Unit 8. Technology — Teacher’s Copy

Teacher’s notes — Unit 8: Opinion writing (integrated) — Technology

Text type. Integrated opinion paragraph — presents BOTH positive and negative effects of technology.

Key teaching points

This is the most complex unit in the course: integrated + opinion + modal verbs + both sides of an argument.
Modal verbs are the grammar focus. Remind students of the distinctions: can = current ability, could = possibility, should = recommendation, might = uncertain future.
Students must present both positive and negative effects. A paragraph that argues only one side should be marked down and returned for revision.
Exercise 1 counting. The printed key gives 2 opinion phrases and 5 modal verbs (can ×3, should ×2). But the sample also contains concerns that we cannot ignore — a sixth modal. A student who counts negatives will correctly find 6. Both 5 and 6 are accepted here; use the disagreement to teach that cannot is can + not.
Part B (paragraph ordering) consolidates all eight units’ linking words. Consider using it as a timed revision activity.
Students do not have the listening transcripts. They are behind the reveal buttons in this copy only.

Common student error. Listing the reading’s benefits and the listening’s problems one after another without ever stating a personal position. The task asks what the student thinks.

Understand

About this text type

What 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 & vocabulary

Vocabulary 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.

1?that social media does more harm than good for young people’s mental health.

I believe — The gap is followed by that… and the sentence states a personal view. Only one of these can be followed directly by that.

2Technology has transformed healthcare. ?, doctors can now diagnose diseases using artificial intelligence that analyses thousands of patient records in seconds.

For example, — AI diagnosis is one specific instance of healthcare being transformed — not a second point, and not the other side.

3Smartphones keep us constantly connected. ?, this constant connection makes it very difficult for people to ever truly switch off and rest.

However, — Being connected sounds good; not being able to switch off is the downside. You need a contrast.

4Technology improves our lives in many ways. ?, it has made education, communication, and healthcare faster and more accessible than ever before.

First of all, — This opens the list of ways — more points are still to come, so it cannot be the ending.

5?, technology is a powerful tool that can improve lives — but only if we learn to use it with care and balance.

In conclusion, — This sentence sums up the whole argument and adds a final condition.

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.

C → D → E → A → B
Topic sentence: C · Concluding sentence: B

Analyse

Sample paragraph

This 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

Play it twice. Students do not have the transcript.

TranscriptThe Problems with Technology

While technology has many undeniable benefits, it also creates some very serious problems that we cannot afford to ignore. First of all, there is the issue of excessive screen time. Research consistently shows that spending too many hours on phones and computers can seriously disrupt sleep patterns, reduce concentration spans, and damage mental health — particularly among children and teenagers. For example, students who use social media intensively in the hours before bed often arrive at school feeling exhausted and unable to concentrate. Secondly, technology is rapidly changing the job market. Many routine tasks that humans used to perform are now being automated by machines and artificial intelligence. As a result, millions of workers face the risk of losing their jobs and struggling to find new ones in a rapidly changing economy. Furthermore, there are growing concerns about digital privacy. Companies routinely collect large amounts of personal data from our devices and apps, often without users fully understanding what is being collected and why. In conclusion, while technology offers tremendous opportunities, we must approach it with clear-eyed awareness of its risks.

Take notes One box for each source.

How does technology affect communication and education?

Reading

Free instant messages and video calls anywhere in the world; recorded lessons, educational apps and reliable information within seconds — especially valuable in remote or rural areas.

Listening

Students who use social media intensively before bed arrive at school exhausted and unable to concentrate; heavy screen use reduces concentration spans.

How does technology affect health and wellbeing?

Reading

Doctors diagnose more accurately, monitor patients remotely and share medical knowledge globally; scanning detects serious disease at an early stage, which saves lives.

Listening

Too many hours on phones and computers disrupts sleep patterns, reduces concentration and damages mental health, especially among children and teenagers.

How does technology affect work and daily life overall?

Reading

Many aspects of daily life have become easier, faster, safer and more accessible; people who cannot easily attend formal schooling can still study.

Listening

Routine tasks are being automated by machines and artificial intelligence, so millions of workers risk losing their jobs; companies collect large amounts of personal data, often without users understanding what is collected or why.

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.

Topic sentenceBody sentencesConcluding sentence

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?

Positives. Free video calls, educational resources from anywhere, earlier disease detection and doctors sharing expertise globally — all from the reading, and signposted with As the reading highlights.
Negatives. Screen time disrupting sleep and mental health, AI automating jobs, and companies collecting personal data — all from the listening, signposted with However, the listening transcript raises…. Note that the writer keeps every positive together and every negative together, rather than alternating; that structure is worth naming.
Agreeing. Answers vary. Push students beyond “I agree” to a specific addition — a risk or benefit neither source mentions — since that is what the Part E task will reward.

Practise

Controlled exercises

Exercise 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…)

1I found opinion phrase(s).

2 — Look for phrases where the writer speaks as I. One is in the first sentence; the other is in the recommendation near the end.

2I found modal verb(s).

5 — Count can and should. There are three of one and two of the other — but check whether you also counted cannot. Both answers are accepted here; see the teacher’s note.

Exercise 2 Complete each sentence with a suitable modal verb: can / could / should / might

1Technology be used to give students in remote areas access to world-class education.

can — This is a present fact about what technology is able to do — not advice, and not uncertain.

2Spending too much time on social media lead to feelings of anxiety and isolation.

could — This is a possible outcome, not a certainty. The keyed answer is could.

3Governments introduce clear laws to protect people’s personal data online.

should — This is a recommendation — the writer is saying what governments ought to do.

4In the future, intelligent robots perform many routine tasks in hospitals and offices.

might — In the future signals an uncertain prediction. The keyed answer is might.

Write

Your own paragraph

This 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

Play it twice. Students do not have the transcript.

TranscriptThe Hidden Cost of Convenience

Technology has undoubtedly made our lives easier, but today I want to look at what we may be losing in exchange. Let us start with memory. Because our phones store every number, address and appointment for us, we no longer practise remembering things, and researchers warn that a skill we stop using gradually becomes weaker. Navigation is a good example. Many young drivers can follow a map application perfectly but cannot find their way across their own city without one. There is a similar problem with concentration. When notifications interrupt us every few minutes, we lose the habit of focusing on a single task for a long period, and both deep reading and careful thinking suffer as a result. Convenience also affects our money. Shopping apps make buying so quick and simple that people regularly spend far more than they intended to. And of course, every service we use collects information about us — where we go, what we watch and what we buy. None of this means that we should abandon technology. It does mean that we should use it consciously: turn off unnecessary notifications, leave the phone in another room while studying, and occasionally find the way home without help.

Take notes One box for each source.

How does technology help?

Reading

Immediate access to digital libraries, free online courses and video lessons; learning is faster, cheaper and more flexible; distance is no longer a barrier.

Listening

Phones store numbers, addresses and appointments; map apps and shopping apps make everyday life quick and simple.

What examples are given?

Reading

Millions of books and articles online; repeatable video lessons; translation and pronunciation apps; video calls with speakers abroad; studying late at night or early in the morning.

Listening

Drivers who cannot navigate without an app; notifications every few minutes; shopping apps that encourage overspending.

What problems or risks are there?

Reading

Reading only short texts online makes it harder to concentrate on a long book; information found in seconds is not always reliable.

Listening

Weaker memory and navigation skills; poor concentration; less deep reading and careful thinking; spending more than intended; every service collects information about where we go, what we watch and what we buy.

What should we do about it?

Reading

Check where information comes from, and still make time for long, deep reading.

Listening

Do not abandon technology, but use it consciously: turn off unnecessary notifications, leave the phone in another room while studying, sometimes find the way without help.

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.

Topic sentence idea (your opinion)Supporting sentence 1 (the positives)Supporting sentence 2 (the negatives)RecommendationConcluding sentence

Self-check Tick each box when you are sure.

Topic sentence. I introduced my main idea in my own words — I did not copy the question.
Linking words. I used at least three different linking words to connect my sentences.
Example. I included at least one example using For example, / For instance, / such as.
Concluding sentence. I ended with a sentence that summarises my main idea. I used In conclusion, / To sum up, / Overall,
Proofreading. I read my paragraph again and checked my spelling and punctuation.

0 of 5 checked.

My paragraph

0 / 130 words

Nothing is saved automatically. Copy or save your paragraph before you close this tab — only your own writing is saved, not the exercises.

Sample answer For modelling and for calibrating your marking.

Task. Has technology improved your daily life? Use your notes from the reading and the listening to write a paragraph of at least 130 words.
208 words · band: strong pass

I believe that technology has improved my daily life enormously, although I am also aware that this convenience comes at a price. Topic sentence: clear opinion + both sides signalled First of all, as the reading points out, technology has completely transformed the way I learn. Instead of travelling to a library and hoping that the right book is on the shelf, I can open a digital library, take a free online course, or watch a video lesson again and again until I finally understand it. For example, I improved my pronunciation using an app and video calls with students in other countries — something that was simply impossible for my parents’ generation. Reason 1 from the reading, personalised However, the listening highlighted a cost that I recognise in myself. Because my phone remembers every number and every appointment, my own memory has become lazier, and constant notifications make it much harder to concentrate on a long reading task. Shopping apps are another danger, as they can make spending money far too easy. Therefore, I think students should turn off unnecessary notifications and leave their phones in another room while they are studying. Negatives from the listening + should In conclusion, technology can make our lives richer and our learning far more effective — but only if we decide how to use it, instead of letting it decide for us. Balanced conclusion

Marking focusOpinion clearly stated in the topic sentenceBOTH positive and negative effects addressedModal verbs used (can / should)Ideas from both sources, in own wordsRecommendation before the conclusion

Optional activity

Screen time diary

Homework + 15-minute discussion next class · Observation → Writing

Homework. Students track their own screen time for ONE day (phone settings usually show this automatically). They note the total hours, which apps they used most, and how they felt afterwards.
Next class. Students compare results with a partner, then write a short reflective paragraph (100–120 words) using the unit’s linking words (First of all / However / Therefore) and at least one modal verb.
Prompt. “I spent ___ hours on my phone yesterday. First of all… However… Therefore, I think I should…”

Extension. End-of-course portfolio activity: students choose their best paragraph from all eight units, revise it using teacher feedback and the self-check list, and present it to the class in one minute.

Vocabulary review — Units 7 & 8

Covers both units · end of course

Part A · Gap fill Complete each sentence with a word from the box. You will not need all the words.

accessrewardingdemandingcolleaguesdistractionbeneficial

Not used: rewarding

1Regular physical exercise is extremely for both your mental and physical health.

beneficial — After extremely you need an adjective meaning “helpful and good for you”.

2Medicine is one of the most careers — it requires enormous dedication and long hours.

demanding — The dash explains it: dedication and long hours. Which adjective means “requiring a lot of effort and time”?

3She gets along very well with her and they often have lunch together after work.

colleagues — A plural noun — the people she works alongside.

4Smartphones can be a serious when you are trying to concentrate on your studies.

distraction — After a serious you need a singular noun — something that breaks your concentration.

5The internet gives students to millions of books, journals, and educational resources.

access — It goes with the pattern give someone … to something.

Part B · Word formation Write the correct form of the word in brackets to complete each sentence.

1Good written and spoken is one of the most important skills in any job. (communicate)

communication — You need a noun — the subject of is.

2The app has been a major breakthrough that has changed the healthcare industry. (technology)

technological — It sits before the noun breakthrough, so you need an adjective, not the noun itself.

3She finds her job extremely because she gets to help people every single day. (reward)

rewarding — After extremely you need an adjective. This one takes -ing, not -ed — the job does it to her.

4You need to be a with years of experience to apply for this senior position. (profession)

professional — After a you need a noun meaning a trained, qualified person.

5Spending too much time on social media can be a real during study sessions. (distract)

distraction — After a real you need a noun — the same word you used in Part A.

✓

Answer key at a glance

Prints with the page

B · Part A
1 … that social media does more harm	I believe
2 transformed healthcare … AI diagnosis	For example,
3 constantly connected … cannot switch off	However,
4 improves our lives … education, communication	First of all,
5 … a powerful tool … care and balance	In conclusion,
B · Part B — paragraph order
Correct order	C → D → E → A → B
Topic sentence	C
Concluding sentence	B
D · Exercise 1 — counting
Opinion phrases	2 (“I believe that technology…”, “I think governments should…”)
Modal verbs	5 (can ×3, should ×2) — or 6 if “cannot” is counted. Both accepted.
D · Exercise 2 — modal verbs
1 give students in remote areas access	can
2 too much social media … anxiety	could
3 governments … clear laws	should
4 in the future, intelligent robots	might
R · Review, Part A — gap fill
1	beneficial
2	demanding
3	colleagues
4	distraction
5	access
Not used	rewarding
R · Review, Part B — word formation
1 (communicate)	communication
2 (technology)	technological
3 (reward)	rewarding
4 (profession)	professional
5 (distract)	distraction