IELTS Topic: Computers & Technology
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.
Vocabulary/ Expressions
Access to the Internet: (Verb phrase)
Able to connect to the Internet
I always have a good access to the internet.
Advances in technology:(Verb phrase)
Progressive forward movement in technology
There has been a lot of change in the advances of technology in the past few years.
Backup your files : (Verb phrase)
To save your data to another device
It is always wise to backup your files.
Become rapidly obsolete:(Verb phrase)
Quickly become out of date / old technology
Windows 5 has become rapidly obsolete, as it is no longer in use in the modern world.
Computer literate: (adjective)
Adequate knowledge of a computer
I am a computer literate person.
Control remotely: (Verb phrase)
To control technology from a distance
Many devices can be controlled remotely in the modern world.
Downloading from the Internet: (Verb phrase)
Take data off from the server onto your own computer.
We have just downloaded a new file from the internet.
Device: (noun)
a machine, for example, a phone or a computer, that can be used to connect to the internet
The remote device has become very useful in the modern world, as it makes our daily tasks more convenient.
Gadget: (noun)
a small device or machine with a particular purpose (mechanical or electrical)
I just bought a new camping gadget that does many things that are useful for survival in the great outdoors.
Free up: (phrasal verb)
make something available to be used (memory or space)
My harddrive is full so I will need to free up some space before I can download any more content.
to Format: (Verb)
1 : to arrange (something, such as material to be printed or stored data) in a particular format. 2 : to prepare (something, such as a computer disk) for storing data in a particular format
My harddrive is not working properly so I will need to format it and re-load my documents.
PART 1 QUESTIONS
Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the first part, the examiner will ask you a number of general questions
Topic
Now let’s talk about computers
How often do you use a computer?
Do you enjoy using computers?
When did you last play a computer game?
Is there anything you would like to learn to do on a computer?
Let’s talk about science and technology
How interested are you in learning about technology?
Do you prefer to read books or watch videos to learn about technology?
Did you learn a lot about science and technology at school?
How important is knowledge of technology in your everyday life?
Now let’s discuss search engines on computers
Which computer search engines do you like to use?
Do you think it is easy or difficult to use a search engine?
How often do you use search engines?
Do you prefer to search for information on your computer or mobile phone?
PART 2 QUESTIONS
Individual long turn (3-4 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
You will have 1 minute to prepare to speak, and then you will talk for 2 minutes, during which the examiner will not speak.
Part 2 – sample task card
Sample A
Part 2 Questions
Describe an issue you experienced while using the internet.
You should say:
What the issue was
Where you were and what you were doing at the time
How you solved the problem and what your thoughts were about this problem.
Sample B
Part 2 Questions
Describe a new piece of technology you would like to own.
You should say:
What type of technology it is
What you can do with it and how it can help you
What your thoughts are on this piece of technology, and if you purchase this piece of technology in the future.
Sample C
Part 2 Questions
Talk about a time you had a problem with a device.
You should say:
what was the device
when you had the problem
what was the problem and explain how you fixed the problem.
PART 3 QUESTIONS
Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the last part, you will talk with the examiner about issues related to the topic on the card.
What are some of the most important uses for technology?
Do you agree that some people use technology far too much these days?
What differences are there between the attitudes of older and younger people towards technology?
Do you think that the advance of technology has improved standards of education in schools?
Would you agree that the rapid development of digital technology has had a positive impact on the world of work?
Do you think that the rate of technological expansion will slow down or increase in the years to come?
