying at bilkent university school of english language. ıf ı take an ielts exam , what should ı do to take 6,5 score?
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Hi Liz,
I have gone through your IELT’s information and tips and I found it useful, in fact, very useful especially your lecture on introduction of task 2 in academic writing. I have got band 6 last time but I am thriving for getting band 7 in writing, I have learnt how to paraphrase introduction and develop arguments in favour and against the topic with relevant examples. I just want to ask you that should I use separate paragraph for each individual idea or I can sum up two or three ideas in one paragraph, does it effect my overall score?
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
hi my name is mandeep i did my ielts exam 3 time but my writing score is 5.5 always please suggest me because i need 6 each band.
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
hi
could you tell me, how can i get 6 band score in general ielts . tell me the way of preparing.
i hope you will give me a proper way of prepar the exam.
Thank you.
You need to read all tips and information pages. This blog is for students aiming for band score 6 and over so all pages are relevant to you. For detailed training in writing task 2 (both GT and academic), see my advanced lessons: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
Liz
Hi your tips would help me prepare my ielts which i have booked on 24th of oct.15. I am immensely impressed with your tips. Would you mind sharing your tips on how to score above 6 in listening and reading please.i always lack in this two skills.😕
See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-tips-how-can-i-improve-my-score/. All tips on this blog are for students aiming for band 6, 7 8 and 9. Just read through the tips and lessons on the main pages.
All the best
Liz
I can not develop ideas in task 2 so what can I do to develop idea.
Start reading my essay ideas and read all model essays online to gather ideas for topics.
Liz
Hi! Liz, i am going to write my ielts exam on 29th of august, 2015 in jaipur,India . can you suggest me some imlortant tricks to score well means about reading , speaking n all. thank you. i’ll wait fr ur rply.
For tips, please read all information pages and then work through my tips and lessons on each of the main sections.
All the best
Liz
Hi ! i am following your all tips but i little bit confused in reading .how can it solve my problem?
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
hi,I’m glad to join this website.I’ve recently taken ielts, but didn’t satisfy my results: speaking was 6 , reading 6, listening 6, but my writing was 5 . Would you not mind can you recommend some suggestions to improve my writing skill along with this materials and videos. Thanks ,beforehand.
My main advice is to improve your English language. Your English contains too many errors and that is probably the reason you got band 5. Work on developing more accurate English.
All the best
Liz
Hi Liz,
I gave 3 times of ielts but every time I lose my score in reading and writing can you give me please any tricks and advice to get good score in ielts.
Thanks
It is probably due to your level of English. You will need to improve your understanding of English and your ability to produce accurate language.
All the best
Liz
I am so confused how to learn vocablaury for ielts
Review words for topics and then practice using them either in answering speaking questions or writing an essay. Also make lists of paraphrases for listening and reading.
Liz
HI
i dont know what is the best source of vocab for ielts??
There is a book called “Vocabulary for IELTS” that is very useful. And you can google more websites which have vocabulary lists. Unfortunately, my vocabulary page isn’t finished yet and I need to add more lessons.
All the best
Liz