Describe a piece of technology that you use often
Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.
Practice it like the exam
Describe a piece of technology that you use often.
You should say:
- what it is
- how long you have had it
- what you use it for
and explain how it has made your life easier.
Ready
1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.
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Band 8 sample answer
274 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.
The piece of technology I use most often is my laptop. I have had it for about three years, and I bought it with money I saved from a summer job. It is a medium-sized, lightweight computer with a good battery, which means I can carry it everywhere.
I use it for all kinds of things. The most important one is studying. I write essays, create presentations, take online classes and search for information for my assignments. I also use it for entertainment, such as watching films, listening to music and talking to friends via video calls. And lately I have started to learn programming, so I spend a couple of hours a day writing simple code. If I did not have it, I honestly do not know how I would manage, because almost everything connected with my university takes place online.
It has made my life easier in a number of ways. First, it saves me an enormous amount of time. In the past, I would have had to go to the library to find books or ask someone to explain a topic, but now I can find the answer in a few minutes. Second, it helps me stay organised, because I keep my timetable, notes and documents in one place. Third, it connects me with people who are far away. My sister studies in Germany, and we talk twice a week, which would be much harder without a computer.
Of course, there are downsides, like the temptation to spend hours on social media, but I try to control myself. On the whole, my laptop is the tool I rely on the most.
What to notice
- It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
- Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
- The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.
We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.
Getting ready for IELTS?
Useful vocabulary
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| user-friendly | easy to use |
| rely on | depend on |
| high-tech | using advanced modern technology |
| a time-saver | something that reduces the time needed for tasks |
| battery life | how long a device works before it must be charged |
| be glued to a screen | spend a lot of time looking at a screen |
Plan it in one minute
Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.
Who or what you could talk about
- Your smartphone and the apps you cannot live without
- A laptop you use for study or work
- A smart watch, tablet or e-reader
How to spend the two minutes
- 25 swhat it is
- 25 show long you have had it
- 25 swhat you use it for
- 45 sand explain how it has made your life easier.
Part 3 questions
In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Technology and daily life. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.
- Which technological inventions have changed people's lives the most?
- Do you think people depend too much on technology?
- How do older people feel about new technology compared with younger people?
- What are the possible negative effects of spending too much time on devices?
- Should schools teach children how to use technology from a young age?
- How will technology affect the way we work in the future?
Keep practicing
More cue cards: Objects
- Describe a device or gadget that saves you time in your daily life
- Describe an object that brings you luck or that you carry for good luck
- Describe a pair of shoes that you like or that are important to you
- Describe a collection that you or someone you know has
- Describe something that you borrowed from someone
- Describe a bicycle, car or other vehicle that you have used regularly
Part 1 topics on the same subject
Frequently asked questions
How should I describe an object in an IELTS cue card?
Say what it is and how you got it, then talk about how you use it and one moment when it mattered. Objects run out of description fast, so the story around the object is what fills the two minutes.
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