This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of old people using modern electronic technology from the real exam.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Modern Electronics

Some old people today struggle with the use of modern technologies such as smartphones and computers.

What is the cause of this?

What are some possible solutions?

Real Past IELTS Exam

Many older people today have difficulty acclimating to new technology. The main cause of this is the novel nature of the computer revolution and the best solutions involve education.

The elderly have trouble catching up with new developments in technology because computers and the internet are fundamentally novel. Computers require a skill set that is completely foreign to individuals who did not grow up in the last 30 years. To use a computer, one must be able to type, set up online accounts, remember passwords, troubleshoot IT problems and navigate both the internet and various internet-based apps. For those born into the internet era, this is all second nature but for others the learning curve is often too steep. The simple process of turning on a computer and locating programs using an unfamiliar interface can be overwhelming and serves as the principle, initial barrier.

The best solutions for this relate to education. Older people who are still working require special training programs and patience from their employers and themselves. Competence is likely given detailed instructions and enough time to practice. Moreover, many retired older people want to spend more time with their children, grandchildren and old friends but it can be difficult to travel, particularly if they live far apart. Old people would be extremely motivated to make video calls and stay in touch with loved ones with applications like Skype, Facetime and Facebook Messenger. Through simple instructions from family members, it is possible video-conferencing could become a routine task.

In conclusion, old people today often cannot understand technology because it is a seismic shift in perspective and the solutions involve patient training at work and home. In this way, the benefits of technology can be extended to a generation that missed out on them in their youth.

Analysis

1. Many older people today have difficulty acclimating to new technology. 2. The main cause of this is the novel nature of the computer revolution and the best solutions involve education.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Answer both questions directly and clearly. You need to have 1 or more causes and at least 2 solutions.

1. The elderly have trouble catching up with new developments in technology because computers and the internet are fundamentally novel. 2. Computers require a skill set that is completely foreign to individuals who did not grow up in the last 30 years. 3. To use a computer, one must be able to type, set up online accounts, remember passwords, troubleshoot IT problems and navigate both the internet and various internet-based apps. 4. For those born into the internet era, this is all second nature but for others the learning curve is often too steep. 5. The simple process of turning on a computer and locating programs using an unfamiliar interface can be overwhelming and serves as the principle, initial barrier.

1. Write a clear topic sentence with your main idea at the end.
2. Begin to develop or explain your main idea.
3. Give specific instances – the more specific the better!
4. State the results of your examples.
5. Draw final conclusions and answer the cause directly.

1. The best solutions for this relate to education. 2. Older people who are still working require special training programs and patience from their employers and themselves. 3. Competence is likely given detailed instructions and enough time to practice. 4. Moreover, many retired older people want to spend more time with their children, grandchildren and old friends but it can be difficult to travel, particularly if they live far apart. 5. Old people would be extremely motivated to make video calls and stay in touch with loved ones with applications like Skype, Facetime and Facebook Messenger. 6. Through simple instructions from family members, it is possible video-conferencing could become a routine task.

1. Write another clear and simple topic sentence with your main idea in the second half of the sentence.
2. Begin writing about your first solution.
3. Finish developing your first solution.
4. Switch to your second solution.
5. Develop it fully with specific examples.
6. Conclude the paragraph with the end result of your solution.

1. In conclusion, old people today often cannot understand technology because it is a seismic shift in perspective and the solutions involve patient training at work and home. 2. In this way, the benefits of technology can be extended to a generation that missed out on them in their youth.

1. Repeat your answer to both questions.
2. Finish summarising and add a final thought.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

Many older people today have difficulty acclimating to new technology. The main cause of this is the novel nature of the computer revolution and the best solutions involve education.

The elderly have trouble catching up with new developments in technology because computers and the internet are fundamentally novel. Computers require a skill set that is completely foreign to individuals who did not grow up in the last 30 years. To use a computer, one must be able to type, set up online accounts, remember passwords, troubleshoot IT problems and navigate both the internet and various internet-based apps. For those born into the internet era, this is all second nature but for others the learning curve is often too steep. The simple process of turning on a computer and locating programs using an unfamiliar interface can be overwhelming and serves as the principle, initial barrier.

The best solutions for this relate to education. Older people who are still working require special training programs and patience from their employers and themselves. Competence is likely given detailed instructions and enough time to practice. Moreover, many retired older people want to spend more time with their children, grandchildren and old friends but it can be difficult to travel, particularly if they live far apart. Old people would be extremely motivated to make video calls and stay in touch with loved ones with applications like Skype, Facetime and Facebook Messenger. Through simple instructions from family members, it is possible video-conferencing could become a routine task.

In conclusion, old people today often cannot understand technology because it is a seismic shift in perspective and the solutions involve patient training at work and home. In this way, the benefits of technology can be extended to a generation that missed out on them in their youth.

Answers

difficulty acclimating trouble getting used to

main cause primary source

novel nature new kind

computer revolution advent of computers, internet, digital tech

best solutions involve better remedies relate to

have trouble catching up are having a tough time learning

new developments in technology changes in technology

fundamentally novel basically new

require a skill set need new skills/abilities

completely foreign totally different

grow up be raised

type write on a computer

set up online accounts join sites and apps

remember passwords recall your login/password

troubleshoot IT problems fix issues with your computer

navigate find their way through

various internet-based apps applications like Instagram, Messenger, etc.

born into were raised during

second nature natural

learning curve is often too steep too hard to pick up something new

simple process easy way to

locating programs find applications

unfamiliar interface confusing layout

overwhelming too much to handle

serves as the principle is the main

initial barrier first thing stopping people

relate to involve

require special training programs need assistance/guidance

competence ability to do something

detailed instructions clear guides

retired no longer working

particularly if they live far apart especially if they don’t live near each other

extremely motivated very interested in, really wanting to

stay in touch keep in contact

loved ones family, friends

simple instructions clear guides

video-conferencing talking with smartphones/cameras

routine task normal activity

seismic shift in perspective huge change in how you see the world

benefits of technology boons from technology

extended brought to

missed out didn’t have the chance to use

youth young people

Pronunciation

Listen and repeat:

ˈdɪfɪkəlti əˈklaɪmeɪtɪŋ 
meɪn kɔːz 
ˈnɒvəl ˈneɪʧə 
kəmˈpjuːtə ˌrɛvəˈluːʃən 
bɛst səˈluːʃənz ɪnˈvɒlv 
hæv ˈtrʌbl ˈkæʧɪŋ ʌp 
njuː dɪˈvɛləpmənts ɪn tɛkˈnɒləʤi
ˌfʌndəˈmɛntli ˈnɒvəl
rɪˈkwaɪər ə skɪl sɛt 
kəmˈpliːtli ˈfɒrɪn 
grəʊ ʌp 
taɪp
sɛt ʌp ˈɒnˌlaɪn əˈkaʊnts
rɪˈmɛmbə ˈpɑːswɜːdz
ˈtrʌbəlˌʃʊt ɪt ˈprɒbləmz 
ˈnævɪgeɪt 
ˈveərɪəs ˈɪntəˌnɛt-beɪst æps
bɔːn ˈɪntuː 
ˈsɛkənd ˈneɪʧə 
ˈlɜːnɪŋ kɜːv ɪz ˈɒf(ə)n tuː stiːp
ˈsɪmpl ˈprəʊsɛs 
ləʊˈkeɪtɪŋ ˈprəʊgræmz 
ˌʌnfəˈmɪliər ˈɪntəˌfeɪs 
ˌəʊvəˈwɛlmɪŋ 
sɜːvz æz ðə ˈprɪnsəpl
ɪˈnɪʃəl ˈbærɪə
rɪˈleɪt tuː 
rɪˈkwaɪə ˈspɛʃəl ˈtreɪnɪŋ ˈprəʊgræmz 
ˈkɒmpɪtəns 
ˈdiːteɪld ɪnˈstrʌkʃənz 
rɪˈtaɪəd 
pəˈtɪkjʊləli ɪf ðeɪ lɪv fɑːr əˈpɑːt
ɪksˈtriːmli ˈməʊtɪveɪtɪd 
steɪ ɪn tʌʧ 
lʌvd wʌnz 
ˈsɪmpl ɪnˈstrʌkʃənz 
ˈvɪdɪəʊ-ˈkɒnfərənsɪŋ 
ruːˈtiːn tɑːsk
ˈsaɪzmɪk ʃɪft ɪn pəˈspɛktɪv 
ˈbɛnɪfɪts ɒv tɛkˈnɒləʤi 
ɪksˈtɛndɪd
mɪst aʊt 
juːθ

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

Many older people today have d_________________________g to new technology. The m______________e of this is the n______________e of the c__________________________n and the b___________________________e education.

The elderly h______________________________p with n_________________________________y because computers and the internet are f___________________________l. Computers r_______________________t that is c___________________________n to individuals who did not g______________p in the last 30 years. To use a computer, one must be able to t______e, s______________________________s, r__________________________s, t_____________________________s and n________________e both the internet and v__________________________________s. For those b_______________o the internet era, this is all s____________________e but for others the l____________________________________p. The s_____________________s of turning on a computer and l_______________________s using an u__________________________e can be o_____________________g and s__________________________e, i_______________________r.

The best solutions for this r_______________o education. Older people who are still working r__________________________________s and patience from their employers and themselves. C__________________e is likely given d___________________________s and enough time to practice. Moreover, many r______________d older people want to spend more time with their children, grandchildren and old friends but it can be difficult to travel, p____________________________t. Old people would be e_____________________d to make video calls and s_______________h with l_______________s with applications like Skype, Facetime and Facebook Messenger. Through s_________________________s from family members, it is possible v_________________________g could become a r________________k.

In conclusion, old people today often cannot understand technology because it is a s______________________________e and the solutions involve patient training at work and home. In this way, the b__________________________y can be e____________________d to a generation that m__________________t on them in their y____________h.

Listen and check:

Listening Practice

Watch a trailer for a documentary about cyber-seniors here:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic from the BBC here:

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-32511489

Speaking Practice

Answer the following questions from the real IELTS speaking exam related to relatives:

Relatives

Are your relatives or friends more important to you?

When did you last see your relatives?

How do you spend time with your relatives?

Are people in your country usually close with their relatives?

Real Past IELTS Exam

Writing Practice

Write about the following topic then check with my sample answer:

Even though doctors advise old people to get more exercise, many old people do not get enough.

What are the reasons for this?

What are some possible solutions for this?

Real Past IELTS Exam

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Old People & Exercise (Real Past IELTS Exam)