English Listening Exercise: "Technology and Gadgets"

Technology and Gadgets B1 (English Listening Practice and Vocabulary & Questions)

Vocabulary
A. Stay in touch - keep communicating with someone (rester en contact). Sentence: I will stay in touch with you after the trip. Translation: Je resterai en contact avec toi après le voyage.

B. Through /thru/ - using something as a method (par). You can contact me through email. Translation: Vous pouvez me contacter par courrier électronique.

Other meanings of “through”
Walk through (a place) - go from one side to another. We walked through the park on our way home. (Nous avons traversé le parc en rentrant chez nous.

Through (method/channel) - using a means to do something. You can contact me through email. (Vous pouvez me contacter par courrier électronique.)

Be through with something -finish doing something. I am through with my work. (J'ai terminé mon travail.)

Be through (relationship) - end a relationship. My girlfriend and I are through. (Ma copine et moi, c'est fini.)

Work through (time period) -continue working during something. We work through the night. (Nous travaillons toute la nuit.)

C. Tell time - read and understand the time (lire l'heure). Sentence: She can tell time using both an analog and a digital clock. Translation: Elle peut lire l'heure avec une horloge analogique et numérique.

D. Track one’s (my, his, their, etc.) steps - record the number of steps (suivre ses pas). Sentence: Many people use apps to track their steps for fitness reasons. Translation: Beaucoup de gens utilisent des applications pour suivre leurs pas pour des raisons de fitness.

E. Heart rate - number of heartbeats per minute (fréquence cardiaque). Sentence: Monitoring your heart rate is important during exercise. Translation: Surveiller sa fréquence cardiaque est important pendant l'exercice.

F. Microwave - machine used to heat food quickly (micro-ondes). Sentence: I heated the soup in the microwave for a quick lunch. Translation: J'ai réchauffé la soupe au micro-ondes pour un déjeuner rapide.

G. Wisely – in a smart and careful way (sagement). Sentence: It is important to spend your money wisely. Translation: Il est important de dépenser son argent sagement.

H. Screen time - time spent using or looking at a screen, such as mobile phones, computers, etc. (temps d'écran). Sentence: Reducing screen time before bed can help you sleep better. Translation: Réduire le temps d'écran avant de se coucher peut aider à mieux dormir.

Guide Questions
1. What does the speaker say about technology and gadgets?
2. How do people use technology and gadgets?
3. What is the speaker's advice about technology?

 

 

TRANSCRIPT

Technology and gadgets are important parts of our daily lives. For example, smartphones help us stay in touch with family and friends through calls, messages, and social media. Many people also use laptops or tablets for work, school, or entertainment. We can watch movies, play games, and read books on these devices. Another common gadget is the smartwatch, which not only tells time but also tracks our steps and heart rate. In the kitchen, we use technology like microwaves and coffee machines to prepare food and drinks quickly. Technology makes our lives easier and more fun, but it’s important to use it wisely. For example, spending too much time on our phones can be bad for our health, so we should try to balance screen time with other activities. (129 words)

 

Discussion
1. Is technology important in your work? Explain.

2. What is your favorite gadget and why?

SAMPLE ANSWER: My favorite gadget is my smartphone. I love it because I can connect with my friends, take photos, and listen to music all in one place. It helps me stay organized with calendars and reminders. I remember when smartphones first became popular; they changed how we communicate and live. Now, I can’t imagine life without mine!

3. What do you think about smartwatches?

SAMPLE ANSWER: I think smartwatches are really useful. They help me track my fitness and see messages without looking at my phone. I can monitor my heart rate and steps, which encourages me to stay active. When smartwatches first appeared, many people were curious about them. Now, I see more people wearing them every day!

INTERNET AND CONNECTIVITY
4. How important is the internet in your life?

SAMPLE ANSWER: The internet is very important to me. I use it for studying, connecting with friends, and finding information. Without the internet, I would struggle to complete my homework and learn new things. I remember when my family first got internet at home; it opened up a whole new world for us. Now, it feels essential for daily activities.

5. How do you stay safe online?

SAMPLE ANSWER: To stay safe online, I use strong passwords and don't share personal information. I also avoid clicking on strange links. I learned these tips in school and from my parents. For example, when I received an email that looked suspicious, I didn't open it. Staying safe online is important because there are many dangers, like scams.

OPINIONS
6. Do you think technology has made us more impatient and lazier? In what way? Give an example.

SAMPLE ANSWER: It depends on your perspective. It is true that with technology, people have quick access to many things. For example, we do not need to leave the house for entertainment. We can get information easily and quickly. We can go shopping, do banking, make reservations, and do tasks online. All of these save us time to focus on other important matters. On the other hand, we lost some basic skills because of technology, such as memorizing phone numbers, calculating in our heads, and even going out to meet our friends.

7. Do you always trust technology?

SAMPLE ANSWER: Most of our daily activities nowadays rely on trusting technology. We drive a car. We take the elevator. We put food in the refrigerator, and we use our computers and smartphones. I think that we do not have any choice but to trust technology. Technology is neutral. Humans use technology to break the trust of those around them.

8. Talk about a time when something went wrong with technology, perhaps professionally or personally.

9. Do you think modern technology reduces or increases stress? Why?

SAMPLE ANSWER: It is not modern technology that increases stress. It is the process surrounding technology.  When you think about the cost of a washing machine, then the electricity, water, and all of the bills, these increase stress rather than the washing machine itself.

10. Do you think money should be spent to explore space, or is it better spent helping people on Earth? Why?

11. Do you think robots will cause unemployment (loss of jobs) in the future, or will robots create more jobs? Why?

12. What do you think robots should be used for?

SAMPLE ANSWER: Robots should be used to do dangerous and disgusting things like cleaning toilets and sewers or putting out fires. Robots should also perform repetitive tasks.

13. How do you feel about artificial intelligence?

SAMPLE ANSWER: I feel both curious and cautious about artificial intelligence (AI). It can help with tasks like organizing data and answering questions quickly. However, I worry about privacy and job loss. For example, some companies use AI for customer service. I think AI has the potential to improve our lives, but we need to use it responsibly.

14. Do you think robots or Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) can do your work in the future? Explain.

15. What new technology are you excited about?

SAMPLE ANSWER: I am excited about virtual reality (VR) technology. It allows people to experience different places and activities from home. I think it could be great for gaming and education. For example, VR can let students explore ancient cities without traveling. I remember trying a VR headset for the first time; it felt like I was in another world!

HEALTH
16. What stresses you about using your smartphone?

17. Do you think mobile phones are bad for our health?

SAMPLE ANSWER: Some doctors say that cellphones can negatively affect our eyesight, our posture, and our emotional and mental stress levels.  However, some scientists assert that the radiation coming from smartphones is low energy and this cannot damage our cells. 

18. How do you use technology to stay healthy?

SAMPLE ANSWER: I use fitness apps to track my exercise and diet. They help me set goals and monitor my progress. I also enjoy following online workout videos, which make exercising fun and varied. For instance, during the pandemic, I discovered many home workout channels on YouTube. This technology made it easier to stay active without going to the gym. I believe using these tools can motivate people to maintain a healthier lifestyle and make fitness more accessible.

ENTERTAINMENT
19. How do you feel about streaming services?

SAMPLE ANSWER: I love streaming services because they give me access to many movies and shows. I can watch what I want, whenever I want, without commercials. I remember when my family switched from cable to streaming; it felt like a new world of entertainment opened up. It’s convenient for binge-watching my favorite series!

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