What you will learn in this worksheet:
Useful Links
Warm up questions
Technology-related Topics
Tips for IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions
Essential Vocabulary
What are the new technologies?
Technology - a good or bad thing?
Role of A.I. in our lives
Idioms about technology
Useful Links
Find out about emerging technologies
https://connectedworld.com/ranking-in uential-emerging-technologiesfor-
2020
More about The Internet of Things (Iot)
https://www.analyticsvidhya.com/blog/2016/08/10-youtube-
videosexplaining-the-real-world-applications-of-internet-of-things-iot/
Different types of robots https://robots.ieee.org/learn/types-of-robots/
AI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=tyvMjvvrq74&ab_channel=BBCLearningEnglish
Introduction
Is artificial intelligence capable of consciousness? We’ll hear from an
expert who believes that AI is not as intelligent as we sometimes think,
and as usual, we’ll be learning some new vocabulary as well.
Listen to this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyvMjvvrq74&ab_channel=BBCLearningEnglish
This week's question
1. What was the name of the computer which famously beat world chess champion Garry
Kasparov using algorithms in 1997? Was it…
a) Hal,
b) Alpha 60 or
c) Deep Blue
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.
2. Why AI is not as intelligent as we sometimes think?
Vocabulary
Vocabulary Meaning
artificial intelligence or AI 1/ new and advanced
an algorithm => 2. a limit on what it can do or how good it can be
algorithmic
Limitations 3. when we don’t realise how important something is
take something for 4. the ability of machines to copy human intelligent
granted behaviour.
to implement 5. to perform a task, or take action
cutting- edge 6. a set of steps a computer follows in order to solve a
problem
After listen for the second time, answer the following questions:
What machines and computer algorithms can do?
What are the limitations of AI at the moment?
Topics where technology might be discussed
Technology appears in many IELTS Speaking topics, especially when
we talk about the impact of technology and how it has changed our
lives. You may nd questions about technology in any of these topics:
Skills
Education
Children
School subjects
Workplace Business
Generation Gap
Modern homes => appliances
Buildings
Cities
Communication
Phones
Social Media
Computers
Video Games
Try not to sound bookish
With the development of technology …. ??? -
As technology progresses
As technology moves forward
Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate ???
Technology is advancing faster than ever before …
Useful vocabulary
I am a techie/ computer buff
I am a bit a techie
I am quite tech savvy
Change and repeat !
Essential vocabulary
Technology (n.) Countable and Uncountable
Technology is powerful (uncountable)
A.I. is a powerful technology (countable)
Tech = art, skill, craft. - ology = subject of study
What is technology ?
Scienti c knowledge used to solve problems We
can use it to
create tools ..(a pen, an i-phone)
improve processes (communication)
These tool / process / systems are also called technology!
Collocations
All of the following more or less mean new
New technologies
Latest technologies
Emerging technologies
Modern technologies
The following are also common collocations with technology
Disruptive________
Cutting edge _____
State-of-the-art ________
Upcoming ________
Old-fashioned________
Out of date_________
Verbs + technology
Introduce / adopt / develop / exploit / use new technologies
Word Family
Technology (n.)
Technical (adj.)
Technical skills / knowledge
It s a bit technical (difficult to understand)
Emerging technologies
Articial Intelligence (AI)
Algorithms
Machine Learning
5G
The Internet of Things (IOT)
Augmented Reality (AR)
Virtual Reality (VR)
Blockchain Biometrics
Robotics
AI = the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are
programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/9-powerful-examples-artificial-intelligence-use-today-vajradhar
Algorithms = set of instruction to carry out a task
It combs the website for us – go through in detail
VR is a computer-generated environment with scenes and objects that
appear to be real (e.g video games, pilot simulation)
IoT = refers to a system of internet-connected objects that are able to
collect and transfer data over a wireless network without human
intervention (e.g. energy management, water distribution, contactless
payments, smart homes)
Biometrics identi es and authenticates individuals based on their
physical or behavioural characteristics. (e.g. Fingerprint recognition,
voice recognition, face recognition)
Robotics = developing robots that substitute for (or replicate) human
actions (e.g Roomba vacuum, car manufacturing)
Netiquette: the proper way to behave the Internet
Etiquettet:
I’m a netizen
Tips for IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions
A common question in IELTS Speaking Part 3 is
How has technology changed our lives?
For this kind of Part 3 questions, don t just give a list like the one above,
but rather choose one topic and develop it. You could use some
phrases like the following:
If we are talking about EDUCATION, then I think
Let me pick one area, for example EDUCATION. I reckon
Let s take for instance EDUCATION, it seems to me ..
IELTS Speaking Tip
If you don’t know much about technology, you can also use these
phrases to still show off your English!
Technology is not really my thing, but I think...
I’m by no means an expert, but I would say...
I’m a bit of a technology buff, and the way I see it...
I’m far from an expert, but as I see it...
Is technology a good or a bad thing?
On the positive side
It allows us to _______
It means we have been able to_______
It s enabled us to________
communicate more effectively
develop stronger economies improve
our quality of life
At the same time, there have also been ________
side effects unexpected
outcomes unwanted by-
products undesirable
consequences
Such as pollution / depletion of natural resources /
Technology is great, but we might lose our privacy
but maybe that s the price we pay!
How has technology changed the way we work?
Strategy: General – Example – Counter- argument (optional)
- General
- Example: teleworking ( work from home)
- Counter - argu
We are more connected
The internet has facilitated … global business
Customer service can be more effective
Although at times automation makes it worse
PPF STRATEGY: Past – Present – Future
Past: in the past
Years ago
When I was younger= during my earlier years
Back in the day
Previously
Present: currently
Theses day
As of today
Future:
In the future
Looking ahead
Down the line/ road
In upcoming years
Will computer replace human in the future?
Strategy: General – Example – Counter- argument
As technology has progressed,
We now have robots .. ( e.g. chef bots)
Use AI
We can also see the potential for AI to replace many menial jobs
Mind you, many jobs still need human touch …
Idioms to talk about Technology
The technology behind a pen is not rocket science = It s simple
My computer is running like clockwork (= working perfectly)
The iPhone was ahead of its time (=too advanced to be fully
understood at that time in the past)
You ve hit the nail on the head (= you are exactly right)
I ve no more ideas, I have run out of steam (= lost all energy and
enthusiasm)
My boss has a screw loose = (crazy)
New technologies cost an arm and a leg (=expensive) to
hit the panic button (=take emergency measures)
