IELTS Speaking Part 1: Electronic devices/Technology Questions and Answers

I use my phone more than a computer. I take it everywhere and use it for messages, social media and maps. I also use a laptop at work sometimes, but at home I mostly use my phone because it is quick and easy.

I use both, but the phone gets the most daily use. It’s my go-to for messaging, catching up on news and quick searches. I’ll switch to a laptop when I need to write long documents or do more detailed work because the bigger screen and keyboard are better for that.

It really depends on what I’m doing. For short tasks — messaging, banking, maps and quick research — I rely on my phone because it’s always with me and everything syncs across apps. For focused work, editing photos or any task that needs multiple windows, I prefer a laptop for the screen size and keyboard comfort. I try to choose the device that suits the task rather than defaulting to one.

Lately I bought wireless earbuds. They are small and I use them when I travel or exercise. They sound OK and the battery lasts a few hours.

Recently I bought a pair of noise-cancelling headphones and a smart plug. The headphones make commuting much easier because they block out noise, and the smart plug lets me control a lamp from my phone, which is handy for energy saving.

In the last few months I got noise-cancelling headphones and a simple smart thermostat. The headphones have transformed my commute and helped with focus when I work in cafés. The thermostat was an investment to cut heating bills and it integrates with my phone so I can control heating remotely — useful for when I’m away or coming home on a cold evening.

Yes, I want to buy a smartwatch. It looks good and I think it will help me check messages and track steps without always taking my phone out.

I’m thinking of buying an e-reader. I read a lot and carrying books on holiday is heavy, so a lightweight e-reader would be handy. I’d want one with a backlight and long battery life.

I’m considering a mirrorless camera because I’ve been getting more into photography. My phone is fine for casual shots, but a mirrorless system would give better image quality, interchangeable lenses and more creative control. I’ve also been weighing durability and long-term value — it’s an investment, so I’m researching models that are future-proof and compatible with lenses I could keep for years.

Yes, technology is important for me. I use it for work, to talk to friends and to find information quickly. I would struggle without it.

Definitely. Technology underpins most parts of my day — for work, staying in touch with family, learning new things and managing everyday tasks like banking. That said, I try to switch off sometimes so it doesn’t take over.

Technology is central to my life — it shapes how I work, learn and socialise. It brings huge convenience and access to information, but there are trade-offs like distraction and privacy concerns. I try to be deliberate: use tech where it adds value, but set boundaries like phone-free evenings to protect my focus and mental wellbeing.

I don’t like spyware or stuff that watches people. Also I’m not keen on devices that are too complicated to use. They make me annoyed.

I’m not a fan of intrusive voice assistants or apps that always listen for data. They can feel intrusive and I worry about privacy. I also dislike tech that deliberately keeps you scrolling, like some social apps.

I’m uneasy about surveillance technologies and platforms designed to maximise attention through manipulative design — targeted advertising and relentless feeds. It’s not just a personal annoyance; there are ethical and societal consequences. I prefer open, privacy-respecting alternatives and try to limit services that harvest data needlessly.

Now we have smartphones and fast internet, but when I was young we had simple phones and slower internet. There are more devices now and things are faster.

Compared with my childhood, the big differences are mobility and speed — smartphones and reliable mobile internet mean everything is connected. Services that used to be physical, like music and video, are now streaming. Also devices are much smaller and more powerful.

The biggest shift is ubiquity: computing power and connectivity are everywhere now, not confined to bulky desktops. We’ve moved from owning physical media and devices to using cloud services and subscriptions. AI and automation are starting to influence everyday tools, while miniaturisation and improved battery life mean more portable, always-on devices. Overall, the pace and scope of change has accelerated, requiring continuous learning and a different relationship with technology.