Believe it or not, many students confuse academic language for writing task 2 and spoken, informal language. In this blog lesson, you will learn lots of language for your speaking test for the topic technology.
Forms of the word:
- technology (n)
- technologies (plural n)
- technological (adj)
The article below is about why men like modern technological devices. It’s written informally and with humour. I’ve underlined useful words for you to learn and practice using. The questions are at the bottom of the passage but I’ve also put a couple of links to them in the passage itself for easy access – check the Qs link.
Why Men Like Gadgets
Be it communication devices, play station, music systems, sports gear, cars and other electronic equipments, men share a special relationship with gadgets. It’s only when a woman understands her man’s fondness for these gizmos, are they able to balance their relationship with them. Here’s why men believe in romancing their gadgets:
Sense of freedom
For most men, the cell phone, or their wireless PDA and compact notebook are symbols of freedom. The mere fact that they own one such gadget makes a man feel unbound. Men can store huge piece of information in his tiny device and feel confident. Qs
Questions:
- Men are always after the latest ………….
- There’s nothing worse than sitting next to a ………… person
- I wouldn’t say he’s lacking in ……….. He’s so full of himself.
- If you can’t get to sleep, try to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks after 5pm or not using any ………. such as tablets that have a bright screen late at night. That should …………..
Sense of power
Gadgets like laser pointers provides a sense of power to men. Men love to feel powerful and gadgets enhance their supremacy, at least they feel so. The SUV cars and high-speed Internet connections are all demonstrations of power for men.
Ego-boosters
Funkiest cars, tiniest video camera, expensive function-laden watch, and the fastest computer – all these work as ego-boosters for men. In fact, men use gadgets to impress each other. Arm wrestling, bike racing or drinking competitions are no more the ways to prove masculinity; it’s these gadgets that do the trick now. They are the new way to show off wealth, taste, advancement and knowledge. Qs
Questions:
- Men are always after the latest ………….
- There’s nothing worse than sitting next to a ………… person
- I wouldn’t say he’s lacking in ……….. He’s so full of himself.
- If you can’t get to sleep, try to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks after 5pm or not using any ………. such as tablets that have a bright screen late at night. That should …………..
Gadgets lure women
A classy car, latest cell phone, expensive watches and other gadgets, men think, help impress women.
Need to fidget
Men often have a tendency to get restless easily and gadgets contribute to the cause. Television remote control, mobile phones, laptops are few perfect examples of “fidgeting gadgets” men tend to use.
Stress buster
Men prefer to avoid talking about the subject that’s giving them stress and gadgets often work as a stress buster in such situations. Engaging themselves in gadgets is the way men choose to de-stress themselves.
Vocabulary Practice
Complete the sentence using a word or words taken from the article above. This is not an IELTS reading exercise, it is just an exercise to practice using the language in the passage. You may need to change the form of the word.
- Men are always after the latest ………….
- There’s nothing worse than sitting next to a ………… person
- I wouldn’t say he’s lacking in ……….. He’s so full of himself.
- If you can’t get to sleep, try to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks after 5pm or not using any ………. such as tablets that have a bright screen late at night. That should …………..
Vocabulary
Here is a list of useful vocabulary. See below for the audio to listen to the pronunciation.
- gadget = tool, device , implement (informal)
- gizmos = gadget, device (informal)
- unbound = liberated
- ego = self-image, self-esteem
- ego-booster = something that enhances a person’s self-image (informal)
- funky = cool, trendy, happening (informal)
- do the trick = do exactly what is needed (informal)
- function-laden = full of functions (informal)
- fidget – move nervously and continuously (informal)
- stress buster = something which reduces stress (informal)
- to be after something = to want something (informal)
- to be full of oneself = to be over-confident and have a lot of self-esteem
Answers
- gadgets or gizmos (could also be singular)
- fidgety
- ego
- gadgets or gizmos / do the trick
Example of an IELTS speaking question with model answer:
- Question: Do you like modern technology?
- Answer: Yes, I do. I’m pretty gadget mad actually. Whenever they release an up-grade, I’m the first in line to see what new functions they’ve incorporated into the new model and how it works. My friends are always saying that I spend too much money on the latest gizmos.
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