IELTS HOPECO Speaking Practice Test 6 : Technology

Part 1

1. Do you use a computer at work or at home?
2. What do you use a computer for?
3. Do you like using computers?
4. When did you learn to use a computer?
5. What is the importance of computers nowadays?
6. What jobs do computers do better than people?

Part 2

Describe a piece of technology that you find useful.

You should say:

• what it is
• what you can do with it
• how often you use it
• and explain why you find it so useful

Part 3

1. What are some of the main uses of technology for communication?
2. Do you agree that some people use technology for communication too much?
3. What differences are there between the attitudes of older and younger people to technology for communication?
4. Do you think that the advance of technology has improved standards of education in schools?
5. Would you agree that the rapid development of digital technology has had a positive impact on the world of work?
6. Do you think that the rate of technological expansion will slow down in the years to come?

Useful Vocabulary

A. Uses of internet for communication
sending emails	social networking
sending text messages	blogging
tele-conferencing	posting messages on forums
video conferencing	using an intranet system
online chatting
B. Advantages
offers immediate communication	more convenient / people can communicate on-the-move
cheaper than telephone calls / face-to-face meetings	allows friends and family overseas to stay connected
allows global communication without the need to travel	gives everybody the chance to have a public voice
C. Disadvantages
people may lose “real” social skills	people may become adicted to social network sites
people may spend less time socialising face-to-face	people spend too much time in front of a screen
people may become more introverted
D. Technology and Education
interactive whiteboards	self-access centres / study
e-learning	online tutor
E. Advantages
offers more flexibility for the learner	cheaper for students (no travel / accmmodation costs)
allows people in rural areas the same study opportunities	students & teachers are less bound by time and space
F. Technology and Work
automated processes	computerised filing / administrative systems
automated manufacturing	huge databases
automated customer services	intranet system / internal emailing
high-tech computer systems
G. Disadvantages
has made some jobs redundant	may cause security issues /files may be lost
gives customers less personal service	requires a lot of investment
requires staff to be technically skilled	breakdowns in the system may cause severe problems