Topic 4: Technology
Part 1: Introduction & Interview
Directive for Part 1:
- Preparation Time: None (Answer immediately)
- Speaking Time: 4–5 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: Short, clear, and personal responses with some elaboration.
Questions:
- Do you use technology every day?
- What is your favorite type of technology?
- Do you think technology has made our lives easier or harder?
Sample Answers for Part 1:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“Yes, I use technology every day, especially my smartphone and laptop. They help me stay connected with people and manage my work efficiently.”
“My favorite type of technology is the smartphone. It’s so versatile; I can use it for communication, entertainment, and even work. It’s amazing how much it can do.”
“I believe technology has made our lives much easier. With the advent of the internet, we have instant access to information, and devices like smartphones and tablets have transformed the way we work and communicate.” - Reason for Band 9:
- Detailed and fluent responses with a wide range of vocabulary.
- The speaker provides clear explanations with examples and shows a deep understanding.
- The answer is naturally organized, and ideas are fully developed.
- Band 7 (Good User):
“Yes, I use technology almost every day. I use my phone to check social media and emails.”
“My favorite type of technology is my phone because I can do almost everything on it.”
“I think technology has made our lives easier. It helps us get things done faster, like shopping online or working remotely.” - Reason for Band 7:
- The answers are relevant and mostly clear.
- Vocabulary is adequate, but the answers could be more detailed or varied.
- There is some minor grammatical error but nothing that affects clarity.
- Band 5 (Modest User):
“Yes, I use phone and computer every day.”
“My favorite technology is phone. It helps me a lot.”
“Technology makes life easier. You can do work fast and chat with friends.” - Reason for Band 5:
- Simple and brief answers with basic vocabulary.
- Limited explanation and lacking in elaboration.
- Frequent errors in grammar and sentence structure.
Part 2: Cue Card
Directive for Part 2:
- Preparation Time: 1 minute
- Speaking Time: 2 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: A well-organized, detailed response. The test-taker should provide specific examples and fully develop their answer.
Cue Card:
Describe a piece of technology that you find very useful.
You should say:
- What the technology is
- How you use it
- How often you use it
- And explain why you find it useful.
Sample Answers for Part 2:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“One piece of technology that I find extremely useful is my smartphone. I use it for nearly everything, from communication to entertainment and even work. I check my emails and messages, browse the internet, and use apps for everything from banking to shopping. I use it every day, many times a day, so it’s definitely indispensable. What I find most useful about it is the ability to stay connected no matter where I am, and I can quickly access information, which helps with both my personal and professional life.” - Reason for Band 9:
- Fully developed response with detailed explanations.
- Excellent vocabulary and complex grammatical structures.
- Clear and fluent speech, engaging with the question in a natural way.
- Band 7 (Good User):
“A piece of technology I find useful is my laptop. I use it for work, to watch videos, and to stay in touch with family through video calls. I use it almost every day, sometimes for several hours. It’s very useful because I can get work done from home and also relax by watching movies or chatting with my friends.” - Reason for Band 7:
- The response is clear and relevant, with a good level of detail.
- There are minor errors or missing details, but the answer remains coherent.
- Adequate use of vocabulary, though more complex structures could be included.
- Band 5 (Modest User):
“I find my phone very useful. I use it to call and text people. I use it every day, a lot. It helps me stay in touch with others.”Reason for Band 5:- Very simple and short response.
- Limited vocabulary and minimal elaboration.
- Errors in sentence structure and a lack of detail affect clarity.
Part 3: Discussion Questions
Directive for Part 3:
- Preparation Time: None (Answer immediately)
- Speaking Time: 4–5 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: Detailed responses with explanations, examples, and opinions. Keep answers focused but developed.
Questions:
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of using technology in education?
- How do you think technology has affected communication between people?
- Do you think there will be more or less technology in our lives in the future? Why?
Sample Answers for Part 3:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“Technology in education makes learning easier with instant access to information. However, it can be distracting, especially with social media.
Communication has become faster and more convenient. But it sometimes reduces face-to-face interactions, which can weaken relationships.
I believe technology will continue to grow in the future. Advances like AI and virtual reality will integrate into everyday life, making things more efficient.” - Reason for Band 9:
- Clear, well-organized responses with relevant details.
- Vocabulary and grammar are sophisticated.
- Ideas are fully developed and explained.
- Band 7 (Good User):
“In education, technology helps with learning, but it can also distract students.
Communication is easier now, but it can make us forget about in-person conversations.
I think there will be more technology in the future, like smart homes and AI, but we must be careful not to rely on it too much.” - Reason for Band 7:
- Responses are relevant but less detailed.
- Vocabulary and grammar are good but simple.
- Ideas are mostly clear but lack depth.
- Band 5 (Modest User):
“Technology helps students learn, but sometimes it distracts them.
People talk more online, but don’t meet in person.
I think there will be more technology in the future, like robots and computers everywhere.” - Reason for Band 5:
- Simple responses with limited explanation.
- Basic vocabulary and grammar errors.
- Ideas are underdeveloped.