IELTS Writing Task 2: technology essay — Band 9 sample & how to write it
Technology is one of the most common Task 2 themes. Below is a full Band 9 model answer to a typical "discuss both views" question, then the exact method to plan and structure your own.
The question
(An original practice prompt in the style and topic of recent exams — not a copyrighted exam question.)
Band 9 model answer
The pace of technological change has transformed daily life, and opinions differ on whether it has simplified our routines or burdened them with new demands. While I acknowledge that technology can create complications, I believe that, on balance, it has made modern life considerably easier.
Those who argue that technology complicates life make a reasonable point. The constant stream of notifications, software updates and online accounts can be overwhelming, and many people feel pressured to remain permanently available. Moreover, when a device fails or a system is hacked, the disruption can be far greater than any inconvenience faced before such tools existed. In this sense, our growing dependence carries a genuine cost.
Nevertheless, the benefits are, in my view, more significant. Tasks that once consumed hours — banking, booking travel, contacting distant relatives — can now be completed in seconds, freeing time for work and family. Medical technology, in particular, has saved countless lives through faster diagnosis and remote consultation. For most people, these gains far outweigh the irritation of occasional technical problems.
In conclusion, although technology undeniably introduces new complications, its capacity to save time, improve health and connect people makes everyday life easier overall. The sensible response is not to reject these tools but to use them deliberately, so that we control the technology rather than allowing it to control us.
How to write your own — the method
1. Decode the task. "Discuss both views and give your opinion" means three jobs: explain view A, explain view B, and state your own position clearly. Miss one and Task Response caps at 6.
2. Plan a clear position. Decide your opinion before you write, and keep it consistent. Here: "complications exist, but the benefits outweigh them."
3. One idea per paragraph. Body 1 = the "complicated" view; Body 2 = the "easier" view + why you favour it. Lead each with a clear topic sentence.
4. Accuracy over fancy words. Precise, correct vocabulary ("remote consultation", "growing dependence") beats big words used wrongly.