Internet compared to newspaper and books

Newspapers and books are now published online as well as in print

We can read the news in any language from any country in the world

It costs nothing to publish or access information on the Internet

The Internet allows anybody to publish their own writing

Newspaper articles and books are written by professionals

Professionals produce better quality writing than amateur

People still buy newspapers and books because they are portable

People do not like reading from a screen

 

Positives of Mobile Phones

The mobile phone is the most popular gadget in today’s world

Mobile phones have revolutionized the way we communicate

We can stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues wherever we are

Users can send text messages, surf the Internet, take photos and listen to music

Mobiles have also become fashion accessories

 

Negatives of Mobile Phones

Mobiles phones can be a problem in some public places

Ringing phones cause disturbance in cinemas and school lessons

Some people are not aware that others can hear their conversations

Mobile phones may also interfere with electronic equipment

Their waves could cause damage to our brains

Mobile phones can also be a dangerous distraction

Using a phone while driving reduces the driver’s concentration

Mobile phones are a popular target for thieves

 

Opinion about Mobile Phones

The benefits of mobile phones outweigh the drawbacks

We need to use these phones with care

Uses of internet for communication

· sending emails

· sending text messages

· tele-conferencing

· video conferencing

· online chatting

· social networking

· blogging

· posting messages on forums

· using an intranet system

Advantages

· offers immediate communication

· cheaper than telephone calls / face-to-face meetings

· allows global communication without the need to travel

· more convenient / people can communicate on-the-move

· allows friends and family overseas to stay connected

· gives everybody the chance to have a public voice

Disadvantages

· people may lose “real” social skills

· people may spend less time socialising face-to-face

· people may become more introverted

· people may become addicted to social network sites

· people spend too much time in front of a screen

Technology and Education

· interactive whiteboards

· e-learning courses /e-books

· online degrees

· self-access centres / study

· online teaching / tutoring / training

· blended learning (online + face-to-face)

Advantages

· offers more flexibility for the learner

· allows people in rural areas the same study opportunities

· cheaper for students (no travel / accommodation costs)

· students & teachers are less bound by time and space

Technology and Work

· automated processes

· automated manufacturing

· automated customer services

· high-tech computer systems

· computerised filing / administrative systems

· huge databases

· intranet system / internal emailing

Disadvantages

· has made some jobs redundant

· gives customers less personal service

· requires staff to be technically skilled

· may cause security issues / files may be lost

· requires a lot of investment

· breakdowns in the system may cause severe problems

Useful linkers for giving reasons

· due to (the fact that)

· because of

· because

· as a result of

· that’s (the reason) why

 

ESSAYS

1) Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology.
In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships that people make? Has this been a positive or negative development?

It is true that new technologies have had an influence on communication between people. Technology has affected relationships in various ways, and in my opinion there are both positive and negative effects.

Technology has had an impact on relationships in business, education and social life. Firstly, telephones and the Internet allow business people in different countries to interact without ever meeting each other. Secondly, services like Skype create new possibilities for relationships between students and teachers. For example, a student can now take video lessons with a teacher in a different city or country. Finally, many people use social networks, like Facebook, to make new friends and find people who share common interests, and they interact through their computers rather than face to face.

On the one hand, these developments can be extremely positive. Cooperation between people in different countries was much more difficult when communication was limited to written letters or telegrams. Nowadays, interactions by email, phone or video are almost as good as face-to-face meetings, and many of us benefit from these interactions, either in work or social contexts. On the other hand, the availability of new communication technologies can also have the result of isolating people and discouraging real interaction. For example, many young people choose to make friends online rather than mixing with their peers in the real world, and these ‘virtual’ relationships are a poor substitute for real friendships.

In conclusion, technology has certainly revolutionised communication between people, but not all of the outcomes of this revolution have been positive.

(257 words, band 9)

2) When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them alive.To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Nowadays, technological advances and their rapid and wide applications are having a significant impact on a nation’s traditional skills and ways of life. Some argue that such impact is so extraordinary that it would make conventional skills and life styles obsolete. However, I believe they would continue to thrive by providing alternatives to modern ways of life, and innovative ideas for modern technologies.

First of all, traditional skills and ways of life are becoming an alternative solution to the problems caused by “mainstreamed” ways of life which are greatly influenced by modern technologies. For instance, a cozy restaurant where traditional, home-brewed beer is served, offers another experience to people who are bored with branded beers that have the same flavor and come out of mass production with new technologies. It is in such a venue where traditional skills are preserved, people become relaxed and educated. Providing diversity and thus enriching modern ways of life, such traditional skills and ways of life would continue to have their place.

Furthermore, conventional skills provide innovative ideas to the development of modern technologies. For example, sparkled by how the word “Love” is traditionally knitted into a sweater by some ethnic minority women in some parts of Asia, some business managers from textile industry have developed some production lines by applying the traditional skills to Computer-Aided Designs (CAD). The products have boosted the companies’ sales which in turn have increased their investment in preserving traditional skills for further developing their technologies.

To conclude, traditional skills and life styles are increasingly becoming a useful alternative to the homogeneity brought by global applications of modern technologies. However, the evolution of technologies is a selection process, whereby some would become obsolete, but there is no doubt that some would thrive when their roles are appreciated.

Band 8 essay.