This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of technological devices from the real IELTS exam.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Technological Devices
Many people think technological devices such as smart phones, tablets and mobile phones bring more disadvantages than advantages.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The availability of new technologies to the average citizen in the form of consumer electronics brings with it both advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion, though these devices are convenient, their use is a negative overall given the impact on mental health.
Proponents of phones and tablets can point to the all but limitless functionality they provide. It is possible, just by owning a small, affordable device that fits in your pocket, to instantly capture video, take photos, send emails, check social media, make phone calls, watch movies, listen to music, play games and use a wide variety of productivity applications. There is no arguing with the near miraculous achievements found in smartphones and tablets. Used properly, these save time and widen the possible outlets for self-expression and creativity. An amateur film-maker, for example, can shoot and edit digital video directly on their phone, add in sound effects and post it easily to a website like YouTube.
Nonetheless, the potential of phones is hindered by their corrosive effect. It is almost impossible to use a phone as a tool to enhance creativity and productivity because it is also home to applications designed to prey on the weaknesses of the human psyche. Companies like Facebook tap into a natural human desire for affirmation and trigger addictive dopamine bursts as rewards for posting selfies. Those not addicted to social media, may find themselves wasting hours playing videogames, receiving roughly the same chemical incentive. Over time, users become dependent on unhealthy habits that humans have not had time to evolve counters for and the ostensible convenience of these handheld devices becomes an excuse, rather than a reason, to own one.
In conclusion, phones and tablets open up new possibilities but their abuse has led to a generation of dependent users. It is up to individuals, not organisation and governments, to limit their screen time to preserve their mental well-being.
Analysis
1. The availability of new technologies to the average citizen in the form of consumer electronics brings with it both advantages and disadvantages. 2. In my opinion, though these devices are convenient, their use is a negative overall given the impact on mental health.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion and include your main ideas if possible. Read more about introductions here.
1. Proponents of phones and tablets can point to the all but limitless functionality they provide. 2. It is possible, just by owning a small, affordable device that fits in your pocket, to instantly capture video, take photos, send emails, check social media, make phone calls, watch movies, listen to music, play games and use a wide variety of productivity applications. 3. There is no arguing with the near miraculous achievements found in smartphones and tablets. 4. Used properly, these save time and widen the possible outlets for self-expression and creativity. 5. An amateur film-maker, for example, can shoot and edit digital video directly on their phone, add in sound effects and post it easily to a website like YouTube.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Use specific details to support your main idea.
- Vary long and short sentences.
- State the results to keep developing.
- Write a specific example for further support.
1. Nonetheless, the potential of phones is hindered by their corrosive effect. 2. It is almost impossible to use a phone as a tool to enhance creativity and productivity because it is also home to applications designed to prey on the weaknesses of the human psyche. 3. Companies like Facebook tap into a natural human desire for affirmation and trigger addictive dopamine bursts as rewards for posting selfies. 4. Those not addicted to social media, may find themselves wasting hours playing videogames, receiving roughly the same chemical incentive. 5. Over time, users become dependent on unhealthy habits that humans have not had time to evolve counters for and the ostensible convenience of these handheld devices becomes an excuse, rather than a reason, to own one.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific examples.
- Continue developing it by considering all the effects.
- Conclude with a strong statement.
1. In conclusion, phones and tablets open up new possibilities but their abuse has led to a generation of dependent users. 2. It is up to individuals, not organisation and governments, to limit their screen time to preserve their mental well-being.
- Summarise your main ideas and repeat your opinion.
- Add in a final thought/detail. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
The availability of new technologies to the average citizen in the form of consumer electronics brings with it both advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion, though these devices are convenient, their use is a negative overall given the impact on mental health.
Proponents of phones and tablets can point to the all but limitless functionality they provide. It is possible, just by owning a small, affordable device that fits in your pocket, to instantly capture video, take photos, send emails, check social media, make phone calls, watch movies, listen to music, play games and use a wide variety of productivity applications. There is no arguing with the near miraculous achievements found in smartphones and tablets. Used properly, these save time and widen the possible outlets for self-expression and creativity. An amateur film-maker, for example, can shoot and edit digital video directly on their phone, add in sound effects and post it easily to a website like YouTube.
Nonetheless, the potential of phones is hindered by their corrosive effect. It is almost impossible to use a phone as a tool to enhance creativity and productivity because it is also home to applications designed to prey on the weaknesses of the human psyche. Companies like Facebook tap into a natural human desire for affirmation and trigger addictive dopamine bursts as rewards for posting selfies. Those not addicted to social media, may find themselves wasting hours playing videogames, receiving roughly the same chemical incentive. Over time, users become dependent on unhealthy habits that humans have not had time to evolve counters for and the ostensible convenience of these handheld devices becomes an excuse, rather than a reason, to own one.
In conclusion, phones and tablets open up new possibilities but their abuse has led to a generation of dependent users. It is up to individuals, not organisation and governments, to limit their screen time to preserve their mental well-being.
Answers
availability can be used now
new technologies more advanced tech
average citizen normal person
in the form of manifested in
consumer electronics phones, tablets, etc.
brings with it also includes
convenient easy to use, helpful
negative overall given not good on the whole because
mental health psychological state
proponents supporters
point to argue
all but almost
limitless functionality unlimited uses
affordable cheap
fits in your pocket can be put in your pocket, can be carried
instantly capture video right away shoots videos
wide variety of productivity applications many types of programs for saving time
there is no arguing with it is indisputable
near miraculous achievements almost impossible successes
found in on
used properly not abused
save time more efficient
widen the possible outlets increase the avenues for
self-expression expressing yourself
creativity art
amateur film-maker not professional movie maker
edit digital video directly work on videos right after shooting on their phones
add in sound effects put in sounds
post it share it online
hindered by slowed by
corrosive effect impact that hurts
enhance creativity make one more creative
home to has
designed to prey on made to take advantage of
weaknesses drawbacks
human psyche psychology
tap into exploit
natural human desire part of human nature
affirmation reassurance
trigger addictive dopamine bursts make you feel happy
posting selfies putting up pictures you took of yourself
addicted can’t stop using
wasting hours not using time well
receiving roughly getting abotu the same
chemical incentive bursts of happiness
dependent rely on
unhealthy habits not good for you
evolve counters for find ways to defend oneself from
ostensible convenience seemingly good for you
handheld devices phones, tablets
excuse a reason for doing something
rather than a reason instead of a real cause
open up new possibilities allows for new opportunities
abuse not use properly
generation group of people born around now
up to responsible for
limit restrict
screen time time spent on computers, phones
preserve maintain
mental well-being mental health
Pronunciation
əˌveɪləˈbɪlɪti
njuː tɛkˈnɒləʤiz
ˈævərɪʤ ˈsɪtɪzn
ɪn ðə fɔːm ɒv
kənˈsjuːmər ɪlɛkˈtrɒnɪks
brɪŋz wɪð ɪt
kənˈviːniənt
ˈnɛgətɪv ˈəʊvərɔːl ˈgɪvn
ˈmɛntl hɛlθ
prəˈpəʊnənts
pɔɪnt tuː
ɔːl bʌt
ˈlɪmɪtlɪs ˌfʌŋkʃəˈnælɪti
əˈfɔːdəbl
fɪts ɪn jɔː ˈpɒkɪt
ˈɪnstəntli ˈkæpʧə ˈvɪdɪəʊ
waɪd vəˈraɪəti ɒv ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvɪti ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)nz
ðeər ɪz nəʊ ˈɑːgjuːɪŋ wɪð
nɪə mɪˈrækjʊləs əˈʧiːvmənts
faʊnd ɪn
juːzd ˈprɒpəli
seɪv taɪm
ˈwaɪdn ðə ˈpɒsəbl ˈaʊtlɛts
sɛlf-ɪksˈprɛʃən
ˌkriːeɪˈtɪvɪti
ˈæmətə(ː) fɪlm-ˈmeɪkə
ˈɛdɪt ˈdɪʤɪtl ˈvɪdɪəʊ dɪˈrɛktli
æd ɪn saʊnd ɪˈfɛkts
pəʊst ɪt
ˈhɪndəd baɪ
kəˈrəʊsɪv ɪˈfɛkt
ɪnˈhɑːns ˌkriːeɪˈtɪvɪti
həʊm tuː
dɪˈzaɪnd tuː preɪ ɒn
ˈwiːknɪsɪz
ˈhjuːmən ˈsaɪki(ː)
tæp ˈɪntuː
ˈnæʧrəl ˈhjuːmən dɪˈzaɪə
ˌæfɜːˈmeɪʃ(ə)n
ˈtrɪgər əˈdɪktɪv ˈdəʊpəmiːn bɜːsts
ˈpəʊstɪŋ ˈsɛlfiz
əˈdɪktɪd
ˈweɪstɪŋ ˈaʊəz
rɪˈsiːvɪŋ ˈrʌfli
ˈkɛmɪkəl ɪnˈsɛntɪv
dɪˈpɛndənt
ʌnˈhɛlθi ˈhæbɪts
ɪˈvɒlv ˈkaʊntəz fɔː
ɒsˈtɛnsəbl kənˈviːniəns
ˌhændˈhɛld dɪˈvaɪsɪz
ɪksˈkjuːs
ˈrɑːðə ðæn ə ˈriːzn
ˈəʊpən ʌp njuː ˌpɒsəˈbɪlɪtiz
əˈbjuːs
ˌʤɛnəˈreɪʃən
ʌp tuː
ˈlɪmɪt
skriːn taɪm
prɪˈzɜːv
ˈmɛntl wɛl-ˈbiːɪŋ
Listening Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
The a_____________y of n_____________________s to the a_____________n i_________________f c_____________________s b______________t both advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion, though these devices are c_____________t, their use is a n________________l g_______n the impact on m______________h.
P_____________s of phones and tablets can p_________o the a_______t l______________________y they provide. It is possible, just by owning a small, a____________e device that f__________________t, to i_____________________o, take photos, send emails, check social media, make phone calls, watch movies, listen to music, play games and use a w______________________________________s. T_____________________h the n________________________________s f____________n smartphones and tablets. U________________y, these s____________e and w_____________________s for s______________________n and c___________y. An a____________________r, for example, can shoot and e____________________y on their phone, a______________________s and p_________t easily to a website like YouTube.
Nonetheless, the potential of phones is h____________y their c___________________t. It is almost impossible to use a phone as a tool to e_____________________y and productivity because it is also h__________o applications d__________________________n the w_____________s of the h___________________e. Companies like Facebook t_________o a n_______________________e for a______________n and t_______________________________s as rewards for p_____________s. Those not a____________d to social media, may find themselves w_________________s playing videogames, r____________________y the same c___________________e. Over time, users become d_______________t on u__________________s that humans have not had time to e__________________r and the o_______________________e of these h__________________s becomes an e__________e, r____________________n, to own one.
In conclusion, phones and tablets o_______________________s but their a________e has led to a g______________n of dependent users. It is u____o individuals, not organisation and governments, to l_________t their s__________e to p__________e their m________________g.
Listening Practice
Listen below about the effects of social media on your brain:
Reading Practice
Read below about the effects of mobile phones on teenagers:
https://www.momjunction.com/articles/side-effects-of-mobile-phones-on-teenagers_00352682/
Speaking Practice
Answer the following questions from the real speaking exam:
Time Management
- How can people manage their time better now compared to the past?
- What are the differences in what people do with their time now?
- How has technology helped people to save time?
- What are the qualities of a person with good time management?
- Will people have more free time in the future?
Writing Practice
Write about the following topic then check with my sample answer:
Some people believe that smartphones are destroying social interaction today.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Thank you Dave, for compiling all the resources and helping us getting better-acquainted with the IELTS
You’re very welcome Robin! Where are you from?
It is often said that the availability of technological gadgets has more drawbacks than benefits. Personally, I believe that, despite the convenience, devices have a detrimental effect on the people’s concentration and the well-being of the nation.
To begin with, being tethered to the mobile phones, both adults and children do not realize how are they distracted by dozens of notifications from social media, messages and games. If it were not smart phones, children would study properly without having poor concentration and short attention span. To illustrate, when children work on tablets or laptops, they usually do not devote attention to the teacher as they try to surf the Internet or even play video games. In addition, the majority of adults are tend to use phones while they are driving to answer on the call or to use GPS; thus, not focusing on the road, they are likely to cause an accident and even die or injure other people such as pedestrians and drivers.
Another point to consider is that interaction with electronic devises has an adverse impact on the mental and physical health of human beings. Gadgets contribute to eyestrain, headaches and blurred vision by emitting human’s organism. Moreover, long engagement with laptops and mobile phones affects the brain work causing mental illnesses such as insomnia, depression and panic attacks. There is a growing body of research which suggests that almost all people in the future will suffer from one of these illnesses.
In conclusion, while some people are certain that technological devices is the most genius invention, I am convinced that it has more harmful features than useful, and people should think properly before using it in some moments of their life like driving the car or studying, otherwise they can be affected by physical or mental illnesses.