IELTS Speaking Part 2

Describe a piece of technology that you feel is difficult to use

Describe a piece of technology that you feel is difficult to use

You should say:

One minute to prepare, then speak for one to two minutes.

How to plan it in one minute

  1. Note the item's name and why you acquired it during your preparation time.
  2. List three specific reasons why the interface or function feels overly complex.
  3. Use a personal anecdote to illustrate the frustration you feel when using it.

Band 8 model answer

To be perfectly honest, I am quite tech-savvy, but there is one piece of hardware that really gets under my skin: my high-end DSLR camera, a Canon EOS R5. I purchased it about six months ago because I wanted to take my landscape photography to a professional level, hoping to capture the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands during my weekend hikes. I initially thought that because I had used entry-level cameras before, the transition would be seamless, but I was sorely mistaken. I try to use it at least twice a month when I head out of the city, yet every time I pick it up, I feel as though I am wrestling with a cockpit of a jet plane rather than a camera. The menu system is labyrinthine, filled with hundreds of sub-settings, custom functions, and obscure exposure modes that seem designed to confuse rather than assist. It is incredibly frustrating because, despite the impressive technical specifications, the sheer complexity often ruins the spontaneity of a shot. I find myself fiddling with the dial for minutes on end while the perfect golden hour light fades away. The reason I find it so difficult is the sheer lack of intuitive design. It feels like the manufacturers prioritised power over usability, assuming that every user is a professional engineer. It makes me feel somewhat inadequate, as I often end up reverting to my smartphone to capture the moment, leaving this expensive, sophisticated piece of kit gathering dust in my camera bag, which is quite a disappointing outcome for such a significant investment.

262 words, about two minutes at a natural pace. Details are invented; use your own.

Vocabulary from the answer

tech-savvy
well informed about or proficient in technology
gets under my skin
something that annoys or irritates you greatly
seamless
smooth and without any apparent interruptions
labyrinthine
extremely complicated, intricate, and confusing to navigate
obscure
not discovered or known about; uncertain or hidden
spontaneity
the quality of being natural and unforced
inadequate
not good enough or lacking required quality
kit
a set of equipment needed for specific activity

Part 3 questions that follow this card

Answer each in three to five sentences: position, reason, example, limit. See the Part 3 guide.

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Frequently asked questions

How should I start the cue card "Describe a piece of technology that you feel is difficult to use"?

Note the item's name and why you acquired it during your preparation time.

How long should my answer be?

Speak for the full two minutes, about 220 to 280 words at a natural pace. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is a good sign, not a problem.

Can I use this model answer in the exam?

Use its structure and vocabulary, not its sentences. Examiners recognise memorised answers and mark fluency down; a shorter answer from your own memory scores higher than a recited one.

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