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1. Listen in, watch out!
Krisztian Vargahttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02hj624
2. Listenand summarize the text in a topic sentence.
1/a. Do you think that we think differentlyfromourparents’ generation?
Whydo you thinkthis is? Discuss!
1/b. These word combinationsare from an online tutorial.What do you
think the tutorial is about? Write down your prediction!
 screen-based devices
 transforming connections
 potential downside
Prediction:
4. Watch the animation and notice the followingimages.What do theyrepresent?
Electrical junction box
Capsule
Concrete mixer truck
Frisbee
Rubik’s cube
3. Listenagain and complete the textwith the missingwords.
Did you know that the wide use of screen-based devices has a significant effect on your brain?
They are actually (1) ……………….. it. In fact, (2) …………………… we do changes the connections in
our brains. The brain’s remarkable ability to change and adapt is called (3) …………………….., which
happens every day of our lives as we react to new (4) …………………… . Neuroscientists used to think
that as we were getting older these connections became (5) …………………… but now they believe
that the brain constantly adapts and that it is possible to learn at any age.
However, brain plasticity has its disadvantages. Susan Greenfield thinks that there is a danger as
these electronic (6) ……………… are reshaping our brains and we are unaware of the long-term
effects. She is worried that our children and their children could suffer from attention-disorders,
(7) ………………… and poor social skills. Although, on the positive side she also points out that the
latest advances in technology can also be used to (8) ………………… creativity.
 far reaching effects
 future generations
 boost creativity
5. How do you feel about moderntechnology?Do you share Susan Greenfield’sworryo
you embrace newadvances? Discuss!