Plan this problem and solution essay about technology with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Modern technology such as email and smartphones means that many people feel they must be available at all times, which causes stress.
What problems does this cause? What measures could be taken to solve it?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Email and smartphones mean that many people feel they have to be available at all times, which causes stress. This essay will discuss the problems this creates and suggest some measures to deal with it.
The central problem is the loss of boundaries between work and private life. When employees receive messages in the evening or at weekends, they feel pressure to respond immediately, so they never fully relax. This constant alertness raises anxiety, disrupts sleep and reduces concentration, and over time it can cause burnout. Relationships suffer too, since family members compete with a phone for attention. Social media adds another layer, creating a fear of missing out and a sense that one must respond to every message and notification straight away. Workers who fail to respond quickly may worry that they will be seen as lazy, although few employers actually expect such availability.
Several solutions are possible. Governments can follow France in introducing a right to disconnect, which protects employees from penalties if they ignore work messages outside their working hours. Employers can set clear rules, for instance that emails are not expected after a certain time, and managers should set an example by not sending messages late at night. Individuals also have a role to play: they can turn off non-essential notifications, keep phones out of the bedroom, schedule times to check email and set aside periods without screens, such as during meals. Technology firms could help by designing tools that let users limit alerts or set automatic replies.
In conclusion, the expectation of constant availability harms health and relationships, but legal protection, sensible workplace policies and personal discipline can restore healthier boundaries. Technology should serve people, not control them.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| always-on culture | expecting constant availability |
| right to disconnect | freedom from work contact |
| notification overload | too many alerts |
| digital detox | break from devices |
| work boundaries | limits between job and home |
| mental fatigue | tiredness of the mind |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
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