LESSON 2: TECHNOLOGY

Vocabulary: Technology

Read the text and answer questions 1-7 below.

While technophiles love gadgets and all that is state-of-the-art believing that technology can
solve all our problems, there are people who shrink in fear at the prospect of encountering
cutting-edge technology. What is at the root of their panic? Well, technophobes are fixated on
what could go wrong and allow their fears to completely dominate their view of any
development in AI, genetic engineering or modern medicine. While we’re busy upgrading our
MP3 players to the latest model, they’re hoping all this gadgetry will go away, clinging
stubbornly to outdated equipment and trusty pen and paper.

1 Explain in your own words what a technophile is and what a technophobe is. Which are you?
Which do people of your generation tend to be?
2 Is the writer of the text a technophile or a technophobe?
3 Give three examples of gadgets. Are you into gadgets?
4 The writer talks about cutting-edge technology. Find a synonym for cutting-edge in the text.
5 Find an antonym for cutting-edge in the text.
6 What does AI mean? Do you know of any recent developments in AI? What do you think is
the future of AI?
7 Have you recently upgraded your mobile or your MP3 player? Why is it important to you (or
to some people] to have the latest model?
Many phrasal verbs have more than one meaning. Complete each pair of sentences 1-6
below with the correct form of one of the phrasal verbs a-f. In the second sentence of
each pair, the phrasal verb has a meaning connected with technology or science.

a break down c turn down e set off

b turn up d blow up f turn over

1a They ____ the bridge this morning so the enemy wouldn't be able to cross it.
1b They ____ the photo I took and made a poster out of it.

2a I'm afraid to report that talks between the two sides ____. It is therefore unlikely an
agreement will be reached.
2b Your body ____ fat to create energy.

3a I waited for two hours but you didn't ____. Where were you?
3b Can you ____ the heating? I'm freezing.

4a The job did sound really interesting but I'm going to ____ it ____ because it would be too
long a commute.
4b ____ the music____. You'll make yourself deaf!

5a He ____ and went back to sleep.

5b This programme is so dull. Can we ____?

6a Have they left? Yes, they ____ at the crack of dawn.

6b The burglars ____ the alarm when they broke in, so that alerted the police.
IELTS Speaking Part 1
1. What do you use the Internet for?
2. Does everyone have access to the Internet in your country?
3. Do you think older people are scared of new technology?
4. Do you think young children should have mobile phones?

IELTS Speaking Part 2

Exam technique: Coherence

Exam tip: Coherence, together with fluency, makes up a quarter of your mark. Coherence is the
logical relationship of parts making up a whole. In other words, the listener should be able to
understand if what you are saying begins a new point, adds extra information, offers a contrast
with what you have said before or what someone else has said, concludes your point, and so
on. In addition, what you say should be clear and logically ordered. A person who speaks
coherently has consideration for their listener.
Coherence is especially important in Parts 2 and 3 because you speak for longer.

1 Using your dictionary, check the meaning of keyhole surgery. Then reorder the
sentences a-g.
a So, as you see, it really is a brilliant development.
b Then, surgeons can perform very delicate operations in this way.
c I believe keyhole surgery is one of the most significant developments in modern
medicine.
d Last, but not least, recovery time is much quicker due again to the small incisions.
e There are numerous advantages.
f First of all, the surgeon can operate through tiny incisions so there is less scarring.
g It involves introducing a video camera into the body of a patient so the surgeon can
watch what he is doing on a TV monitor.
_____, _____, _____, _____, _____, _____, _____

2 Underline the language used to introduce each of the three advantages of keyhole
surgery. You could also say Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly/Lastly.

3 What phrase is used to introduce the summary? Do you know any other phrases used
for doing this?

IELTS Speaking Part 3

Technological developments
1. What have been the most significant technological developments of recent years?
2. In what ways have these developments changed society for the better and for the
worse?
3. Are people in your country nostalgic about life before technology?

Science and ethics

1. Why do you think some people claim scientists interfere too much with nature?
2. Do you have anything against animal testing?
3. Is scientific progress always for the greater good?