Technology

Advanced Conversational English

 Technophiles v. Technophobes
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
developments in AI, genetic engineering, or modern medicine. While we’re busy upgrading 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the latest model, they’re hoping all this gadgetry will go away, clinging stubbornly to outdated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 what a technophile and technophobe is - which are you?

2. Is the writer of this text a technophile or a technophobe?
3. Give three examples of gadgets. Do you like to use gadgets?
4. The writer talks about cutting-edge technology. Find a synonym for cutting-edge.
5. Find an antonym for cutting-edge.
6. What does AI mean? Do you know any recent developments in AI? What do you think is the
future of AI?
7. Have you recently upgraded a piece of equipment (i.e. a phone)? Is it important to you to
have the latest model?
Phrasal Verbs
1. blew up
a. They _______________the bridge this morning because they are building a
Break down
new one.
blew up
b. They ______________the photo I took and made a poster out of it.
have broken Blow up
2. a. I’m afraid to report that talks between the two sides down
___________. It’s
therefore unlikely an agreement will be reached. Turn up
b. Your bodybreaks
____________fat
down to create energy.
turn up Turn down
3. a. I waited for two hours but you didn’t ___________. Where were you?
b. Can you _____________the
turn up heating? I’m freezing.
Turn over
4. turn
a. The job did sound really interesting but I’m going to _________it
down
__________because it would be too long a commute. Set off
turn down
b. ___________the music _____________. I can’t hear myself think!
turned turn
5. a. He ________and
over went back to sleep over
b. This program is so boring. Can we _____________?
set off
6. a. Have they left? Yes, they _____________first thing in the morning.
set off
b. The burglars ____________the alarm when they broke in, so that alerted
the police.
Two meanings of words:
Meaning 1 Meaning 2

(cause to) explode break down reduce the

volume/temperature
reject turn down
enlarge (a photo)
change position set off
cause something to
become ineffective turn up operate

start a journey blow up watch a different TV

channel
appear turn over
increase the
volume/temperature

separate into parts

How often do you use the internet for…?

Shopping Studying Social media

Research Gaming Banking Banking

Internet dating Finding contact details Reading news articles

 Dangers of Internet & Descriptions

A. Identity theft (2.) 1. When someone is harassed,

threatened, or humiliated over the
internet
B. Viruses (3.)
2. When criminals steal your personal
details and use them to get credit
C. Cyber bullying (1.) cards, passports, loans, and so on.

D. Internet addiction (4.)

3. You need a firewall and antivirus
software to protect your computer
from these
Now, rank these in order of most worrying to least
worrying. Have you ever experienced any of 4. Excessive use of the computer that
these? interferes with daily life
 Part 1 Speaking Practice

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 smartphones?

Fill in Phrasal Verb Meanings
Meaning Examples

Increase Build up, grow up Depart

Stay inside
Decrease Calm down, cut down
End
Record in writing Write down, jot down Record in writing

Start Turn on, log on Increase

Continue Carry on, stay on Start

End Ring off, turn off Be outside

Depart Decrease
Set off, blast off
Put into
Put into Plug in, stir in
Avoid
Stay inside Stay in, lie in
Continue
Be outside Go out, get out

Avoid Keep away, look away

Fill in the correct particle
1. off
Can you log _____________? I’d like to use the computer now. Up
2. away
Step ______________from the edge of the platform! It’s dangerous.
3. down
Note this ____________. You won’t remember it otherwise Down
4. We’re going to eat ___________tonight.
in I’m going to cook your
On
favourite dish.
5. down
Slow ____________. The speed limit’s 30mph, not 40mph. Off
6. away
It’s been lovely to see you, but I must rush ____________now or I’ll be
late. In
7. They’ve failed twice already but they’re going to keep
on
___________trying. Out
in
8. If I read out the data, will you key it ___________to the spreadsheet?
on Away
9. Too much exercise can bring _____________an asthma attack
10. up
I can’t hear you. Please speak __________.
11. I’ve been locked ____________again.
out I’ve forgotten my keys and
there’s no one at home.
Part 2 Speaking Practice

Describe a piece of electronic equipment that you find useful.

You should say:

What the piece of equipment is
When and where you got it
What you use it for

And explain why you find it useful

 Part 3 Speaking Practice

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?

4. Why do you think some people claim scientists interfere too much with nature?

5. Do you have anything against animal testing?

6. Is scientific progress always for the greater good?

 Keyhole Surgery: Put in Order

1. So, as you see, it really is a brilliant development. (7.)

2. Then, surgeons can perform very delicate operations this way. (5.)
3. I believe keyhole surgery is one of the most significant
(1.)
developments in modern medicine.
4. Last but not least, recovery time is much quicker, due again to
(6.)
the small incisions.
5. There are numerous advantages (3.)
6. First of all, the surgeon can operate through tiny incisions so
(4.)
there is less scarring.
7. It involves introducing a video camera into the body of the
(2.)
patient so the surgeon can watch what he is doing on a TV
monitor
What would you say are the advantages to having a
smartphone?
3 Advantages Summary

You can easily chat with friends A major advantage of having a

and family through apps like smartphone is that it allows you to
Whatsapp stay connected with friends and
family at all times.
You can make accounts on social
media applications like Instagram
or Facebook to share photos and
updates with friends & family

You can easily take and send

photos and videos to your friends
and family
Opposing Ideas

Technology brings people closer together by allowing friends on opposite sides of the
world to chat to each other. But then again, it can isolate people, for example if someone
spends hours on a tablet in their room.

What do you think of online shopping? Give two opposing ideas

Using pronouns: Replace words in bold/italics with pronoun
his
1. I asked if he wanted to borrow my phone because his phone had run out
of battery.
2. Scientists are often on the news, talking about their latest discoveries. I
they they
think scientists enjoy publicizing what scientists do because all too often
their
scientists’ work is ignored. theirs
3. Our invention was much more creative than their invention, but the
judges awarded them the prize. it

4. I love video calling my friends, but video calling my friends can be

embarrassing if I’m still in my pyjamas.
Homework 1:
 Homework 2:
An increasing number of people are now using the internet to meet new people and socialize.
Some people think this has brought people closer together while others think people are
becoming more isolated.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.