Television, Internet, Phones

Information Technology Vocabulary

Access The right to use or look at something Everybody should have access to the internet.
Advanced
Automation Connection
Communication
Device

A new idea or method

Invention
Machine
A piece of equipment with several moving parts which uses power to do a particular type of work

Factories now make use of machines to do a lot of the work humans used to do.
Machinary does most of the work in factories.
Up-to-date
Modern, recent, or containing the latest information

Teenagers think it is important to have the most up-to-date technology.

User-friendly
If something, especially something related to a computer, is user-friendly, it is simple for people to use

Modern mobile phones such as the i-phone are very user-friendly.

OBJECTS KEYWORD GESTURES DATA INTERACTION DEVICE INTERFACE INFORMATION COMPUTING SOFTWARE
Collocations: digital world, physical world, digital information, open-source
SAFETY=SECURITY=SAFENESS

PROVISION=PROCURING

NECESSITY –NEED ,
DIFFICULTY=BARRIER=OBSTacle=HURDLE=INTRACTABILITY

useful; of
. use; helpful; wholesome; effective; net; advantageous; adjuvant; adventitious; beneficial; good; healt
hy; profitable;serviceable; available; practicable; practical; salutary; valuable; of
avail; salubrious; healthsome; beneficent; subservient;practic; salutiferous; worthwhile т.п. masizon
enko); powerful; handy
Collocations and Phrases For IELTS Speaking Test – Topic: Technology

1. To browse the websites: to look at websites

Example: Whenever I have spare time, I enjoy browsing the websites to catch up on the up-to-date news
2. To surf the web: to look at a series of websites one after the other
Example: Mary had to surf the web to find information in order to finish her assignment.
3. To enter a web address: to type the web address of a website in to the address bar of your browser
Example: Typing a web address in to search bar is the most basic computer skill that users must know when they
start learning to use computer and the internet.
4. To bookmark a webpage: to mark a webpage for future purpose
Example: One of my habit is booking mark a webpage, which I find useful, for later researching.
5. To download somethings from the internet: to save a copy of a file from the internet to your own devices
Example: Peter loves to listen to his favorite tracks on mobile that he download from the internet.
6. To cut and paste: To move text or image from one place to another place
Example: Cutting and pasting the webpage address will save your time when surfing the internet compared to tying
webpage address by your fingers.
7. To back up files: to make a copy of files in case of computer problems
Example: Computer producers unusually advise that computer users should back up their important files to prevent
losing information in case of computer problems
8. To boot up: to start a computer
Example: My computer is the newest model, and I love the fact that it boots up really quickly
9. A computer buff: an expert computer user
Example: Liam is a computer buff, so when my laptop has problems I ask him for help.
10. To crash: to suddenly stop working
Example: Sometimes my computer crashes, and I just don’t know what to do. Thus call a computer buff for checking
up.
11. A techie: somebody who has an interest in technology
Example: I can say that I am a techie, I do research about computer and internet all the time.
12. High-spec (laptop): powerful computers with top high quality components
Example: It has been my dream to own a high-spec lap, which can play every up-to date games.
13. Wireless network: a network where users can access the internet without the use of fixed cables
Example: Setting up wireless network will be really convenient, because you can connect to the internet anytime
and anywhere in your home.
14. Wireless hotspot: a public place where you can access the internet
Example: I usually go to wireless hotspots such as coffee stores and libraries to do my home work.
15. Breakthrough: an important new discovery in technology
Example: Microchip is one of the greatest technological breakthrough that mankind has made.

• Hackers are launching attacks on o Hacking is in the news a lot

corporations as well as individuals recently, and could definitely
 come up on any part of the
IELTS Exam. The impressive
phrase here is ‘launching
attacks.’
• Top cyber-security threats
o ‘Cyber’ is much better than
‘online’ or ‘internet’. Also,
‘threats’ is better than ‘dangers’.
• Attack national infrastructures, like
the healthcare system
o ‘Infrastructures’ is an excellent
word to describe an
organizational network, such as
a system of roads, a power grid,
User-friendly
Easy to use
Access
Open a computer file
Scroll
Move up or down on the
screen
Operate
Work a machine
Keyboard
The keys on the computer,
typewriter or piano
Function
An action or purpose
something is designed for
Display
Show on a screen
Equipped
Have specific tools
Store
Save or keep save
vendor / seller
review
tech specs delivery / shipment / shipping e-commerce checkout cart money back
purchase .
refund
Definitions
• to access websites/email: to locate
or, in this case, the healthcare
system.
• Cyber espionage
o This is a parallel expression for
‘hacking’. ‘Espionage’ means
‘spying’.
• The banking industry is vulnerable
o ‘Vulnerable’ is a great adjective
meaning ‘weak’ or ‘open to
danger’.
• Update software to monitor threats
o ‘Monitor’ means to ‘keep track
of’.
Designed to reduce the
Data amount of work needed to
Information do something.
Memory Surpass
The part of the computer Exceed
that stores information
Virtual
Cyber Not physically existing as
Relating to, or involving such but made by software
computers or computer to appear to do so.
networks
Device
Gadget-filled Gadget, appliance,
Packed with devices and apparatus
gizmos
Speculate
Cutting-edge Theorize, hypothesize
The forefront, the position
of greatest advancement Silicon chip
A tiny wafer of silicon used
Prototype to make an integrated
An original type, form, or circuit; a microchip.
instance serving as a basis
or standard Cyberspace
The notional environment
Labour saving in which communication
over computer networks
occurs.
• to back up files: to make a copy of files in case of a computer problem
• to boot up: to start a computer
• to bookmark a webpage: to mark a webpage for future reference
• to browse websites: to look at websites
• a computer buff: an expert computer user
• to crash: to suddenly stop working
• to cut and paste: to move text or images from one place in a document to another place
• a desktop PC: a computer that isn’t portable and remains in situ on a desk
• digital editing: to edit digital materials like audio or video files
• download (podcasts): to save a copy of a file from the internet to your own device
• to enter a web address: to type the address of a website into the address bar of your browser
• a gadget: a technological tool like a mobile phone or camera
• to go online: to start using the Internet
• high-spec (laptop): powerful computer with top quality components
• Internet security: Internet safety
• intranet: a network of connected computers within an organisation that is not accessible by unauthorised
visitors
• to navigate a website: to find your way around a website
• operating system: the software that tells the computer how to work
• send an attachment: send an email with an accompanying file
• social media: media used to interact with other people such as Facebook or Twitter
• to surf the web: to look at a series of websites one after the other
• a techie: somebody who has an interest in technology
• to upgrade: to obtain a more powerful or feature-rich computer or piece of software
• video conferencing: to see and hear people from different locations using the Internet
• wireless hotspot: a public place where you can access the Internet
• wireless network: a network where users can access the Internet without the use of fixed cables
• word processing; producing written texts on a computer
• computer age: the period in modern history characterized by rapid technology development and
widespread computer use.Living in a computer age has many benefits.
• computer buff: a user who is good at working with a computer.Mike is a computer buff. He got an
A+ on his programming exam.
• computer fatigue: a syndrome of tiredness resulting from long computer usage.About 60% of IT
specialists are affected by computer fatigue.
• cutting-edge: something innovational and leading.Cutting-edge technology.
• desktop PC: a personal computer that remains on a desk.I have an old desktop PC that I use for
surfing the net when I’m home.
• digital editing: a process of changing digital materials like audio or video files.Being good at
digital editing is essential in our time.
• download (podcasts): to save a copy of a file from the internet to your own device.Yesterday I
downloaded a few films that I plan to watch during the weekends.
• essential: something you can’t imagine your life without.Internet is an essential piece of
technology for many people.
• gadget: an advanced piece of technology, like smartphone.Nowadays almost everybody owns a
gadget.
• geek: someone who is obsessed with technology, especially computers.My friend is a real geek. He
owns a bunch of computers and other gadgets.
• hold the line: wait a minute.She told me to hold the line, because she had to open the door.
• large screen: a big-sized monitor.A few days ago I decided to renew my computer, so I bought a
large screen for it.
• light years ahead: very far away from.Modern computers are light years ahead of those which
people used in 90s.
• on the cutting edge: at the forefront of progress.Paul's new laptop is on the cutting edge of
technology.
• operating system: the most important program that runs the computer.I chose to buy a laptop
which is based on the Windows operating system.
• out of steam: tired, exhausted.Due to today's intense workday I am out of steam, so I won’t be
able to work tomorrow.
 • rocket science: a very complicated subject for someone.Biology is a rocket science for me. I don’t
understand anything in it.
• send an attachment: send an email with an added file.My brother sent an attachment with his
homework to the professor.
• silver surfer: an old person, who uses the Internet.Uncle Bob is a silver surfer. He uses the
Internet every day, although he’s almost 70.
• social media: media used to interact with other people.Facebook is the biggest social media in the
world.
• time-consuming and inefficient: something that takes too much of your time and isn’t rational
to do.I find watching football time-consuming and inefficient.
• to access websites/email: to visit websites/email.John accessed his email today to see if he had
received any letters.
• to back up files: to make a copy of files in case of a computer problem.I had to back up files on
my computer, because I was going to reinstall my operating system.
• to be stuck behind a computer: to use computer for a long period of time.A lot of teenagers are
stuck behind their computers all day.
• to boot up: to start a computer.I booted up my computer as soon as I got home.
• to browse websites: to search for websites.I spent a few hours browsing the websites today,
until I found was I was looking for.
• to crash: to suddenly stop working.My computer crashed when I was writing my essay.
• to go online: to use the Internet.Millions of people go online every day.
• to navigate a website: to find what you need on the website.Navigating a website is not very
easy, especially if the website is poorly designed.
• to pull the plug: to end an activity.After being stuck behind a computer all day, I decided to pull
the plug.
• to push someone's buttons: to do specific thing to irritate somebody (usually intentionally).I
became so angry because he pushed my buttons by adding pepper to my ice cream!
• to surf the web: to look through websites, searching for something you need, or simply for
entertainment.I was surfing the web yesterday for three hours, because I had nothing else to do.
• to upgrade: to renew a software or a piece hardware.Thanks to the new program for students, I
updated my computer for free.
• well-oiled machine: something that works perfectly well.My computer, despite being 7 years old,
is still a well-oiled machine.
• widespread computer use: that is to say people use computers very often.
• Wi-Fi hotspots: a public place where you can access the Internet.Our university has a Wi-Fi
hotspot. It is very convenient.
• wireless network: a network where users can access the Internet without using any cables.We
have installed a wireless network at home.
• word processing: writing, editing and producing words on a computer, using special
programs.There are tons of word processing programs.

Some advantages of technology

▪ To help somebody to keep in touch with friends and

family: to maintaincommunications with someone
Example: The availability of advanced technology helps people to keep in touch with their friends and
family who travel abroad.

▪ To make education accessible to countryside students: give countryside students the chance to
study
Example: Equipping remote schools with more computers could make education accessible to the
countryside students.

Some disadvantages of technology

▪ To lack social skills

Example: Children who spend too much time in front of computer screens will lead to lacking social skills.
▪ To face health problems
Example: Individuals using smart phones too
much time might face some health problems
related to eyes.
Positives of television
• Watching television is a good way to relax
• It is many people’s favorite way to wind down
after a hard day at work
• Television programs can be entertaining and
enjoyable
• Viewers have access to a huge variety of
entertainment channels
• Television brings the best comedians,
musicians and actors into our homes
• Programmers can also be informative and
educational
• News coverage makes the public aware of
events around the world
• Documentaries can make learning more
interesting
Negatives of Television
• Television is having a negative impact on
society
• Some people link violence on television with
crime rates in the real world
• Children copy the behavior they see on the
screen
• Children are less healthy because they spend
less time palying
• Advertisers direct their marketing at children
• Most programs do not require much thought
• Watching TV is a waste of time
Opinions about Television
• Television has many benefits
• However, it can be addictive
• Children should play outside rather than sit in
front of a screen all day
• Behaviour shown on TV can influence people
• Parents should choose carefully what their
children watch
• Children should not be exposed to violence,
swearing or sexual images
• Advertising during children’s programs should
be strictly controlled
• TV companies should make more positive,
educational programs
Positives of the Internet
There are many advantages to using the Internet
It gives us instant access to information on almost any
subject
Shops and other services are now available online
People can buy goods and services from the comfort
of their homes
The Internet is starting to replace other forms of
entertainment
It has revolutionized communication
We can keep in touch by email or instant messenger
services
Video messaging is becoming common for business
meetings
Negatives of the internet
Many websites contain offensive content
Some sites show violent or sexual images
Parents find it difficult to control what their children
see online
They do not always know who their children are
chatting to
With so many websites it is difficult to search for good
information
Criminals increasingly use the Internet to steal
people’s money
Internet compared to newspaper and books
Newspapers and books are now published online as
well as in print
We can read the news in any language from any
country in the world
It costs nothing to publish or access information on
the Internet
The Internet allows anybody to publish their own
writing
Newspaper articles and books are written by
professionals
Professionals produce better quality writing than
amateur
People still buy newspapers and books because they
are portable
People do not like reading from a screen
Positives of Mobile Phones
The mobile phone is the most popular gadget in
today’s world
Mobile phones have revolutionized the way we
communicate
We can stay in touch with family, friends and • allows friends and family overseas to stay
colleagues wherever we are connected
Users can send text messages, surf the Internet, take • gives everybody the chance to have a
photos and listen to music public voice
Mobiles have also become fashion accessories
Disadvantages

Negatives of Mobile Phones • people may lose “real” social skills

Mobiles phones can be a problem in some public • people may spend less time socialising
places face-to-face
Ringing phones cause disturbance in cinemas and
• people may become more introverted
school lessons
• people may become addicted to social
Some people are not aware that others can hear their
network sites
conversations
• people spend too much time in front of a
Mobile phones may also interfere with electronic
screen
equipment
Their waves could cause damage to our brains Technology and Education
Mobile phones can also be a dangerous distraction
Using a phone while driving reduces the driver’s • interactive whiteboards
concentration • e-learning courses /e-books
Mobile phones are a popular target for thieves • online degrees
• self-access centres / study
Opinion about Mobile Phones
The benefits of mobile phones outweigh the • online teaching / tutoring / training
drawbacks • blended learning (online + face-to-face)
We need to use these phones with care
Advantages
Uses of internet for communication
• offers more flexibility for the learner
• sending emails • allows people in rural areas the same
study opportunities
• sending text messages
• cheaper for students (no travel /
• tele-conferencing
accommodation costs)
• video conferencing
• students & teachers are less bound by
• online chatting time and space

• social networking Technology and Work

• blogging
• automated processes
• posting messages on forums
• automated manufacturing
• using an intranet system
• automated customer services
Advantages • high-tech computer systems

• offers immediate communication • computerised filing / administrative

systems
• cheaper than telephone calls / face-to-face
meetings • huge databases

• allows global communication without the • intranet system / internal emailing

need to travel
Disadvantages
• more convenient / people can
communicate on-the-move
• has made some jobs redundant
• gives customers less personal service
• requires staff to be technically skilled Useful linkers for giving reasons
• may cause security issues / files may be • due to (the fact that)
lost
• because of
• requires a lot of investment
• because
• breakdowns in the system may cause
severe problems • as a result of
• that’s (the reason) why

ESSAYS

1) Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology.
In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships that people make? Has this been a
positive or negative development?
It is true that new technologies have had an influence on communication between people. Technology has
affected relationships in various ways, and in my opinion there are both positive and negative effects.
Technology has had an impact on relationships in business, education and social life. Firstly, telephones
and the Internet allow business people in different countries to interact without ever meeting each
other. Secondly, services like Skype create new possibilities for relationships between students and
teachers. For example, a student can now take video lessons with a teacher in a different city or
country. Finally, many people use social networks, like Facebook, to make new friends and find people who
share common interests, and they interact through their computers rather than face to face.
On the one hand, these developments can be extremely positive. Cooperation between people in different
countries was much more difficult when communication was limited to written letters or telegrams.
Nowadays, interactions by email, phone or video are almost as good as face-to-face meetings, and many
of us benefit from these interactions, either in work or social contexts. On the other hand, the availability of
new communication technologies can also have the result of isolating people and discouraging real
interaction. For example, many young people choose to make friends online rather than mixing with their
peers in the real world, and these ‘virtual’ relationships are a poor substitute for real friendships.
In conclusion, technology has certainly revolutionised communication between people, but not all of the
outcomes of this revolution have been positive.
(257 words, band 9)

2) When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless
to try and keep them alive.To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Nowadays, technological advances and their rapid and wide applications are having a significant impact on a
nation’s traditional skills and ways of life. Some argue that such impact is so extraordinary that it would make
conventional skills and life styles obsolete. However, I believe they would continue to thrive by providing
alternatives to modern ways of life, and innovative ideas for modern technologies.

First of all, traditional skills and ways of life are becoming an alternative solution to the problems caused by
“mainstreamed” ways of life which are greatly influenced by modern technologies. For instance, a cozy restaurant
where traditional, home-brewed beer is served, offers another experience to people who are bored with branded
beers that have the same flavor and come out of mass production with new technologies. It is in such a venue
where traditional skills are preserved, people become relaxed and educated. Providing diversity and thus enriching
modern ways of life, such traditional skills and ways of life would continue to have their place.

Furthermore, conventional skills provide innovative ideas to the development of modern technologies. For
example, sparkled by how the word “Love” is traditionally knitted into a sweater by some ethnic minority women
in some parts of Asia, some business managers from textile industry have developed some production lines by
applying the traditional skills to Computer-Aided Designs (CAD). The products have boosted the companies’ sales
which in turn have increased their investment in preserving traditional skills for further developing their
technologies.

To conclude, traditional skills and life styles are increasingly becoming a useful alternative to the homogeneity
brought by global applications of modern technologies. However, the evolution of technologies is a selection
process, whereby some would become obsolete, but there is no doubt that some would thrive when their roles are
appreciated.

Band 8 essay.

3) Modern technology is now very common in the most workplaces. How do you think this
has changed the way we work? Do you think there are disadvantages to relying too much
on technology?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.

Sample Essay:
Innovative and latest technology such as internet and computer have an intense effect on the people, especially in their
workplaces. As a result, the method of working is transforming continuously. These days, technology has epidemically flared
and even overtaking the humans, who are the inventors of the technology. I personally believe that there are more pitfalls on
relying technology than the advantages it offers.
Technology made us work less and move even least. We rely on computer and the internet to have our work done. The
faster communication has made the global business a reality, though not without a cost.

No doubt, technology has negative impacts on the human. Firstly, technology had made people extremely sponger. For
instance, people used to travel on foot to in the past especially, in India. As a consequence people remained active and fit
and also free from ample of ailments namely fatigue, heart disease and severe disease like cancer as well. Their average
life expectancy was far more than the generation we see now. Though it is claimed that technological advancement has
enhanced people’s lifespan and cured many diseases, I do not see that it is true. When it was common for people to live
more than 100 years in the past, many people nowadays dies at their early 60s.

Moreover, technology has a greater impact on the young generation. Most of the students and children even cannot do
brainstorming in time base task. In addition to this, scholars and children, are losing their own personal skills, this is all
because they are not using their own knowledge and creativity. As an example, most of the students are using Wikipedia
and imitating the same text in their projects or assignment which is an abominable way to pass the exam. The way people
are becoming dependent on technology, a simple mistake on a calculation or a wrong decision taken by a computer device
will create a disaster. Consider the nuclear research centre where everything is computerised. If a computer virus attacks
this station or a hacker hack this station, this could lead to a global catastrophe.

Our relationship with each other has seriously been affected due to the modern technology like smartphones, computers
and social networking websites. People no longer interact each other in person so intimacy among them is plunging day by
day. To illustrate, webcams and the internet are the predominant reasons behind this. Technology has reached to the
institution where students get best study (smart classes) hence communications among students and tutors are dropping.

To encapsulate, technology has alleviated humans to some extent but, when the technology will advance to the redundant
level and we will solely rely on this - it will be the Doomsday for the Earth.
4) Modern technology now allows rapid and uncontrolled access to and exchange of
information. Far from being beneficial, this is a danger to our societies.To what extent do
you agree or disagree?
Sample Essay 1:
It is true that with the rapid development of technology, people have unlimited access to various information and
exchange database freely these days. Despite all benefits, some people believe that it is harmful and dangerous for
our communities. To a certain point I would agree that it could be dangerous, but if we have proper control over
technological use then it would be useful from many aspects.

On one hand, the advance development of modern technology has allowed people to gain access to so many
websites, database, and information hub and to exchange them. All governments and companies are using computer
technology to store and maintain their confidential information these days. Certain people believe that the
development is dangerous for our societies as it could be misused for any crime activities. For example, a computer
hacker might have access to a bank information system and use a person's credit card number. In another case, the
hacker might steal top secret information from the government and sell them to the terrorists.

Despite all the treats, the easy access to information system has brought countless benefits to the humankind.
Firstly, with the development of the internet technology, scientists could effectively perform their research. By
having access to so many websites, it has saved a lot of the scientists’ time when they have to investigate things,
rather than to go to the library and search for books and journals. Secondly, with the easy access to information
system, it also helps students in learning new things. In the past, students only got information through books, but
these days they can learn from various platforms. For example, when they want to learn new things, they can also
learn from another format such as video. There are thousands of free video websites such as YouTube and Vimeo,
where they can access them and find some informative lessons. Having central databases of citizens is a great way
for the government to tackle illegal immigration, crime and social problems.

In conclusion, to a certain extent, I would agree that the easy access to various information and exchange of
database could be harmful to the humankind. However, I also believe that this development also brings a lot of
benefits to the societies, as scientists have become more effective in doing their researches. I personally believe that
the government should have a strict regulation about the access and design a proper control system which would
prevent the misuse of the information.
[ Written by - Darwin Lesmana ]
5) Modern technology is creating a single world culture.
Man, through the ages, has undergone many changes from the time when he depicted a herd of mammoths on the
walls of the cave to these days when he can chat with someone on the other side of the globe. Modern technology is
rapidly changing the world's living standards that result in creating a single world culture. New technologies
including Internet, television, electronic media, means of transportation, etc has a great impact on creating a similar
culture all around the globe. Bellow I will list my reasons to support my opinion.

First of all, Internet and e-mail have changed the way people communicate with each other. The Internet brought
many benefits. It is a new means of communication, a fast access to information and news. People communicate
with each other, share their ideas, happiness and difficulties. We have a great opportunity to find out more about
countries and their history.

Second, the modern means of transportation allows people to move from one place to another very quickly. A few
centuries ago it was impossible to imagine waking up in one country and falling asleep in another.

Finally, as a result of all mentioned above the boundaries between countries, their traditions and customs are
erased. Many people migrate during their lives. Some of them are looking for a better place to live, others want to
get new experience and knowledge or just pleasure. So, many families are created between people from different
countries. Traditions fuse and evolve into other ones or just vanish.

To sum up, modern technology has a great impact on the way people live now. It is creating a new single world
culture where traditions and distances are no longer of that importance.
(Approximately 286 words)
We are becoming increasingly dependent on computer technology. It is used in business,
crime detection and even to fly planes. What will it be used for in future? Is this dependence on
technology a good thing or should we be suspicious of its benefits?
As we move into the twenty-first century, it is clear to see that we have become more and more
dependent on computers and information technology. This technology now reaches into almost every
area of our lives and it is easy to predict that this phenomenon is only going to grow. My personal
belief is that this presents a variety of dangers.

It is highly likely that in the future there will be comparatively few aspects of our lives that will not be
influenced by computer technology. The probability is that it will control more and more forms of
communication, transforming fields such as education and business when video-conferencing
platforms become more stable. It might even affect romance with more people forming relationships
online.

While there may be benefits to this technological revolution, there are also a number of potential
dangers. Perhaps the most serious of these would be that if people rely on computers too much for
communication, they could in fact begin to communicate less well. For example, if every member of a
family had their own computer screen and smart phone, they might speak less and less often to one
another and simply look at a screen. This would be serious because our ability to communicate is an
essential part of our humanity.

My conclusion is that the growth of computer technology is inevitable, but that this may not be
entirely positive. Just one area in which it is possible to foresee dangers is communication, and if we
are going to ensure that computers do not become a negative influence, we need to think carefully
how we use them.

6) Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of
technology.
In what ways has technology affected personal relationships ? Has this become a positive or
negative development?
Advances in technology have without doubt influenced the way we communicate with each other in a
number of different ways. While some of this change can have a negative influence on the we way
interact, my view is that overall modern technology typically improves communication in personal
relationships.

It is clear that technology has changed the way we communicate in several respects. Perhaps the
clearest example of this is that nowadays many people prefer to keep in touch to their friends and
relatives using applications and social networking sites like FaceTime, Skype and Facebook. Another
way this change is evident is how the email and texting have almost completely replaced the letter as
the primary form of written communication. Because these modern forms of communication are
typically much more convenient and instant, one result is that we can communicate more easily with
people who we do not see on a daily basis.
I would argue that these innovations have mostly improved personal relationships. The principal
benefit is that it just so much easier to stay in touch with people we might otherwise lose contact with.
It is for example now very straightforward to keep in contact with friends from university who move to
different cities after they graduate and this means relationships last longer. The only real drawback is
that sometimes people become so addicted to their online social networks that they stop
communicating with friends in the real world. That, however, is a minor issue.

My conclusion is therefore that new forms technological communication have in fact largely improved
human interaction because emails, texting and social networks enable us to maintain friendships which
might otherwise be lost.

(278 words)

7) Television has had a significant influence on the culture of many societies. To what extent would you say
that television has positively or negatively affected the cultural development of your society?
Use your own knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

You should write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1:
It has been many years since television was first introduced to people and people today still have mixed views on
whether it has a positive or a negative influence on the society.
Many people believe that television damages culture. It promotes the stronger cultures of countries such as Britain
and North America and weakens the cultures of less wealthy countries. This is because the stronger, wealthier
countries are able to assert their own culture by producing more programs that are shown widely around the world.
These programs then influence people, particularly young people, in the countries where they are shown.

Also, because television networks need to attract large audiences to secure their financial survival, they must
produce programs which are interesting to a broad range of people. In many countries, this range is very broad
because we are a multicultural society and people of all ages like to watch television. To interest all these different
people, most television programs are short in length, full of action and excitement, do not require much intelligence
or knowledge to understand, and follow universal themes common to all cultures, such as love and crime. Television
programs which concentrate on or develop themes pertinent to one particular culture are not so successful because
they interest a smaller audience.

Nevertheless, we much acknowledge that television does have some positive effects on the cultures within a society
as well. People who do not live within their own culture can, in a limited way, access it through the multicultural
station on the television. For example, Aboriginal children who have grown up in white families, or migrants and
international students living in a foreign country, can watch programs from their own culture on the television.

In conclusion, I hold the view that television promotes and strengthens those cultures that are wealthy and
influential while it weakens the cultures that are already in a weakened position.

Some people say that television is a very useful tool when it comes to education. Others
argue that television is a much overused, ineffective teacher.
Discuss both of these views and give your opinion as to the usefulness of television as an educational tool.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

There is a lot of controversy on the topic whether TV can play a role of a teacher. Some people hold a viewpoint that
it can never be educational at all. Others, although, disagree, referring to TV's high potential of teaching through
amusement.

As a matter of fact, television nowadays can hardly be called educational. All those talk shows and soap operas we
see every day are a complete waste of time and can even have negative effects by distracting young and
undisciplined people from their studies. Moreover, the most of the so-called educational programs in channels like
National Geographic channel can not replace books and academic lectures because they tend to entertain people
and have not an aim to give deep and concentrated knowledge.

However, TV can be a powerful mean of delivering information and a nice part of learning process. Educational
Methodists have proved that the more senses are involved at the time of studying; the more effective result can be
achieved. Television produces both picture and sound, so its usefulness is obvious. Many teachers already use this
advantage actively by showing students video cassettes which go as supplementary material to many language
courses. So why not to broadcast such movies through television?

The problem of the ineffectiveness of television as an educational tool is in fact not a problem of television itself, but
of people who decide the content of the particular channel. It is hardly unlikely that content directors would
abandon their high profits and change talk shows to lectures and video lessons. Therefore, those, who insist on the
uselessness of TV, maybe right, but let us not forget that as technology improves new cheap ways of broadcasting
appear, for instance, video broadcasts. They can prove the exclusive power of such learning tool as television.

Watching television is bad for children.

Model Answer 2:
Some parents believe that watching television is bad for their children. So, they try to restrict their children from
watching TV. However, other parents think that there is nothing bad in watching TV programmes. Personally, I think
that watching TV brings tremendous benefits to the children unless they spend a lot of their valuable time in front of
a TV set daily. It is recommended that children should spend less than a couple of hours daily for watching TV
programmes and those programmes should be suitable for them. For the following reasons, which I will mention
bellow, I believe that television plays an essential role in a child's development.

First of all, television helps a child to extend his or her range of interests. Children can find out many new things and
make many exciting discoveries for themselves. In addition to this practical benefit, television improves children's
vocabulary, their memory and gives them the opportunity to gain more knowledge. I think it is essential for a child's
growth. Of cause, someone can say that there are plenty of different resources of information such as books and
teachers. But, I think, in our modern world children must learn faster and use all contemporary technology in order
to succeed. Secondly, watching cognitive programs helps children to learn more about wildlife, our environment and
about the importance of preserving our forest and wild animals that live there.

Scientists say that a child should not watch TV more than 40 minutes successively and not more than 2-3 hours per
day. For example, my mother always made us have a break after watching TV more than half an hour and let our
eyes rest for several minutes before turning on the TV again. She did not let us watch the TV all day long as well. I
think it is the best solution.

To sum up, I believe that television gives children and all people the opportunity to learn what can not be learnt
from books. Television and movies, in particular, allow people to feel the reality and see what they will most likely
not be able to see in their lives. Personally, when I was a child I liked to watch cognitive programs about wild
animals. Unfortunately, my family had only one TV, but these programs were the only ones we all wanted to watch.
So, we gathered in our living room and watched them in complete silence and I always remember those moments
with a smile on my face.
(Approximately 365 words)
10) Some people say that television is useful in education, while others say it is useful only
for entertainment. Do you agree or disagree?

Television redefined entertainment. From toddlers to seniors in their 70s and 80s everyone enjoys sitting in
front of the idiot box. In addition to entertaining people, television keeps them informed. There are
educational channels and twenty four hour news channels. They operate with the objective of providing
education rather than entertainment. Therefore I certainly agree with the argument that television is useful
in education.
Television brought entertainment to our living room. There are numerous channels and numerous
programs to keep us entertained for hours on end. Actually, a lot of us are addicted to television and now it
is nearly impossible to find a home that doesn’t have a television set. Television’s role as a major
entertainment tool is well-documented.

Television also plays an important role in disseminating education. There are several channels dedicated to
education. They provide information about the latest findings in the field of science, technology archeology
and literature. News channels keep us informed of the happenings around us. Since television takes
advantage of both audio and video it can have a profound impact on viewers. This makes learning easier.
For example, when students watch scientific experiments being performed on the TV, they will be able to
understand it better. Learning the theory from textbooks does not have such a profound impact.

Television also makes learning fun. Since television programs use tools such as multimedia and animation,
they manage to capture the attention of students for long. Channels like Discovery and National
Geographic have played a major role in spreading awareness about wildlife, history, geography and natural
phenomena. Watching a science program on Discovery Channel is a lot more interesting than reading
textbooks on biology or physics.

To conclude, television has played an important role in imparting education. It provides entertainment as
well, but it is wrong to treat it as a medium that provides only entertainment.

11) According to a recent study, the more time people use the Internet, the less time they spend with real human
beings. Some people say that instead of seeing the Internet as a way of opening up new communication
possibilities world- wide, we should be concerned about the effect this is having on social interaction.
How far do you agree with this opinion?
It is evident that, at present, people are spending a considerable amount of time on the Internet,
and thus spending less time with real people. I strongly agree that although this use of the Internet
has greatly increased the level of communication available, it has also had detrimental effects on
the amount and type of social interaction that takes place.

The benefits of the Internet in terms of increased communication are clear, with people connected
across the globe. In the past, communication was only possible by phone or mail, which entailed
time and expense. It also usually meant just keeping in contact with those people already known
to you. With the internet, this has changed dramatically. Email and social networking sites such as
Facebook and MSN have created online communities that are global in scale, and they have
fostered communication between people and countries that we would not have thought possible in
the not too distant past.

That said, there is no doubt in my mind that this has had negative impacts on social interaction.
People, especially the younger generation, spend hours of their time online, chatting and on
forums. Although this can be beneficial, it is certainly not the same as real interaction with human
beings and does not involve the same skills. It is important that children have and maintain real
friendships in order to develop their own interpersonal skills. Not only this, it can also have
negative effects on local communities if people are spending most of their time communicating
online and not mixing in their neighbourhoods, and possibly lead to feelings of isolation for those
individuals who do not have a ‘real’ person to turn to in times of need.

To conclude, I believe that the internet has undoubtedly been beneficial, but there are good
reasons to be concerned about social interaction in our societies. It is therefore important that we
maintain a balance between our online life and our contact with real human beings.

12) Some say that the Internet is making the world smaller by bringing people together. To what
extent do to you agree that the Internet is making it easier for people to communicate with one
another?
A global village, that is certainly what the world feels like nowadays. With the help of the world wide web, you can
reach out and get to know people you might never have met in person. Articles can be co-authored, business deals
can be finalized, degrees can be earned and at times even medical advice can be given- and all of this is just a click
away.

Electronic mail, instant messages, web cameras and microphones; all these gadgets and programs make the
presence of the other person more real. Who knows; with the help of visual reality you might even get a 3-D image
of the speaker! I believe that the Internet is one the best inventions of the last century, you can hardly get to miss
anyone and nobody is really out of reach. You can keep in touch with your friends, and be able to do your work from
your bedroom in your pajamas!
However, the internet can also be a major source of harassment. Spammers and hackers can invade your privacy and
get personal/confidential information, which otherwise they will never get access to. You are never out of anybody’s
reach, unless you make a conscious decision of not checking your email, there can be always more work waiting for
you in your inbox and you might never have a moment to yourself. Worse yet, if you were a workaholic, you might
never experience that stress-free vacation ever again in your life – simply, because you have your mobile workplace
with you at all times.
As a romantic, I will always look forward to getting an occasional letter in the snail mail. A personal letter, where I
can sense the mood of the writer by the slants in his/her handwriting and get to know him/her better. But as a type
A personality person, the internet gives me all what I dream of in terms of communication – the speed, reliability,
and convenience of time and place. I can certainly tolerate its shortcomings any day, as long as it keeps me close to
my loved ones.
13) The Internet when used as a source of information, has more drawbacks than advantages. To what
extent do you agree with this statement?

Some people believe that internet access creates problems. There are several possible reasons why it can happen.
Firstly, some data may be unverifiable. For example, everytime they search for a data, there would be lots of choices
that would appear on the screen. They would not be sure if the information they are reading is accurate. Some
sources may even have outdated informations. Secondly, some sites may be unreliable. For instance, people sign up
on one site that sells goods online. The goods would be paid for by a credit card, but the purchaser would not
receive anything. And finally, not everything is available through the net. When my friend had tried to research for
some pictures of 18th century paintings, he did not find any results. Then he was told by his teacher that they would
only be available in the library.
Others believe that the Internet is very useful and these are the justifications. Firstly, it is hard to get the same data,
that is available through the Internet by other means. For example, if the directory information could not give me
the accurate address and contact number of a place I want to visit, I normally check that information on the
Internet. In just one click, I would get all the details of that certaincompany. Secondly, research becomes more
comprehensive. For instance, I do not have to buy lots of reading materials to complete my research. Most of the
needed information can be found if I have Internet access. And finally, data is easily compared and contrasted. I
remember, my cousin researched a study about overweight children a decade ago and at present. He was able to
finish his research in just one day, as compared to a week if he would not use the Internet.
In conclusion, let me reiterate that the Internet plays a big role in our life, because it makes data retrieval and
comparison easier.
14) The Internet has brought many changes into our day to day life. Nowadays we can do
things such as mailing, contacting, banking and communication much faster. Is this a
positive or negative development?
The internet has revolutionized our lives. It has changed the way we connect with our friends and family. It has
changed the way we access information and buy things. It has enabled people to work from their home. In my
opinion, the internet has more positive impacts than negative impacts on our lives.
The internet has made information accessible to everyone. Much of the content on the internet is free. Anyone who
has an internet connection can access it from any part of the world. Having an internet connection is a bit like having
access to all the books in the world. In my opinion, this is the biggest advantage of the internet. Because of it, people
can now get medical and financial advice online. Students can prepare for their tests online.
Internet also allows us to buy and sell things online from the comfort of our home. Online transactions save time and
money. Another advantage of the internet is its ability to facilitate communication. Thanks to technologies such as
video conferencing, people living in different parts of the world can now participate in online conferences at the
same time. This eliminates the need for them to travel to another country just for the sake of attending a
conference.
The internet has its fair share of disadvantages too. Plenty of obscene and offensive content is available online.
While surfing the internet, children might stumble upon this content accidentally. In recent times, anti-social
elements have started using the internet to recruit youngsters. This has become a major threat to the security of
nations.
To conclude, the internet has both positive and negative impacts; however, in my opinion the positives outweigh the
negatives. It has connected the world and made opportunities available to everyone. In fact, today, it is impossible
for us to imagine a life without the internet.
15)Some people believe that the use of mobile phones in public is as annoying as smoking
and should be banned, similarly.What is your opinion on that?
1:
It is often considered by many that the usages of mobile phones in public places should be restricted as smoking has been. I
completely agree with the banning of mobile phones in public places, especially where people are working and might get
annoyed and interrupted.
Using mobile phones in public places causes several drawbacks, Firstly, it leads to various social problems. In other words,
the use of mobile phones in public places causes serious offence. For example, recent researches showed that use of
mobile phones while pedestrian crossing is the major cause of accidents in both developing and developed nations.
Secondly, the lack of social interaction among individuals could be the consequence of mobile phones over usage in the
public places. For instance, people travelling on the same bus become isolated and busy by surfing the internet on the
mobile phones which lead to the lackings of communication among travellers.

In addition, there would be a scarcity of enjoyment in sightseeing while travelling. Take an example, if a person travelling by
train through the countryside, the use of mobile phone makes them forget enjoy the fascinating places outside the
compartment. Finally, talking loudly through mobile phones in public places such as church, mosque result in irritation,
distress and disturbance to other individuals as mobile phones could be intrusive.

In conclusion mobile phone usage in public areas should be restricted to the welfare of the society and the citizens because
the use of mobile phones in public is annoying as smoking.

14)There are social, medical and technical problems associated with the use of mobile
phones. What forms do they take? Do you agree that the problems outweigh the benefits of
mobile phones?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.

It is believed that the existence of cellular phone technology has created social, medical and technical problems for
individuals and societies. I personally disagree with the thought, if people think that there are more disadvantages
than the advantages of cell phones and the following essay will discuss this issue in details.
To begin with, it is true that the development of mobile phone technology has created some problems for human
kinds. Firstly, many people believe that the wireless phone technology has made people become more
individualistic. In the most common case, many families are having communication problems these days, due to each
member of the family are busy with their devices.

Secondly, it has been reported that the wireless technology has some negative effects on our health. Many scientists
believe that the technology has become one of the contributors to human's brain damage and trigger brain cancer
as well. Thirdly, it has been reported that some people have been injured due the technical problems of the phone
itself. There have been cases where the battery of the phone had exploded when it was used to make phone calls,
and it caused serious injuries to the user.
Despite all the social, medical and technical problems of mobile phones, I do believe that the existence of the device
brings a lot of benefits for human beings. Mobile phones can be used to connect to a specific person, though the
person might be travelling to other places. And then, with the various function of mobile phone technology
nowadays, it can be used to send and received important emails. Besides that, with the chatting application that
could be installed on the phones, it has made distance communication become cheaper. And last but not the least,
the phone can also be used as a navigation system to find a new area or new address.

In conclusion, it is true that handheld phone technology has caused some problems for mankind, but I disagree with
the opinion that the problem of these phones outweighs the benefits. I do believe that mobile phone has assisted
the human being in various ways and it is the irresponsible act of humans themselves that has caused the problem.

2:
Mobile phone using has become a very common phenomenon and people mostly depend on this cell phone for
communication. The cell phone is probably the most accepted and widely used communication device than any
other communication device of the past time. Though cell phone causes many healths related problem as well as
social and other problems but I can't agree with the idea that it outweighs the benefits.
I believe people, from all levels of the society, never accept a technology that is not hugely beneficial. There are
many communication Medias but none is as efficient and as live as a mobile phone. Moreover, the recent
technological advancement has made the cell phone something more than a talking device. With a cell phone we can
use the Internet, can play games, can store our memory by taking pictures and videos and can instantly share those
memories with friends and relatives. And using those technologies cost us a very little in term of cell phone and
network providers cost. We can talk to our friends and family members as much as we want because of the low cost
of these cell phones and I guess that has increased our social affairs. Finally, the cell phone communications have
helped to raise many small and medium level businesses in all over the world and have engaged a large portion of
the population to be employed.
Though I agree that, there are lots of adverse effects of using the cell phones. Drivers using cell phones while driving
is a common cause of road accidents and overuse of cell phones can cause many diseases, from severe headaches to
incurable cancers. The easy access to cell phones has violated our privacy and helped the criminals to be more
organised.
But I believe that those negative effects can be overcome if all of we become a little more cautious and be aware of
the negative issues of overuse of cell phone using. Since we can't stop using the cell phone and find and alternative
and it is easily possible to reduce the negative effects of cell phone using , I strongly opine that cell phone is a very
useful device to all of us in spite of its some remediable problems.
The dangers and complexities of modern world have made mobile phone an absolute neccessity
forchildren.

To what extent to you agree or disagree?

Nowadays, almost everyone possesses a mobile phone. It is becoming an important tool for the safety of children,
especially with the new smart phones, but it also involves some drawbacks.

Firstly, with the new smart phone parents can keep an eye on their children. They can know where they are without
calling them as all these phones have built in global positioning system (gps) localisation. This will help to reduce
school truancy. Although the application can be disabled, it will give an indication of where that person is, even if the
system is off.

Secondly, with the increasing numbers of crimes such as rape and kidnapping in modern times, it is good for children
to have a mobile phone. If ever they are in such a situation, they can transfer the news by means of text messaging
or authorities can locate the place.

However, there are some disadvantages. Children are not concentrating on their studies or listening to teachers as
they are texting their boyfriend or girlfriend. They are even not doing the homework they have been given. As a
result, there is an increase in the number of failures at school. This is not good for children or their future as they
need good marks for university or a good job.
Although mobile phones haves some constraints, I believe it is very important for children to have one as long as
they are not misused.

16) There are social, medical, and technical problems associated with the use of mobile phones.
What forms do they take? Do you agree the problems of mobile phones outweigh the benefits?

Cutting-edge technology is part of daily life. One of the most important technologies which engage with people's
activity is mobile phones. Some people argue that using cell-phones has dire consequences that result in some
social, medical and technical dilemmas. While mobile phones become worse distractions, the benefits of these
advanced devices are important to provide convenient lives for users.

There is no doubt that mobile phones change the way people maintain effective communication with colleagues. In
this modern era, people are more likely to use mobile phones as the mean of communication rather than doing face-
to-face communication. Recent research indicates that the majority of people in cosmopolitan cities are completely
isolation because they are bordered in the virtual communication.

In addition, the newly invented technologies, mobile phones, resort people to adopt sedentary lifestyles because
they spend the rest of the time to surf internet and play online games. A result shows that in Indonesia, most
inhabitants use internet more than 10 hours a day in terms of entertainment as a source of amusement. Obviously,
this activity causes some illness such as myopia and obesity.

The innovation of some sophisticated technologies forces the reconstruction of technological infrastructure to
support the availability of networking. In some developing countries, signal is the common problem that happens in
some remote areas. In fact, the active users who live in radius 10 km from the cell-phone tower are difficult to gain
strong signal. Consequently, the telecommunication service providers must concern to solve this problem.

On the other hand, mobile phones are the useful devices to communicate and do some tasks. Many students who
study abroad rely on cell-phones to keep in touch with their family and friends in their home countries. In addition,
utilizing of mobile phones makes life much more convenient as businessmen can send email anywhere and anytime
that only requires internet connection. Moreover, some applications can spoil users in the terrible situation. For
instance, in traffic congestion, music is the best companion to release stress so that people will need mobile phone
to play some songs which are stored in the internal memory.

In conclusion, there are negative effects of mobile phones that can interrupt humans' lives in social, medical and
technical problems. Despite its drawbacks, mobile phones provide the flexibility in term of communication. Where
possible, to avoid those problems, people should pay more attention to their circumstances to mitigate problems.