Sample answer
A lot. I feel like in the past, when we wanted to talk to other people, we had to pay for the telephone. But currently, we can call over 500 areas for free, or anything like that.
Part 3 · Band 5
How do you think technology has changed the way we communicate with each other?
Source-reported band score · 37 words
Answer analysis
Fluency & Coherence
On the page, the answer moves from the past cost of telephone use to the present availability of free calls, so its basic contrast is easy to follow. However, it ends with “or anything like that” rather than developing how communication has changed. Try a timed 30-second response: give the past example, explain the present change, then add one clear effect, such as making it easier to stay in touch. Fluency itself cannot be assessed from text.
Lexical Resource
The answer uses relevant everyday vocabulary, including “pay for the telephone” and “for free,” to express its comparison clearly. However, “call over 500 areas” is difficult to interpret, and “or anything like that” is vague. For greater precision, name what is being called or identify the similar services you mean, while keeping the number and intended point unchanged.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
The past-time clause “when we wanted to talk to other people” is formed correctly, and the contrast with “we can call” communicates a change from past to present. The answer relies on a few short, simple structures, so it shows limited range rather than a clear grammatical error. As a next step, connect the contrast to its effect with a controlled clause such as “which makes it easier to stay in touch.”
Pronunciation
Pronunciation cannot be assessed from this text, and this practice guide is not an assessment of a recording. Practise word stress in “telephone,” “currently,” and “for free”; then group the answer into thought units: “In the past … / we had to pay … / Now … / we can call … for free.” Record a read-through, check that each phrase is easy to understand, and adjust the grouping if needed.
A transcript shows language and organisation. Fluency, delivery and pronunciation require an audio recording; the synthetic voice demonstrates the text, not the original speaker.
- Make the comparison explicit by using “In the past…” and “Now…” to introduce each time period.
- Clarify what “over 500 areas” refers to; keep the figure, but make clear that these are places people can call.
- Add one short consequence of the change, such as how free calls affect the ease of keeping in touch.
Plan your answer
Try your own response before reading the samples.
Ideas to explore
- Explain how video calls and messaging let people maintain personal relationships and collaborate despite being geographically far apart.
- Explore how social media can create a sense of community while also changing the quality of interaction.
- Discuss missing non-verbal cues and the value of balancing digital communication with face-to-face contact.
Suggested structure
- State your overall view of how technology has changed communication.
- Give specific benefits, such as maintaining relationships and collaborating remotely.
- Introduce drawbacks, including less expressive interaction and possible misunderstandings.
- Conclude with a balanced recommendation to combine online and in-person communication.
Useful vocabulary & examples
- real-time communication
- Communication that happens immediately, without a significant delay.
Video calls allow colleagues to discuss a project through real-time communication.
- body language
- Physical signals, such as gestures and facial expressions, that help communicate meaning.
Body language can make the emotion behind a face-to-face conversation clearer.
- interpersonal skills
- Abilities used to communicate and interact effectively with other people.
In-person conversations give people opportunities to practise interpersonal skills.
- stay in touch
- Continue communicating with someone over time.
Messaging apps make it easier for friends who live far apart to stay in touch.
Compare answers on this topic
Band 8
In my view, technology has significantly transformed the way we communicate. It has not only made it easier to maintain connections with family and friends, but also revolutioni...
Band 7
I am definitely sure that technology has changed the way we communicate every day. First of all, it has influenced the way we study. There are many online platforms, universitie...
Band 6
I think technology has changed the way we communicate with our friends and other people in many ways, most of which are positive. The first thing is it enhances the convenience...
Band 5
People have a different view on whether technology has changed the way people communicate with each other. Some people support this idea because they believe it has many advanta...
Band 4
I think technology has changed the way we communicate with each other because it connects us. It helps other people, as high technology develops our country and we can learn new...
Band 8
Technology has significantly changed the way we interact with each other. For instance, social media, like WeChat in China, is the most popular platform. For more formal interac...