Writing Task:
Some people think that the increasing use of computers and mobile phones for communication has had a negative effect on young people’s reading and writing skills. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Task Analysis:
This is an Agree or Disagree (AD) type question. It asks whether using computers and mobile phones for communication negatively affects young people’s reading and writing skills. We will take a balanced view, but lean slightly more towards the idea that technology does more good than harm. Both sides have valid points, but focusing on the positives often makes for a stronger argument. This is our overall strategy when discussing the impact of new technology on people’s lives, which is a common topic in IELTS Writing Task 2.
For the essay’s structure, we can break it down like this:
- In the first body paragraph, talk about how technology might hurt reading and writing, like making youth rely too much on short texts or slang.
- In the second body paragraph, flip the script and explain how tech actually helps, like making learning fun and giving access to a huge range of resources. This approach lets us show both sides while still leaning on the positive.
Writing Sample:
There is growing concern that young people’s reading and writing skills are being harmed by the widespread use of computers and mobile phones for communication. I think that there are some positive effects of technology on young people’s literacy capabilities, even though it has altered the way they communicate.
First of all, young people’s time spent reading paper books and writing formally can be decreased by using technology. Many individuals would rather interact via brief messages or posts on social media, which frequently use emojis and acronyms. Their ability to use a variety of vocabulary or write sentences with proper structure may suffer as a result. Regular texting, for example, might reduce exposure to formal language, that is necessary for professional and academic writing. Additionally, reading preferences may change from longer, more complex texts like novels or academic articles to shorter, easier-to-read online content.
Nevertheless, technology also presents chances to improve writing and reading abilities. E-books, educational blogs, and forums are just a few of the many online resources available to youngsters today that can help them increase their vocabulary and knowledge. Furthermore, they are encouraged to practice and enhance their writing competence by producing contents for digital platforms like blogs or online articles. Moreover, technology fosters collaborative learning, allowing youth to participate in peer reviews and discussions that improve their writing and reading comprehension skills.
To sum up, I believe that modern digital devices could create more opportunities for development than risks. Finding a balance is crucial to ensuring that technology can be used to promote literacy development rather than impede it.
This topic was tested in March of 2015, https://ieltswriting.org/resources/real-test-writing-library/.
There is a task about the impact of smartphones on children in IELTS 17 test 2 (https://ieltswriting.org/ielts-17-test-2-writing-task-2-with-sample-answer-academic/) , you can also practice it.