Last Updated on July 16, 2025
“Describe an invention that is useful in daily life” is a common cue card in IELTS Speaking Part 2. In this article, you’ll find sample answers, essential vocabulary, common follow-up questions from Part 3, and an explanation of what this topic assesses.
This cue card helps test your ability to describe an object, explain its function and significance, and discuss its impact on modern living.
Learn how to answer “Describe an invention that is useful in daily life” with IELTS sample answers, Band 9 vocabulary, tips, follow-up questions & structure.
Cue Card Topic Breakdown
You will have:
- 1 minute to prepare
- 1–2 minutes to speak
Describe an invention that is useful in daily life
You should say:
- What it is
- When it was invented
- How it works
- And explain why it is so useful
Why This Cue Card Matters
This cue card helps examiners assess your ability to:
- Describe objects and processes with fluency and coherence.
- Use a mix of descriptive and explanatory language.
- Discuss the societal impact of technology.
- Organize your thoughts into a clear, logical explanation.
The Smartphone: Describe an Invention That Is Useful In Daily Life
What is it?
The smartphone is the invention I would wish to describe. It is a mobile communication device that can be carried around and performs the functions of a personal computer, telephone and a variety of other applications in a single, compact device.
What was the date of invention?
Although the actualization of a define (smartphone) shifted throughout history, it is probably the Apple iPhone (launched in 2007) that revolutionized everyday life and established the standard of today. Prior to that, other devices such as the IBM Simon in 1992 led the way, but it was the iPhone that made smart phones popular and easy to use.
So how does it work?
A smartphone is simply a small-scale computer. It is powered by an operating system which usually comes in the form of iOS or Android and this enables users to install and execute several applications. It is cellular-enabled and can connect to cellular networks to make calls and access data and Wi-Fi networks to access the Internet. It has a touch screen interface, a powerful processor, and a large number of sensors (such as GPS, accelerometer, camera) that allow it to perform an enormous range of tasks, including communication, navigation, entertainment, and productivity.
And why is it so helpful?
The utility of the smartphone is truly phenomenal in the way that it has merged so many valuable tools and features into a single entity. It helps us to stay in touch by phone, SMS, and social networks. It is our main navigation system, our personal camera, our mobile bank, our music and video entertainment center, and portable office where we can manage emails and documents. To Kolkata citizens, life in the labyrinthine streets of the city or with ride-sharing services is practically impossible without it. It is easily portable and versatile, and because of this, it has become indispensable in the work, education, and social lives of the 21st century.
The Refrigerator: Describe an Invention That Is Useful In Daily Life
What is it?
I would like to talk about the refrigerator or just plain fridge a standard kitchen device which is found in practically every household.
When was it invented?
Although the idea of artificial refrigeration is ancient, the first practical household refrigerators started to emerge in the early 20 th century, especially during the years 1910-1920s. Prior to that, individuals used to be based on iceboxes.
So how does it work?
A refrigerator operate using a refrigeration cycle. It holds a coolant fluid which runs across a circuit of pipes. The given fluid removes the heat inside the fridge, making the interior cool down. This hot liquid then circulates around to coils outside the refrigerator where it emits the heat, cools and winds back to absorb more heat thereby keeping the temperature low at all times inside the refrigerator.
And why it is so useful?
Its practicality in day to day life is literally basic. The fridge enables us to keep perishable types of food items such as vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and cooked food items longer than they would have spoiled. This has tremendously enhanced food safety, hygiene, and the reduction of wasted food and the possibility of a larger variety of diets. As an example, a refrigerator іs essential in the city of Kolkata (its humid climate) with the hot weather of summer, in case to provide the family with the food they can use not only once, but on a daily basis, quite safe and rather nutritious.
The Internet: Describe an Invention That Is Useful In Daily Life
What it is?
The invention I find incredibly useful in daily life is the Internet. It’s a vast global network of interconnected computer networks that use standard communication protocols to serve billions of users worldwide.
When it was invented?
While its roots go back to the 1960s with ARPANET, the World Wide Web, which made the Internet accessible to the general public, was invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 and released in 1991. This was the pivotal moment that transformed it into the global utility it is today.
How it works?
At its core, the Internet works by enabling computers and devices to communicate with each other using a set of rules called protocols (like TCP/IP). Information is broken down into small packets and sent across various networks – via cables, fiber optics, or wireless signals – to reach its destination. Routers direct these packets along the most efficient path, allowing for seamless data transfer, whether you’re Browse a website, sending an email, or streaming a video.
And tell me why it is so useful?
The Internet has transformed almost all spheres of everyday life. It gives immediate access to knowledge on any subject and this makes research and learning a breeze. It forms the foundation of international communication, and with the help of email, video, and social media, we can be linked with people who live on the other side of the planet. To a person in Kolkata, it allows online shopping, access to entertainment, the ability to work remotely, and vital information in case of emergency or guidance in undertaking public transport. Its value resides in its capacity to integrate, educate and empower people in a way that has never been done before.
The Electric Fan: Describe an Invention That Is Useful In Daily Life
What is it?
I would cover the electric fan which is apparently an easy yet very handy invention that exist in any household particularly in a hot climate.
When was it invented?
The electric fan, as we know it, was invented in the late 19 th century. In particular, Schuyler Skaats Wheeler developed the first practical electric desk fan in 1882 in the United States.
What is the mechanism?
The operating principle of an electric fan is a very simple one. It consists of an electric motor that rotates blades, pushing air, thus making an air current. Although this moving air does not strictly cool the room, it helps to cool people by promoting the evaporation of sweat on the skin, which is used by the body to cool itself.
Why is it so useful?
The electric fan is very handy, especially in the hot and humid climate of places such as Kolkata. It does not reduce temperature in the immediate area as an air conditioner would, but offers instant personal cooling and comfort through creating a breeze. This is very essential in making daily life a survival through blistering summers, at home, in small shops, or even in some offices. It is a highly efficient and economic alternative to air conditioning for man,y so it is also a vital part of everyday comfort to millions of people, bringing better sleep, more comfortable working environments, and just making the heat bearable.
Follow-Up Questions (IELTS Part 3): Describe an Invention That Is Useful In Daily Life
So what do you think some of the new inventions will be in the future?
In my opinion, artificial intelligence will progress substantially, and we will have more customized and predictive technologies. Additionally, advancement in renewable energy solutions and possibly more eco-friendly material will be essential. It is also possible that innovations of space travel will be more available to ordinary citizens.
And do you believe that all of the new inventions are good?
Not necessarily. Though most inventions are made to solve problems or give us an easier life, some of them may turn out to have a negative impact on various things such as environmental pollution, ethical issues (such as, in genetic engineering) or even result in solitude brought about by too much reliance on technology. The advantages usually have trade-offs.
What is the impact of inventions on lives of people?
Inventions have a far-reaching ability to transform life by making tasks easier, communication better, and health and safety increased, and enabling new life activities and pleasure as well. They have the potential to bridge gaps between remote populations, transform communications and reach thousands of people, and perhaps even lengthen our lifespan, radically changing the ways that people live, work, and interact.
So what is the distinction between invention and discovery?
Invention is the creation of something completely new, a new device, process or method which did not exist. Discovery, however is finding something that existed but was not known – like a new planet or a new law of nature.
Do you believe that certain inventions are more important than others?
Definitely. Although every type of invention may be of some use, some of them, such as the wheel, electricity, the printing press, or the Internet, have proven to have revolutionary effects on human civilization globally, fundamentally transforming the societies, economies, and our perception of the world. The other could be either more of a niche or incremental.
Vocabulary to Use for This Cue Card
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Revolutionize | To change something radically or fundamentally | The Internet has revolutionized how we access information. |
| Indispensable | Absolutely necessary or essential | Smartphones have become indispensable for modern life. |
| Consolidate | To combine a number of things into a single, more effective unit | The device managed to consolidate several gadgets into one. |
| Perishable | (Especially of food) likely to decay or go bad quickly | Refrigerators are vital for storing perishable food items. |
| Intuitive | Easy to use and understand | The new software has a very intuitive interface. |
| Myriad | A countless or extremely great number | The invention solved a myriad of daily problems. |
| Pivotal moment | A crucial or extremely important point in time | The launch of the device was a pivotal moment in technology. |
| Ubiquitous | Present, appearing, or found everywhere | Mobile phones are now almost ubiquitous across the globe. |
| Streamline | To make a process more efficient and simple | This app helps to streamline my daily tasks. |
| Technological breakthrough | A significant advance or discovery in technology | The vaccine was a major technological breakthrough for medicine. |
Related Topics for IELTS Practice:
- Describe the Scene of a Hospital
- Describe a Skill You Want to Learn
- Describe an important day in your life
- Describe a Difficult Decision You Made
- Describe a Historical Building You Have Been To
- Describe an Item of Clothing Someone Gave You
- Describe a Place You Would Like to Live in the Future
Summary
| Section | Key Points |
| Cue Card Breakdown | Focus on the invention’s identity, origin, function, and core utility. |
| Sample Answers | Four examples covering different inventions (smartphone, refrigerator, Internet, electric fan). |
| Vocabulary Bank | Phrases to describe technology, its impact, and its characteristics. |
| Follow-Up Questions | Explores broader themes of future inventions, technological impact, and innovation. |
| Related Topics | Linked with cue cards involving technology, problem-solving, and modern life. |
Final Thoughts on the IELTS topic “Describe an invention that is useful in daily life”
This IELTS cue card is a good chance to demonstrate your skill to describe something, explain a process and discuss broader implications of the given process. Pick an invention that you know to be able to give some details on how the invention works and why it is so useful. Don’t forget to express its relevance to daily life, perhaps even mentioning its particular importance in a place like Kolkata!
FAQs
Can I talk about an old invention, оr should іt be modern?
You can talk about any invention, old оr modern, as long as you can explain why it’s useful іn daily life.
Do I need tо know the exact date оf invention?
No, an approximate period (“early 20th century,” “late 19th century”) оr a general idea оf “when” іs perfectly acceptable.
Should I explain the scientific principles behind the invention?
You don’t need tо gо into deep scientific detail. A general explanation оf “how іt works” that іs easy tо understand іs sufficient.
Is іt okay іf my chosen invention іs very common?
Yes, common inventions like refrigerators оr electric fans are excellent choices because their utility іs universally understood and easy tо explain.
How can I make my answer more interesting?
Focus оn the impact іt has had оn daily life and provide specific examples оf its usefulness, perhaps from your own experience оr observation.
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