Topic: Technology | Speaking for IELTS PDF Download

Vocabulary  

Computer age: the period in modern history characterized by rapid technology development and widespread computer use.

Example: Living in a computer age has many benefits.

Computer buff: a user who is good at working with a computer.

Example: Mike is a computer buff. He got an A+ on his programming exam.

Computer fatigue: a syndrome of tiredness resulting from long computer usage.

Example: About 60% of IT specialists are affected by computer fatigue.

Cutting-edge: something innovational and leading.

Example: Cutting-edge technology.

Desktop PC: a personal computer that remains on a desk.

Example: I have an old desktop PC that I use for surfing the net when I’m home.

Digital editing: a process of changing digital materials like audio or video files.

Example: Being good at digital editing is essential in our time.

Download (podcasts): to save a copy of a file from the internet to your own device.

Example: Yesterday I downloaded a few films that I plan to watch during the weekends.

Essential: something you can’t imagine your life without.

Example: Internet is an essential piece of technology for many people.

Gadget: an advanced piece of technology, like smartphone.

Example: Nowadays almost everybody owns a gadget.

Geek: someone who is obsessed with technology, especially computers.

Example: My friend is a real geek. He owns a bunch of computers and other gadgets.

Hold the line: wait a minute.

Example: She told me to hold the line, because she had to open the door.

Large screen: a big-sized monitor.

Example: A few days ago I decided to renew my computer, so I bought a large screen for it.

Light years ahead: very far away from.

Example: Modern computers are light years ahead of those which people used in 90s.

On the cutting edge: at the forefront of progress.Paul’s new laptop is on the cutting edge of technology.

Operating system: the most important program that runs the computer.

Example: I chose to buy a laptop which is based on the Windows operating system.

Out of steam: tired, exhausted.

Example: Due to today’s intense workday I am out of steam, so I won’t be able to work tomorrow.

Rocket science: a very complicated subject for someone.

Example: Biology is a rocket science for me. I don’t understand anything in it.

Send an attachment: send an email with an added file.

Example: My brother sent an attachment with his homework to the professor.

Silver surfer: an old person, who uses the Internet.

Example: Uncle Bob is a silver surfer. He uses the Internet every day, although he’s almost 70.

Social media: media used to interact with other people.

Example: Facebook is the biggest social media in the world.

Time-consuming and inefficient: something that takes too much of your time and isn’t rational to do.

Example: I find watching football time-consuming and inefficient.

To access websites/email: to visit websites/email.

Example: John accessed his email today to see if he had received any letters.

To back up files: to make a copy of files in case of a computer problem.

Example: I had to back up files on my computer, because I was going to reinstall my operating system.

To be stuck behind a computer: to use computer for a long period of time.

Example: A lot of teenagers are stuck behind their computers all day.

To boot up: to start a computer.

Example: I booted up my computer as soon as I got home.

To browse websites: to search for websites.

Example: I spent a few hours browsing the websites today, until I found was I was looking for.

To crash: to suddenly stop working.

Example: My computer crashed when I was writing my essay.

To go online: to use the Internet.

Example: Millions of people go online every day.

To navigate a website: to find what you need on the website.

Example: Navigating a website is not very easy, especially if the website is poorly designed.

To pull the plug: to end an activity.

Example: After being stuck behind a computer all day, I decided to pull the plug.

To push someone’s buttons: to do specific thing to irritate somebody (usually intentionally).

Example: I became so angry because he pushed my buttons by adding pepper to my ice cream!

To surf the web: to look through websites, searching for something you need, or simply for entertainment.

Example: I was surfing the web yesterday for three hours, because I had nothing else to do.

To upgrade: to renew a software or a piece hardware.

Example: Thanks to the new program for students, I updated my computer for free.

Well-oiled machine: something that works perfectly well.

Example: My computer, despite being 7 years old, is still a well-oiled machine.

Widespread computer use: that is to say people use computers very often.

Wi-Fi hotspots: a public place where you can access the Internet.

Example: Our university has a Wi-Fi hotspot. It is very convenient.

Wireless network: a network where users can access the Internet without using any cables.

Example: We have installed a wireless network at home.

Word processing: writing, editing and producing words on a computer, using special programs.

Example: There are tons of word processing programs.