Sample Band 9 for IELTS Writing Task 2 from IDP – Topic: Information Technology (IT)

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

In the last 20 years there have been significant developments in the field of information technology (IT), for example the World Wide Web and communication by email. However, these developments in IT are likely to have more negative effects than positive in the future. To what extent do you agree with this view?

Band 9 Model Essay

The last two decades have seen drastic (extreme, severe and sudden) changes in the way people’s lives are influenced by IT, with many significant milestones in this field. However, while these technological breakthroughs (an important discovery or event that helps to improve a situation ) have brought many benefits to people and society, it can be strongly argued that these tremendous (very great in amount) advances in IT will lead to (cause) more negative impacts than positive.

To begin with, email has made communication, especially abroad, much faster and simpler, resulting in (to cause a particular situation to happen) a wide range of benefits for business and commerce (the activities involved in buying and selling things). Furthermore, the World Wide Web helps people to get information easily on every conceivable (possible to imagine or to believe) subject. For example, people can access the latest news, online education courses, medical advice, and much more via the internet. It is obvious (evident) that these technological changes have made life more convenient and easier for a vast majority of people and will continue to do so for decades to come.

Nevertheless, the influences of this new technological development have not all been of benefit (useful, helpful, valuable). For instance, many people feel that the widespread (existing in many places and among many people) use of email is destroying traditional forms of communication such as letter handwriting, telephone and face-to-face (directly, meeting someone in the same place) conversation. This could cause a considerable (very large, much) decline in people’s basic ability to socialize and interact (to communicate with or react to) with each other on a day-to-day basis.

In addition, a plethora of ( a larger amount than you need) websites has meant that it is almost impossible to regulate and control. This has lead to many concerns regarding children getting access to unsuitable websites and viruses. Unluckily, this kind of problem might even get worse in the future at least until more regulated systems are set up ( to build, to start sth).

In conclusion, recent advances in IT have brought many benefits, yet I believe developments involving in (relate to) new technology are likely to cause many problems in the future. These must be addressed to avoid damaging impacts to individuals and society.

(289 words)