Technology – Heading towards another big revolution!

Dear fellow teachers and educators,

5G TECHNOLOGY IS COMING OUR WAY AND BRINGING ALONG MANY CHANGES! Here´s a timely Listening Comprehension Activity meant for B2/C1 level students that briefly explains the concept of IoT – Internet of Things. Another aspect explored here is 3D PRINTING, which is bound to change many industries as we know them. Enjoy!

SCROLL DOWN FOR DIALOGUE SCRIPT

Dialogue comprehension – True, False or I don´t know?

Both Jake and Howard are excited about the impact of technology in the workplace. True ___ False ___ I don´t know ___
According to the dialogue 3D printing will probably not affect businesses and medicine that much . True ___ False ___ I don´t know _
Howard thinks technology is making people´s lives harder. True ___ False ___ I don´t know ___
Jake goes to work by taxi every day. True ___ False ___ I don´t know ___

Find words or expressions in the dialogue that mean the same as:

Small electronic devices or appliances: _______________________________
Huge; very large in amount or degree: ______________________________
Science fiction: __________________________
At some future time: ___________________
An application (computer program) especially one designed for a mobile device. ___
You are right; that’s true (to agree with a statement):_______________________
The process of making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model: ____
Very clever; innovative: __________________________________
Certain or destined to: ______________________________
Moving toward: ______________________________

Business vocabulary & expressions – Match the words and expressions below to the definitions.

TREND SILICON VALLEY GEEK CUTTING-EDGE

FLASH DRIVE START-UP HACKER TABLET

a. A small device used to store digital data. _______
b. Extremely modern and advanced. _______
c. A computer programmer who uses his skills to gain illegal access to a computer network in order to steal, change or destroy information: _____
d. Prevailing tendency. _______
e. A type of lightweight portable computer. ______
f. A new business that has just been started. _______
g. A region in California well-known for its concentration of high-tech industries. _____
h. An expert in a technical field, esp. computers. _______

Gap filling

GEEK FLASH DRIVE TABLET SILICON VALLEY

HACKER TREND CUTTING-EDGE START-UP

“I´m sure our visitors will love our high-tech plant and the ______________ technology of our machines.”, said Brian to a coworker.
“When it comes to business, keeping updated on the latest market ___________ is crucial.” , Walter told Jim.
“We´ve been invited to visit a high-tech company in ________________ next week. I´m really excited about it.”, said Josh to a friend.
“How long do you think it will take that ______________ to break even?”, Frank asked Elizabeth.
“Hey Charlie, do you know any ____________ who might be able to help me out with this new computer system?”, Jeff asked Roy.
“We´d better back up all these files. Can you pass me that ____________ please?”, Roger asked a coworker.
“This new ______________ is likely to do well in the gadget market.” said Hank to a coworker.
“Apparently a _____________ broke into the company´s computer system and altered some of the information. They´re still trying to figure out what happened.”, Rachel told a friend.

Listen & Write & Answer – Write the questions you listen to and then choose the right answer.

_________________________________________________?

a. That´s right. You can get high-speed internet here.
b. There must be one. Let´s check again.
c. It´s greatbreakcafe 123.
d. I think we might be able to break the code.

_________________________________________________?

a. I don´t think that would really be necessary.
b. Uh, sorry! I may have done that by mistake.
c. That´s the storage capacity I guess.
d. Just cross that name out and it will be okay.

_________________________________________________?

a. Not really. The digital version will do.
b. I´d appreciate if you could e-mail that spreadsheet to me later.
c. Sorry, I´m running out of ink.
d. I think you forgot to attach the document.

_________________________________________________?

a. It seems like it´s the new trend.
b. I think it´s time for an upgrade.
c. I really need to catch up on my reading.
d. I´m sure it will. I think it will be a hit with the young crowd.

Dialogue script – HEADING TOWARDS ANOTHER BIG REVOLUTON!

Jake: Man, it´s amazing how technology is changing the way we do business. These are really exciting times!
Howard: You can say that again. I find it hard to keep up with all the new gadgets and apps that are popping up all the time now.
Jake: I know! You just reminded of the taxi driver I talked to the other day. I was really surprised when he told me most of his passengers now contact him through an app. From what he told me it seems to be a very ingenious and helpful one.
Howard: Yeah, there are apps for just about anything now. They are making people´s lives easier in many ways. Now, something else that´s really cool is 3D printing.
Jake: I agree. I think the impact of 3D printing on our daily lives will be massive. Can you imagine being able to print objects in the comfort of your home?
Howard: Yeah, it´s crazy! 3D printing is bound to change many industries as we know them. Take the automobile industry for example. Medicine will also benefit greatly from 3D printing. I read an article about it the other day. Researchers are already using three-dimensional printing to create models of the human heart so that doctors can use them to better help patients before an operation.
Jake: Wow, seems like we´re heading towards another big revolution!
Howard: We are in fact heading towards another technological stage. They´re calling it the Internet of Things.
Jake: The Internet of Things?
Howard: Yep, it´s a new concept that basically describes the trend that all devices, services and appliances will be someday interconnected.
Jake: Really? Sounds like a sci-fi movie.
Howard: I know, but I guess it will be real someday!