IELTS Speaking, parties 2 et 3 : Describe a piece of technology (not a phone) that you would like to own

Technology in the past was mostly mechanical and simple. Devices were bigger and slower, and they did just one job, like a radio or a film camera. Today technology is much faster, smaller and often does many jobs in one device. Also people can connect to the internet and share information instantly.

The biggest differences are speed, miniaturisation and connectivity. Older technology tended to be mechanical or analogue and designed for a single purpose, whereas modern devices are digital, much faster and often multi-functional — think of how a single gadget can now play music, take photos and access maps. Equally important is cloud connectivity: data is stored and shared online now, which changes how we back up and access information. For example, a portable cassette player has given way to streaming services on tiny devices that fit in your pocket.

Young people like to use social media, games and streaming apps. They also use video apps and messaging a lot to stay in touch with friends. Many young people like gadgets like laptops and smartwatches for convenience.

Young people gravitate towards platforms and devices that enable content creation, social interaction and quick entertainment — social apps, short-form video, online games and streaming are very popular. They're also into wearables and smart speakers that make life a bit easier, and many enjoy tools for making videos or podcasts because it's a way to express themselves. In short, they favour tech that is social, fast and creative.

Online communication is fast and you can talk to people anywhere, but it may feel less personal. Face-to-face communication lets you see body language and tone, which helps understanding. Online messages can be misunderstood because you don't see expressions.

Online and face-to-face communication differ in immediacy, richness and cues. Face-to-face has non-verbal signals — eye contact, gesture and tone — which convey meaning and build trust, while online communication, especially text-based, can be asynchronous and lacks those subtleties. That said, video calls sit somewhere in between, offering visual cues but still a different dynamic to being in the same room. The permanence of online posts also changes how careful people are with what they say.

Yes, technology has changed how people communicate. We can contact anyone quickly and keep in touch across long distances. But sometimes messages are shorter and less thoughtful. People also use lots of emojis and short messages.

Definitely — technology has reshaped both the means and the expectations of communication. Instant messaging and social media have increased the speed and frequency of contact, which has made people expect quicker replies and more constant availability. It has also introduced new norms — for example, reacting with an emoji instead of writing a full response — and enabled remote collaboration that wasn't possible before. While this connects people across distance, it also puts pressure on attention and can reduce the depth of some exchanges.

Technology can harm relationships by taking attention away from people. If someone uses a phone during dinner it can feel rude. It can also cause jealousy or arguments if people see messages they dislike. Spending too much time online can make people lonely.

Technology can damage relationships in several ways: it shifts attention away from present company, encourages superficial interactions and can encourage comparison through curated online profiles. For instance, incessant scrolling at family meals undermines connection, while social media can create unrealistic expectations that breed jealousy. In more extreme cases, addictive use of apps reduces face-to-face time and impairs the development of empathy and listening skills.

Making friends in real life feels more trustworthy because you see people's behaviour and expressions. Online it is easier to start talking because you can message first, but it can be less real and there is a risk people are not honest. Real-life friends meet and spend time together which builds trust.

Real-life and online friendships often differ in pace, depth and trust. Offline friendships usually develop through shared activities and repeated face-to-face interaction, which builds tacit understanding and reliability. Online friendships can form quickly around shared interests and are convenient, but they sometimes lack the non-verbal cues that create deeper bonds and can include a degree of anonymity that makes trust harder. That said, many online connections do evolve into meaningful offline friendships when people meet up from hobby groups or events.