Devices and the internet
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cutting-edge | very modern and advanced | The hospital uses cutting-edge equipment to diagnose diseases. |
| user-friendly | easy to use | The app is user-friendly, so even older people can use it. |
| go viral | spread quickly on the internet | The video went viral within a few hours. |
| digital divide | the gap between people who have technology and those who do not | Rural areas are often affected by the digital divide. |
| online platform | a website or app for a purpose | Online platforms have made it easier to start a small business. |
| screen time | time spent using screens | Excessive screen time can harm children's sleep. |
Benefits
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| streamline | make a process simpler and more efficient | Automation can streamline many office tasks. |
| boost productivity | increase how much work is done | Collaboration tools can boost productivity in small teams. |
| instant access | being able to get something immediately | Smartphones give instant access to information. |
| breakthrough | an important discovery or advance | A medical breakthrough has improved cancer treatment. |
| remote working | working away from the office | Remote working reduces commuting time and costs. |
| accessibility | how easy something is to reach or use | Subtitles improve the accessibility of videos. |
Risks and concerns
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| data privacy | protection of personal information | Companies must respect users' data privacy. |
| cyberbullying | bullying using digital devices | Cyberbullying can have serious effects on young people. |
| addictive | hard to stop using | Many social media apps are designed to be addictive. |
| job displacement | workers losing jobs because of automation | Job displacement is a concern in manufacturing. |
| misinformation | wrong information spread widely | Misinformation spreads faster than corrections. |
| over-reliance | depending too much on something | Over-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
Computer-Delivered IELTS: What Changes and What Stays the Same
Thinking about taking IELTS on a computer? Here is what stays the same, what feels different in Writing, Reading and Listening, and how to prepare for the screen.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Vocabulary for Graphs, Charts and Processes
Useful verbs, nouns, adverbs and sentence patterns for describing line graphs, bar charts, tables and processes in IELTS Task 1, with more than twelve example sentences.
Linking Words for IELTS and How to Use Them Correctly
A practical list of IELTS linking words grouped by function, with correct and incorrect examples, punctuation rules and a warning about overusing connectors.