Mobile phones and the internet bring a lot of benefits to people nowadays. However, older people use them the least.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Mobile phones and the internet bring a lot of benefits to people nowadays. However, older people use them the least.

Benefits of mobile phones and the internet for older people and ways to encourage their use - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

In what aspects do mobile phones and the internet benefit older people? How can we encourage them to use these technologies?

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 7 ยท 278 words.

Nowadays, smartphones and the internet can provide numerous benefits for older people, particularly by making everyday tasks more convenient and helping them stay connected. Although elderly people tend to use these technologies less frequently than younger generations, they can be encouraged to adopt them through financial incentives and practical support.

One major benefit of smartphones and the internet is that they allow older people to complete everyday tasks without leaving their homes. For example, many elderly people may find travelling to a bank difficult, but online banking enables them to pay their bills using a smartphone. This can make their daily lives more convenient and save them considerable time. Another advantage is that smartphones can help older people navigate unfamiliar places. For instance, if they travel to another city and become unsure of how to return to their accommodation, applications such as Google Maps can help them find their way easily.

There are several ways to encourage older people to use these technologies. Firstly, technology companies could offer discounted smartphones to elderly customers. Making these devices more affordable would remove one potential barrier and encourage more older people to purchase them. Secondly, governments and community centres could provide free training courses for elderly people. These courses could teach them how to use basic smartphone functions, online banking and navigation applications. Once older people become more confident with these technologies, they are likely to use them more frequently in their daily lives.

In conclusion, smartphones and the internet can significantly benefit older people by making everyday tasks easier and helping them navigate unfamiliar places. To encourage greater use, affordable devices and practical training should be provided to elderly people.

Examiner feedback

This is a well-structured and clearly written essay that successfully addresses all parts of the prompt. The ideas are logically organized with relevant examples, and the language is controlled with a good range of vocabulary and grammatical structures.

Task Response - 7

- Fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing the benefits and how to encourage older people to use technology. - Presents a clear position throughout with well-supported and extended ideas. - Main ideas are logically developed with relevant examples.

Coherence & Cohesion - 7

- Logically organises information with a clear central topic per paragraph and smooth overall progression. - Uses appropriate cohesive devices such as "One major benefit", "Another advantage", and "Firstly" / "Secondly". - Paragraphing is used effectively to separate benefits from solutions.

Lexical Resource - 7

- Uses a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision. - Incorporates less common lexical items such as "financial incentives", "convenient", and "unfamiliar places" with accurate collocations. - Spelling and word formation are consistently accurate.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 7

- Employs a variety of complex structures with frequent error-free sentences. - Demonstrates strong control of grammar, punctuation, and tense consistency. - Sentence forms are well-balanced and support clear communication.

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