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Written by IELTS Mentor

IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

Describe a piece of modern technology you own.

You should say:

• what it is
• what you use it for
• how long you have owned it

and explain why it is important to you.

Model Answer 1:

I bought it about ten years ago when my first nephew was born. I purchased it to record the activities and invaluable moments of my first nephew. Since then, I have never really stopped using this modern technology.

The name of this modern technology is "video camera". It is a basic “point-and-shoot” video camera, with a size of about 108 millimetres ( or 4.25 inches), and it weighs about 265 grams. Coming in shiny black colour, this camera is made by Canon and is also affordable, comparing to some other basic video cameras in its class. Offering a zoom range of 5 to 15 times, this camera also has a bigger and better lens for its price. It also has a video resolution of 1600 x 1180.

Anyway, after buying it, initially, I didn’t really find much use for it except, of course, recording every little moment of my nephew, but as more and more time passed, I became interested in using it for other purposes and activities. Gradually, I started to carry it outside with me, when travelling to any place, and then also started to make videos of nature around me. The more I was using it, the better I was feeling about my camera and my works. Later on, I felt bold enough to carry my camera even to some parties, like weddings and birthdays, in order to capture the fun and happy moments. After that, I never really looked back, as I carried my little camera pretty much everywhere with me like a trusted friend.

My video camera is important to me because it allows me to capture the favourite moments of my life, as well as the life of other important people around me, on my own terms. Besides, it keeps me busy when I don’t really feel like doing anything constructive or feel bored. Finally, it also allows me to look back to some of my favourite moments of the past when I feel down and depressed.

Sample Answer 2:

I have different types of modern technology and electronic gadgets that I often use. Among them, I would like to talk about my laptop for this topic.

It is a laptop computer by the renowned brand HP or Hewlett Packard. This laptop comes with a moderately latest configuration, and it supports all major latest software. Windows 10 operating system was pre-installed in it. Though it was a bit expensive for me, I bought it a few months ago as my old laptop was giving up on me.

It is my personal laptop, yet I sometimes do official works on it. I use the laptop to connect to the world and browse different websites, communicate with my friends, learn programming languages, watch some videos and sometimes, listen to my favourite music. I also prepare documents, send emails and play computer games on it. In fact, I use this laptop more frequently than any other electronic device that I have except for my smartphone.

I own a laptop for more than 10 years but I bought this current laptop that I am talking about 3-4 months ago. Since technology changes very rapidly in modern times, and to install and use the latest software and to get better performance, we need to upgrade our computers and laptops every other year. So I replaced my old laptop with this new one.

As I have already mentioned, I use this laptop to use the internet, browse different websites and web applications, play games, create documents, contact my friends, maintain my blogs, check emails, watch movies, listen to music and for many other important purposes. This laptop has become an integral technological device for me that I use almost every day.

Sample Answer 3:

I have several technological devices and gadgets, and out of those, I would like to talk about the "Kindle Fire" that I own and enjoy using a lot. This device is produced and sold by Amazon, and I ordered it from their website last year.

It is both a tabloid PC and a digital book reader, but I purchased it primarily to read eBooks. It is a popular tech device all around the world for purchasing online products, listening to audiobooks, and reading eBooks. I have noticed that after purchasing this device, my reading time has increased significantly. I use it to read eBooks most of the time, and with Wi-Fi connectivity, it has become easier for me to find my favourite books online.

Once fully charged, this device can run for a couple of weeks, and it is an impressive feature. As I bought it three years ago, I'd say I own it for more than three years by now. With time, this has become an important electronic device that I own.

This device is my best companion when I take a journey. The majestic design, delicate outlook, quality hardware and nice user interface make it an ideal device for booklovers all around the globe. To me, this is a significant device as this fulfils my appetite for reading. With the internet accessibility in this device, I now have access to an immense number of books and reading materials. Before purchasing it, I used to read just one book a month on average which has increased to around 3-4 books per month nowadays.

I love and enjoy reading, and this is a really good device for reading digital content and books. Reading is immensely essential to learn and progress. And for me, this device is a companion I would always like to have with me. In fact, sometimes, I consider it to be the most educative and utilitarian electronic device I have had so far.

Rounding-up Questions:

Q. Do you own a mobile phone?
Answer: Yes, I have a personal mobile phone that I have been using for the last couple of years. It is a smartphone that was manufactured by Samsung and it is run by the Android Operating System.

Q. Can you do without your mobile phone? [Why/Why not]
Answer: Unfortunately, the answer is "no". Due to the fact that it is multifunctional, it constitutes an integral part of my life. I use it constantly every day to make calls and talk with my friends and family, send messages, access the internet, take pictures and so on. I think I'll have a very difficult time even if I lose it for a while.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion:

Q. How can technology make our life easier?
Answer: Technology can positively impact our lives in many ways, and so far, technological advancement has made our life easier than ever. First of all, the internet has contributed to this to a large extent. This invention dominates our daily life, and it makes it easier by providing a massive amount of information on different subjects. It has made online banking, communication and distance learning possible.

Going further, communication and shopping have improved as well in modern times. Technology has made communication faster and easier. For example, you can just press a button, and talk to the person you care about no matter the distance. Online shopping is gaining momentum, as you can buy anything you want with a few mouse clicks, and the product is delivered to your doorstep.

Moreover, Technology has made it possible to cure diseases that were incurable in the past. It has improved the way we travel, cook, play, make a relationship, spend our leisure time and so on and on.

Q. Do you believe technology is making life complex from some perspectives as well? Why/Why not?
Answer: Oh, yes, there is no doubt technology comes with blessings as well as demerits, and makes our lives complex from many perspectives.  For instance, we now rely on technology too much, and as a consequence, we are physically less active and gaining weight to welcome a plethora of health complexities. With digital communication, we are socially inept, and it cracks our social relationships with others. Moreover, too much dependency on technology, like automated traffic systems, online banking and so on, can be disastrous if something goes wrong. Finally, we are compromising our privacy for the sake of our online social networking actions, and it can haunt us if our personal information is compromised by hackers and malicious users. 

Q. What are some greatest inventions you know about?
Answer: There are many remarkable inventions, that I can think of, that have changed our lives and the world we live in. The Automobile and light bulb are two important inventions that were invented by Karl Benz and Thomas Edison in 1885 and 1870 respectively. The first device helps people commute whenever they want and wherever they are and the second has made working in dark places and at night feasible.

We can't do without computers and the internet as well. The former was invented by Alan Turing, a British Mathematician, and is a machine that takes information in, then processes it, and outputs new information. The latter invention, which is the internet, allows people to access almost any information located anywhere in the world at any time. Its effects on business, communication, economy, entertainment and even politics are profound. Among other greatest inventions, I should probably mention the wheel, printing press, paper, Penicillin, Integrated Circuit and camera.
 

Tip: There are plenty of other devices and/or technology or inventions that can be included while answering this question. Some of the greatest inventions of human history are given below from which you can select your personal favourites to speak about:

Air Conditioning, Alphabet, Airplane, Automobile, Barcode, Battery, Calculator, Camera, Candle, Cash Register, Clock, Coins, Compass, Computer, Compact Disk, Credit Card, DVD, DNA Fingerprinting, Electricity, Email, Engine, Fiber Optics, Film, Fuel Cell, Glass, Gun Powder, Ink, Internet, Laser, Light Bulb, LCD, Matches, Mirror, Mobile Phone, Neon Lighting, Paper, Pencil, Printing Press, Radio, Television, and Wheel.

Q. Why mobile phones are gaining popularity?
Answer: It's an undeniable fact that mobile phones are very useful when it comes to communication. For example, in case of an emergency, you can make a call and avert something unpleasant or reach a person who can help you. Moreover, these appliances enhance communication and help people retain relationships that might otherwise be lost.

On top of that, they can take pictures to keep memories, access the internet and include different types of applications as well. So, all these functions are combined and contained in a single device; otherwise having different appliances for every single function would be very expensive and space-consuming. These are the main reasons mobile phones are gaining popularity so rapidly.

Q. Why should we restrict the use of mobile phones in public places?
Answer: The primary reason we should restrict the use of mobile phones in public places is that sometimes they can be intrusive and irritating. For instance, when they are used in hospitals or in public libraries, they are really disturbing. Mobile phone usage in public libraries disturbs people from concentrating so they must always be turned to silent. Moreover, allowing people to use mobile phones and talk in a hospital can be disruptive and sometimes fatal to ill patients.

[Part 3 answers are written by - Mary, UK, Economist with Main Field of Studies in Business Economics]

Similar Cue Card Topics:

Your ability to talk about this Cue Card Topic would enable you to talk about the following Cue Card Topics as well:

1. Describe something valuable you own.
2. Describe an important possession you have.
3. Describe something you use daily.
4. Describe a technological device that you find useful.
5. Describe a recent invention you know about.
6. Describe something you cannot live without.
7. Describe a technology or tool that you have.

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