An Essay about Technological Change

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An Essay about Technological Change

From the (UCLES) IGCSE in ESL, Paper 2 (Reading & Writing), 2 November 1998

Exercise 3, Question 30
New technology now plays a part in all our lives. Write a short newspaper article explaining how you think technology will change our lives in the next century. Your article should be about 150-200 words long.

A possible (five paragraph) structure for this essay

PAR. 1

Rapid technological changes over the past 100 years (e.g. electricity, motorised transport, aircraft, space exploration, medical advances, computer technology)

Further dramatic change seems likely in the coming century, esp. in the following 3 areas: information technology; biotechnology; alternative energy sources.

PAR. 2

Computer technology has developed rapidly in the past few decades (e.g. Bill Clinton became US pres. in Jan 1993 - only 50 webpages on the Internet!) This is still likely to be a major area of change in the coming decades: e.g. computerised houses, where your fridge can be programmed to order fresh milk Е

PAR. 3

Biotechnology is likely to change our lives significantly Е Genetically modified crops will be grown in climates that were previously impossible (e.g. wheat in semi-arid areas and tropical fruits in the far north) and will have higher yields than in the past Е Livestock will be modified to produce higher yields of milk and meat Е Human beings will be modified to eliminate inherited diseases Е

PAR. 4

A major challenge facing the world at the end of the 20th century = global warming resulting from man-made pollution Е It is likely that alternative energy sources will soon be exploited more seriously Е Solar, wind and wave energy Е Nuclear energy? Perhaps we will abandon high-speed vehicles and accept slower, more energy-efficient ones?

PAR. 5

In summary, we can expect major changes in the areas of IT, biotechnology and energy use.

USEFUL LANGUAGE

There have been Е / There are likely to be Е

major changes / dramatic changes / significant changes /

important changes / overwhelming changes / astounding changes

Е changes have taken place / Е are likely to take place.

Е in three main areas: ЕЕЕ; ЕЕЕ; and ЕЕЕЕ

Е in the following areas: ЕЕЕ; ЕЕЕ; and ЕЕЕЕ

Е in ЕЕЕ; ЕЕЕ; and ЕЕЕЕ

The first area of significant change is likely to be Е

Е invented / discovered / developed / introduced

Another/A second area of change is likely to be Е

biotechnology / bioengineering / genetic engineering Е

genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Е genetically modified crops Е

cloning Е

to give higher yields / to yield more Е / to produce more Е

inherited disorders / inherited diseases (disorders or diseases you are born with, passed on by your parentsТ genes)

A third area of change is likely to be Е

renewable/non-renewable energy sources

fossil fuels à pollute the atmosphere Е will eventually be exhaustedЕ

pollutants, carbon dioxide, exhaust emissions, factory emissions

global warming / "the greenhouse effect"

alternative, non-polluting energy sources

to exploit alternative energy sources

In summary, Е / In conclusion, Е / To sum up, Е

we can expect / anticipate / look forward to Е

Frankie Meehan