This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of advanced technology and the elderly from the real IELTS exam.

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IELTS Essay: Advanced Technology

Advanced technology has brought many beneficial changes to the world. However, some old people today struggle with the use of technologies such as mobile phones and the Internet.

How can the elderly benefit from using advanced technologies?

How can the elderly be encouraged to use consumer electronics more often?

The advances made in the field of technology are not shared equally by all age demographics. In my opinion, the elderly in particular could benefit more in terms of convenience and this could be achieved by businesses transitioning to primarily online business models.

Improved capability with consumer electronics engenders a more convenient life. This improvement would be immediately evident when shopping online. During the recent Covid-19 pandemic many older individuals first learned how to place orders for food and other necessities online. Since the pandemic restrictions have eased, many now continue to use these applications to shop for the best prices, remain at home, and be assured of the quality of their purchases. Moreover, smartphones in particular today are essential for remaining in contact with one’s family. Most older people value family relations above all else and would be able to make video calls and message their children and grandchildren if they were more tech-savvy.

In order to achieve this level of convenience, companies should continue to encourage customers to engage online. Older individuals will not be convinced simply by the benefits of technology as many may be stubborn. The Coronavirus pandemic is again an illustrative example as it demonstrated that only when forced to adapt did older people begin to learn the full functionality of their phones. Companies today are already increasingly emphasizing online orders and by phasing out in-person discounts and physical stores they will compel the elderly to adapt to modern conveniences. For instance, hopeful travelers must essentially learn to navigate an airline’s website to book flights these days.

In conclusion, older people can lead easier lives if they utilize developments in technology that companies have already begun to embrace. Naturally, children should also help educate their older parents about these benefits.

Analysis

1. The advances made in the field of technology are not shared equally by all age demographics. 2. In my opinion, the elderly in particular could benefit more in terms of convenience and this could be achieved by businesses transitioning to primarily online business models.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Improved capability with consumer electronics engenders a more convenient life. 2. This improvement would be immediately evident when shopping online. 3. During the recent Covid-19 pandemic many older individuals first learned how to place orders for food and other necessities online. 4. Since the pandemic restrictions have eased, many now continue to use these applications to shop for the best prices, remain at home, and be assured of the quality of their purchases. 5. Moreover, smartphones in particular today are essential for remaining in contact with one’s family. 6. Most older people value family relations above all else and would be able to make video calls and message their children and grandchildren if they were more tech-savvy.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Continue with the same idea or add another.
6. You might add a counterpoint here.

1. In order to achieve this level of convenience, companies should continue to encourage customers to engage online. 2. Older individuals will not be convinced simply by the benefits of technology as many may be stubborn. 3. The Coronavirus pandemic is again an illustrative example as it demonstrated that only when forced to adapt did older people begin to learn the full functionality of their phones. 4. Companies today are already increasingly emphasizing online orders and by phasing out in-person discounts and physical stores they will compel the elderly to adapt to modern conveniences. 5. For instance, hopeful travelers must essentially learn to navigate an airline’s website to book flights these days.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. Continue your development.

1. In conclusion, older people can lead easier lives if they utilize developments in technology that companies have already begun to embrace. 2. Naturally, children should also help educate their older parents about these benefits.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

The advances made in the field of technology are not shared equally by all age demographics. In my opinion, the elderly in particular could benefit more in terms of convenience and this could be achieved by businesses transitioning to primarily online business models.

Improved capability with consumer electronics engenders a more convenient life. This improvement would be immediately evident when shopping online. During the recent Covid-19 pandemic many older individuals first learned how to place orders for food and other necessities online. Since the pandemic restrictions have eased, many now continue to use these applications to shop for the best prices, remain at home, and be assured of the quality of their purchases. Moreover, smartphones in particular today are essential for remaining in contact with one’s family. Most older people value family relations above all else and would be able to make video calls and message their children and grandchildren if they were more tech-savvy.

In order to achieve this level of convenience, companies should continue to encourage customers to engage online. Older individuals will not be convinced simply by the benefits of technology as many may be stubborn. The Coronavirus pandemic is again an illustrative example as it demonstrated that only when forced to adapt did older people begin to learn the full functionality of their phones. Companies today are already increasingly emphasizing online orders and by phasing out in-person discounts and physical stores they will compel the elderly to adapt to modern conveniences. For instance, hopeful travelers must essentially learn to navigate an airline’s website to book flights these days.

In conclusion, older people can lead easier lives if they utilize developments in technology that companies have already begun to embrace. Naturally, children should also help educate their older parents about these benefits.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

advances made in the field of technology developments related to computers, phones, etc.

not shared equally by all age demographics not everyone gets the same benefits from it

in particular especially

benefit gain an advantage from it

in terms of convenience when it comes to making life easier

could be achieved by businesses transitioning to primarily online business models can be accomplished when companies do more of their selling online

Improved capability with consumer electronics engenders better ability to use phones allows for

improvement getting better

immediately evident clear right away

shopping buying things

During the recent Covid-19 pandemic when the Covid-19 stuff was happening

how to place orders for the way to order online

necessities daily life items

Since the pandemic restrictions have eased as Covid-19 becomes less of an issue

applications apps such as Google Drive, Amazon, etc.

best prices cheapest items

remain at home stay in their house

assured of the quality of their purchases know that the items they buy are good

in particular today especially these days

essential very valuable

remaining in contact with one’s family talking to family members

value family relations above all else care most about their brothers, sisters, kids, parents, etc.

make video calls using Facetime or Messenger

message send texts to

if they were more tech-savvy if better with technology

In order to achieve this level of convenience so that they live easier lives

encourage customers to engage online force people to use the internet

convinced persuaded

stubborn unwilling to change their mind

Coronavirus pandemic Covid-19 situation

illustrative example as it demonstrated good instance because it showed

only when forced to adapt did older people just when they had to did they make changes

full functionality how something is used

increasingly emphasizing more and more focusing on

phasing out in-person discounts not using coupons in real life

physical stores actual locations

compel force

adapt to modern conveniences start using new things

hopeful travelers people who want to go somewhere

essentially basically

navigate an airline’s website use the site for an airline like Delta

book flights arrange to fly somewhere

can lead easier lives have a more convenient time

utilize take advantage of

embrace care about

Naturally of course

educate teach

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ədˈvɑːnsɪz meɪd ɪn ðə fiːld ɒv tɛkˈnɒləʤi 
nɒt ʃeəd ˈiːkwəli baɪ ɔːl eɪʤ ˌdɛməˈgræfɪks
ɪn pəˈtɪkjʊlə 
ˈbɛnɪfɪt 
ɪn tɜːmz ɒv kənˈviːniəns 
kʊd biː əˈʧiːvd baɪ ˈbɪznɪsɪz trænˈzɪʃ(ə)nɪŋ tuː ˈpraɪmərɪli ˈɒnˌlaɪn ˈbɪznɪs ˈmɒdlz
ɪmˈpruːvd ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪti wɪð kənˈsjuːmər ɪlɛkˈtrɒnɪks ɪnˈʤɛndəz 
ɪmˈpruːvmənt 
ɪˈmiːdiətli ˈɛvɪdənt 
ˈʃɒpɪŋ 
ˈdjʊərɪŋ ðə ˈriːsnt ˈkəʊvɪd–nainti:npænˈdɛmɪk 
haʊ tuː pleɪs ˈɔːdəz fɔː 
nɪˈsɛsɪtiz 
sɪns ðə pænˈdɛmɪk rɪsˈtrɪkʃənz hæv iːzd
ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)nz 
bɛst ˈpraɪsɪz
rɪˈmeɪn æt həʊm
əˈʃʊəd ɒv ðə ˈkwɒlɪti ɒv ðeə ˈpɜːʧəsɪz
ɪn pəˈtɪkjʊlə təˈdeɪ 
ɪˈsɛnʃəl 
rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ ɪn ˈkɒntækt wɪð wʌnz ˈfæmɪli
ˈvæljuː ˈfæmɪli rɪˈleɪʃənz əˈbʌv ɔːl ɛls 
meɪk ˈvɪdɪəʊ kɔːlz 
ˈmɛsɪʤ 
ɪf ðeɪ wɜː mɔː tɛk-ˈsævi
ɪn ˈɔːdə tuː əˈʧiːv ðɪs ˈlɛvl ɒv kənˈviːniəns
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ ˈkʌstəməz tuː ɪnˈgeɪʤ ˈɒnˌlaɪn
kənˈvɪnst 
ˈstʌbən 
kəˈrəʊnəˌvaɪrəs pænˈdɛmɪk 
ˈɪləstreɪtɪv ɪgˈzɑːmpl æz ɪt ˈdɛmənstreɪtɪd 
ˈəʊnli wɛn fɔːst tuː əˈdæpt dɪd ˈəʊldə ˈpiːpl 
fʊl ˌfʌŋkʃəˈnælɪti 
ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli ˈɛmfəsaɪzɪŋ 
ˈfeɪzɪŋ aʊt ɪn-ˈpɜːsn ˈdɪskaʊnts 
ˈfɪzɪkəl stɔːz 
kəmˈpɛl 
əˈdæpt tuː ˈmɒdən kənˈviːniənsɪz
ˈhəʊpfʊl ˈtrævləz 
ɪˈsɛnʃəli 
ˈnævɪgeɪt ən ˈeəlaɪnz ˈwɛbˌsaɪt 
bʊk flaɪts 
kæn liːd ˈiːzɪə lɪvz 
ˈjuːtɪˌlaɪz 
ɪmˈbreɪs
ˈnæʧrəli
ˈɛʤu(ː)keɪt 

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

The a_______________________________________y are n___________________________________________s. In my opinion, the elderly i______________r could b_________t more i______________________e and this c________________________________________________________________________s.

I_________________________________________s a more convenient life. This i___________________t would be i_____________________t when s__________g online. D_____________________________c many older individuals first learned h______________________________r food and other n____________s online. S____________________________d, many now continue to use these a___________________s to shop for the b____________s, r_____________e, and be a_____________________________________s. Moreover, smartphones i____________________y are e__________l for r____________________________________y. Most older people v___________________________e and would be able to m____________________s and m_________e their children and grandchildren i_________________________y.

I__________________________________________e, companies should continue to e_____________________________________e. Older individuals will not be c_____________d simply by the benefits of technology as many may be s_________n. The C____________________c is again an i________________________________d that o_________________________________e begin to learn the f_________________y of their phones. Companies today are already i____________________g online orders and by p__________________________s and p_______________s they will c___________l the elderly to a____________________s. For instance, h_________________s must e____________y learn to n__________________________e to b____________s these days.

In conclusion, older people c____________________s if they u__________e developments in technology that companies have already begun to e___________e. N__________y, children should also help e__________e their older parents about these benefits.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

Smartphones for Seniors: A Simple Guide

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Old Age

1. Do you know a lot of older people?
2. How often do you talk with your grandparents?
3. Do you think people get happier as they get older?
4. Are people living longer in your country?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:

Many people who care for the elderly do not have enough time to look after them.

What are the problems related to this?

What are some possible solutions?

IELTS Essay: Taking Care of Elderly People