THEME DEVELOPMENT

I. TECHNOLOGY:
Definitions
•to access websites/email: to locate
•to back up files: to make a copy of files in case of a computer problem
•to boot up: to start a computer
•to bookmark a webpage: to mark a webpage for future reference
•to browse websites: to look at websites
•a computer buff: an expert computer user
•to crash: to suddenly stop working
•to cut and paste: to move text or images from one place in a document to another place
•a desktop PC: a computer that isn’t portable and remains in situ on a desk
•digital editing: to edit digital materials like audio or video files
•download (podcasts): to save a copy of a file from the internet to your own device
•to enter a web address: to type the address of a website into the address bar of your browser
•a gadget: a technological tool like a mobile phone or camera
•to go online: to start using the Internet
•high-spec (laptop): powerful computer with top quality components
•Internet security: Internet safety
•intranet: a network of connected computers within an organisation that is not accessible by
unauthorised visitors - mạng nội bộ
•to navigate a website: to find your way around a website
•operating system: the software that tells the computer how to work
•send an attachment: send an email with an accompanying file
•social media: media used to interact with other people such as Facebook or Twitter
•to surf the web: to look at a series of websites one after the other
•a techie: somebody who has an interest in technology - kỹ thuật viên
•to upgrade: to obtain a more powerful or feature-rich computer or piece of software
•video conferencing: to see and hear people from different locations using the Internet
•wireless hotspot: a public place where you can access the Internet
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•wireless network: a network where users can access the Internet without the use of fixed
cables
•word processing; producing written texts on a computer
• virtual reality: thực tế ảo
 Indispensable (a) something you can’t live without (= vital; essential; crucial)
 To prove/ become/ consider indispensable
Ex: The smart phone has become an indispensable device.
 Innovative (a) inventive; original; ingenious – đổi mới
 An innovative approach/design/idea
Ex: Steve Jobs was an innovative CEO.
 Device (n) machine; appliance; gadget – không dùng equiqment (ko đếm dc)
 Labour-saving/useful ingenious device
Ex: Apple makes various electronic devices
 E-commerce (n) buying and selling goods and services through the internet (=mail
order; high street shops; malls)
Ex: These days, many people use e-commerce rather than traditional shopping.
 Breakthrough (n) discovery; finding, leap - đột phá
 Major/significant/important/scientific breakthrough
Ex: Scientists have made a big breakthrough in the search for a cure for cancer.
 Obsolete (a) not being used anymore; having been replaced by something better
(=antiquated; archaic; outmoded) - lỗi thời
 Become/make something/ render something obsolete
Ex: The CD player has become obsolete with the introduction of MP3 players.
 Cutting-edge (a) very modern; forefront; leading edge; vanguard
 Cutting-edge research/ design/technology
 Cutting edge (n)
Ex: The new MacBook is the cutting edge of computer technology.
 Intuitive (a) simple to use and understand (=innate) –
Ex: Apple is successful because its products are so intuitive.
 Go iral (a) to become very popular, very quickly on the internet (= energetic; growing)
 To go viral
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Ex: The blue dress picture was on every Facebook wall after it went viral.

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  Censorship (n) suppressing or stopping certain information being available to the
public (= restriction; suppression) - sự kiểm duyệt
 To censor = to impose (strict/ government) censorship on
Ex: Censorship in China means people can’t access Facebook and Google.

Progress words
When you write and speak about computers and technology, very often you will be asked to
say how technology has changed or progressed.

Notes

Progress is an uncountable word, while advance is countable. So, you say that “digital
technology is an advance” but you cannot say that “digital technology is progress”

Impact words
Another common topic is to talk about what effect computer technology has had on our lives

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Notes
Be careful with the difference between “affect” (generally a verb) and “effect” (generally a
noun). Just to confuse you, in English they sound exactly the same.
“impact” and “influence” are often used with the preposition “on”

Technology and computer words

It is very easy to keep on repeating the same word without knowing it. One way not to do this is
to change the form of the word or to use it in a different phrase.

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 Technophile: người đam mê công nghệ

 Digital native: a person who is very familiar with digital technology, computers, etc. because
they have grown up with them.

 Computer literate: người biết sử dụng máy vi tính

 The computer age: thời đại máy tính

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Adjectives

Notes
It is normal to use hyphens (-) in adjective phrases such as “state-of-the-art” when they are used
before nouns (“state-of-the-art technology”), but you do not always need them when they are
used without a noun (“this technology is state of the art”).

“obsolete” is similar in meaning to “outdated”, but is a stronger word to show that the
technology is so old that it cannot be used any longer.
It is normal to write “high tech” rather than “high technology”.

Device words
This is a rather confusing set of words to describe different kinds of objects.

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Notes
A “device” is often something fairly small that allows you to complete a task. There is a
strong collocation (very common phrase): “labour-saving device”.
“Equipment” is an uncountable word so you need to say “a piece of equipment”. It is a very
general use word that can be used to describe almost anything mechanical.
“Gadget” is a word often used to describe objects that are either small or have a less serious
purpose. “Appliance” is typically used in the phrase “electrical appliances” (eg irons and
kettles) that are less advanced technology.

Other useful words

This is a selection of other words that may come in useful when discussing technology

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Cyberspace: không gian mạng

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PRACTICE
Exercise 1: MATCHING PHRASES
Match the items on the left to the items on the right

technological of equipment
the computer an influence on
information breakthrough
computer technology
labour-saving to the internet
access literate
piece device
have age

Exercise 2: Choose the best word from the list to fill the gap in the essay

advances/ computer/ have influence/influenced by/ information technology/ on/ online/

technological

As we move into the twenty-first century, it is clear to see that we have become more and more
dependent on computers and information technology. This technology now reaches into almost
every area of our lives and it is easy to predict that this phenomenon is only going to grow. My
personal belief is that this presents a variety of dangers.

It is highly likely that in the future there will be comparatively few aspects of our lives that will

not be influenced by computer technology. The probability is that it will

have an impact on more and more forms of communication, transforming fields such as
education and business when video-conferencing platforms become more stable. It might
even affect romance with more people forming relationships
online.

While there may be benefits to this technological revolution, there are also a number of
potential dangers. Perhaps the most serious of these would be that if people rely on computers

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too much for communication, they could in fact begin to communicate less well. For example,
if every member of a family had their own computer screen and smart phone, they

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might speak less and less often to one another and simply look at a screen. This would be serious
because our ability to communicate is an essential part of our humanity.

My conclusion is that the further advances in computer technology are inevitable, but that this
may not be entirely positive. Just one area in which it is possible to foresee dangers is
communication, and if we are going to ensure that computers do not become a negative
influence , we need to think carefully how we use them.

II. ADVERTISING:

 To advertise: to publicise; to launch; to promote

 Advertisement (n) ad; advert

 Advertising (n) publicity; promotion

Different forms of advertising

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Adjectives to describe advertising

Other related words

Exercises
1. Fill the gap with the word from the list below:
commercials/ exaggerated/ exposed/ influenced/ products
Children nowadays are exposed to more and more adverts on television. Many people
believe that this represents a problem because young people are easily influenced by
television commercials. One danger this presents is that children will actually believe in the
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exaggerated claims frequently made in advertisements. This is particularly serious in the case of
adverts for products such as junk food that are actively unhealthy.
2. Fill the gaps with these words/phrases:
market, in a way that, regulated, display, censor, demand for, aimed at

 Advertising should be regulated.

 Advertising aimed at children should be controlled or even banned.
 Unhealthy foods should not be marketed attracts children.
 Products that can be a risk to health should display warnings.
 However, advertising is necessary in free market economies.
 It creates products.
 Governments should only demand for false information or products that are harmful.

Note:
'Advertising' is uncountable (you can't say "an advertising" or "advertisings"). 'Advertising'
is the name of the industry, activity or profession (like 'marketing'). 'An advertisement' (or
'advertisements') is what you see on TV, in the street, in newspapers etc.

RELATED ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. The mass media, including TV, radio and newspapers, have great influence in shaping
people's ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement?
2. Modern technology is now very common in workplaces. How do you think it has
changed the way we work? Do you think there are advantages to relying too much on
technology?
3. It is common today for each family member to have their own piece of modern
technology. Some people think this will lead to a breakdown in family relationships and
communication. To what extent, do you agree or disagree?
4. An increasing number of people are now using the internet to meet new people and
socialize. Some people think this has brought people together while others think people
are becoming isolated. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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 5. The internet has transformed the way information is shared and consumed, but it has also
created problems that did not exist before. What are the most serious problems associated
with the internet and what solutions can you suggest?

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 6. Anyone can post information on the Internet. As a result, most of what we read online
is probably inaccurate? Do you agree or disagree about this issue? (22/10/2011)
7. Violence in media promotes violence in society. To what extent, do you agree or disagree?
8. Most people think the truth should be objective rather than subjective when it comes to
the news. Do you think all news is true?
9. The majority of news being reported is bad news such as wars, famines, accidents, and
crimes. Why do you think that is? Do you think the news should be a balance of both
good and bad news?
10. Some people think that robots are very useful for human’s development while the
others say that they are harmful. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
(08/01/2011)
11. In the last few decades, there has been more and more case of famous people being
hounded by the press. Some people think that famous people in the media have no right
privacy. To what extent, do you agree or disagree?
12. Companies spend millions each year on advertising online, in magazines and on
billboards. These adverts can encourage people to buy goods that they do not really need.
What are the positive and negative effects of consumerism?
13. One of the prime times for advertising on TV is when children get back from school.
Some people think that advertisements aimed at children should not be allowed. What is
your opinion?
14. Many people buy products that they do not really need and replace old products with new
ones unnecessarily. Why do people buy things they do not really need? Do you think this
is a good thing?
15. Many people think that fast food companies should not be allowed to advertise, while
others believe that all companies have the right to advertise. What is your opinion?
16. The high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the
real needs of the society in which the goods are sold. To what extent do you agree or
disagree? (April 2004)
17. Advertising makes people the same. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
18. We are surrounded by advertising. Some people think that this is good, because it gives

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 us choices as consumers, but others argue that it makes people selfish and greedy for
more and more goods. Do you think that there should be less advertising?

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