IELTS Topic Vocabulary: Technology (Free PDF)
Useful technology chunks for Speaking and Writing Task 2. Learn collocations, not isolated words. Free printable PDF with DailyEnglishPro.com branding.
How to use this list
Technology appears in Task 2 essays, Part 2 cue cards and Part 3 discussions. This mini-list covers devices, social media, AI, work and education tech, privacy and innovation.
Learn chunks with a personal example. Collocations score better for Lexical Resource than single words with a translation.
Technology prompts tempt candidates to use vague words such as 'modern' and 'machine'. The band 7 move is to name the exact thing, for example screen time, data privacy or job displacement, and then connect it to a cause, a benefit or a risk.
- Choose two mini-lists and pick 6-8 chunks you can use naturally
- Write two Task 2 sentences about technology using three chunks
- Say one Part 2 or Part 3 answer aloud with at least four chunks
- Check your draft in Writing Checker, then download the PDF for offline review
- Follow the recycling steps and the 20 minute practice loop below before you add new chunks
- Keep a notebook with three columns: chunk, your own example sentence, and the mistake you made last time
How to recycle technology chunks in Speaking Part 2 and Task 2
A topic list only helps if the same chunks work in more than one place. The technology chunks below can be reused in a two-minute Part 2 talk, in Part 3 follow-up answers, and in a Task 2 body paragraph. You change the sentence frame, not the vocabulary. That repetition is what turns a recognised phrase into one you can produce under pressure.
| Task | Sample prompt | Chunks to recycle |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking Part 2 | Describe a piece of technology you use every day. | user-friendly, keep in touch, screen time, make life easier |
| Writing Task 2 | Automation will replace many workers. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? | automation, job displacement, technological advances, digital literacy |
Part 2 model: "I use my smartphone every day because it is user-friendly and helps me keep in touch with relatives abroad. The downside is screen time, so I now go offline for an hour before bed, which makes life easier in a different way." Notice that the chunks sit inside a personal story with a reason and a result. That is more convincing than a string of topic words.
Task 2 model: "Automation may cause job displacement in factories, but technological advances also create demand for digital literacy and new roles that did not exist a decade ago." The same vocabulary appears here, but the sentence is formal and balanced, with a cause or a consequence attached.
- 1Choose three chunks, not tenPick three chunks from the technology tables below that you could say about your own life. Personal relevance is what makes them stick.
- 2Say them in a story firstSpeak for 90 seconds on a cue card. Add one reason and one example for every chunk. Record it on Speaking practice.
- 3Rewrite the same ideas formallyTurn two of your spoken sentences into Task 2 sentences. Replace personal examples with general ones such as 'in many countries' or 'for example, in cities'.
- 4Repeat on a different promptUse the same three chunks on a new question the next day. If you can reuse them naturally, they are now part of your active vocabulary.
Technology collocation tips, common mistakes and a practice loop
Most Lexical Resource errors on this topic are not wrong words. They are wrong partners: the wrong verb, preposition or noun form around a correct word. Learn each chunk as a unit and check the verb that goes with it. The table shows slips we see often in technology answers, with a safer version you can copy.
| Common slip | Better chunk | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| make a research on AI | carry out research / invest in research and development | Research takes 'carry out' or 'conduct', and it is uncountable. |
| depend of technology | rely heavily on technology | The preposition is 'on'. 'Rely heavily on' is a ready-made chunk. |
| addicted of smartphones | smartphone addiction / addicted to | Use 'addicted to' or the noun chunk, never 'of'. |
| a video became viral | a video can go viral | 'Go viral' is a fixed verb phrase and often sits with 'can'. |
| the datas are stolen | personal data can be stolen / data privacy | Data is not pluralised with an s. Use 'personal data' as a chunk. |
| modern technologies develop fast | the pace of change is accelerating | A specific chunk replaces 'modern' and adds precision. |
Use the loop below for one study block. It takes about 20 minutes and combines speaking, writing and feedback, so each chunk is tested in both skills before you move on.
| Step | Time | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Select | 3 min | Choose one technology mini-list and highlight six chunks you could use about your own experience. |
| 2. Speak | 4 min | Answer one cue card or Part 3 question aloud with at least four chunks, then record it with Speaking practice. |
| 3. Write | 8 min | Write one Task 2 body paragraph: topic sentence, reason, example. Use three chunks and keep sentences clear. |
| 4. Check | 3 min | Paste the paragraph into Writing Checker and note any chunk used with the wrong verb or preposition. |
| 5. Log | 2 min | Add two corrected chunks to your notebook with an example sentence of your own. |
| 6. Retest | Weekly | Sit a timed mock test and see whether the chunks come back naturally under exam pressure. |
Everyday devices and apps
Phones, apps and daily digital habits.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| smartphone addiction | smartphone addiction affects sleep and focus |
| mobile app | download a mobile app for language practice |
| screen time | limit screen time for young children |
| wearable devices | wearable devices track steps and heart rate |
| user-friendly | a user-friendly interface suits older people |
| push notifications | push notifications constantly interrupt work |
| keep in touch | technology helps us keep in touch with relatives |
| go offline | go offline for a weekend to recharge |
Artificial intelligence and automation
AI, robots and the changing workplace.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| artificial intelligence | artificial intelligence can analyse huge data sets |
| automation | automation may replace repetitive jobs |
| machine learning | machine learning improves recommendations |
| robotics | robotics is transforming factory production |
| job displacement | job displacement worries many workers |
| cutting-edge technology | hospitals use cutting-edge technology |
| technological breakthrough | a technological breakthrough in medicine |
| self-driving cars | self-driving cars could reduce accidents |
Education and work technology
E-learning, remote work and digital skills.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| e-learning | e-learning offers flexible study options |
| remote working | remote working saves commuting time |
| video conferencing | video conferencing connects global teams |
| digital literacy | improve digital literacy among older adults |
| interactive whiteboard | teachers use an interactive whiteboard |
| online course | complete an online course at your own pace |
| keep up with technology | it is hard to keep up with technology |
| tech-savvy | younger people are usually more tech-savvy |
Privacy, security and risks
Data, safety and downsides of technology.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| data privacy | data privacy is a growing concern |
| cyber attack | companies must defend against a cyber attack |
| identity theft | identity theft costs victims time and money |
| online scam | older users are often targets of an online scam |
| personal data | share personal data with caution |
| rely heavily on | we rely heavily on technology |
| digital divide | the digital divide separates rich and poor |
| surveillance | surveillance cameras raise privacy questions |
Progress and innovation
Advantages, change and the future.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| technological advances | technological advances improve productivity |
| time-saving | time-saving tools free up the day |
| make life easier | gadgets make life easier at home |
| pace of change | the pace of change is accelerating |
| become obsolete | old software can become obsolete quickly |
| research and development | invest in research and development |
| renewable technology | renewable technology cuts emissions |
| state-of-the-art | state-of-the-art equipment in classrooms |
Practise next
Frequently asked questions
Is this technology list enough for the exam?+
It is a focused starter bank, not a full lexicon. Use it with your own examples and wider reading for depth. For other themes, start from the 100 topic vocabulary mini-lists.
How many of these chunks should I use in one Part 2 answer?+
Four to six is plenty for a two-minute talk. Put them inside a real story with a reason and an example. If you need a smooth opening line first, try the 100 Part 2 cue card starters, then drill the full answer on Speaking practice.
Should I use all of these words in one essay?+
No. Pick a handful that fit the question. Overloading an essay with topic words can hurt coherence and accuracy. Two or three well-placed chunks per body paragraph are enough.
Can I use these chunks in Speaking too?+
Yes. Most are natural in Part 2 and Part 3. Keep sentences conversational and avoid reading them like a list. Practise on Speaking practice, and see Part 3 question types for how to extend answers.
How can I check whether I used a chunk correctly?+
Write a short paragraph and run it through Writing Checker. Look for wrong verbs, missing prepositions and singular or plural slips around the chunk. Then confirm the pattern in your notebook before reusing it.
Which topic lists should I study after technology?+
Pair it with Crime vocabulary and Media vocabulary because the themes overlap in Part 3 and Task 2. For a bigger spread, use the 100 topic vocabulary mini-lists and the Band 6 to 7 phrase swaps.
Is it safe to use AI vocabulary if I am not a technology expert?+
Yes, if you stay general. Chunks such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation are common in the exam. You do not need technical detail. Explain the effect on jobs, education or privacy, as shown in the Task 2 example above.
How do I test whether this vocabulary is working under exam conditions?+
Sit a full timed mock test after a week of drills. If the chunks appear naturally in your Speaking and Writing without checking the list, they are working. If not, return to the practice loop.
Where is the free PDF?+
Use Download free PDF above the practice CTA. Every page includes DailyEnglishPro.com plus links to mock tests and Pro.