IELTS Speaking Part 3: Apps or programs
7 Part 3 discussion questions on apps or programs, with developed sample answers of the kind Part 3 expects.
What are the differences between old and young people when using apps?
Young people tend to use apps more frequently, for a wider range of tasks, and with higher tolerance for learning new interfaces. They are more likely to discover niche apps through social media or friends, whereas older users often stick to a small, familiar set (email, news, messaging). Young people also customise and integrate apps more – using automation tools like IFTTT, connecting different services, and exploring beta features. Older users generally prioritise simplicity and security; they are more cautious about permissions, data sharing, and in-app purchases. In terms of purpose, young people use apps heavily for entertainment and social connection (TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat), while older users lean towards productivity, finance, and health tracking. However, the gap is narrowing as even older generations adopt essential apps like banking and grocery delivery, especially since the pandemic. The biggest remaining difference is probably the speed of adopting entirely new categories of apps (e.g., a new social platform).
What are the drawbacks of having too many apps?
The most obvious drawback is cognitive load – managing dozens of apps, each with its own notifications, passwords, interfaces, and update schedules, becomes overwhelming. Too many apps lead to “notification fatigue,” where you either ignore all alerts or live in a constant state of distraction. Storage space and battery life also suffer, as many apps run background processes even when not in use. Privacy and security risks multiply: each app is a potential vector for data leaks, and you may forget which apps have access to your camera, contacts, or location. There is also the paradox of choice – having three note-taking apps might mean you take notes in none of them, because you cannot decide which to use. Finally, too many apps can fragment your attention, making you shallow-switch between tasks rather than focusing. Some people develop a “phone home screen disorder,” constantly rearranging icons or deleting and reinstalling apps in search of the perfect setup that never arrives.
Why do some people not like using apps?
Some people dislike apps because they perceive them as surveillance tools that harvest personal data without meaningful consent. Others find app ecosystems to be walled gardens – they prefer using a web browser, which feels more open and less tracked. Older adults may struggle with small touch targets, poorly designed navigation, or frequent updates that move familiar functions. There is also a philosophical objection: apps encourage a fragmented, notification-driven lifestyle, whereas a laptop computer allows more focused, deep work. People with low storage or older phones may also avoid apps because they slow down the device. Finally, some simply do not see the value – a website and an app for the same service often offer nearly identical functionality, so why install another thing? For these users, the app represents unnecessary complexity, not convenience.
What are the most and the least popular apps in your country?
The most popular apps by daily active users are messaging and social media: WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok dominate. For utilities, banking apps and mobile payment apps (like PayPal or local equivalents) have near-universal adoption among adults. Navigation (Google Maps), ride-hailing (Uber or local alternatives), and food delivery are also extremely common. Among young people, photo editing apps (Snapchat, FaceTune) and short-video editors are popular. The least popular apps are obscure or poorly designed ones – but also, interestingly, many productivity apps (to-do lists, habit trackers) have very low retention, despite high initial downloads. Bloatware that comes pre-installed on phones is almost universally disliked but cannot be uninstalled. Another category with low popularity is “loyalty card apps” that stores push – they clutter the phone for very little perceived benefit. And many government service apps are unpopular due to poor user experience and frequent crashes.
What kind of apps do you have on your phone?
I keep a relatively minimal set: messaging (WhatsApp, Telegram), social media (Instagram, but I limit usage), navigation (Google Maps), and a note-taking app (Notion). I also have banking and payment apps for convenience, a cloud storage app, and a music streaming service. Productivity-wise, I use a calendar app and a password manager. I avoid games, shopping apps (I use the website instead to reduce impulse buys), and news apps (I prefer RSS feeds). I also have a meditation app that I use a few times a week. My rule is that if I haven’t opened an app in over a month, I delete it. This keeps my home screen manageable and my mind less cluttered. I have noticed that the apps I value most serve a single, clear purpose well, without constant notifications begging for attention.
*How have apps changed daily life? (added)
Apps have transformed daily life by making services that once required physical presence or planning instantly accessible. You can order food, book a doctor, transfer money, or start a workout in seconds, all from the palm of your hand. This convenience has raised expectations for speed and responsiveness – waiting even a day for an email reply now feels slow. However, apps have also blurred boundaries between work and leisure; work messaging apps mean you are always reachable, creating “technostress.” They have changed social life, with in-person gatherings often mediated by app-based planning and documentation. Apps have also enabled the gig economy, creating new forms of flexible work but also precarious labour. On balance, apps have made many tasks more efficient, but they have also made it harder to be offline or truly idle. The challenge is to use apps as tools, not to be used by them.
*What makes a good app design? (added)
A good app design prioritises usability over visual flair, though both matter. Clear, intuitive navigation means a new user can accomplish their core task without a tutorial. Speed and stability are paramount – even the most beautiful app is useless if it crashes or lags. Thoughtful permission requests (only asking for camera access when you actually take a photo, not on launch) show respect for the user. Customisation options, such as dark mode or notification settings, accommodate different preferences. The best apps also have a “frictionless” core loop – opening the app, performing the action, and exiting should take minimal taps. Finally, good design includes humane features like the ability to export your data, delete your account, or turn off all non-essential notifications. In other words, a great app empowers the user and then gets out of the way.
Reading a model answer is not the same as saying one. The sample above shows what a strong Part 3 answer sounds like. What it cannot tell you is how yours sounds — whether you hesitate, repeat the question back, or run out of things to say at forty seconds.
You can record an answer to this exact question and get it marked on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and pronunciation — the same four criteria the examiner uses.
Common questions
How is Part 3 different from Part 1?
Part 1 is about you; Part 3 is about people in general. The questions move to society, causes and consequences, and the answers are expected to be longer and more developed — an opinion plus a reason plus an example.
What if I have no opinion on the question?
You are not marked on the opinion, so pick one and support it. Saying you have never thought about it and stopping there leaves the examiner nothing to assess.
How long does Part 3 last?
Four to five minutes. The topics develop out of your Part 2 card, so the discussion is usually connected to what you just described.
Model answers written and reviewed by The English All-in-One IELTS team. They are teaching models showing what each band looks like, not real candidate scripts.