You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
There have been many inventions in the human history, such as the wheel. Some people think the most important thing is the internet. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer
There have been many truly revolutionary advances in technology which have profoundly changed the course of human history. While perhaps the most significant of these is traditionally considered to be the wheel, I agree with those who believe that the internet is the most important invention of all time.
The greatest impact of the internet is the instant transmission of knowledge that it has made possible. As a result, the old ways of studying and working have been made obsolete. Whereas the wheel was a technological breakthrough in transforming transport, the internet has allowed people to pass on information and ideas across the world. In education, computer literacy enables young people to access the internet, and the virtual classroom is becoming a reality, with the college intranet and the use of the internet to deliver lectures. The internet has also revolutionised communication in business, with the growth of e- commerce and online shopping. Enterprises increasingly communicate with staff and clients through video conferencing.
A second significant breakthrough for which the internet is responsible is in transforming the way that people communicate in their social lives. One obvious example, of course, is the phenomenal growth in popularity of social networking sites. There are currently about 2 billion active users of Facebook, and such sites are still in their infancy. Thanks to the internet, more and more people are able to share what their friends and family are doing, and they can keep abreast of the news about what is happening in the world from many sources. Governments find it difficult to control and censor the content of what is posted on the internet.
In conclusion, as nothing is more fundamental than sharing knowledge, I would argue that the internet is the greatest of all inventions to date.
295 words
Vocab Highlights
advances in technology: the improvement or development in technology
the transmission of knowledge: the process of passing knowledge from one person to another
to make something obsolete: not in use any more, having been replaced by something newer and better or more fashionable
a technological breakthrough: an important new discovery in technology
to pass on: to give someone something that someone else has given you
computer literacy: the ability to use a computer well
to access the internet : to have the opportunity to use the internet
a virtual classroom: an online classroom in which participants can communicate and interact with other students, view videos and actively engage with the study materials
the college intranet : a network of computers within a college that can only be accessed by the staff and students to set and mark work, enter into contact etc.
to deliver a lecture : to give a lecture
e-commerce: buying and selling
products or services using the internet
online shopping: shopping while connected to the internet
video conferencing : to see and discuss with people in different locations using the Internet.
breakthrough (noun): an important development that may lead to an agreement of achievement.
phenomenal (adjective): extremely successful or special, especially in a surprising way
social networking sites: a website on which you communicate with people who share your interests
to be in its infancy : to be in the early development of something
to keep abreast of something: to have the most recent information about something
to censor (verb): to remove something from a book, film or news report considered to be offensive or a political threat