Part 3 · Band 7

How do you think technology has changed the way we communicate with each other?

Illustrative target band for this model answer · 172 words

AI-completed learning example

I firmly believe that technology has changed the way people communicate with one another for the better. In the past, we had to take a long time to relay a message to another person, which could cause problems. With technological advancements, we no longer face that issue. We can send a message in seconds, and get an immediate reply. This is especially useful when people need to make plans or share important information quickly. Social media and video calls also help friends and relatives stay in touch, even when they live far apart. However, there can be downsides. Short messages may be misunderstood because people cannot always hear the speaker’s tone or see their facial expressions. Also, some people may spend so much time communicating online that they have fewer conversations in person. Overall, technology has made communication faster and more convenient, but I think it is still important to choose the right method. For a quick update, a text is useful, whereas a sensitive conversation may be better face to face.

Answer analysis

Fluency & Coherence

The ideas follow a clear spoken-answer sequence: you give your view, compare communication in the past and present, add benefits, acknowledge drawbacks, and conclude with a practical distinction between texting and face-to-face conversation. That development makes the response easy to extend in discussion. Practise it in a timed 60-second response, aiming to deliver each stage in one or two connected sentences without adding unrelated examples.

Lexical Resource

The answer uses relevant, generally precise expressions such as “relay a message,” “technological advancements,” and “misunderstood.” The contrast between “faster and more convenient” communication and a “sensitive conversation” also helps express the topic clearly. To add range without sounding forced, practise replacing repeated general words such as “message” and “communication” with context-appropriate alternatives, for example “update,” “conversation,” or “get in touch.”

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

There is a useful mix of sentence patterns, including the relative clause in “which could cause problems,” the time clause beginning “when,” and the contrast introduced by “whereas.” The completed response is understandable and controlled. As a refinement, check parallel phrasing when contrasting options: “For a quick update, a text is useful, whereas a sensitive conversation may be better face to face” makes the two situations easy to compare.

Pronunciation

This is text-only, so pronunciation cannot be assessed and this practice guide is not an assessment of a recording. Practise stressing the key words in “technological advancements” and “faster and more convenient,” while grouping the final contrast as “For a quick update / a text is useful / whereas a sensitive conversation / may be better face to face.” Record yourself, then check whether the stressed words and thought groups are clear.

A transcript shows language and organisation. Fluency, delivery and pronunciation require an audio recording; the synthetic voice demonstrates the text, not the original speaker.

  • Add one brief example of a communication situation, such as arranging a meeting, to make the speed benefit more concrete.
  • Keep the drawback balanced: explain how missing facial expressions or tone can cause misunderstanding, as in the completed response.
  • Practise the final comparison aloud and make the distinction between a quick text and a sensitive face-to-face conversation clear.

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

  1. State your overall view of how technology has changed communication.
  2. Give specific benefits, such as maintaining relationships and collaborating remotely.
  3. Introduce drawbacks, including less expressive interaction and possible misunderstandings.
  4. 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.

Practise your answer →

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

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.

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...