IELTS cue card: «Describe a piece of technology you would like to own», пример ответа

Describe a piece of technology you would like to own.

You should say:

what it is

how you know about it

what you would use it for

and explain why you would like to have it.

The piece of technology I'd really like to own is a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones, the kind that shut out almost all the sound around you.

I first tried a pair last spring, when a friend lent me his on a long bus journey to Fergana. The bus was full, there was music playing at the front and a baby crying at the back, and the moment I put them on, it all just disappeared. I honestly couldn't believe the difference.

If I had a pair, I'd use them mainly for studying. I live with my parents and two younger brothers, so our flat is rarely quiet, and it's really hard to concentrate on IELTS listening practice when there's a TV on in the next room. I'd also use them on the metro, which is surprisingly loud, to listen to podcasts on the way to university.

The main reason I want them is that concentration has become a bit of a luxury for me. Being able to create a quiet space wherever I am would make a real difference to how much I get done.

Good ones are quite expensive, about the price of a cheap phone, so I'm putting a little money aside each month, and I'm hoping to buy a pair before my exam.

Do people buy too many gadgets these days?

In some cases, yes. A lot of people replace their phones every year even when the old one works perfectly well, mainly because of advertising and social pressure. I think gadgets are worth buying when they solve a real problem, not just because they're new.

Has technology made people's lives easier or more stressful?

Both, really. Everyday tasks like paying bills or ordering a taxi are far easier, but constant notifications make it harder to switch off, so a lot of people feel busier than ever.

What kind of technology do older people find difficult to use?

Will technology make some jobs disappear?