IELTS Writing: Screen Time and Eyesight
Eyesight, glasses and eye tests
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
How to use this lesson
1. Guide students through Module 1 within 50 minutes, moving step-by-step from vocabulary build-up to grammar.
2. Use the automatic check buttons after each section to verify student answers before they begin writing in Module 2.
1. Complete all vocabulary, collocation, and ordering grammar exercises in Module 1 first to build key phrases.
2. Next, follow the 4-paragraph plan in Module 2 to write your complete B1 essay on screen time.
👁️✍️ Eyesight, Glasses & Eye Tests
"Let's strengthen your vocabulary and grammar before writing!"
Word Forms of Unit Vocabulary
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the word in brackets.
1. My sister had her eyes tested by a qualified ____ (OPTIC) yesterday.
2. Spending hours in front of computer monitors can harm your ____ (EYE).
3. He is quite ____ (SHORT), so he cannot read the whiteboard without glasses.
4. There is no instant ____ (CURED) for computer eye strain, but regular breaks help.
5. When you stare at a smartphone screen, you ____ (BLINKING) less often than usual.
Collocations with Unit Words
Choose the correct unit word to complete each natural collocation.
6. Many teenagers prefer contact lenses, but others still wear a pair of ___.
7. It is important to visit the clinic for a routine eye ___ every year.
8. As people grow older, they often become ___, making reading close text difficult.
9. Special lenses can protect your eyes from bright screen ___.
10. Late at night, your ___ may feel heavy and tired after studying on a laptop.
Common Essay Phrases
Word Bank (Use each phrase exactly once):
11. ____, looking at phones late at night is harmful for sleep quality.
12. The battery in my phone is very old. ____, I charge it many times a day.
13. Modern screens improve working productivity. ____, excessive use can cause discomfort.
14. Screen work can cause neck strain. ____, it often leads to tired eyes.
15. There are simple ways to rest your eyes. ____, you can look out of a window for a minute.
Paraphrase Sentences
Select the sentence that best rewrites the original statement using unit vocabulary and different structures.
Original Sentence:
"Looking at screens for many hours causes eye fatigue."
Original Sentence:
"Regular eye tests can help detect vision problems early."
Original Sentence:
"Using computers all day might damage your eyesight."
Grammar Recap: Ordering Ideas
📌 Remember the Ordering Pattern:
- First point: firstly / to begin with
- Next point: secondly / in addition
- Example: for example
- Last point / Summary: finally / in conclusion / to sum up
Short Talk 1:
"Many teenagers spend hours on smartphones every day. [ GAP ], constant screen glare causes dry eyes. Secondly, late-night phone use ruins sleep quality."
Short Talk 2:
"Working on a computer all day has several drawbacks. To begin with, it makes your eyes tired. [ GAP ], sitting for hours causes back pain. For example, office workers often have sore shoulders."
Short Talk 3:
"We have discussed how screen time affects vision and physical health. [ GAP ], while devices are helpful, we must protect our eyesight by visiting an optician regularly."
📝 Essay Writing Task
"Now apply what you learned to write a full essay."
IELTS Task 2 Prompt
Writing Question:
"Many people now spend a lot of time every day looking at screens, such as computers, phones and televisions. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?"
📌 Learner Requirements:
4-Paragraph Essay Plan
Use these fixed paragraph starters to structure your essay:
"In this essay I will discuss ..."
"One advantage is ..."
"However, one disadvantage is ..."
"In conclusion, ..."
Writing Self-Check List
Check off each item before submitting your response:
Your Essay Draft
Grading Criteria:
🌟 Strong B1 Model Essay
"Read this strong B1 sample essay to see how everything comes together."
Model Essay: Screen Time & Eyesight
Voice of a Strong B1 Learner
Unit Vocabulary Featured:
In this essay I will discuss the main advantages and disadvantages of spending many hours every day looking at digital screens. In modern life, almost everyone uses computers, laptops and smartphones for work or study, which brings both benefits and health problems.
One advantage is that digital devices make communication and learning much easier for everyone.
To begin with, computers allow workers to send important messages and share documents in just a few seconds.
💡 Why this works: Use "To begin with" to introduce your very first main point.
In addition, online screens give students quick access to educational materials from anywhere in the world.
💡 Why this works: Use "In addition" to add another supporting idea.
For example, many teenagers now take online classes at home instead of traveling to school.
💡 Why this works: Use "For example" to give a specific illustration of your point.
However, one disadvantage is that staring at bright displays for long periods can cause serious physical issues.
Firstly, high screen glare often leads to dry eyes and heavy eyelids after a busy workday.
💡 Why this works: Use "Firstly" to start your list of negative points.
Secondly, people often forget to blink when looking at monitors, which can damage their natural eyesight.
💡 Why this works: Use "Secondly" to introduce your next negative point.
As a result, many young adults have tired eyes. Some of them are shortsighted or longsighted, so they must visit an optician for a routine checkup and buy new spectacles. There is no magic cure for eye strain.
In conclusion, although digital screens provide huge practical benefits for work and study, we must manage our screen time carefully to maintain good health.
💡 Why this works: Use "In conclusion" to summarize the main points at the end of your essay.
Related lessons
Ordering ideas in an essay or a talk
Eyesight, glasses and eye tests
Grammar · 12 min
Reading: World Health and Vision
Eyesight, glasses and eye tests
Reading · 15 min
IELTS Speaking: Eyesight and Eye Health
Eyesight, glasses and eye tests
Speaking · 25 min
Vocabulary: Eyesight, Glasses and Eye Tests
Eyesight, glasses and eye tests
Vocabulary · 20 min
Writing Task 2: School Uniforms
Education
Writing · 30 min
Writing: Part-Time Job Enquiry Email
Work & careers
Writing · 20 min