Topic 15: Science/Technology

___________________________
Essay topics
The Internet has transformed lives and economies but it is turning the world into a global
village. Soon everybody will think and behave in the same way. To what extent do you
agree or disagree with this opinion?

Some people think that computer games are bad for children, while others believe that
they are useful. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of computer games.

Some people believe that the range of technology available to individuals today is
increasing the gap between rich people and poor people, while others say that technology
has the opposite effect. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Speaking

Part 1 questions:

Let’s talk about mobile phones.

How often do you use your mobile phone?
What do you usually use your phone for?
What was your first mobile phone like?
Do you think you will use your phone more or less in the future?

Let’s talk about science.

Did you enjoy science lessons at school? Why?
Do you think everyone should study science in primary/elementary schools? Why?
Do you read about science now?
How can people find out more about science?

Part 2 Topic Talks:

Describe an electronic device (computer, mobile phone, video game etc.) that you
bought recently.
You should say: What it looks like
Why you bought it
What you use it for
and say why you find it useful.

E2Language.com E2 IELTS Topic Toolkit 1 of 5

Describe a website or app that you regularly use.
You should say: How you first learned about it
What you use it for
How it helps your life
and say whether you would recommend it to others.

Part 3 questions:

Let's talk about technology and children.

What kinds of technological devices do children enjoy playing with?
Is this different from when you were a child?
What are some benefits of technology (e.g. ipads, video games) for children?
Are there any drawbacks?
How can parents ensure their children aren’t being negatively affected by
technology?

Let’s talk about science.

What are the benefits of teaching science?
Are science lessons popular in schools in your country?
Which scientists are well known in your country?
How can science help us with the challenges we face?
Do you think studying science will be more popular in the future/

Resources
Africa bridging the digital divide, BBC
This is what the future of robots might do to humanity, Forbes
Playing video games can ease loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic,
The Conversation

Cleaning up our air, The Guardian

The air conditioning trap. How cold air is heating the world, The Guardian

What will technology look like in 100 years, Life Noggin

Cryptographers quantum computers and the war for information, Ted Talks

E2Language.com E2 IELTS Topic Toolkit 2 of 5

Sample Essay

Topic:

Some people think that computer games are bad for children, while others believe that they
are useful. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of computer games.

Access to various technological devices, including computers, is now commonplace

among children. Some say that games played on these devices are detrimental to
young people while others think the opposite. I believe these games can have both
positive and negative outcomes for children, depending on several factors, and in
this essay I will explore these two aspects.

Certainly, when games are age-appropriate and children are supervised, there can
be many benefits for youngsters. One key positive outcome is the enhancement to
problem-solving skills and creativity. Indeed, many games are designed to
challenge young minds by, for instance, simulating a current problem in the world.
Greenpeace has recently designed such a game for children called Our World
which presents a range of different situations to which players respond and then
see the effects of their actions. Another point to mention is that gaming can have
significant social and psychological impacts. Multiplayer online games like World of
Warcraft enable players to interact, cooperate or compete. Participation in these
communities has been shown to boost confidence and reduce feelings of isolation
that many young people may feel.

There are, however, legitimate concerns when it comes to certain games. Those
that seemingly promote violence and law-breaking, such as Grand Theft Auto, can
have negative impacts on those who play them. This is especially true of young
children who are yet to learn the distinction between real life and virtual worlds, and
may end up committing violent acts themselves. Another downside of some
computer games is their addictive nature. There are many stories of young people
who become so completely involved in playing that they lose all sense of time and
forget to eat or sleep. The impact on their health and on their studies can become
severe, even leading to them dropping out of school or being hospitalised.

In conclusion, I believe that all the technology at our disposal can be used for good
or ill and computer games are no exception. Young children who play them can
derive educational and developmental benefits from them, or can be drawn into a
dependent and unhealthy relationship, which provides no clear positive outcomes. It
is up to their guardians to ensure the outcome is positive.

E2Language.com E2 IELTS Topic Toolkit 3 of 5

Vocabulary - Science/Technology
Word / Meaning Translation Related Example My example
Phrase words

AI - artificial the ability of a We are seeing an

intelligence computer to act like increasing use of AI in
a human applications such as
robotics and
computer games.

application (n) also an end-user The development of

called ‘app’ program eg. multi application software
media or data has revolutionised
base, which is how we use our
designed to carry computers and other
out a specific task devices.

back up (v) save data to the backup (n) It’s advisable to back
cloud or to another up your important
device such as an files regularly.
external hard drive

blog (n) website showing blog (v) Her daily blog now
postings from blogger (n) has more than two
author in time order blogosphere (n) million followers.
weblog (n)

cyberspace (n) electronic system cyber crime Our global computer

which allows cyber bullying network in
computer users cyberspace facilitates
around the world to online
communicate with communication.
each other

database (n) collection of data data (n) Databases are now

arranged for ease data mining (v) commonly located in
of search and the cloud and can
retrieval hold terabytes of
data.

desktop (n) a computer’s desktop (adj) Don’t save important

home screen which files on your desktop
contains files as they are not
backed up.

device (n) a piece of Mobile phones are

equipment that’s particularly useful
used for a devices.
particular purpose

download (v) transfer data from download (n) Downloading movies

a server to a on broadband
computer networks is usually
fast.

e-learning or education using The company used

electronic learning electronic devices an e-learning platform
and digital media to roll out its new
training package.

encryption (n) conversion of data encrypt (v) Many social media

or information into apps use end-to-end
a code to prevent encryption.
unauthorised
access

FAQs (n) questions, and FAQs can be useful

Frequently Asked their answers, on but I prefer looking on
Questions websites etc which Youtube.
are often asked

E2Language.com E2 IELTS Topic Toolkit 4 of 5

 Word / Meaning Translation Related Example My example
Phrase words

firewall (n) application Many companies

designed to stop have firewalls to
unauthorised users prevent their servers
from gaining from being hacked
access and confidential
information stolen.

hack (v) to use a computer hacker (n) The website was

to illegally get into hacked and
someone else’s thousands of people
computer and read had their information
information stored stolen.
there

install (v) to put software into installation (n) You need to install the
a computer software to access
this file.

savvy (adj) having knowledge tech-savvy She is very savvy

and ability computer-savvy when it comes to
computers.

software (n) programs you use It is advisable to keep

to make computers the software on your
do different things computer up to date
to protect it from
viruses.

speech recognition capability of an speech-to-text Speak into your

electronic device to software mobile and the
recognise human speech recognition
speech technology will send
your message as a
text.

URL (n) address of a web website (n) Cab you text me the
Uniform Resource page URL of your blog
Locator site?

virus (n) a program which infected by a virus Having the most up-
can cause damage virus protection to-date version of an
to systems and viral (adj) operating system
data protects against
viruses.

E2Language.com E2 IELTS Topic Toolkit 5 of 5