Warming Ups
Answer the following questions
- What is the Internet?
- What would the world be like without the Internet?
- Could you live without the Internet?
- Is the Internet dangerous?
- What kind of technology will replace the Internet?
- What annoys you about the Internet?
Useful Expressions
Match the related choices.
1. My house burnt down.
2. The invention of the computer is
3. Thank you for giving me directions.
4. I hear your baby is talking.
Model Dialog
(Scenario – Jane bought her mother a computer for Christmas and is teaching her how to use it.)
Jane: Mom! Did you know you could save a lot of time and money by learning Internet skills?
Mom: Oh, really! Technology is so confusing. Moreover, I’m too old to learn.
Jane: Let me help you. First, you learn how to surf the net. Just point and click.
Mom: That seems simple enough. Can I contact you abroad on the Internet?
Jane: You can do much more than that. You can send e-mails, make phone or video calls, shop for many things, do your banking, and more.
Mom: Banking on a computer! That worries me. Is it safe?
Jane: Nothing to worry about. Computers are as safe as using the phone.
Mom: Well, I am getting old and it would be nice not having to drive to the bank.
Jane: Don’t worry, mom. The Internet is the best thing that’s happened since sliced bread.
Mom: Thank you for teaching me, sweetheart.
Jane: The pleasure was mine. Got to go, see you tomorrow.
Guided Speaking
Complete the dialog.
technology is confusing - the best thing that's happened since sliced bread - Nothing to worry about - The pleasure was mine - That seems simple enough
(Scenario – Lillian, an old woman, is trying to operate a gas pump. Teddy, a young man, helps her.)
Lil: Sonny, will you help me?
Ted: Sure, what’s wrong?
Lil: Well, they say technology is (1) .
Ted: It is, but (2) at times.
Lil: So true. I know how to slice bread but I can’t pump gas.
Ted: (3) . I’m a technological genius. Just lift the
nozzle, select the grade you want, and press start.
Lil: (4) .
Ted: It’s very simple. Next time it will be even easier for you.
Lil: Oh, you’ve been so helpful. Thank you.
Ted: (5) . Have a great day.
Description
Pie Charts
Read the pie chart, and see how many people use the Internet around the world.
1. Look at the chart above, and complete these sentences.
a. Asia has ____________________ half of the world’s Internet users.
b. Oceania/Australia has _____________________________________________ Asia.
c. Latin America has ____________________________________ North America.
d. The number of Internet users in Asia is_____________________ as large as that in North America.
Grammar Focus (comparison and its modification)
• The e-mail usage rate of males is slightly higher than that of females.
• Each region has less than 20% of the total number of users, except for Asia and Europe.
• The Internet users in Asia are more than twice as many as those in North America.
• Developers claim that the next product will have a significantly faster Internet connection.
Read the following passage, and answer the questions.
The Internet & Freedom of Expression
One important thing the Internet has improved has been freedom of expression. The Internet is a huge virtual space shared by people around the world. The diversity of its users means that no one
standard can govern the Net. Also, Internet technology doesn’t allow total blocking of access to information.
The Internet has improved political freedom. All protesters can now express their discontent. In 1990, Chinese dissidents used the Internet to avoid government censorship. As a result, Chinese around the world learned of the Tiananmen Square rebellion and its tragic outcome. In 1991, people inside and outside the Soviet Union learned of the attempted coup against Mikhail Gorbachev. This was despite an information blackout. During Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, Internet users got timely news though radio and television broadcasts had been cut off.
In the late 1990s, some countries restricted the shocking freedom of expression accessible on the Internet. In Singapore, political and religious websites had to register with the government. In China, all Internet users had to register with the police. In Saudi Arabia, only those at universities and hospitals could use the Internet. Due to the nature of the Internet, none of these efforts at control has had much lasting effect.
access to: the right to enter or use
discontent: dissatisfaction with one’s situation
censorship: examination of literature, mail, or movies to remove or prohibit anything considered obscene, antigovernment, or otherwise offensive
rebellion: armed resistance against one’s government
Coup (d’etat): the sudden, forcible overthrow of a ruler
blackout: a complete stop
1. According to the reading passage, what did some countries do to prevent their people from using the Internet?
restrictions, censorship, cut off access, freedom of expression, register, control
Your answer may begin like: Singapore demanded that political and religious Internet sites register with the government. In China, ....
2. What do you usually use the Internet for?
e-mail, education, shopping, sell, friend, research
Your answer may begin like: Eight times out of ten when I log onto the Internet, I do it to check my e-mail. And I also ....
