Technology - now and then

Vocabulary: Verbs of cause and effect

1 .,...,,,..,..... Work in pairs. Look at the photographs and discuss the questions below.

• Which two items have had the greatest influence on your life? Give reasons and examples.
• How have each of the items shaped people's lives?
• Some people think the wheel and the abacus are the most important inventions of all time.
Do you agree? Why/Why not?

18
 Technology - now and then -

2 To make nouns from verbs you can add endings like-ment and-ion, e.g. develop/
development. For some verbs the noun form is the same, e.g. to shape/a shape. Decide
what the noun form is for each of the verbs 1-12 below. Which verb does not follow the
patterns mentioned?
1 improve im12rovement 7 promote
2 destroy 8 damage
3 produce 9 ruin
4 affect 10 result
5 harm 11 advance
6 enhance 12 deteriorate

3 Work in pairs. The verbs and nouns in exercise 2 can be used to describe changes.
Classify each verb and noun as a positive change, a negative change, or a neutral change.

4 For sentences 1-5 below, complete the gaps using the nouns in exercise 2.
1 Advertising companies increase sales through the _____tion of goods on TV.
2 Some pessimists argue that love of technology will eventually cause the
_____tion of society.
3 ments in technology have gathered pace in recent years as the speed
of computers has increased.
4 What recent advances have led to the _____ion of cheaper goods?
5 Some believe over-reliance on certain electronic devices can lead to the
_____tion in short-term memory.

5 Rewrite sentences 1-7 below so that they contain the verb in brackets. Make any other
necessary changes.
Example:
The introduction of a cafe and computers resulted in a significant improvement in the
library's facilities. (improve)
The introduction of a cafe and computers significantly improved the library's facilities.
The library's facilities were significantly improved as a result of the introduction of a cafe.
1 People constantly debate whether television has a positive or negative influence on
society. (influence)
2 The use of mobile phones is having a dramatic effect on the way we communicate. (affect)
3 Climate change has caused the destruction of many crops. (destroy)
4 Did the invention of the internet really do any harm to the way people live and work? (harm)
5 A series of new software inventions resulted in a sharp deterioration in the sales of certain
mobile telephones. (deteriorate)
6 The use of technology meant that the archaeologists caused very little damage to the site.
(damage)
7 Many people like Einstein and Newton have changed the shape of science. (shape)

6 {D Work in pairs. Discuss at least one statement or question from exercise 5. Develop
your discussion using reasons and examples.

19
- Technology - now and then
1 Look at Questions 11-15 and think of possible synonyms or paraphrases for the
Listening following words and phrases:
yearly is held together subject during the preparation for influence

What to {I) 02 SECTION 2 Questions 11-20

expect in the
exam Questions 11-15

• In IELTS Listening Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

Section 2 you
Penwood Museum Competition
usually listen to
a monologue, 11 The yearly competition is held
but you may
also hear one A together with the museum's education department.
person answering B as part of the museum's autumn show.
questions.
• The topic is usually C along with the summer exhibition.
of general interest 12 The subject of this year's competition is using technology
and there can be
two or three sets of A to involve young people in the museum's activities.
questions.
B to form better links between local people and the museum.
C to improve the local community's engagement with the arts.
How to go
about it 13 The competition was limited to those aged

• Look at any A 11-15.

headings in the B 13-17.
questions.
• Use the questions
C 15-19.
to think about 14 During the preparation for the entry the competitors were
the answers. For
example, look A able to use the museum's educational facilities.
at the stem in B helped by the education staff at the museum.
Question 11 . The
answer is about a C allowed to buy any of the equipment they needed.
competition held
every year. Three 15 According to the speaker, the prize-winning exhibits have
options are given. A led to traffic jams outside the museum.
• Underline words
in the stems and
B led to a reduction in attendances.
options of the C increased interest in the museum.
other multiple­
choice questions Questions 16-20
which you think
will help you listen The Video Commentaries
for the answer.
Most of the words What did the older people say about each piece of equipment?
you need to listen Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct
for are paraphrases
letter, A-F, next to Questions 16-20. Comments
or synonyms of
these words. Equipment A too large
• Avoid underlining
16 early wooden-framed TV B boring
the whole of the
stem. Mark only 17 early radios C more convenient
words like nouns,
names, verbs or 18 microwave ovens D exciting
function words like 19 laptops E well-constructed
'because', which
you think will tell 20 old cameras F still looked fashionable
you the answer
is about to be
mentioned.

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 Technology - now and then -

Word building: Evaluating; adjectives

1 It is important to be able to evaluate ideas and recognise when ideas are being qualified.
Look at the following extract from the listening script:
We have had loads of entries from secondary schools, which is important as more local
teenagers are getting involved.
Here the adjective 'important' qualifies the idea in the previous clause.
Work in pairs. Think of synonyms for the following adjectives.
unimportant useless valueless harmless

2 Now think of synonyms for their opposite forms.

important useful valuable harmful

3 For each adjective 1-12 below, write the opposite form in the correct column of the table.
I

in-Jim- un- -less

1 useful I

2 practical
3 important
4 necessary
5 significant
6 harmful
7 valuable
8 convenient I
9 effective
10 appealing
11 worthwhile
12 inspiring

4 For sentences 1-6 below, decide which adjective from exercise 3 can be used to replace
the underlined words. Make any necessary changes.
Example:
Many of the early technologies we take for granted are those that we cannot do without.
necessary
1 Some ideas from the 1950s were not very sensible or easy to use.
2 Using hydrogen cars to combat global warming is a solution that produces the desired result.
3 Satellite navigation systems have made travelling by car something that requires little effort
or trouble.
4 With so much business being done online, learning to build a website can be really worth
the time spent on it.
5 Instead of being an activity which does no harm, mobile phone gaming can sometimes
be dangerous.
6 The work of people like Louis Daguerre, who shaped the world of cinema, can only
be considered as stimulating and motivating.

21
- Technology - now and then
1 Work in pairs. Make notes of no more than 10 to 12 words about the topic.

Describe an electronic device which Describe an electronic present which

you have bought. You should say: you have received. You should say:

what the device is what the present was

where you bought the device who bought you the present
when you bought the device when you received the present
and explain why you bought the device. and explain why you liked the present.
-
2 Compare your notes with another pair who chose the same card. Consider the following:
• the number of words in your notes
• the kinds of words you used (nouns, adjectives, etc)
• if your notes are easy to read at a glance - explain why/why not.

3 .(!} Work with a different partner who chose a different card. Take turns talking about
the card using your notes to guide you. You should speak for up to two minutes. Time
each other using a stopwatch. When your partner has finished speaking, give him/her
feedback using the checklist on page 181.

Language focus 1: Past simple and present perfect

Look at the following extracts from the Listening on page 6 In the past five years, survival rates for people with certain
227.Then answer the questions below. illnesses (improved/have improved/have been improved).
a The first prize in this year's competition has been won by a 7 Yesterday, I (did/have done/have been done) something
group of seven young people who chose various exhibits from I (did not do/have not done/have not been done) before.
the museums collection 'of equipment. I (spent/have spent/have been spent) the whole day
reading a novel.
b They arranged them with modern versions and recorded their
own reactions ... 3 For sentences 1-8 below, decide if the verb in brackets
should be active or passive. Then put it into the past simple.
c ... the competitors were allowed to use the educational
facilities ... The invention of the plough (revolutionise) agriculture.
Underline the main verbs. Which tense is used, past simple 2 What (contribute) to the rapid pace of change in the world
or present perfect? in the 20th century?
2 Why do you think different tenses are used in the first two 3 The impact of a comet (lead) to the extinction of the
sentences? dinosaurs.
3 In which sentences is the passive voice used? Why? 4 Chess first (play) in India.
� Read more about the past simple and present perfect in the 5 The radio (invent) in Italy by Marconi.
Grammar reference on page 220.
6 When people (create) cities, it (shape) the way the human
2 For sentences 1-7, underline the correct verb form in brackets. race (live) forever.
Not long ago, I (began/have begun/was begun) to study 7 Before the advent of transport, people (travel) for days
another language. between countries.
2 When we (were/have been) young, we (didn't have/ 8 The mountainous landscape in Greece (influence) the
haven't had) many toys, but children nowadays (became/ development of ancient city states.
have become/have been become) used to having lots of
4 Write five statements about yourself, using the structure
toys and games.
I have never ... , but I ... and the time phrases below.
3 Recently, companies (started/have started/have been The day before yesterday ... Last week/month/year ...
started) thinking about moving into space tourism.
Three days/weeks ago ... The week before last ...
4 I first (went/have gone/have been gone) to South America
5 {!) Work in pairs. Tell your partner your sentences. Then ask
in the early seventies, but I (never visited/have never
each other questions to find out more details. Use the following
visited/have never been visited) Asia.
words in your questions: when, why, why not, what, how, who,
5 (Did you ever see/Have you ever seen/Did you ever seen) where.
the Northern Lights?

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 Technology - now and then -

(Reading · ) READING PASSAGE

tii!MM,tiiii
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13, which are based on the
Reading Passage below.
How to go
about it The long period of the Bronze autonomously, independent of
• Some IELTS Age in China, which began outside influences. The era of the
Reading Passages around 2000 B.C., saw the Shang and the Zhou dynasties is
do not have a title. growth and maturity of a generally kdown as the Bronze
For these passages, civilization that would be Age of China, because bronze,
look at the last sustained in its essential aspects an alloy of copper and tin, used to
question which for another 2,000 years. In the fashion weapons·, parts of chariots,
w\\\ be a multiple­ early stages of this development, and ritual vessels, played an important
choice question, the process of urbanization went role in the material culture of the time.
with usually four hand in hand with the establishment of a Iron appeared in China toward the end of the
possibfe answers. social order. In China, as in other societies, period, during the Eastern Zhou dynasty.
One option covers the mechanism that generated social One of the most distinctive and characteristic
the whole passage cohesion, and at a later stage statecraft, was images decorating Shang-dynasty bronze
and the others ritualization. As most of the paraphernalia vessels is the so-called taotie. The primary
. generally relate for early rituals were made in bronze and attribute of this frontal animal-like mask is
to parts of the as rituals carried such an important social a prominent pair of eyes, often protruding
passage, so they function, it is perhaps possible to read into in high relief. Between the eyes is a nose,
still give you an the forms and decorations of these objects often with nostrils at the base. Taotie can
idea of what the some of the central concerns of the societies also include jaws and fangs, horns, ears,
passage is abouL (at least the upper sectors of the societies) and eyebrows. Many versions include a split
• Skim the passage that produced them. animal-like body with legs and tail, each
and the questions There were probably a number of early flank shown in profile on either side of t�e
as quickly as you centers of bronze technology, but the area mask. While following a general form, the
can. Remember along the Yellow River in present-day Henan appearance and specific components of
the questions give taotie masks varied by period and place of
Province emerged as the center of the most
. you a summary of
advanced and literate cultures of the time and production. Other common motifs for Shang
the content of the
became the seat of the political and military ritual bronze vessels were dragons, birds,
passage.
power of the Shang dynasty (ca. 1600-1050 bovine creatures, and a variety of geometric
B.C.), the earliest archaeologically recorded patterns. Currently, the significance of the
dynasty in Chinese history. The Shang taotie, as well as the other decorative motifs,
dynasty was conquered by the people of in Shang society is unknown.
Zhou, who came from farther up the Yellow Jade, along with bronze, represents the
River in the area of Xi'an in Shaanxi Province. highest achievement of Bronze Age material
In the first years of the Zhou dynasty (ca. culture. In many respects, the Shang dynasty
1046- 256 B.C.), known as the Western Zhou can be regarded as the culmination of 2,000
(ca. 1046-771 B.C.), the ruling house of Zhou years of the art of jade carving. Shang
exercised a certain degree pf 'imperial' power craftsmen had full command of the artistic
over most of central China. :with the move of and technical language developed in the
the capital to Luoyang in 771 B.C., however, diverse late Neolithic cultures that had a jade­
the power of the Zhou rulers declined and working tradition. On the other hand, some
the country divided into a number of nearly developments in Shang and Zhou jade carving
autonomous feudal states V,Vith nominal can be regarded as evidence of decline. While
allegiance to the emperor. The second phase Bronze Age jade workers no doubt had better
of the Zhou dynasty, known as the Eastern tools - if only the advantage of metal ones
Zhou (771-256 B.C.), is subdivided into two - the great patience and skill of the earlier
periods, the Spring and Autumn period (770- period seem to be lacking.
ca. 475 B.C.) and the Warring States period
If the precise function of ritual jades in the
(ca. 475-221 B.C.). During the Warring States
late Neolithic is indeterminate, such is not the
period, seven major states contended for
case in the Bronze Age. Written records and
supreme control of the country, ending with
archaeological evidence inform us that jades
the unification of China under the Qin in 221
were used in sacrificial offerings to gods and
B.C.
ancestors, in burial rites, for recording treaties
Although there is uncertainty as to when between states, and in formal ceremonies at
metallurgy began in China, there is reason to the courts of kings.
believe that early bronze-working developed

23
- Technology - now and then

How to go Questions 1-6

about it
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
For Questions 1-6:
Write:
• Look for words
and paraphrases TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
of words that help FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
you scan for the
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
answer.
For Questions 7-12: 1 As the migration of people to towns and cities took place, Chinese society became more
• Find the words unified.
bronze, taotie and 2 According to evidence that has been unearthed, the Zhou people lost power to the Shang.
jade in the passage
and�them so 3 At the end of the Zhou dynasty, there were nine powers seeking to rule China.
you can see them
4 Iron was introduced to China from outside.
easily.
• Read the 5 There was only one type of taotie.
statements and
6 There is some proof that later jade carving was superior to earlier examples.
underline the
information to scan
for.
Questions 7-12
• Scan the passage Classify the fallowing descriptions as relating to
for words and
A Bronze
paraphrases of
words in the B Taotie
questions.
C Jade
For Question 13.:
• Look for the title
List of Descriptions
that focuses on all
the information in ' 7 Its features depended on when and where it was made.
the text, not just
part of it. 8 Its meaning in one period of history is still a mystery.
9 Its decoration illustrates issues the elite in China dealt with.
10 It was not worked with the same degree of sophistication as in previous times.
11 It possibly sprang up spontaneously without any help from beyond China.
12 It was used for keeping a record of formal agreements between states.

Question 13
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.
Which of the following is the most suitable title for the Reading Passage?
A The importance of jade carvings
B The Chinese Bronze Age
C The decline of the Bronze Age
D How iron was introduced to China

1 'History has nothing to teach us, so there is no point dwelling on the past.'
Do you agree with the statement? Does ancient history have any relevance today?

24
 Technology - now and then -

Language focus 2: Habit in the past

Would and used to show repeated actions/activities that 3 Decide where in the chart you can add the following words.
no longer happen. Look at the following extracts from the
Listening on page 227 and answer the questions: occasionally often not often usually regularly
a They remembered how they would sometimes all go round to . . . , hardly ever rarely commonly
b ... all of whom used to have one . . .
Which sentence is reminiscing about the past? $ Read more about adverbs of frequency in the Grammar
reference on page 220.
2 Which sentence is used to describe repeated actions/
activities?
3 Which sentence is used to talk about states that no longer
exist?
<m) Read more about would and used to in the Grammar
reference on page 220.
2 For 1-8 below, decide which sentences are correct.Then
decide why the incorrect sentences are wrong.
I would work at the post office during holidays.
2 Students used to play silly games, but they would enjoy
them thoroughly.
3 Pat would work as a lawyer, but he didn't do it for long.
4 For 1-6 below, decide if the adverb of frequency in italics is
4 People in my hometown would always hold lots of parties. suitable. Replace the adverbs that are not suitable.
5 He used to fix engines and would build his own car. I always read the newspaper in the morning. I only read it
6 My brothers and sisters didn't use to go to university. in the afternoon.
They went straight into work after secondary school. 2 I would sometimes play games with my friends in the
7 As a rule, people left their doors unlocked; there never evenings. We used to meet up about five times a week.
used to be any break-ins. 3 I never played computer games when I was very young,
8 People didn't use to throw things away as much as they but I used to play them a lot as a teenager.
do now. They mended them instead. 4 The class seldom meet up after school.This happens only
once in a while.
Adverbs of frequency 5 Where I come from even strangers usually greet each other
Look at the following sentence from the Listening on page when they meet. It's rare for them not to.
227 and underline the adverb of frequency. 6 In some parts of the world people hardly ever leave their
They remembered how they would sometimes all go round to villages, maybe only once in a lifetime.
someone's house to watch TV as a special treat. 5 Write a sentence about your childhood and early life for each
Decide which gap this word fits below. of the sentence beginnings below.

Always 100% Example:

2 I would ...
3 Frequently I would go to the river near my home rather than sit at home all day
in front of the TV.
4
I used to ...
s Seldom
2 I would sometimes ...
6 Never 0%
3 I used to always ...
2 Complete the remaining gap with a suitable adverb of 4 I would hardly ever ...
frequency.

25
- Technology - now and then

1 Work in pairs. Read the Task 2 question below and answer the questions which follow.
(Writing )
1-,mm111•••
What to expect in the exam
• In IELTS Writing Task 2, you have to write an essay on a topic of general interest.
• You are asked to write at least 250 words.
• You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

WRITING TASK 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people believe that technology has led to many positive developments in their
lives, while others think technology is gradually taking over control of the way people live.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

1 Which part of the statement contains a positive development and which part contains a
How to go
negative development?
about it
2 Which of the two views do the notes below relate to? Give reasons· and examples.
• Two different views
are expressed in a more convenient/greater convenience
this question. Make
b harmful to society
two columns A
and B. Choose one c affecting production at work negatively
of the views and
write a list of ideas d more practical
in column A in one
to two minutes. 2 You can generate ideas by thinking of opposites. What are the opposites of the ideas in
Do not exclude any exercise 1? Can you think of examples to support them.
ideas. Then write
a list of opposing 3 What other ways can you use to generate ideas?
views in column B.
Select one or two 4 Work in pairs. When you write an introduction it needs to reflect the structure and
ideas from each meaning of the writing task. Look at the following introductions for the writing task
column. above. Decide which two are suitable and why.
• Express your own
opinion either by 1 In some people's eyes, the influence of technology over our lives is beneficial and yet to
supporting one others it is harmful.
view or balancing
the two views. 2 Technology is part of our daily lives. While some people see this situation has brought
• Write an many improvements, others feel that technology is too controlling. Personally, I think
introduction that
paraphrases the that technology is largely beneficial.
question. Keep 3 With recent scientific advances, it is argued by some that many positive changes have
the introduction
brief - two to been brought about in people's lives by technology. Other people believe, however, that
three sentences is we are losing control of our lives to technology. Personally, I feel it is a mixture of both.
enough.
• Write two 5 Improve the introduction which is not suitable in exercise 4 above.
paragraphs for the
views in the question
and one for your
own view followed
by a conclusion.

26
 Technology - now and then -

6 The paragraph below develops the writer's own opinion in answer to the Task 2 question
on page 26. Read the paragraph and match it to one of the two suitable introductions in
exercise 4.

To some people, technology is controlling their lives. However, I feel it is a

mixture of positive and negative effects, because technology like smartphones
has brought enormous improvements. Take, for example, the impact of
technology on communication. Smartphones have revolutionised the way
items such as personal and commercial messages are sent with the electronic
transmission of messages. Moreover, very large files such as reports that were
once sent by post can now be transmitted electronically in order to save time
and money. As a result, people and the economy benefit.

7 Put each of the linking words in bold in exercise 6 into the correct box in the table below.

Additional
. Example Reason Result Purpose Contrast
Information

Adverb

Conjunction

Other

8 Decide what other words can be used to indicate examples and add them to the table.

9 Decide which words in the box below can be used to replace the words in exercises 6 and
7 and add them to the table.

but although since as similarly furthermore

consequently so therefore also and so to

10 Rewrite the paragraph in exercise 6 by doing at least two of the following:

• changing all the examples in the paragraph
• changing the linking words in bold in the paragraph
• changing some of the nouns and verbs
• changing the adjectives.
Check that your new paragraph reads well. Compare your paragraph with a partner.

11 Write your own answer for the Task 2 question on page 209. When you have finished,
check your answer using the checklist on page 139.

27
 Review
Vocabulary: Verbs of cause and effect

1 Identify the nouns and verbs that are related to cause and effect.
1 In the last 10 years, considerable improvements in health care have been brought about
by technology.
2 Computer waste has seriously damaged the environment.
3 Scientific research has led to some startling technical advances such as driverless cars.
4 Smartphone technology has been responsible for improvements in global communication.
5 Certain inventions such as the jet engine have had a profound effect on air travel.
6 In future, inventions such as 30 printing will make industrial production easier.
7 The rapid pace of advances in technology has resulted in greater stress among workers
compared to the past.
8 New techniques in design have changed the shape of the automobile world.

2 Rewrite the sentences in exercise 1 in your own words so that the effect occurs before
the cause in each sentence. There may be more than one answer. Make any necessary
changes.
Example:
Major advances in manufacturing have resulted from a sharp increase in automation.
A sharp increase in automation has resulted in major advances in manufacturing.

3 Look at the sentences you have written and underline the effect in each sentence.

Word building: Evaluating adjectives

1 Remove the word 'not' from each sentence below and make the qualifying adjective
positive or negative.
1 Having advanced computer skills is not necessary for all workers.
2 Travelling daily to an office is not convenient for modern workers.
3 Inventions like the radio and TV are often seen as not important by some people.
4 Using computers for long periods of time is definitely not harmless.
5 I think having a knowledge of computer programming is not valueless.
6 The changes in the sales figures were not significant.
7 In my opinion, the software training was not effective.
8 Doing the language games on the computer was certainly not a worthless exercise.
9 It is not practical to have everyone studying the same subjects at university.
10 The lecture on technology in the workplace was not inspiring.

28
 Technology - now and then -

Language focus 1: Past simple and present perfect

1 Use the past simple and the present perfect once each in the sentences below.
1 Technology (transform) all professional fields, since the first commercial personal
computer (come) on the market in the early 1970s.
2 I first (visit) the science museum in my teens and (go) back many times in recent years.
3 Last week, I (install) several maps on my phone, which (help) me enormously.
4 The education I (receive) as a child (shape) my life.
5 I (rarely ever use) my phone to make video calls, so this morning I (download) some
new software.
6 What (happen) education-wise at secondary school (influence) my whole life.
7 I (need) to have a computing qualification of some kind for the job, even though I (build)
up lots of experience over the years.
8 Attendances (rise) over the whole period, even though they (dip) noticeably in 2016.
9 The year before last (be) the most boring period in my life, yet since then everything (be)
rather exciting.
10 Communication (definitely be) less stressful since the smartphone (become) available.

Language focus 2: Habit in the past

1 In the following extract from IELTS Speaking Part 2, underline and correct the five
mistakes in the verbs and verb phrases in italics. Decide what the candidate was asked to
describe.
'The place I'd like to describe is my hometown, where I lived until I was ten years old. 11
hadn't visited my hometown for the last 15 years. So recently I 2 decided to pay a short visit. I
can't say that I 3 would know what to expect. Fields where I 4 would play with my friends
5 were now covered with buildings and the school 16 would attend is no longer there. It 7 has
been turned into a supermarket. A lot of famous people 8 used to attend the school, so I am
surprised that permission 9 was given to knock it down.
If I remember rightly, it 10 would rain a lot when I was a child, but 11 it has never seemed to
annoy us kids. We 12 have just carried on regardless.'

Accuracy in IELTS

1 Identify the linking words and devices below. Underline and correct those that are not
used properly.
New technology has changed student life forever. Because with the internet students can
access information for essays and do research from anywhere, for example, they can work at
home or in cafes or on trains without going to a library. Students can now use resources such
as articles, books, videos and lectures online and watch lectures that they have missed.
Furthermore, the books students need at the library can often be reserved online or
they can go on the internet. In order to buy books and have them delivered next day. As a
result, considerable amounts of time can be saved, though, technology may also make the
studying process much more convenient, it can cut students off from each other and so it is
important for them to meet face to face in seminars and lectures.

2 Decide which of these words and phrases can replace those in exercise 1 without making
any changes: moreover, like, to, consequently, since.

29