Unit 3: Technology — Intermediate English Course

Vocabulary

The digital world, devices, and online life.

Device

A piece of electronic equipment such as a phone or laptop

Which device do you use most often?

Software

Programs and applications that run on a computer

The new software is much faster than the old version.

Bandwidth

The amount of data that can be transmitted over an internet connection

Streaming video requires more bandwidth than browsing.

Update

A newer version of software that fixes or improves it

The latest update made the app more reliable.

Privacy

The right to keep personal information secure and away from others

Online privacy is becoming increasingly important.

Algorithm

A set of rules a computer follows to solve a problem or make decisions

The algorithm shows you content based on your habits.

Artificial intelligence

Technology that allows machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence

AI is becoming more powerful every year.

Cybersecurity

Protection of computer systems and data from digital attacks

Cybersecurity is one of the biggest concerns for businesses.

Wireless

Connecting without physical cables, especially via Wi-Fi

The wireless connection is faster than before.

Interface

The way a user interacts with a screen, app, or system

The new interface is much more user-friendly.

Subscription

A regular payment to access a service or content

Monthly subscriptions are cheaper than annual ones.

My streaming subscription costs £12 a month.

Upload / Download

To send data to the internet / to receive data from it

Uploading large files is slower than downloading them.

Vocabulary exercises

Grammar

Comparatives and superlatives

We use comparatives to compare two things: This phone is faster than that one.
We use superlatives to say which is the most/least in a group: This is the most expensive laptop in the shop.

Rules for forming comparatives and superlatives depend on the length of the adjective.

Adjective type	Comparative	Superlative
Short (1 syllable)	fast → faster than	the fastest
Ending in -e	safe → safer than	the safest
Short ending consonant-vowel-consonant	big → bigger than	the biggest
Ending in -y	easy → easier than	the easiest
Long (2+ syllables)	expensive → more expensive than	the most expensive
Irregular	good → better than / bad → worse than	the best / the worst

Use as … as to say two things are equal: This tablet is as powerful as that laptop. Use not as … as for inequality: It's not as fast as I expected.

Grammar exercises

Reading

Read the article carefully, then answer the questions.

Are we too dependent on technology?

Every year, our devices become smaller, faster, and more powerful. Smartphones are now more capable than the computers that sent astronauts to the moon. But as technology improves, many experts are asking an uncomfortable question: are we becoming too dependent on it?

Studies have shown that people check their phones more frequently than ever before — on average, over 150 times a day. Researchers argue that this constant connectivity is making us less focused and more anxious. Some go further, suggesting that social media algorithms are specifically designed to keep us online as long as possible, feeding us more engaging — and often more divisive — content.

However, others argue that the benefits of technology far outweigh the drawbacks. Medical technology has never been more advanced, with AI systems diagnosing diseases more accurately than human doctors in some cases. Communication is faster and cheaper than it has ever been. Education is more accessible to more people in more parts of the world.

The most sensible view may be that technology is neither good nor bad in itself — it depends entirely on how we choose to use it. The most important skill of the 21st century, some argue, is not technical ability, but the discipline to know when to put the device down.

Comprehension questions

Listening

Listen to each conversation, then answer the questions.

Conversation 1 — Choosing a new phone | Replace with: <audio controls src="audio/int3-listen1.mp3"></audio>

Script 1

Choosing a new phone

Scene: Two friends compare smartphones before one makes a purchase.

Priya:I need a new phone. I've been looking at two models but I can't decide.

Dan:What are the options?

Priya:Model A is cheaper, but Model B has a much better camera. Model B is also lighter than Model A.

Dan:How much more expensive is Model B?

Priya:About £80 more. But the battery life is significantly longer — nearly twice as long.

Dan:That sounds worth it. Is the screen bigger too?

Priya:Slightly. It's not as big a difference as I expected, honestly. But the display is much clearer.

Dan:I'd go for Model B. A better camera and longer battery — those are the most important things for me.

Priya:Yeah, I think you're right. Model B it is.

Listening 1 questions

Conversation 2 — The screen time debate | Replace with: <audio controls src="audio/int3-listen2.mp3"></audio>

Script 2

The screen time debate

Scene: A parent and teenager discuss technology use at home.

Parent:You've been on your phone for three hours. Don't you think that's too much?

Teen:It's not as much as you think. Most of it was for homework.

Parent:The most important thing is balance. When I was your age, we spent much more time outdoors.

Teen:But things are different now. I can learn more online in an hour than from a textbook in a whole day.

Parent:That's the best argument you've made. But the research shows that more screen time leads to worse sleep.

Teen:OK, I'll put it down earlier tonight. Deal?

Parent:Deal. And maybe we can find something more interesting to do together this weekend — without screens.

Listening 2 questions

Writing

A guided paragraph task. Write 80–120 words using the prompts below.

Task: Compare two devices, apps, or pieces of technology you use.

Use comparatives and superlatives to describe the similarities and differences. Include:

What the two things are and what they are used for
At least two ways they are different (use comparatives)
Which one you prefer and why (use a superlative or as…as)
One possible disadvantage of your preferred choice

0 words

Model answer

I use both a laptop and a tablet for my studies, but they are quite different. My laptop is significantly more powerful than my tablet and is better for writing long essays and running complex software. The tablet, on the other hand, is much lighter and easier to carry around. For reading and taking notes, it is almost as useful as the laptop. However, I prefer my laptop overall because it has the largest screen and the fastest processor of any device I own. The only real disadvantage is that the battery life is considerably shorter than the tablet's — I always need to carry the charger with me.

Unit test

35 questions · Pass score: 28/35 (80%) · Unlimited attempts

Section C: Reading

Read the passage, then answer questions 19–26.

How technology is changing education

Education has never changed more rapidly than it is changing today. Online learning platforms now offer thousands of courses, making knowledge more accessible and more affordable than at any point in history. A student in a remote village can now access the same lectures as someone at the world's most prestigious universities.

Artificial intelligence is also beginning to transform how students learn. Adaptive learning software adjusts the difficulty of exercises based on how a student performs — making lessons more personalised and more effective than traditional one-size-fits-all teaching methods. Some schools report that students using AI tutoring tools make progress significantly faster than those in standard classrooms.

However, critics warn that the worst outcome of this digital revolution in education could be a widening gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not. In many parts of the world, reliable internet access is still much rarer and much more expensive than in wealthier countries.

The most optimistic experts believe that technology, used carefully and equitably, could be the most powerful tool for reducing global inequality. But they also agree that technology alone is not enough — the best results come when digital tools support, rather than replace, human teachers.

Unit 2 All units Unit 4