Lesson 4: Our Machine-Driven World (reading)

Main ideas

• Machines shape our day from the alarm clock and the kettle to the bus or metro that takes us to school or work.
• At home, household appliances such as washing machines, microwaves and vacuum cleaners save time and make chores easier; a study reported that most people use over five machines every day.
• At work, machines help us work faster and more accurately: computers in offices and robots in factories that build cars, pack products and carry heavy items.
• Machines monitor our health too: smartwatches track heart rate, steps and sleep, and scanners help doctors detect illnesses early.
• The writer's viewpoint: life with machines is easier, but we must stay in charge — technology should serve us, not rule us.

Context clues

• When you meet an unfamiliar word, look at the words around it before you reach for a dictionary.
• In "an automated system to pack the products without human labour", the phrase without human labour is the clue that gives the meaning: done by machines with little human help.
• In "all the machines came to a complete standstill", the words after the power cut tell you the meaning: a total stop.

Exam-style practice — with answers

1. Which machine is NOT mentioned in the home section? a. washing machine   b. microwave   c. smartwatch   d. vacuum cleaner
   Answer: c — the smartwatch is mentioned in the health paragraph.
2. "automated" means done… a. by machines with little human help   b. by hand   c. without electricity   d. only at night
   Answer: a.
3. Like office workers, factory labourers… a. use smart TVs for meetings   b. rely on machines   c. avoid using computers   d. work only outdoors
   Answer: b.
4. "come to a standstill" suggests that life would… a. become faster   b. stop completely   c. be more fun   d. get healthier
   Answer: b.

Vocabulary completion — with answers