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IELTS vocabulary

IELTS Vocabulary for Technology

Technology appears in many forms in IELTS: social media, artificial intelligence, online shopping and privacy. Use this vocabulary to describe benefits and risks precisely.

Devices and the internet

Word or phraseMeaningExample
cutting-edgevery modern and advancedThe hospital uses cutting-edge equipment to diagnose diseases.
user-friendlyeasy to useThe app is user-friendly, so even older people can use it.
go viralspread quickly on the internetThe video went viral within a few hours.
digital dividethe gap between people who have technology and those who do notRural areas are often affected by the digital divide.
online platforma website or app for a purposeOnline platforms have made it easier to start a small business.
screen timetime spent using screensExcessive screen time can harm children's sleep.

Benefits

Word or phraseMeaningExample
streamlinemake a process simpler and more efficientAutomation can streamline many office tasks.
boost productivityincrease how much work is doneCollaboration tools can boost productivity in small teams.
instant accessbeing able to get something immediatelySmartphones give instant access to information.
breakthroughan important discovery or advanceA medical breakthrough has improved cancer treatment.
remote workingworking away from the officeRemote working reduces commuting time and costs.
accessibilityhow easy something is to reach or useSubtitles improve the accessibility of videos.

Risks and concerns

Word or phraseMeaningExample
data privacyprotection of personal informationCompanies must respect users' data privacy.
cyberbullyingbullying using digital devicesCyberbullying can have serious effects on young people.
addictivehard to stop usingMany social media apps are designed to be addictive.
job displacementworkers losing jobs because of automationJob displacement is a concern in manufacturing.
misinformationwrong information spread widelyMisinformation spreads faster than corrections.
over-reliancedepending too much on somethingOver-reliance on calculators may weaken basic maths skills.

How to use these words well

  • Balance benefits and risks in the same paragraph with “however” or “whereas”.
  • Prefer precise words like “data privacy” to vague words like “problems”.
  • Use present perfect for change: “Technology has transformed…”.

Study guides

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