IELTS Writing Task 2 technology questions: ideas, vocabulary and a model essay
Technology questions ask how the internet, smartphones, social media, automation and artificial intelligence are changing work, education and relationships. The best answers avoid sweeping claims ('technology is destroying society') and focus on specific effects on specific people.
Updated 2026-10-23
Common technology themes
- Communication: social media, online vs face-to-face contact, privacy
- Work: automation, robots and AI replacing jobs, working from home
- Young people: screen time, smartphones in schools, online games
- Information: fake news, getting news online, the decline of printed books
- Society: dependence on technology, the digital divide, online shopping
Topic vocabulary
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| automation | machines doing work done by people | Automation has replaced many factory jobs. |
| the digital divide | the gap between people with and without technology | Older people are often on the wrong side of the digital divide. |
| screen time | time spent using devices | Doctors recommend limits on children's screen time. |
| misinformation | false information, often spread online | Misinformation spreads quickly on social media. |
| data privacy | control over personal information | Users rarely read data privacy policies. |
| remote work | working away from the office | Remote work saves commuting time. |
| tech-savvy | good at using technology | Tech-savvy pupils adapt quickly to online lessons. |
| be addicted to | unable to stop using | Some teenagers are addicted to their phones. |
| cyberbullying | bullying online | Schools must tackle cyberbullying. |
| obsolete | no longer used | Many skills become obsolete within a decade. |
| face-to-face interaction | meeting in person | Nothing replaces face-to-face interaction. |
| algorithm | rules a computer follows to make choices | Algorithms decide which posts we see. |
10 technology questions to practise
- Many people now spend more time interacting with others online than face to face. Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development? (two-part; model essay below)
- Artificial intelligence will soon replace many jobs that people do today. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (opinion)
- Some people think that smartphones should be banned in schools. Others think they are a useful learning tool. Discuss both views and give your opinion. (discussion)
- More people now get their news from social media than from newspapers or TV. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? (advantages and disadvantages)
- Many older people struggle to use new technology. What problems does this cause, and what can be done? (problem and solution)
- People are becoming too dependent on technology. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (opinion)
- Some believe children should be taught to code at primary school. Do you agree or disagree? (opinion)
- Online shopping is replacing shopping in stores. Is this a positive or negative development? (advantages and disadvantages)
- Personal information is increasingly collected by technology companies. What problems does this cause, and how can they be solved? (problem and solution)
- Some people say video games are a waste of time, while others think they bring benefits. Discuss both views and give your opinion. (discussion)
Ideas for the most common questions
Will AI and automation take most jobs?
| Yes, a serious threat | No, or less than feared |
|---|---|
| Routine tasks in offices, factories and transport can already be automated | New technologies have always created new jobs |
| Change may be faster than workers can retrain | Jobs needing empathy, judgement and creativity are hard to automate |
| Benefits may go to owners, not workers | AI often assists workers rather than replacing them |
Smartphones in schools: ban or allow?
| Ban | Allow |
|---|---|
| Distraction during lessons and lower concentration | Useful for research, dictionaries, learning apps |
| Cyberbullying during breaks | Students must learn responsible use, not avoid it |
| More face-to-face play and conversation | Parents want to contact children for safety |
Are people too dependent on technology?
| Yes | No |
|---|---|
| Navigation apps weaken sense of direction; spell-check weakens spelling | Dependence on useful tools is normal: we depend on electricity too |
| Systems failing (outages, hacks) can stop daily life | Technology frees time and attention for more important tasks |
| Constant notifications harm attention and sleep | The problem is overuse by some, not technology itself |
Band 9 model essay
Question: Many people now spend more time interacting with others online than face to face. Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development?
Over the past two decades, a growing share of everyday social contact has moved online, through messaging apps, social media and video calls. This shift has been driven by convenience and by changes in how people live and work, and while it has clear benefits, I believe it is a negative development when online contact replaces, rather than supplements, meeting in person.
The main reason is convenience. A smartphone allows people to keep up with dozens of friends at once, at any time of day, without travelling or making arrangements. Changes in lifestyle have strengthened this habit. Many people now live far from their families, work long or irregular hours, or work from home, so meeting in person takes more effort than it once did. Online platforms are also designed to be engaging, so the time spent on them tends to grow.
Online communication undoubtedly has advantages. It allows families separated by migration to see each other daily on video, and it helps people with unusual interests or rare health conditions to find support that may not exist locally.
However, when screen-based contact becomes the main form of social life, something important is lost. Face-to-face conversation involves tone of voice, facial expression and physical presence, all of which help people build trust and understand one another. Studies in several countries have linked heavy social media use among teenagers with higher levels of loneliness and anxiety, even though these users are more "connected" than ever. Young people who rarely practise real-life conversation may also find situations such as job interviews or disagreements harder to handle.
In conclusion, people interact online more because it is convenient and fits modern lifestyles. Although this brings real benefits for distant families and isolated individuals, I consider it a negative trend overall when it crowds out personal contact, because face-to-face relationships remain essential to well-being.
Word count: 309
Why this essay works
Both questions are answered in separate paragraphs, and the opinion is qualified precisely: online contact is negative when it replaces in-person contact, not in every case. A short paragraph recognising the benefits makes the final judgement more credible. See the two-part question guide for this structure.
Related practice
- Education questions, for online learning topics
- Work questions, for automation and remote work
- Reading passages on technology: IELTS Reading technology topic
Frequently asked questions
Can I write about AI in IELTS Writing?
Yes, if the question allows it. Use it as an example, such as AI translation tools or automated customer service, and avoid predictions that cannot be supported.
How do I avoid sounding one-sided on technology topics?
Specify who benefits and who loses. 'Video calls help migrant families stay close' is more precise than 'technology helps people communicate'.