Science and Invention
Part 1: Interview (General Questions)
Part 1 questions are short and focus on familiar topics to help you relax and start speaking.
Science
1. Do you enjoy studying science? Why or why not?
2. Did you learn about science when you were younger?
3. What's the most interesting scientific subject for you? (e.g., biology, astronomy,
chemistry)
4. Do you think science classes are important for all students?
5. Do you ever watch science programs on TV?
6. Is there any famous scientist from your country you admire? Who and why?
7. Do you think it's important for people to understand basic scientific concepts?
8. What's the best way to learn about science (e.g., experiments, reading, documentaries)?
9. Have you ever visited a science museum? What did you see there?
10. If you could study any area of science right now, which one would it be?
Invention
1. What's the most useful invention in your daily life?
2. Do you think people today are more inventive than in the past?
3. Would you like to be an inventor? Why?
4. Is there anything you want to invent?
5. Do you use the internet a lot? (The internet is a major invention.)
6. When was the last time you bought a new technological gadget?
7. What is one old invention that you think is still very useful today?
8. Do you think that new inventions always make life better?
9. Do you often read about new technology or inventions?
10. How do you feel about the speed of technological change today?
Prepared By- S M Sharif Hasan
British Council and IDP Certified IELTS trainer
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Part 2 requires you to speak for 1-2 minutes on a specific topic. You will be given a cue card with
prompts.
Cue Card Example
1. Describe an important invention that has changed people's lives.
You should say:
• What the invention is.
• When you first used it.
• How it has changed people’s lives.
• And explain what life would be like without it.
2. Describe a scientific experiment you did at school.
You should say:
• What the experiment was about.
• Why your teacher asked you to do it.
• What equipment you used.
• And explain what you learned from this experiment.
3. Describe a piece of technology you find difficult to use.
You should say:
• What the technology is.
• Where and when you first saw it.
• What you use it for.
• And explain why you find it difficult to operate.
Prepared By- S M Sharif Hasan
British Council and IDP Certified IELTS trainer
Part 3: Discussion (Abstract Questions)
Part 3 questions are more abstract, complex, and require you to analyze, compare, and offer
opinions on broader issues.
Science and Society
1. What role does science play in modern society?
2. Do you think the government should invest more money in scientific research? Why?
3. What are the biggest ethical issues surrounding new scientific discoveries?
4. How do the media influence the public's understanding of science?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying science at university?
Technology and Innovation
1. How do new inventions affect the employment rate in a country?
2. What do you think is the difference between a scientific discovery and an invention?
3. Do you think that technology makes people more or less creative?
4. In what ways can traditional skills be preserved in an age of rapid technological change?
5. Which areas do you think will see the most important inventions in the next 50 years?
(e.g., medicine, space travel, communication)
The Future of Science
1. Do you think we will eventually solve all major scientific problems?
2. What kind of science or technology do you think children should learn in school today?
3. How can people be encouraged to take an interest in science?
4. Do you think space exploration is a waste of money, or is it important for humanity?
5. What major scientific breakthrough would you like to see happen in your lifetime?
Ethics and Progress
1. Do you think there are any inventions that should never have been developed? Why?
2. How should we balance the desire for scientific progress with the need to protect the
environment?
3. Who do you think benefits the most from new technologies—individuals or corporations?
4. In what ways can science and technology help solve global problems like poverty or
hunger?
Education and Careers
1. Why do you think some students find science subjects much harder than others?
2. What are the key qualities needed to be a successful scientist or inventor?
Prepared By- S M Sharif Hasan
British Council and IDP Certified IELTS trainer
3. Do you think people should rely more on human wisdom than on artificial intelligence
(AI) for decision-making?
4. How has the way we learn changed because of educational technology?
Core Vocabulary & Collocations
Category Word/Phrase Meaning & Example Use
(Collocation)
Discovery & Breakthrough A major, sudden advance or discovery. e.g., The
Progress medical community is hoping for a breakthrough in
cancer research.
Cutting-edge The most advanced, innovative technology
technology available. e.g., We rely on cutting-edge gadgets in
our daily lives.
Innovation / Innovate New ideas or methods; the act of introducing them.
e.g., The country invests heavily in innovation to
remain competitive.
Scientific research Systematic investigation to establish facts. e.g.,
Scientific research is crucial for solving global
issues like climate change.
Propel/Drive To cause a movement forward. e.g., Digitalisation
progress drives technological progress at an unprecedented
pace.
Technology State-of-the-art The best and most modern. e.g., The new lab uses
Types state-of-the-art equipment.
High-tech / Low-tech Using advanced or simple technology. e.g., I prefer
simple, low-tech solutions like a paper notebook
over complex apps.
Obsolete / Outdated No longer produced or useful because it is old. e.g.,
This software is becoming obsolete now that cloud
computing is so common.
The Process Formulate a To create an educated guess or proposition before
hypothesis testing.
Empirical evidence Information obtained through observation or
experimentation, rather than theory. e.g., The
theory must be backed up by empirical evidence.
Experimentation / The process of conducting tests / learning from
Trial and error mistakes. e.g., The invention of the light bulb was a
long process of trial and error.
Impact & Revolutionise (v) To change something fundamentally and
Society drastically. e.g., The internet has revolutionised
global communication.
Digital The integration of digital technology into all areas
transformation of business.
Prepared By- S M Sharif Hasan
British Council and IDP Certified IELTS trainer
Tech-savvy (adj) Knowledgeable and skilled in using modern
technology. e.g., My younger cousin is incredibly
tech-savvy.
Digital divide The gap between people with effective access to
digital technology and those without.
Technological Over-reliance on devices or technology. e.g., We
dependency risk creating a generation with an unhealthy
technological dependency.
Important Phrases (Connecting Ideas)
Use these phrases in Part 3 to give your opinion and structure your arguments:
Function Phrase Example
Introducing an In the realm of... In the realm of medicine, new inventions have
Idea dramatically extended life expectancy.
Stating Importance To play a pivotal Science continues to play a pivotal role in
role modern healthcare.
Discussing To give rise to... The development of AI has given rise to many
Consequences ethical concerns.
To shed light on... New telescopes can shed light on the mysteries
of the universe.
Explaining the To be largely The improvement in living standards is largely
Cause attributable to... attributable to scientific advancements.
Discussing the On the horizon... A new form of renewable energy is on the
Future horizon.
俚 Idioms (For a Band 7+)
Use these naturally, especially in Parts 1 and 2, to demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary.
Idiom Meaning Example Use in IELTS
It's not It's easy to understand or do. Learning to use a smartphone is quite
rocket straightforward; it's not rocket science.
science.
Break new To make a significant, pioneering The research team hopes to break new
ground. discovery. ground with their study on genetic
coding.
Reinvent the To waste time creating something When designing the website, we should
wheel. that has already been created. use existing templates and not try to
reinvent the wheel.
Prepared By- S M Sharif Hasan
British Council and IDP Certified IELTS trainer
Ahead of the More advanced or innovative than That company is ahead of the curve in
curve. others in the same field. developing electric vehicle batteries.
A game- A person, idea, or invention that The smartphone was a game-changer for
changer. significantly changes the way the communication industry.
things are done.
A double- Something that has both positive Technology is often a double-edged
edged sword. and negative consequences. sword; it gives us freedom but also leads
to privacy issues.
Prepared By- S M Sharif Hasan
British Council and IDP Certified IELTS trainer