Speaking Part 2 · ObjectsIn the May–Aug 2026 forecast
Describe a Piece of Technology You Use
In short
“Describe a Piece of Technology You Use” is a common IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card. You get 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1–2 minutes, covering all four points below. This page gives you a Band 9 model answer, an idea map so you can make it your own, the Part 3 follow-up questions with answers, and the vocabulary examiners reward.
The task card
Describe a Piece of Technology You Use. You should say:
- •What the technology is
- •How often you use it
- •What you use it for
- •And explain how it has affected your life
Band 9 model answer
The piece of technology I'd like to talk about is my noise-cancelling headphones, which sounds trivial, but they've genuinely changed how I work and travel.
I use them almost every single day, often for hours at a stretch. My main use is for focus — I put them on when I need to concentrate, and they cut out the background noise of a busy office or a café so completely that it's like flipping a switch. I also use them constantly for calls, music, and podcasts when I'm on the go.
The reason I'd say they've affected my life is that they've quietly solved a problem I'd just accepted for years. I'm easily distracted by noise, and before I had them, an open-plan office was almost unbearable — I'd lose my train of thought every few minutes. Now I can create a pocket of quiet anywhere, which has made me noticeably more productive and, honestly, a lot calmer.
There is a downside I'm aware of: they can be a bit isolating, and I've had to be careful not to shut people out with them. But on balance, for something so small, they've had a disproportionate impact on my day-to-day life — which is probably why they're the one gadget I genuinely wouldn't want to be without.
Make it your own: three angles
An everyday device
Headphones, a phone, a smartwatch — easy to describe daily use and a clear "how it affected me".
A productivity tool
A laptop or an app; good for study/work impact and time-saving vocabulary.
A smart-home gadget
A specific, slightly less obvious choice can stand out — just keep the "why it matters" personal.
What the examiner is listening for
Resist just listing specs — the examiner wants to hear how it fits your life. Use the present simple for how you use it and the present perfect for its impact ('it's made me more productive'). Acknowledging a downside shows balance and unlocks higher-level, evaluative language.
Part 1 warm-up questions
- Do you like using new technology?
- What piece of technology could you not live without?
- Do you spend a lot of time on your phone?
- Has technology changed the way you study or work?
Part 3 follow-up questions & answers
Has technology generally improved people's lives?
On the whole, yes — it's made information, communication, and services vastly more accessible, and it's transformed healthcare and education. But the benefits aren't evenly shared, and there are real costs like distraction and reduced privacy, so I'd say it's improved life significantly while creating new problems of its own.
Are people too dependent on their phones?
Many are, honestly. Phones have become the default tool for almost everything, which is convenient but means a lot of people struggle to focus or simply sit still without one. The technology isn't the villain; it's designed to be habit-forming, so using it deliberately rather than reflexively is the real challenge.
How will artificial intelligence change daily life?
It's already automating routine tasks — drafting, scheduling, translating — and that will deepen. I'd expect AI to act more like a personal assistant woven into everyday tools. The upside is huge time savings; the risk is over-reliance and job disruption, so how societies manage the transition matters as much as the technology.
Does technology create a divide between rich and poor?
It can. Those with access to devices, fast internet, and digital skills pull ahead in education and work, while those without fall further behind — the 'digital divide'. So expanding affordable access and teaching digital literacy are essential if technology is to reduce inequality rather than widen it.
Should young children use technology?
In moderation and with guidance, yes — it's part of the world they'll grow up in, and there are genuinely educational uses. But unlimited screen time can crowd out play, sleep, and face-to-face interaction, so the key is sensible limits and good content rather than a blanket ban or a free-for-all.
Has technology made people less social?
It's complicated. It connects us to distant friends and communities we'd never otherwise reach, but it can also replace deeper, in-person contact with shallow online interaction. I'd say it hasn't made us less social so much as changed the shape of our socialising — for better and worse.
Useful vocabulary
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| can't live without | to depend on something completely |
| a game-changer | something that dramatically improves a situation |
| on the go | while travelling or busy |
| to cut out (distractions) | to remove or block something |
| to rely on | to depend on |
| user-friendly | easy to use |
| to keep up with | to stay informed about or level with |
| the downside | the negative aspect of something |
| indispensable | absolutely necessary |
| at your fingertips | easily and immediately available |
More cue cards
Describe a TV Show You Enjoy Watching
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