The Reading / Listening - Level 6

A top technology analyst has warned that the world might not yet be ready for what is called the Internet of Things. This is the next stage of the digital and technological revolution. It will greatly transform our lives via the interconnectedness of all the devices, services and appliances we use in our daily life. The technology research company Gartner predicts that by 2020, nearly 26 billion devices will be on the Internet of Things. All of these things will communicate with each other to make even simple decisions, like ordering a new carton of milk, a seamless experience. The fridge will simply contact the delivery service when it senses stocks need replenishing, and hey presto – no need to go shopping.

The ComputerWorld magazine says that while the Internet of Things has, "the potential to drive fundamental economic and social change," there are "serious obstacles" to ensuring the infrastructure of this technological revolution is in place in time. These include the building of new data storage centres, data storage and management and data security. Gib Sorebo, a cyber-security expert, warns of the unforeseen. He says "the law of unintended consequences" on the Internet could pose problems with the explosion in the number of connected devices. He predicts that privacy will become a primary concern because of the huge number of things in our daily life that will be connected to the Internet.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.computerworlduk.com/sponsored-article/it-business/3609481/preparing-for-the-internet-of-things/
  • http://www.scmagazine.com/gib-sorebo-gives-talks-at-rsa-conference/article/410943/
  • http://allafrica.com/stories/201504240262.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. THE INTERNET: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the Internet. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

 

technology / ready / the next stage / technological revolution / research / decisions / potential / obstacles / infrastructure / data storage / consequences / explosion

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. CONNECTED: What are the pros and cons of these things being connected to the Internet? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Possible uses

Pros

Cons

Your fridge

 

 

 

Your car

 

 

 

Your watch

 

 

 

Your shoes

 

 

 

Your sofa

 

 

 

Your garden

 

 

 

4. THE INTERNET OF THINGS: Students A strongly believe 'The Internet of Things' is a great name; Students B strongly believe it's a silly name and there should be a better one.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

 

5. PROBLEMS: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest problem from digital connectivity at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Privacy

  • Internet costs

  • Less control of life

  • Laziness

  • Machine-made mistakes

  • Loss of jobs

  • Machines taking over

  • Hackers

6. DIGITAL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "digital". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.

A tech expert said we will never be ready for the Internet of Things.

T / F

b.

The Internet of Things will bring big changes to our life.

T / F

c.

In the next 10 years, over 25 billion devices will be connected online.

T / F

d.

A fridge will be able to re-order supplies that are running low.

T / F

e.

The Internet of Things has infrastructure obstacles to overcome.

T / F

f.

We have enough data storage facilities for the Internet of Things.

T / F

g.

There will be little that is unexpected from the Internet of Things.

T / F

h.

The Internet of Things will not throw up any concerns about privacy.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.

warned

a.

refilling

2.

stage

b.

smooth

3.

greatly

c.

ability

4.

seamless

d.

step

5.

replenishing

e.

propel

6.

potential

f.

key

7.

drive

g.

cautioned

8.

unforeseen

h.

enormous

9.

primary

i.

unexpected

10.

huge

j.

considerably

3. PHRASE MATCH:  (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.

the next

a.

devices

2.

26 billion

b.

need replenishing

3.

a seamless

c.

storage

4.

when it senses stocks

d.

of things

5.

hey

e.

consequences

6.

serious

f.

experience

7.

data

g.

a primary concern

8.

unintended

h.

presto

9.

privacy will become

i.

stage

10.

the huge number

j.

obstacles

GAP FILL

A top technology (1) ____________ has warned that the world might not yet be ready for what is called the Internet of Things. This is the next (2) ____________ of the digital and technological revolution. It will greatly transform our lives (3) ____________ the interconnectedness of all the devices, services and appliances we use in our (4) ____________ life. The technology research company Gartner predicts that by 2020, nearly 26 billion            (5) ____________ will be on the Internet of Things. All of these things will communicate with each other to make even (6) ____________ decisions, like ordering a new carton of milk, a (7) ____________ experience. The fridge will simply contact the delivery service when it senses stocks need replenishing, and hey (8) ____________ – no need to go shopping.

 

 

via
simple
stage
presto
devices
analyst
seamless
daily

The ComputerWorld magazine says that while the Internet of Things has, "the (9) ____________ to drive fundamental economic and social change," there are "(10) ____________ obstacles" to ensuring the infrastructure of this technological revolution is in (11) ____________ in time. These include the building of new data (12) ____________ centres, data storage and management and data security. Gib Sorebo, a cyber-security expert, warns of the (13) ____________. He says "the law of unintended consequences" on the Internet could pose problems with the (14) ____________ in the number of connected devices. He predicts that (15) ____________ will become a primary concern because of the (16) ____________ number of things in our daily life that will be connected to the Internet.

 

storage
potential
place
privacy
huge
unforeseen
serious
explosion

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

A top technology analyst has warned that the world ______ ready

 

a.  might not still be
b.  might not yet been
c.  might not yet be
d.  might not still been

2)

This is the next stage of the digital and ______

 

a.  technological revolutions
b.  technology revolution
c.  technologically revolution
d.  technological revolution

3)

all the devices, services and appliances we ______ life

 

a.  use in our daily
b.  use in your daily
c.  use in our day lie
d.  use on our daily

4)

make even simple decisions, like ordering a new carton of milk, ______

 

a.  a seamless experience
b.  a seems less experience
c.  a seem less experience
d.  a seam less experience

5)

simply contact the delivery service when it senses stocks need replenishing, ______

 

a.  and hi presto
b.  and hey presto
c.  and hay presto
d.  and hate presto

6)

the Internet of Things has, "the potential to drive fundamental ______ change

 

a.  economic and socially
b.  economic and socials
c.  economic and socialise
d.  economic and social

7)

obstacles to ensuring the infrastructure of this technological revolution ______ time

 

a.  is on place in
b.  is in place in
c.  is unplaced in
d.  is in placed in

8)

These include the building of new data ______

 

a.  storage centres
b.  store age centres
c.  store ridge centres
d.  stow a ridge centres

9)

He says "the law of unintended consequences" on the Internet ______

 

a.  could post problems
b.  could suppose problems
c.  could propose problems
d.  could pose problems

10)

a primary concern because of the huge number of things in our daily ______ connected

 

a.  live that will be
b.  life that will be
c.  lives that will be
d.  life what will be

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A top technology analyst has warned (1) ___________________ might not yet be ready for what is called the Internet of Things. This is the next stage (2) ___________________ technological revolution. It will greatly transform our lives via the interconnectedness of all the devices, services and appliances (3) ___________________ daily life. The technology research company Gartner predicts that by 2020, nearly 26 billion devices will be on the Internet of Things. (4) ___________________ will communicate with each other to make even simple decisions, (5) ___________________ carton of milk, a seamless experience. The fridge will simply contact the delivery service when (6) ___________________ replenishing, and hey presto – no need to go shopping.

The ComputerWorld magazine (7) ___________________ the Internet of Things has, "the (8) ___________________ fundamental economic and social change," there are (9) ___________________ ensuring the infrastructure of this technological revolution is in place in time. These include the building of new data storage centres, data storage and management and data security. Gib Sorebo, a (10) ___________________, warns of the unforeseen. He says "the law of unintended consequences" on the Internet could pose problems (11) ___________________ the number of connected devices. He predicts that privacy will become a primary concern because of the huge number of things in our daily (12) ___________________ connected to the Internet.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What did an analyst warn we might not be ready for?

2.

What will the Internet of things change considerably?

3.

How many devices will be on the Internet by 2020?

4.

What kind of experience did the article say there could be?

5.

What would be eliminated if our fridge took over ordering milk?

6.

What is the name of the magazine mentioned in the second paragraph?

7.

What is in the way of ensuring the infrastructure is in place?

8.

Who is Gib Sorebo?

9.

What did a cyber-security expert warn of?

10.

What did the cyber-security expert predict would be a major worry?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What did an analyst warn we might not be ready for?

6.

What is the name of the magazine mentioned in the second paragraph?

 

a) new Internet bugs
b) the Internet of Things
c) the thing that will replace the
    Internet
d) new websites

 

a) ComputerWorld
b) World Computer
c) Computer First
d) Internet Things

2.

What will the Internet of things change considerably?

7.

What is in the way of ensuring the infrastructure is in place?

 

a) websites
b) the cost of being online
c) our lives
d) data traffic

 

a) viruses
b) hackers
c) firewalls
d) obstacles

3.

How many devices will be on the Internet by 2020?

8.

Who is Gib Sorebo?

 

a) exactly 26 billion
b) just over 26 billion
c) around 26 billion
d) just under 26 billion

 

a) a data processor
b) a CEO
c) a cyber-security expert
d) a hacker

4.

What kind of experience did the article say there could be?

9.

What did a cyber-security expert warn of?

 

a) a digital one
b) a seamless one
c) a crazy one
d) a steaming one

 

a) security
b) chaos
c) explosions
d) the unforeseen

5.

What would be eliminated if our fridge took over ordering milk?

10.

What did the cyber-security expert predict would be a major worry?

 

a) shopping
b) dairy farms
c) cows
d) the middle man

 

a) headaches
b) privacy
c) bandwidth
d) password protection

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Privacy

You think privacy is the biggest problem the Internet of Things will cause. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as big a problem. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): a loss of jobs, machines taking over or a lazy lifestyle.

Role  B – Loss of jobs

You think a loss of jobs is the biggest problem the Internet of Things will cause. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as big a problem. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): privacy, machines taking over or a lazy lifestyle.

Role  C – Machines taking over

You think machines taking over is the biggest problem the Internet of Things will cause. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as big a problem. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): a loss of jobs, privacy or a lazy lifestyle.

Role  D – Lazy lifestyle

You think a lazy lifestyle is the biggest problem the Internet of Things will cause. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as big a problem. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): a loss of jobs, machines taking over or privacy.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'Internet' and 'things'.

Internet

 

things

 

 

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

  • warned
  • stage
  • all
  • 26
  • simple
  • hey
  • while
  • social
  • place
  • law
  • predicts
  • huge

THE INTERNET OF THINGS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about the Internet of Things in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

THE INTERNET OF THINGS DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1)

What did you think when you read the headline?

2)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'Internet'?

3)

What do you know about the Internet of Things?

4)

What would life be like without the Internet?

5)

What do you think is the most useful thing about the Internet?

6)

What technological revolutions do you think will happen?

7)

What are the bad things about devices being interconnected?

8)

Is it better to order milk yourself or let a computer do it?

9)

Will we need workers in the future?

10)

How good would it be to have no need for shopping?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

11)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

12)

What economic and social changes could the Internet of Things bring?

13)

What bad things could the Internet of Things bring?

14)

How worried are you about the unforeseen?

15)

What is the law of unintended consequences?

16)

What are your favourite devices and why?

17)

Would you like your life to controlled by connected devices?

18)

How concerned are you about privacy on the Internet?

19)

What do you think of the idea of our brain being connected to the Internet?

20)

What questions would you like to ask an Internet expert?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

A top technology (1) ____ has warned that the world might not yet be ready for what is called the Internet of Things. This is the next (2) ____ of the digital and technological revolution. It will greatly transform our lives (3) ____ the interconnectedness of all the devices, services and (4) ____ we use in our daily life. The technology research company Gartner predicts that by 2020, nearly 26 billion devices will be on the Internet of Things. All of these things will communicate with each other to make even (5) ____ decisions, like ordering a new carton of milk, a seamless experience. The fridge will simply contact the delivery service when it senses stocks need replenishing, and (6) ____ presto – no need to go shopping.

The ComputerWorld magazine says that (7) ____ the Internet of Things has, "the potential to (8) ____ fundamental economic and social change," there are "serious obstacles" to ensuring the infrastructure of this technological revolution is in place in time. These (9) ____ the building of new data storage centres, data storage and management and data security. Gib Sorebo, a cyber-security expert, warns of the (10) ____. He says "the law of unintended consequences" on the Internet could pose problems with the (11) ____ in the number of connected devices. He predicts that privacy will become a (12) ____ concern because of the huge number of things in our daily life that will be connected to the Internet.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

analyst

(b)

analysis

(c)

analytics

(d)

analyse

2.

(a)

staged

(b)

staging

(c)

stage

(d)

stags

3.

(a)

ivy

(b)

vie

(c)

via

(d)

vis-a-vis

4.

(a)

applauses

(b)

applies

(c)

applicants

(d)

appliances

5.

(a)

simple

(b)

simply

(c)

simplistic

(d)

simpleton

6.

(a)

they

(b)

hey

(c)

whey

(d)

hi

7.

(a)

whether

(b)

whichever

(c)

when

(d)

while

8.

(a)

divert

(b)

drive

(c)

drivel

(d)

driven

9.

(a)

inclusive

(b)

including

(c)

include

(d)

inclusion

10.

(a)

sights

(b)

unforeseen

(c)

seeing

(d)

seers

11.

(a)

circumvent

(b)

plethora

(c)

rocket

(d)

explosion

12.

(a)

primacy

(b)

primary

(c)

primitive

(d)

prime time

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

technological nlteuoivor

2.

It will greatly oatrmsrnf our lives

3.

aplpnacsie we use in our daily life

4.

a meesslsa experience

5.

when it senses stocks need reilpgnneish

6.

ehy ertops

Paragraph 2

7.

the Internet of Things has the noatletpi

8.

serious ascsbeotl

9.

data togsare centres

10.

warns of the fesoeunner

11.

the iosexopnl in the number

12.

a pmrayri concern

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

unforeseen. He says "the law of unintended consequences" on the Internet could pose problems with the

1  )

A top technology analyst has warned that the world might not yet be ready for what is called the

(    )

milk, a seamless experience. The fridge will simply contact the delivery service when it senses

(    )

explosion in the number of connected devices. He predicts that privacy will become a primary concern because

(    )

place in time. These include the building of new data storage centres, data storage and

(    )

and social change," there are "serious obstacles" to ensuring the infrastructure of this technological revolution is in

(    )

of the huge number of things in our daily life that will be connected to the Internet.

(    )

management and data security. Gib Sorebo, a cyber-security expert, warns of the

(    )

The ComputerWorld magazine says that while the Internet of Things has, "the potential to drive fundamental economic

(    )

Internet of Things. This is the next stage of the digital and technological revolution. It will greatly transform

(    )

of these things will communicate with each other to make even simple decisions, like ordering a new carton of

(    )

our lives via the interconnectedness of all the devices, services and appliances we use in our daily life. The technology

(    )

stocks need replenishing, and hey presto – no need to go shopping.

(    )

research company Gartner predicts that by 2020, nearly 26 billion devices will be on the Internet of Things. All

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

world    yet    the    not    ready    that    might    be    Warned    .   

2.

in    life    and    use    daily    Services    we    our    appliances    .   

3.

All    things    with    these    communicate    other    of    will    each   .

4.

fridge    delivery    will    service    simply    contact    The    the    .   

5.

it    stocks    replenishing    When    senses    need    .   

6.

the    serious   infrastructure   obstacles    to   There    ensuring   are   

7.

storage    These   building   data    the    new   centres    include   of    .   

8.

explosion    connected    in    devices    the    number    The    of    .   

9.

primary   He    privacy   a    that   become    concern   predicts   will    .   

10.

of   number    huge   the   of    Because   life   daily   our   in   things   .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A top technology analysis / analyst has warned that the world might not yet be ready for what is calling / called the Internet of Things. This is the next stage of the digital and technological revolution. It will greatly / greatest transform our lives via / vie the interconnectedness of all the devices, services and appliances / applicants we use in our daily life. The technology research company Gartner predicts what / that by 2020, nearly 26 billion devices will be in / on the Internet of Things. All of these things will communicate with each other to make even / evenly simple decisions, like ordering a new carton of milk, a seamless / seamstress experience. The fridge will simply contact the delivery service when it senses stocks need replenishing / replenish, and hey presto – no need to go shopping.

The ComputerWorld magazine says that while / whole the Internet of Things has, "the potential to fly / drive fundamental economic and social change," there are "serious obstacles / tentacles" to ensuring the infrastructure of this technological revolution is in place in time / timely. These include the building of new data store / storage centres, data storage and management and data security. Gib Sorebo, a cyber-security expert / expertise, warns for / of the unforeseen. He says "the law of unintended consequences" on the Internet could pose / post problems with the explosion in the number of connected devices. He predicts that piracy / privacy will become a primary concern because of the hugely / huge number of things in our daily life that will be connected to the Internet.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_ t_p t_chn_l_gy _n_lyst h_s w_rn_d th_t th_ w_rld m_ght n_t y_t b_ r__dy f_r wh_t _s c_ll_d th_ _nt_rn_t _f Th_ngs. Th_s _s th_ n_xt st_g_ _f th_ d_g_t_l _nd t_chn_l_g_c_l r_v_l_t__n. _t w_ll gr__tly tr_nsf_rm __r l_v_s v__ th_ _nt_rc_nn_ct_dn_ss _f _ll th_ d_v_c_s, s_rv_c_s _nd _ppl__nc_s w_ _s_ _n __r d__ly l_f_. Th_ t_chn_l_gy r_s__rch c_mp_ny G_rtn_r pr_d_cts th_t by 2020, n__rly 26 b_ll__n d_v_c_s w_ll b_ _n th_ _nt_rn_t _f Th_ngs. _ll _f th_s_ th_ngs w_ll c_mm_n_c_t_ w_th __ch _th_r t_ m_k_ _v_n s_mpl_ d_c_s__ns, l_k_ _rd_r_ng _ n_w c_rt_n _f m_lk, _ s__ml_ss _xp_r__nc_. Th_ fr_dg_ w_ll s_mply c_nt_ct th_ d_l_v_ry s_rv_c_ wh_n _t s_ns_s st_cks n__d r_pl_n_sh_ng, _nd h_y pr_st_ – n_ n__d t_ g_ sh_pp_ng.

Th_ C_mp_t_rW_rld m_g_z_n_ s_ys th_t wh_l_ th_ _nt_rn_t _f Th_ngs h_s, "th_ p_t_nt__l t_ dr_v_ f_nd_m_nt_l _c_n_m_c _nd s_c__l ch_ng_," th_r_ _r_ "s_r___s _bst_cl_s" t_ _ns_r_ng th_ _nfr_str_ct_r_ _f th_s t_chn_l_g_c_l r_v_l_t__n _s _n pl_c_ _n t_m_. Th_s_ _ncl_d_ th_ b__ld_ng _f n_w d_t_ st_r_g_ c_ntr_s, d_t_ st_r_g_ _nd m_n_g_m_nt _nd d_t_ s_c_r_ty. G_b S_r_b_, _ cyb_r-s_c_r_ty _xp_rt, w_rns _f th_ _nf_r_s__n. H_ s_ys "th_ l_w _f _n_nt_nd_d c_ns_q__nc_s" _n th_ _nt_rn_t c__ld p_s_ pr_bl_ms w_th th_ _xpl_s__n _n th_ n_mb_r _f c_nn_ct_d d_v_c_s. H_ pr_d_cts th_t pr_v_cy w_ll b_c_m_ _ pr_m_ry c_nc_rn b_c__s_ _f th_ h_g_ n_mb_r _f th_ngs _n __r d__ly l_f_ th_t w_ll b_ c_nn_ct_d t_ th_ _nt_rn_t.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a top technology analyst has warned that the world might not yet be ready for what is called the internet of things this is the next stage of the digital and technological revolution it will greatly transform our lives via the interconnectedness of all the devices services and appliances we use in our daily life the technology research company gartner predicts that by 2020 nearly 26 billion devices will be on the internet of things all of these things will communicate with each other to make even simple decisions like ordering a new carton of milk a seamless experience the fridge will simply contact the delivery service when it senses stocks need replenishing and hey presto – no need to go shopping

the computerworld magazine says that while the internet of things has "the potential to drive fundamental economic and social change" there are "serious obstacles" to ensuring the infrastructure of this technological revolution is in place in time these include the building of new data storage centres data storage and management and data security gib sorebo a cyber-security expert warns of the unforeseen he says "the law of unintended consequences" on the internet could pose problems with the explosion in the number of connected devices he predicts that privacy will become a primary concern because of the huge number of things in our daily life that will be connected to the internet

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Atoptechnologyanalysthaswarnedthattheworldmightnotyetbeready
forwhatiscalledtheInternetofThings.Thisisthenextstageofthedigital
andtechnologicalrevolution.Itwillgreatlytransformourlivesviatheint
erconnectednessofallthedevices,servicesandappliancesweuseinour
dailylife.ThetechnologyresearchcompanyGartnerpredictsthatby202
0,nearly26billiondeviceswillbeontheInternetofThings.Allofthesethin
gswillcommunicatewitheachothertomakeevensimpledecisions,likeo
rderinganewcartonofmilk,aseamlessexperience.Thefridgewillsimpl
ycontactthedeliveryservicewhenitsensesstocksneedreplenishing,an
dheypresto–noneedtogoshopping.TheComputerWorldmagazinesa
ysthatwhiletheInternetofThingshas,"thepotentialtodrivefundament
aleconomicandsocialchange,"thereare"seriousobstacles"toensurin
gtheinfrastructureofthistechnologicalrevolutionisinplaceintime.The
seincludethebuildingofnewdatastoragecentres,datastorageandman
agementanddatasecurity.GibSorebo,acyber-securityexpert,w
arnsoftheunforeseen.Hesays"thelawofunintendedconsequences"on
theInternetcouldposeproblemswiththeexplosioninthenumberofcon
necteddevices.Hepredictsthatprivacywillbecomeaprimaryconcernb
ecauseofthehugenumberofthingsinourdailylifethatwillbeconnectedt
otheInternet.

FREE WRITING

Write about the Internet of Things for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

It's great that the Internet will control more of our life.  Discuss.

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HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about the Internet of Things. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. THE INTERNET OF THINGS: Make a poster about the Internet of Things. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. CONNECTED: Write a magazine article about everything being connected to everything and everyone. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on the Internet. Ask him/her three questions about the Internet of Things. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make it better. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

  • News
  • Warm ups
  • Pre-reading / Post-reading
  • Using headlines
  • Working with words
  • While-reading / While-listening
  • Moving from text to speech
  • Post-reading / Post-listening
  • Discussions
  • Using opinions
  • Plans
  • Language
  • Using lists
  • Using quotes
  • Task-based activities
  • Role plays
  • Using the central characters in the article
  • Using themes from the news
  • Homework

Buy my book

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

warned

a.

cautioned

2

stage

b.

step

3.

greatly

c.

considerably

4.

seamless

d.

smooth

5.

replenishing

e.

refilling

6.

potential

f.

ability

7.

drive

g.

propel

8.

unforeseen

h.

unexpected

9.

primary

i.

key

10.

huge

j.

enormous

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

The Internet of Things

2.

Our lives

3.

Nearly 26 billion

4.

A seamless one

5.

The need to reorder / Shopping

6.

ComputerWorld

7.

Serious Obstacles

8.

A Cyber-security expert

9.

The unforeseen

10.

Privacy

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

a

7.

d

8.

c

9.

d

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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