Understand
About this text typeWhat is opinion writing (integrated)?
An integrated opinion paragraph states and supports your personal view on technology by combining ideas from a reading text and a listening. You present both positive and negative effects, and then give your own reasoned conclusion.
Purpose. to state, support, and justify your opinion on technology using evidence from two sources.
Key features
- State your opinion clearly in the topic sentence — use I think / I believe / In my opinion.
- Present both positive and negative effects. Use evidence from your notes.
- Use modal verbs (can, could, should, might) for ability, possibility and recommendations.
- Combine ideas from the reading and the listening — use your own words.
- End with a recommendation or a clear final opinion.
Remember — your paragraph has three parts
- Topic sentence. State your opinion on technology clearly. Use I think / I believe / In my opinion,
- Body sentences. Give 2–3 reasons from your notes, covering both positive and negative points. Use First of all, / However, / For example,
- Concluding sentence. Restate your opinion and give a recommendation. Use In conclusion, / To sum up,
Study
Grammar & vocabularyVocabulary bank
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| technology | machines and digital tools used in everyday modern life | Technology has transformed the way we communicate. |
| device | a piece of technology such as a phone, tablet, or laptop | Most students carry at least one personal device. |
| social media | apps and websites for sharing content and connecting | Social media has changed how people form and maintain relationships. |
| screen time | the total time you spend looking at a screen each day | Research shows that excessive screen time affects sleep quality. |
| communicate | to exchange information or ideas with others | We can now communicate instantly with anyone, anywhere. |
| access | the ability to find, reach, or use something | The internet gives students access to unlimited information. |
| distraction | something that stops you from concentrating on your task | Smartphones can be a major distraction during study time. |
| beneficial | having a positive and helpful effect on something | Regular physical activity is beneficial for both mind and body. |
Grammar Modal verbs — can / could / should / might
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| can + verb (ability or current possibility) | Technology can connect people across the world in seconds. |
| could + verb (possibility or uncertain outcome) | Too much screen time could have a serious effect on health. |
| should + verb (advice or recommendation) | People should set firm daily limits on their screen time. |
| might + verb (future or uncertain possibility) | Future technology might completely change the way we learn. |
Useful linking words Notice the example sentences — they show you exactly how to use each word.
| Linking word | When to use it | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| I think / I believe / In my opinion, | To state your personal opinion | I believe that technology has mostly improved daily life. |
| First of all, / Secondly, | To organise your reasons in order | First of all, technology has made communication much faster. |
| For example, / such as | To support your point with a specific example | For example, we can now video call anyone, anywhere, for free. |
| However, / On the other hand, | To introduce a negative point or the other side | However, technology can also be a serious distraction. |
| In conclusion, / To sum up, | To end with your final opinion and recommendation | In conclusion, technology is powerful — but we must use it wisely. |
Extra practice · Part A Choose the best answer.
Part B · Paragraph order These five sentences form a complete paragraph, but they are in the wrong order. Use the arrows to put them in order (1–5). The linking words are your clues.
- ?AHowever, technology also has serious drawbacks. For example, many young people spend hours on social media instead of sleeping, exercising, or spending time with family.
- ?BIn conclusion, technology is neither purely good nor purely bad — what matters most is how responsibly we choose to use it.
- ?CI believe that technology has fundamentally changed the way we live.
- ?DFirst of all, it has made access to information and education far easier than ever before.
- ?ESecondly, it has allowed people across the world to communicate instantly, breaking down barriers of distance and language.
Analyse
Sample paragraphThis is an integrated writing task. First read the text and listen to the talk, and take notes. Then study the sample paragraph to see how the notes are used.
Read Underline the most important ideas.
ReadingThe Benefits of Technology
Technology has changed our lives in many profound and positive ways. First of all, it has revolutionised communication. People can now send instant messages, make video calls, and share news with friends and family anywhere in the world, completely for free. Secondly, technology has transformed access to education. Students can watch recorded lessons, use interactive educational apps, and find reliable information on almost any topic within seconds. This is particularly valuable for people who live in remote or rural areas, or who cannot easily attend formal schooling. In addition, technology has brought major advances in healthcare. Doctors now use sophisticated digital equipment to diagnose illnesses more accurately, monitor patients remotely, and share medical knowledge globally. For example, scanning technology can now detect serious diseases at a very early stage, which significantly improves patient outcomes and saves lives. In conclusion, technology has made many aspects of daily life easier, faster, safer, and more accessible than ever before.
Listen Twice — take notes as you go.
ListeningThe Problems with Technology
Audio file not found — check that the audio folder sits next to this page.
Play it twice. Take notes as you listen.
Take notes One box for each source.
How does technology affect communication and education?
How does technology affect health and wellbeing?
How does technology affect work and daily life overall?
Study the sample paragraph
Read the paragraph, then use the panel beside it to see how it is built. Click any row to light up that sentence.
Technology in Daily Life
I believe that technology has greatly and genuinely improved our daily lives, although it also brings some serious challenges that we all need to manage thoughtfully and responsibly. First of all, technology has made communication dramatically easier and faster. As the reading highlights, people can now make free video calls to anyone in the world and students can access high-quality educational resources from anywhere — benefits that were unimaginable just twenty years ago. Advances in healthcare technology are also saving lives by detecting diseases earlier and allowing doctors to share expertise globally. However, the listening transcript raises important concerns that we cannot ignore. Excessive screen time can seriously disrupt sleep and mental health, particularly among young people. Furthermore, artificial intelligence is already automating many jobs, putting millions of workers at risk. Privacy is also a growing concern, as companies quietly collect vast amounts of personal data from our devices. Therefore, I think governments should introduce clearer regulations to protect workers and users, and individuals should set firm limits on their daily screen time. In conclusion, technology is an enormously powerful tool that brings great benefits when used wisely and responsibly — but only if both individuals and societies make conscious, informed choices about how they use it.
Discussion Talk to your partner.
- What positive effects does the writer mention? Which come from the reading?
- What negative effects does the writer describe? Which come from the listening?
- Do you agree with the writer’s overall opinion? What would you add or change?
Practise
Controlled exercisesExercise 1 Look back at the sample paragraph in Section C, Step 4. Count the opinion phrases and the modal verbs. (Opinion phrases: I believe, I think, In my opinion… · Modal verbs: can, could, should, might…)
Exercise 2 Complete each sentence with a suitable modal verb: can / could / should / might
Write
Your own paragraphThis is an integrated writing task. Read, listen and take notes first — then plan and write.
Read Take notes as you read.
ReadingHow Technology Has Changed the Way We Learn
Twenty years ago, a student who needed information had to travel to a library, search through a catalogue and hope that the right book was available. Today, almost everything has changed. Digital libraries give students immediate access to millions of books and academic articles, wherever they happen to be. Online courses allow anyone with an internet connection to study subjects that are not taught at their own school or university, and many of these courses are completely free. Video lessons are particularly useful, because a student who does not understand an explanation can simply watch it again as many times as necessary. Language learning has been transformed too: translation tools, pronunciation apps and video calls with speakers in other countries were unimaginable for earlier generations. Technology has also made learning far more flexible. Students who have a part-time job or family responsibilities can now study late at night or early in the morning, at their own speed. For students in small towns and rural areas the change has been even greater, because distance is no longer a barrier to a good education. None of this means that a screen is always the best place to learn. Students who read only short texts online often find it harder to concentrate on a long book, and information found in seconds is not always reliable. Used carefully — checking where information comes from, and still making time for long, deep reading — technology has made knowledge faster, cheaper and far more available than ever before.
Listen Twice — take notes as you go.
ListeningThe Hidden Cost of Convenience
Audio file not found — check that the audio folder sits next to this page.
Play it twice. Take notes as you listen.
Take notes One box for each source.
How does technology help?
What examples are given?
What problems or risks are there?
What should we do about it?
Plan and write
Has technology improved your daily life? Use your notes from the reading and the listening to write a paragraph of at least 130 words.
One paragraph · three parts · minimum 130 words.
My plan Notes first — then write.
Self-check Tick each box when you are sure.
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My paragraph
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Vocabulary review — Units 7 & 8
Covers both units · end of coursePart A · Gap fill Complete each sentence with a word from the box. You will not need all the words.
Part B · Word formation Write the correct form of the word in brackets to complete each sentence.