What effect has technology had on our lives?

Read the short essay below and answer the questions.

The twenty-first century is already turning out to be the
century of advanced technologies. The technological
revolution that started a:er the Second World War is now
developing more quickly and computing and other
technological advances are beginning to reach into and
influence and take over nearly every aspect of our lives. The
two main effects advanced computing has had on our lives
are in the areas of economics and communication
Technology has led to big changes in economic and business
systems and operations. Businesses now have to be using
cloud services or machine learning or risk failure.
Consequently, every big corporation bases its operations on
computing, regardless of which sector they are in. For
instance, Coca Cola, the BBC and Levi’s market and sell
different products and services, yet they all share one basic
property – without advanced computing services their
operations would collapse. New technologies are a generator
of economic dynamism. China and India and many other
developing countries have large IT sectors which drive their
economies. Furthermore, the more advanced economies,
including Germany, the United States, Japan and Korea are
moving from an industrial-based economy to a computing
and IT-based one.
. The other important effect of technological change is the
revolutionizing of communication. For example, in the past,
people wrote letters or talked on phones on fixed landlines,
which slowed down the communication process. Now they
send e--mail, text or chat using mobile devices. Instead of
waiting weeks for a letter or spending time finding a
landline, we can communicate instantly in real time or
seconds a:er a message or email has been sent. New forms of
communication are cheaper or free. As a result, now people
who live thousands of kilometers away from each other can
communicate as much as they want and whenever they want.

In conclusion, computing and new technologies have had a

profound effect on our lives in many ways and it is in
business and communication that they have had the greatest
influence. In the future, if technology continues evolving at
such speed, our business practices and methods of
communication will undergo even greater changes. It is
already starting to bring changes to other parts of our lives,
such as transportation and health. The other important effect
of technological change is the revolutionizing of
communica9on. For example, in the past, people wrote
letters or talked on phones on fixed landlines, which slowed
down the communication process. Now they send e--mail,
text or chat using mobile devices. Instead of waiting weeks
for a letter or spending time finding a landline, we can
communicate instantly in real time or seconds a:er a message
or email has been sent. New forms of communication are
cheaper or free. As a result, now people who live thousands
of kilometers away from each other can communicate as
much as they want and whenever they want
 • What two parts of our lives has computing changed?
• Can you give an example of how computing is
important in school?
• What might happen to a community if it didn’t keep up
with technological advances?
• Why is it easier to communicate with people in other
parts of the world now than in the past?
• Which two parts of our lives will be affected by new
technologies in the future? Can you think of your own
example for each?

Digital habits across generations

Read an article about how people at different ages use
computers and smartphones to practise and improve your
reading skills. Before reading Do the preparation task first.
Then read the text and do the exercises. Preparation task
Match the definitions (1–8) with the vocabulary (a–h).
Vocabulary
Definitions 1. …… to miss out on
2. …… addiction
3. …… constantly
4. …… to be cut off from
5. …… unlike
6. …… social media
7. …… ironically
8. …… early adopters
a. websites and apps like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
b. in a funny or strange way because it’s unexpected
c. different from
d. to not get the benefits of
e. needing something too much or in an unhealthy way
f. people who are the first to buy or use new technology
g. all the time without a break
h. to have no access to

Reading text: Digital habits across generations Today’s

grandparents are joining their grandchildren on social media,
but the different generations’ online habits couldn’t be more
different. In the UK the over-55s are joining Facebook in
increasing numbers, meaning that they will soon be the site’s
second biggest user group, with 3.5 million users aged 55–64
and 2.9 million over-65s. Sheila, aged 59, says, ‘I joined to
see what my grandchildren are doing, as my daughter posts
videos and photos of them. It’s a much better way to see
what they’re doing than waiting for letters and photos in the
post. That’s how we did it when I was a child, but I think
I’m lucky I get to see so much more of their lives than my
grandparents did.’ Ironically, Sheila’s grandchildren are less
likely to use Facebook themselves. Children under 17 in the
UK are leaving the site – only 2.2 million users are under 17
– but they’re not going far from their smartphones. Chloe,
aged 15, even sleeps with her phone. ‘It’s my alarm clock so
I have to,’ she says. ‘I look at it before I go to sleep and as
soon as I wake up.’ Unlike her grandmother’s generation,
Chloe’s age group is spending so much time on their phones
at home that they are missing out on spending time with their
friends in real life. Sheila, on the other hand, has made
contact with old friends from school she hasn’t heard from in
forty years. ‘We use Facebook to arrange to meet all over the
country,’ she says. ‘It’s changed my social life completely.’
Teenagers might have their parents to thank for their
smartphone and social media addiction as their parents were
the early adopters of the smartphone. Peter, 38 and father of
two teenagers, reports that he used to be on his phone or
laptop constantly. ‘I was always connected and I felt like I
was always working,’ he says. ‘How could I tell my kids to
get off their phones if I was always in front of a screen
myself?’ So, in the evenings and at weekends, he takes his
SIM card out of his smartphone and puts it into an old-style
mobile phone that can only make calls and send text
messages. ‘I’m not completely cut off from the world in case
of emergencies, but the important thing is I’m setting a better
example to my kids and spending more quality time with
them.’ Is it only a matter of time until the generation above
and below Peter catches up with the new trend for a less
digital life?
How can we use technology to solve global problems?

• Climate change: Technology can be used to develop

cleaner energy sources, reduce emissions, and adapt to
the effects of climate change. For example, solar and
wind power are becoming increasingly affordable and
efficient, and electric vehicles are becoming more
popular.
• Poverty: Technology can be used to improve
agricultural productivity, provide access to education
and healthcare, and create new jobs. For example,
mobile phones can be used to provide financial services
to people in rural areas, and online learning platforms
can offer high-quality education to people who live in
remote areas.
• Disease: Technology can be used to develop new
vaccines and treatments, improve diagnostics, and track
the spread of disease. For example, artificial
intelligence is being used to develop new drugs, and
gene editing is being used to develop new treatments
for cancer.
• Food security: Technology can be used to improve crop
yields, develop drought-resistant crops, and reduce food
waste. For example, drones are being used to monitor
crops, and sensors are being used to track food waste.
• Education: Technology can be used to provide access to
education for people in all parts of the world, regardless
 of their income or location. For example, online
learning platforms offer high-quality education to
people who live in remote areas.
• Peace and security: Technology can be used to monitor
conflict zones, prevent violence, and build peace. For
example, drones are being used to monitor conflict
zones and social media is being used to build peace
between different communities.
These are just a few examples of how technology can be
used to solve global problems. As technology continues to
advance, we will find even more ways to use it to improve
the lives of people around the world.
However, it is important to note that technology is not a
magic bullet. It can only be used to solve global problems if
it is used in a responsible and ethical way. We must carefully
consider the potential benefits and risks of any new
technology before we deploy it. We must also ensure that the
benefits of technology are shared equitably so that everyone
has the opportunity to benefit from it.
If we use technology wisely, it has the potential to make the
world a better place. But if we use it unwisely, it could have
disastrous consequences. It is up to us to decide how we will
use technology in the future.
The environment is the sum total of what is around
something or someone, which includes living things and
natural forces. The environment of living things provides
conditions for development and growth as well as of danger
and damage.
Amazing Environmental Facts and Man-made Damages
• The Earth has been around for 4.6 billion years, but in
the past 100 years, people have caused a great deal of
damage. We have destroyed 80% of the Earth’s forest
and 40% of the Earth’s tropical rainforests.
• Every day, 50 to 100 species of plants and animals
become extinct as their habitat is impacted by human
activities.
• Through this impact, deserts are encroaching the once
fertile land. This is because climate changes bring
droughts, buildings replace ecosystems and
deforestation destroys habitats.
• An average American creates 4.5 pounds of garbage per
day. That amount has doubled from 30 years ago.
• Over 100 pesticide ingredients are suspected of causing
birth defects, cancer and gene mutation. These cause
trillions of dollars in healthcare around the world.
• The U.S. burns 10,000 gallons of gasoline a second.
Burning one gallon of gas creates 22 pounds of carbon
dioxide. That equals 220,000 pounds of carbon dioxide
per second. Human and animal life cannot breathe
carbon dioxide. Oxygen is needed for these life-forms
to exist.
• The United States has 5% of the world’s population yet
produces 30% of the world’s waste.
• Chemicals used at home amount to 10 times more per
acre than in farming.
 • In order for humans to have toilet paper, 27,000 trees
are cut down every single day. Approximately, 100
acres of rainforests are cut down per minute mostly to
clear the land for beef production.
• A glass bottle requires 4,000 years to decompose.
• More than 700 million people around the world do not
have access to clean water because of pollution and
sanitation problems.
• More than 27% of the world’s coral reefs have been
destroyed by pollution and climate change. They are
essential ecosystems and nurseries that support 25% of
marine life.
• According to scientists, the primary causes of variations
in climate are man-made, including excessive
greenhouse gas emissions from cars, industry and meat
production.
• Greenhouse gases include methane, carbon dioxide and
water vapor, which trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Without them, the Earth would be too cold to support
life.
• Among the effects of excessive greenhouse gases is
global warming. Due to global warming, average sea
levels are expected to rise from 1 to 6 feet before the
century ends. Moreover, glaciers are melting along with
ice sheets in the Antarctic.
• Due to El Niño and climate change, about 12% of the
world’s coral reefs are bleached.
The Environment and Natural Disasters
• In the United States, many natural disasters have
involved flooding followed by wildfires.
 • In 2012, severe catastrophes worldwide included
droughts, storms, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, hail
storms, wildfires and hurricanes.
• Earthquakes set in motion other natural disasters like
tsunami, landslides and avalanches which damage or
destroy man-made structures.
• Increasing tropical storms or hurricanes can release 2.4
trillion gallons of water per day and can cause severe
flooding and storm surges.
• In 1962, a huge avalanche at the Huascaran Peak in the
Andes Mountains killed over 4 000 people.
• A 9.0 magnitude earthquake triggered one of the most
devastating tsunamis in history that killed over 226,000
people in Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and the
Maldives on December 26, 2004.
• In 1934, Americans experienced famine and drought
when the Great Plains became a Dust Bowl.
Saving the Environment
• In most developing countries, supermarkets have
banned the use plastic bags.
• An estimated 250 million trees can be save each year if
every published newspaper is recycled.
• In order to slow or prevent the extinction of further
animal species, private and public organizations are
establishing programs to protect their numbers and
habitat.
• Through recycling and composting of waste,
approximately 181 million metric tons of carbon
dioxide was eliminated in 2014.
• Expansion of wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal energy
are encouraged in many countries and gaining
popularity because they’re renewable and create less
CO2 than fossil fuels.
• About 88,000 jobs were created in 2015 through the
wind power sector.
• Simple things like biking and walking instead of riding
a car can reduce greenhouse gases.
• Composting makes a significant difference to lessening
the burden on landfills, which emit significant
quantities of methane.
• Small changes can reduce the energy demands of a
home, such as LED lights, using average thermostats,
and changing to energy efficient appliances.
Analyzing Current Events - Understanding Global Issues

Objective: Students will analyze a current event, develop

critical thinking skills, and gain a deeper understanding of
the interconnected world by exploring a significant global
issue.

Introduction: Begin with a discussion about the importance

of staying informed about current events and understanding
their global impact. Emphasize the role of the media in
shaping public opinion and the need for critical analysis.

I. Selecting a Current Event:

• Choose a recent, relevant, and significant current event.

This could be related to politics, economics, social

issues, environment, or international relations.
• Provide students with background information on the

selected event.

II. Research and Exploration:

• Assign students to conduct independent research on the

chosen current event.

• Encourage the use of diverse sources, including

reputable news outlets, articles, and expert opinions.

• Students should gather information on the context, key

players, causes, and potential consequences of the

event.

III. Class Discussion:

Facilitate a class discussion where students share their
findings.
Encourage critical thinking by asking questions such as:
• What are the main factors contributing to this current

event?
• How do different perspectives and biases influence the

way this event is reported?

• What are the potential implications for different

stakeholders?
• How does this event connect to broader global issues?

IV. Analyzing Media Coverage:

• Discuss the role of media in shaping public perception.

• Compare and contrast how different news outlets are

covering the event.

• Explore the use of language, framing, and images in

media representation.

V. Writing Reflections:
• Assign students to write individual reflections on the

current event.
• Encourage them to express their opinions, discuss the

complexities of the issue, and reflect on how it relates

to their lives.

VI. Group Projects:

• Divide the class into small groups and assign each

group a specific aspect of the current event to delve

deeper into.
• Groups present their findings, fostering collaborative

learning and diverse perspectives.

VII. Action Plan:
• Discuss potential actions that individuals or

communities can take in response to the current event.

• Encourage students to consider the role of activism,

diplomacy, or awareness campaigns.

VII. Homework Assignment:

• Assign students to follow-up research on the current

event and track its developments.

• Students can provide updates in subsequent classes,

fostering a continuous understanding of evolving global

issues.
TECHNOLOGY DOES THE WORLD / CHARACTER EMBRACE NEW
TECHNOLOGY? WHY OR WHY NOT?

MAGIC OR SCIENCE?

HOW DOES TECHNOLOGY AFFECT HOW DOES TECHNOLOGY DIVIDE HOW DOES TECHNOLOGY BRING
THE EVERYDAY? PEOPLE? PEOPLE TOGETHER?

WHAT TECHNOLOGICAL WHAT PREVIOUS HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED

DISCOVERY HAS SHAPED THE TECHNOLOGIES HAVE IN A WAY THAT IS ILLOGICAL OR
WORLD? BECOME OBSOLETE? INEFFICIENT IN HINDSIGHT?

WHAT IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED HOW QUICKLY DO NEW WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND
TECHNOLOGY? TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOP? NEW DEVELOPMENTS?

WHO INVENTS NEW WHO USES NEW WHO HOLDS ONTO OLD
TECHNOLOGIES? TECHNOLOGIES? TECHNOLOGIES?
TECHNOLOGY CHANGES
Draw a line to match the old item to its new item:
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