Some people think that new technology always improves the lives of workers. Others believe that it results in the loss of jobs. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

For this discussion essay, dedicate one full body paragraph to each of the two opposing views presented in the prompt. This ensures you fully address both sides before offering your personal opinion in the conclusion, preventing a one-sided argument which can penalise your Task Response score.

When discussing technology improving lives, consider examples like automation of hazardous tasks in manufacturing, leading to safer workplaces, or the rise of remote work platforms enhancing flexibility for employees globally. For job loss, you could cite the impact of self-checkout kiosks on retail cashiers or AI replacing routine administrative tasks, leading to significant labour market displacement in certain sectors.

The most common mistake is discussing technology broadly without consistently linking its effects back to "the lives of workers" or "loss of jobs." To avoid this, ensure every argument and example explicitly explains how technology either enhances worker well-being, creates new roles, or conversely, renders existing jobs redundant.

Employ clear transition phrases to guide the reader through your discussion. Start your first body paragraph with a phrase like "One perspective posits that..." and introduce the opposing view in your second body paragraph with "Conversely, an alternative viewpoint contends that..." or "However, a contrasting argument highlights...".

For a band 8-9, examiners look for a nuanced discussion that acknowledges the complexity of the issue, avoiding oversimplification. This means demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of both the benefits (e.g., enhanced productivity, new skill demands) and drawbacks (e.g., structural unemployment, need for reskilling initiatives) of technological advancement on the workforce, supported by precise vocabulary and complex grammatical structures.