7 WritingIELTS Writing questions about technology rarely test technical knowledge. The examiner wants to see whether you make a clear judgement about the effect of technology and explain it with specific reasons. This article suggests how to choose an argument, which expressions to use, and one common mistake when writing on this topic.
- Identify the question typeOpinion, Discussion, or Advantages and Disadvantages
- Choose an argumentOne idea that answers the question asked
- Write one paragraphReason, explanation, hypothetical example
- CheckCover the model paragraph and explain it in your own words
- Revise and practise againChange one detail and write it again
What technology questions usually ask
The questions tend to circle a few directions: does technology make people more distant from each other, from what age should children use electronic devices, will machines replace workers, can online learning replace the traditional classroom. The question can be Opinion, Discussion or Advantages and Disadvantages, so identify the type before you choose an argument. How to write each type is in the opinion essay guide and the discussion essay guide.
For more detail on each type, see how to write an opinion essay and how to write discussion and advantages-and-disadvantages essays.
Arguments that work for many questions
Instead of memorising one model essay, prepare a few ideas you can adjust to the question.
| Direction | Reason you can develop | Note when writing |
|---|---|---|
| Technology saves time | Repetitive work is automated, and workers spend their time on tasks that need judgement | Name which work; avoid a vague "all jobs" |
| Technology widens learning opportunities | People far from a centre can still reach materials and lectures | Consider conditions such as internet connection and devices |
| Technology reduces direct contact | Messaging replaces meeting in person, and there is less time with family | Separate "reduces" from "disappears completely" |
| Technology raises privacy issues | Personal data is collected and stored | Do not invent figures or the names of specific incidents |
Each idea is only a starting point. You still have to explain why the idea answers the question asked.
Expressions to choose
Words that are accurate enough are better than rare words used in the wrong context.
- automate goes with a specific task: automate routine tasks.
- access is both a noun and a verb: gain access to online courses, access information.
- rely on: rely on mobile devices for communication.
- face-to-face interaction, often used when comparing with communication through a screen.
- privacy concerns: usually go with whoever collects the data, such as online platforms.
Make up a sentence with each phrase before you use it in an essay, and check the grammar of that sentence.
One body paragraph as an illustration
A question written for this article: Some people think that technology has made people less sociable. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Technology can reduce the time people spend together in person. When family members each use a separate screen at home, conversations that once happened over a meal may no longer take place. For example, a family that watches different programmes on different devices has fewer shared moments to talk. This suggests that technology can weaken face-to-face relationships when it replaces, rather than supports, personal contact.
The first sentence gives the reason, the second explains it, the third gives a hypothetical situation, and the last returns to the question. The situation is only an illustration, not a statistic.
A common mistake: calling technology good or bad in absolute terms
Questions often contain words like less, more and replace. If you write "technology is completely harmful" or "technology only has benefits", it is hard to hold that position once you need an example. A conditional judgement ("when technology replaces direct communication...") is easier to explain and stays closer to the question.
Next practice
Choose one idea from the table and write a body paragraph. Then cover the illustration above and, in your own words, comment on your paragraph: which idea has answered the question and which is only extra information. When you want feedback on a paragraph, you can use a lesson with step-by-step guidance and AI feedback, or try the first two chapters for free. AI can be wrong; the score is only for finding what to fix.
To try a Task 2 essay on technology, paste it into the free IELTS Writing checker: one free check, and 3 more free checks after you sign up. AI scores are for reference only.