So last week we looked at the language for skills and abilities for both speaking and writing. Here it is:
Skills / abilities
good at/ skilled at, to excel at, be born with, innate ability, desire to, path to success, assist a person in, achieve dream come true, best of your ability, sense of accomplishment.
Skills / abilities technology
adept at, unique skillset, hold the edge on, process certain kinds of information, fallible, enjoy other advantages over, tap into, cloud the judgement, superior to, experience life, possess creativity and intuition, experiencing an emotion, replicate.
And I asked you to provide some ideas for what are humans and computers skilled at. Here are a list of points. Can you figure out which go for humans and which for computers?
Have better memories
Perform tasks, make decisions, and solve problems based on instincts and life experiences
Calculate, analyze and perform tasks tirelessly
Possess traits such as creativity, imagination and inspiration. E.g. writing a poem, composing and playing music, singing a song, creating a painting or dreaming up a new invention.
Tap into a large amount of information
Process information quicker
Experience emotions
Be adept at making quick calculations
Don’t require sleep
Are not affected or influenced by emotions, feelings, wants, needs.
Now try to write an essay comparing the advantages and disadvantages of computers and humans. Put the points together and use them in your answer.
You could alternatively write an answer to this recent IELTS question:
Some scientists believe that very soon computers will be more intelligent than human beings. Some people think that this will be a positive development, while others worry it will have negative effects.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Also here are some recent speaking topics you can practice your ‘skills/ abilities’ language with –
Part 2
Describe a natural talent you want to improve
You should say:
What it is
When you discovered it
How you want to improve it
And how you feel about it
Part 3
Do you think artists should focus on their talents?
Is it possible for us to know whether young children will become musicians or painters when they grow up?
Why do people like to watch talent shows?
Do you think it is more interesting to watch famous people’s or ordinary people’s shows?
ALISTAIR BROWN: As a writing and speaking examiner for more than 10 years, I bring a lot of experience. I have seen the frustrations that students have with IELTS from a career where I have actively guided and corrected students’ studies. I am looking for the most effective ways to teach IELTS as I understand students’ needs.