science technology vocabulary ielts

This page contains some of the most common science and technology-related questions on the IELTS exam, along with some sample answers and exercises for you to practice using the most essential and frequently used vocabulary. Science and technology topics can incorporate a wide range of our everyday activities and thoughts. Using specific IELTS vocabulary related to the individual scientific field will help you form relevant and coherent answers with a high degree of accuracy.

1. Computer, IT & Internet Vocabulary

Computer, IT, and internet vocabulary –

The internet and computers are a part of most people’s lives so it is vital that you know and can use the vocabulary correctly. The following are some of the most common words on the IELTS examination related to computers and the internet, followed by an exercise for you to practice using the words.

  • AI (artificial intelligence) – Computer systems that can perform tasks without human assistance
  • Boot-up / Start-up – To start a computer
  • Computer literacy – The ability to use a computer and its functions
  • Cyber-crime – Crime committed over the internet such as fraud and identity theft.
  • Personal data – The information held by websites/companies on internet users and customers
  • Database – A structured set of data held in a computer
  • Device/gadget – A small mechanical/electrical tool such as a phone
  • Hacker – A person who accesses data illegally
  • Hardware – Tools, physical devices, and machinery such as computers and monitors
  • Internetsecurity – Security processes aimed at deterring crime and exploitation
  • Laptop – A portable personal computer
  • Online – Connected to the internet
  • PC (personalcomputer) – A computer used mainly by people at home, such as a desktop PC
  • Privacy – A person’s right to keep their data private
  • Reboot – To restart a computer
  • Socialmedia – Websites designed for people to socialise and interact
  • Software – Computer programs and games
  • Technophobe – A person who is not very good at using technology
  • Tech-savvy – A person who is good at using technology
  • Tobrowse – Scan through a text or website
  • Tocrash – When the operating system or program stops functioning correctly
  • Tosurftheinternet – To navigate different websites on the internet
  • Viral – To become extremely popular online
  • Virus – Malicious software designed to cause damage to computer systems
  • Website – A set of pages on the internet typically produced by an organization or person
  • Wi-Fi – A system that allows connection to the internet without cables

2. Activity 1 – IT Vocabulary Exercise

Activity 1

Exercise 1 – Complete the following IELTS answers using the word(s) belowviral, software, crash, laptop, PC, surf, websites, cyber-crime, virus, database, social media, personal data

1. How often do you use a computer and what do you use it for the most?
I use a computer every day of my life for my job and in my personal life. For work, I have a company _____1_____, which I take everywhere with me. I work for a food exportation business, and I have a huge ___2________that contains all the information on my customers and clients. I also have a _____3_____at home, which I use to _____4________different _____5_________ on the internet. I try to avoid popular _____6____ sites like Facebook and Twitter because I think they are too invasive, and I am not comfortable with the way they handle my ____7___________. I do occasionally use sites like that if there is something that has become really ____8________and everyone is talking about it.

2. What types of products do you buy on the internet?
The only things I have bought online in the last year are two computer ____9________programs to make music and edit videos. In general, though, I try not to buy too many products on the internet because I am a little worried about ______10________and someone stealing my identity. I once clicked on a great looking offer on a flight, but it turned out to be a ______11______,which made my computer ____12_________ constantly until I had had it repaired.

Answers
  1. laptop
  2. database
  3. pc
  4. surf
  5. websites
  6. social media
  7. personal data
  8. viral
  9. software
  10. cyber-crime
  11. virus
  12. crash

3. General Science & Technology Vocabulary

The following are words used to describe processes and developments in science and technology. At the end of the vocabulary list, there is an exercise for you to practice using the words in context.

  • Affect – To cause or provoke change
  • Attribute – A quality or characteristic of something
  • Breakthrough – A new or dramatic discovery or advancement
  • Cloning – To reproduce genetically identical organisms
  • Evidence – The facts that show whether beliefs and opinions are valid
  • Experiment – The process of testing a theory or demonstrating known fact
  • Genetically modified – Something that has had its genetical structure altered
  • High-tech – Something that is or uses advanced new technology
  • Impact – The effect of something
  • Invention – A new process or device
  • Mechanism – A system of parts working together in a particular process
  • Obsolete – No longer produced or not useful because it is too old
  • Outdated – Not effective because it is too old or uses old technology
  • Placebo – An inactive substance used in experiments as a control to test new drugs
  • Plausible – Something that is reasonable or possible
  • Revolutionise – To change something drastically and fundamentally
  • State of the art – The most modern technology
  • Systematic – Done according to a fixed plan or system

4. Activity 2 –Science & Technology Vocabulary Exercise

Activity 2

Use the word(s) above to complete the following sentences1. The thing I enjoyed most about science class at school was conducting ______________in chemistry class to see the reactions of mixing chemicals.

2. Homeopathic medicine has been proven to perform no better than a _______________ in trials involving over 500 medical conditions.

3. The latest mobile phones are produced using ________________technology, which is why they are so light and thin.

4. Quantum computing is eventually expected to ________________the way we use computers and the internet because of the increased processing speeds.

5. There is overwhelming ______________that climate change is caused by human actions.

6. One of the main ______________of climate change is more extreme weather events around the world.

7. The speed at which new technology like computers and phones become _____________ and _______________ has continued to increase in recent years.

8. Many countries do not allow _________________crops to be sold because they are worried about the health consequences.

9. _____________has come in for serious criticism due to the ethical concerns of recreating a human life.

Answers
  1. experiments
  2. placebo
  3. state of the art
  4. revolutionise
  5. evidence
  6. impacts
  7. outdated / obsolete
  8. genetically modified
  9. cloning

5. Vocabulary for Science Domain& Scientists

There are many different branches of science, and the people who work in these fields have different names. When answering IELTS questions, It is better if you are more specific, so instead of simply stating ‘scientists’, you can use the specific name for the scientific field you are referring to. Below are some of the most commonly discussed branches of science and the names given to people who work in those fields. Then there is an exercise for you to practice using the words.

  • Astronomy – The study of space and the universe – Astronomist
  • Biology – The study of living organisms – Biologist
  • Botany – The study of plants – Botanist
  • Chemistry – The study of the substances of which matter is composed – Chemist
  • Computation – The study of computers and IT – Computer scientist
  • Ecology – The study of the environment – Ecologist
  • Forensics – The use of scientific methods to investigate crime – Forensicscientist
  • Genetics – The study of genes and hereditary characteristics – Geneticist
  • Neuroscience – The study of the brain – Neuroscientist
  • Physics – The study of the nature and properties of matter and energy – Physician
  • Psychology – The study of the mind and behaviour – Psychologist
  • Virology – The study of viruses – Virologist
  • Zoology – The study of the structure and classification of animals – Zoologist

6. Activity 3 – Vocabulary Exercise for Science Domain & Scientists

Activity 3

Exercise 3 – Complete the sentences using the scientist names above1. ______________have been investigating ways in which leaves from certain tropical plants could be used to make biodegradable plastic substitutes.

2. ______________ are currently studying how brain chemistry can alter stress levels in monkeys.

3. ______________ should be given credit for the speed at which they produced a vaccine for COVID.

4. _______________ have been saying for years that if we do not reduce our consumption of fossil fuels, the environment will suffer.

5. ____________created the PH scale around 100 years ago to measure the difference between acid and alkaline

6. _________________have been responsible for solving many historical crimes that would otherwise have remained unsolved.

7. __________________are constantly looking for ways to speed up processing speeds and data storage.

8. ________________are a useful option for people who are suffering from anxiety or depression.

Answers
  1. botanists
  2. neuroscientists
  3. virologists
  4. ecologists
  5. chemists
  6. forensic scientists
  7. computer scientists
  8. psychologists

For more practice, visit IELTS vocabulary for finance and money.

Vocab articles short lists

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