UNIT 1

SPOTLIGHT 1: Write full sentences by using given words.

1. Take/year/out/live/study abroad/becoming/ increasingly popular.

…………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. For many people,/especially young adults,// chance/ spend/ extended
period/time/overseas/attractive one.

…………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. However,/There/pros/cons/deciding /do this.

4. This essay,/I/discuss/some/reasons/why/moving abroad/popular/ and/some/

challenges/be overcome.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. There/some advantages/move away.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. One/main positives/head overseas/ that/ it/broaden/people’s horizons.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
7. People/have/chance/meet/people/different cultural backgrounds/and learn/cope
with/foreign customs/food.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. This/make/people/more rounded/as /person.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
9. Second,/move away/lead/better /quality/life.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
10. Take British people for example.
11. Thousands/people/UK/move/Spain and Australia every year.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
12. These countries/ have warmer climates/and encourage/better work-life balance.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
 13. Addition/by/ live overseas,/ people/ gain/qualifications /language skills,/ may
improve/promotion prospects/ on their return.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
14. There/some disadvantages/move away.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
15. Culture shock/major problem.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
16. People/take a year out/find it hard/cope with/language barrier,/food and general
cultural differences.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
17. This/lead/homesickness/and/some cases/sense of isolation.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
18. Another/issue/that/ be difficult/start/new life/from scratch.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
19. Other words,/when/they move abroad,/ they/make new friends/ and find their
place/community.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
20. This process/take time /and/challenging if/there/also/language barrier/to deal with.
21. All things considered,/ start life/foreign country/never easy.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…
22. There/not only/benefits/move away/but also/some hidden drawbacks.
STRUCTURE
1. Have the chance to V
2. Decide to V
3. Lead to= result in= contribute to
4. Find it hard to V

GRAMMAR POINTS: Note anything that you have learned

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
BUILD YOUR PARAGRAPH
A paragraph= TOPIC SENTENCE+ SUPPORTING IDEAS+ (CONCLUSION)
= TOPIC SENTENCE+ BIG IDEAS+ SUPPORTING IDEAS
There are some advantages of moving away. First, it can broaden people’s horizons. This
means that people have the chance to meet people from different cultural background. As a
result, it can make people more rounded as a person. Second, moving away can lead to a
better quality of life. For example, thousands of people from the UK move to Spain and
Australia every year because these countries have warmer climates and encourage a better
work-life balance. In addition, by living abroad, people can gain qualifications and
language skills, which may improve promotion prospects in return.
Example 2: Homework has an important role to play in the schooling of children. The main
benefit of homework is that it encourages independent learning and problem solving, as children
are challenged to work through tasks alone and at their own pace. In doing so, students must
apply the knowledge that they have learnt in the classroom. For example, by doing mathematics
exercises at home, students consolidate their understanding of the concepts taught by their
teacher at school. In my view, it is important for children to develop an independent study habit
because this prepares them to work alone as adults.
LANGUAGE FOCUS
ADVANTAGES
1. Enable sb to V
2. Allow sb to v
3. Make it easier for sb to V
4. Be a necessary condition for
5. Create favorable conditions for sb to
6. Can help V
7. Facilitate N
For example: Students can have a chance to study English when they live abroad.
 Living abroad enables/allows students to study English.
 Living abroad can create favorable conditions for students to study English.
 Living abroad is a necessary condition for students to study English.
2. DISADVANTAGES
1. Have difficulty in
2. Struggle (massively) with
3. Put sb at a disadvantage
4. Find it hard to V
5. Be faced with/ be confronted with/ face/encounter/cope with
For example: Living abroad can make people struggle with communication.
 People find it hard to communicate when they live abroad.
  People are faced with communication when they live abroad.
 Living abroad can put people at a disadvantage when it comes to communication
 People have difficulty in communication when they live abroad.

PRACTICE
1. Du lịch giúp người dân cơ hội tuyệt vời để nâng cao thu nhập. Vì vậy, họ có mức sống tốt
hơn.

2. Du lịch cũng giúp phát triển các ngành khác có liên quan. Sự phát triển của du lịch cũng
dẫn đến sự phát triển của dịch vụ, hàng không, vận tải.

3. Du lịch cũng giúp đóng góp cho nên kinh tế thế giới bởi vì du lịch tạo ra hơn 6% tổng sản
lượng quốc gia và thu hút số lượng vốn đầu tư hơn 422 tỉ hàng năm.

4. Du lịch là nguồn thu nhập chính ở nhiều quốc gia, và du lịch cũng là ông chủ số 1 bởi vì du
lịch tạo công ăn việc làm. Vì vậy, du lịch đóng góp đáng kể cho kinh tế vùng.

5. Du lịch quốc tế còn tăng nguy cơ truyền bệnh lây nhiễm trên quy mô lớn hơn

6. Sự di cư/chuyển dịch của khách du lịch nước ngoài như một lời cảnh báo về việc khả năng
bất ổn có thể xảy ra.

CHECK & CHALLENGE

Read this passage below and write two paragraphs to answer the questions: What
are the advantages and disadvantages of sports?
Sports for Adolescents
Organized, well-structured youth sports and on-going physical activities can provide many benefits for
children and adolescents. Positive experiences that sports and an active lifestyle bring play an important role
in a young person’s life.
At University of Missouri Health Care, our adolescent medicine team encourages all children to participate
in sports or other regular physical activity. Physical exercise is good for the mind, body and spirit. Team
sports help teach adolescents accountability, dedication, leadership and other skills.
MANY ATHLETES DO BETTER ACADEMICALLY
Playing a sport requires a lot of time and energy. Some people may think this would distract student-athletes
from schoolwork. However, the opposite is true. Sports require memorization, repetition and learning —
skillsets that are directly relevant to class work. Also, the determination and goal-setting skills a sport
requires can be transferred to the classroom.
SPORTS TEACH TEAMWORK AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS
Fighting for a common goal with a group of players and coaches teaches you how to build teamwork and
effectively communicate to solve problems. This experience is helpful when encountering problems at work
or at home.
PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPORTS
Clearly, sports can help you reach your fitness goals and maintain a healthy weight. However, they also
encourage healthy decision-making such as not smoking and not drinking. Sports also have hidden health
benefits such as lowering the chance of osteoporosis or breast cancer later in life.

SPORTS BOOST SELF-ESTEEM

Watching your hard work pay off and achieving your goals develops self-confidence. Achieving a sport or
fitness goal encourages you to achieve other goals you set. This is a rewarding and exciting learning process.
REDUCE PRESSURE AND STRESS WITH SPORTS
Exercising is a natural way to loosen up and let go of stress. You can also make new friends who can be
there for you as a support system. When you feel under pressure or stressed, call up a teammate, head to the
gym to talk and play it out.
COLLEGE PREP

Higher-education institutions want more from prospective students than academics -- they look for well-
rounded students to fill up their classes. Having sports in schools gives students an opportunity to enhance
their college applications. They also can serve as a motivation for talented athletes to work hard in the
classroom. Because players need to meet established standards to be admitted to college, and to be eligible
to participate in sports when there, getting acceptable grades takes on more importance than it might
otherwise.

HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY

As the issue of childhood obesity takes on more prominence, sports provide a way for kids to get the exercise
needed to stay in shape. It offers students the opportunity to build confidence and leadership skills, and can
encourage students to spend time with other students they don't otherwise associate with. School sports can
also be more affordable than those run by outside organizations, giving more students an opportunity to
participate.

INAPPROPRIATE FOCUS
School sports can become a negative when they detract from the academic experience that schools are
charged with providing. Extracurriculars, including sports, take time that otherwise might be devoted to
studies. Schools need to be careful to monitor the amount of practice time, both official and “voluntary,”
that participants are expected to devote to their sport. They also need to be sure that athletic success isn't
emphasized more than academic achievement.
COMPETITION AND RISK
Along with the benefits of participating on a sports team can come pressure to win. Because word of a poor
performance for a school team can spread around the classrooms quickly, the stakes may seem higher for
athletes, and the possibility of failure more troubling. This pressure can have negative impacts both on and
off the field. In addition, youth sports carry an injury risk, so schools can find themselves contributing to the
ill health of their students. Schools with coaches that aren't trained in the proper techniques or who espouse
unsafe practices can increase that risk -- for example, a soccer coach who urges his players to head the ball
without properly showing his team how to do so increases the risk of concussions for his players.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………
PRACTICE
1. Học với người lớn tuổi giúp học sinh học tập tốt hơn. Bởi vì người lớn tuổi có nhiều kĩ năng nên
họ có thể dạy cho người trẻ kĩ năng thiết lập mục tiêu, kĩ năng lãnh đạo hay thuyết trình
2. Học với người lớn tuổi giúp người trẻ có được sự kiên nhẫn. Làm việc nhóm yêu cầu mọi người
phải giao tiếp hiệu quả để giải quyết vấn đề trong khi người lớn tuổi không nhanh nhẹn so với người
trẻ. Sự kiên nhẫn rất hữu ích khi người trẻ đối mặt với vấn đề tại nhà hoặc nơi làm việc
 UNIT 2

Remember to organize your essay like this:

 Introduction: include your opinion
 Paragraph 1: one or two ideas to support your opinion
 Paragraph 2: look at the other side of the argument- one or two ideas
 Conclusion: re-state your opinion

HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION OF OPINION & DISCUSSION ESSAYS

3 parts:
1. Hook (optional)
2. General context
3. Purpose of the essay
General context
1. Noun phrase is a topic of public interest and concern.
2. Perhaps the hottest topic in the area of… is…
3. …. Has received a great amount of attention throughout the world.
4. People have, in recent years, shown concern on…
5. There is a big controversy surrounding/over …
6. No issue in recent years has drawn as much attention as the debate surrounding
7. It is a bitterly contested/highly contentious/highly debatable issue whether S V.
8. It has raised public concern over the past decades that S V.
9. In recent years, it has appeared as if/ it seems that
Purpose of the essay
Loại 1: Opinion essay:
1. It seems to me that
2. I profoundly/strongly disagree with…
3. I subscribe to the notion that
4. It is my view that
5. From my point of view,
6. I am convinced that
7. I am of the opinion/ take the view that
8. I am in favor of/support an opinion that
9. I believe that
10. I agree that
 Loại 2: Discussion
While some people believe that…., I am of the opinion that
While it is argued that….., I hold a firm belief that
While there are some arguments against/for= in favor of …., it is my belief that
Introduction:
 There is a big controversy surrounding/over running a business instead of working for an
employer.
 Running a business is a topic of public interest and concern.
 It has raised public concern over the past decades that many young people run their own business
instead of working for an employer.
THESIS
While I accept that there are some disadvantages of running a business, it seems to me that the
benefits are much more significant./ they are outweighed by its benefits.

HOW TO WRITE A CONCLUSION

1. It seems obvious to reach the conclusion that

2. In conclusion,/ On the whole,/ All in all, /In brief,
3. To sum up,
4. All things considered,
 In conclusion, although there is no doubt that there are some risks associated with the running your
own business, I believe that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, particularly with regard to making
decisions.
SKILL: PARAPHASE
 FULL ESSAY
Write the full sentences by using given words.
1. There/benefits/set up/a business.

2. Primary benefit/ that/people/room/creative.

3. Instead/have/follow/employer’s decisions,/can/set/goals/business/themselves.

4. This means/they feel/more/control,/generally/result/people/feeling happier/job.

5. Addition,/ keep/profits/if/company/successful.

6. If/all/go well,/they/earn/more than/if/work/someone else.

7. Example,/if/set up/graphic-design company,/build/good reputation,/ able/make/substantial

profits.

8. Therefore,/more motivated/work hard,/order to/make/success/company.

9. Having said that,/ it/undeniable/run/business/risky.

10. If/an economic downturn/, or/ make mistakes/business decisions,/company/go bust.

11. This means/ lose everything/and/have to lay off/staff.

12. Moreover,/hard/switch off/weekends/because/business/always/back of/mind.

GRAMMAR POINTS: RELATIVE CLAUSES

To write an essay which will get a high score, you need to use relative clauses. They will make
your writing more interesting and help you improve your written grammar
STRUCTURE & LINKING
 CHECK & CHALLENGE
Many countries are planning to operate some nuclear power plants.
Do you think the advantages outweigh the drawbacks?
Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 FULL ESSAY: DISCUSSION
Some people believe that working from home is a positive trend. Others think that working from
home is a negative trend. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

There is a big controversy surrounding homeworking. While some people hold a notion that working
from home has some disadvantages, I am still in favor of the argument that working at home is
advantageous.

On the one hand, there are some reasons why people think that working from home is negative. The
first reason is that people can be very easy to get distracted if they are in their home environment.
For example, it is extremely tempting to turn on the television, go and relax in the garden or make a
personal phone call. Clearly, these distractions will dramatically reduce how much work they
produce. Another major reason is that people have much less contact with their colleagues. This can
make them feel cut-off, despite the extra freedom they have working from home. What’s more, daily
contact with people at work is often how good friendships are made.

However, I subscribe to the view that working from home is considered positive. One of the greatest
benefits of working remotely is the fact that people do not have to commute to work. Millions of
people worldwide have to deal with rush-hour traffic to make their way to the office. Obviously, this
is not necessary if they turn their home into their place of work. In addition, working at home can
give people more freedom to manage their working day. For example, if they work in an office, they
are often asked to attend meetings, and their timetable is decided for them. This is not the case when
they work in an office at home.

To conclude, while it is believed that there are three main drawbacks of working remotely, I still
hold a firm belief that working at home is a positive development.

CHECK & CHALLENGE

Some people believe the range of technology available to individuals today is increasing the gap between
poor people and rich people. Others think it is having an opposite effect. Discuss both of these points of
view. What is your opinion on that issue?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………

REFERENCE ARTICLES
Article 1: Modern technology: advantages and disadvantages
The invention of the computer was a very important point. Communication is thus enhanced, and companies
can communicate more easily with foreign countries. Research is also simplified
In the world today, people cannot live without technologies such as televisions, mobile phones, computers
and others.
These technologies have slowly taken an essential part in people’s day-to-day lives and being without them
would be unimaginable for some of us.
To understand technology, one must know what it provides in terms of advantages, but also disadvantages.
Advantages of technology
First, the evolution of technology is beneficial to humans for several reasons. At the medical level,
technology can help treat more sick people and consequently save many lives and combat very harmful
viruses and bacteria.
The invention of the computer was a very important point. Communication is thus enhanced, and companies
can communicate more easily with foreign countries. Research is also simplified.
For companies, progress is saving in time and therefore in money. Exchanges are faster especially with the
internet. Sales and purchases are now facilitated and possible worldwide. This allows businesses to buy raw
materials with discounts or at reduced prices. Similarly, global tourism has grown.
Technology has also increased the productivity of almost every industry in the world. Thanks to technology,
we can even pay with bitcoins instead of using banks. The digital coin has been such a game changing factor,
that many realised that this is the right time to open a bitcoin demo account.
When observed more closely, new things are discovered every day. Let’s take for instance when radio waves
were discovered, radio broadcasts followed suit almost immediately. The same applies to the television and
electricity. If no one had discovered that electricity could be generated, then the entertainment industry
wouldn’t be at it’s current stage of development.
Technology improves daily lives; allowing to move physical storage units to virtual storage banks and more.
Scientists of the time are also able to send astronauts to the moon thanks to technology.
In the modern industrial world, machines carry out most of the agricultural and industrial work and as a
result, workers produce much more goods than a century ago and work less. They have more time to exercise
and work in safer environments.
Disadvantages and risks of technology
On the other hand, the evolution of modern technology has disadvantages, for example, dependence on new
technology. Man no longer needs to think. Even if the calculator is a good invention, man no longer makes
mental calculation and no longer works his memory. The decline of human capital implies an increase in
unemployment. In some areas, devices can replace the human mind.
The use of technology certainly needs rule and new laws. For example internet use is an individual freedom.
However, the invention of the atomic bomb cannot be an individual freedom. In fact, regulations are difficult
to implement when these technologies are introduced – such as regulation surrounding the impending arrival
of autonomous vehicles.
Finally, as most technological discoveries aim to reduce human effort, it would imply that more work is
done by machines. This equates to less work for people: the human is becoming ever so obsolete by the day,
as processes become automated and jobs are made redundant.
The negative impact of the influence of technology on children should not be underestimated as well.

Article 2: Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology Advances

There are drawbacks to the many advances made in the field of technology.
From the "horseless carriage" to the internet, technology advances continue to transform the business world.
The fallout from these changes is often unexpected. When cellphones began, they offered an alternative to
land lines. Decades later, they've replaced cameras for many people and are the primary tool for accessing
the internet. It's an ongoing process, so a company that's king of the market today may start sliding into
oblivion tomorrow.
Cutting Staffing
Technology has contributed to reduced employment for years, but it's hit a fever pitch in the 21st century.
Recorded "press one for sales, two for service" answers reduce the need for receptionists. Automated
checkout lets stores cut their retail staff. Wikis and other sources of online information can help customers
without assigning a staff person to explain things.
The drawback is that the savings come at the cost of customer satisfaction. Customers who sit through a
long list of "press" options and can't tell which they need don't enjoy the experience. Automated checkouts
actually take longer for customers to use than dealing with human cashiers. Embracing the latest staff-
cutting tech can leave customers with a negative view of your company.
The Cutting Edge
Being on the cutting edge of technology can bring great rewards. Amazon crushed its bricks-and-mortar
competition by offering books for sale over the internet. Uber and Lyft have reinvented transportation and
taxi service with their apps. Tech advances open up entirely new possibilities for making a profit.
However, the cutting edge rarely stops cutting. For example, in the early 21st century, BlackBerry's mobile
was the state of the art in handheld communications. Market share made it conservative, more concerned
with maintaining its success than meeting new challenges. In the face of the iPhone and Google's Android,
it stumbled, fell and didn't get up.
Improved Communication
Business communication has gone light years beyond the 20th century. With cellphones, you can contact
your employees anywhere, hold web conferences to deal with urgent problems and trust employees to
coordinate their work even when they live a thousand miles apart. Customers can place orders on your
website in the dead of night, or using an app on their cellphones.
The disadvantage is that employees can wind up feeling as if they're on call 24/7. If there's a crisis, a
customer with an urgent complaint, an IT problem that needs instant fixing, companies can reach their staff
in the middle of meals, movies or even vacations. As employers become more insistent on instant action,
employees may feel increasingly stressed.
Ripple Effects
Technology advances in one field frequently spill out and affect others. For instance, if driverless cars
become a safe, successful reality, that will obviously affect the car industry and the market for professional
drivers of all sorts. It will also allow today's drivers to spend their work commute shopping online or
watching streaming video rather than watching the road, which could bring in new revenue to internet firms.
Convenience stores, motels and roadside eateries may see revenues drop if drivers don't feel the need to
stop and take a break. Like many tech advances, driverless cars will create winners and losers who never
saw it coming.

Article 3: Benefits of Technology in Business

How Does Technology Improve a Business?
Technology adapts continually, which makes it difficult for businesses to keep up. However, the fast pace
isn't a good reason to avoid adopting technology in business practices. There are many benefits of using
technology. Business owners should hire professionals if they are unsure how to implement new technology
and how it benefits their businesses specifically.
Overall Business Efficiency
Businesses operate more efficiently when they use technology correctly. Digitizing files makes it easy to
customize documents such as user agreements and contract templates. Communication is instant with email
and the ability to send documents back and forth during negotiations. Customers can get information on
websites and request information any time of the day or night using online forms.
Software programs continue to improve and make data collection and interpretation more powerful.
Customer relationship management software records everything from client information to follow-up
calendars, buying history and propensity patterns. This information makes it possible for a sales team to
manage prospects and solidify client relationships effectively.
Automation of Operations
Different businesses have different needs. Wherever a business can automate a process, it can redirect
financial and labor resources. Automation can occur in numerous areas such as when staying in touch with
customers, tracking packages for delivery, or noting miles driven by delivery truck drivers. For example,
fast food restaurants are implementing ordering kiosks to focus labor resources on efficiently getting food
into customers' hands.
Many companies are moving training programs to automated web-based programs and company education
centers, which makes it easier for employees to learn new information and expand personal skills. It also
allows people to repeat modules without costing the business any more in training costs.
Business Security
Information security is a big issue every day. Hackers and thieves steal consumer information and company
proprietary information daily, but technology can protect company information. If there is one key benefit
to businesses that should be updated and continuously monitored, it is digital security. Hackers can interrupt
business operations, cost companies thousands of dollars, and cause businesses to fall under public scrutiny.
Security goes well beyond firewalls and anti-virus software. Digitally linked security systems protect
businesses from vandalism and theft. Not only do systems provide real-time alerts, but they also provide
diversion tactics such as alarms. Some systems give business owners a way to speak directly to vandals
from a remote location via phone, informing intruders that they are on camera and identified.
Employee Monitoring
Businesses can better manage large teams using technology. Applications track customer service call times,
which helps managers understand where lag times exist and provide opportunities for coaching. Speed and
GSP tracking of drivers support a positive public image of employees who realize they can't get away with
poor behavior. The right technology automatically tracks sales numbers and potential sales, which gives
managers control of leading indicators rather than lagging behind.
The Disadvantages of Technology in the Workplace
A quick glance around any workplace confirms that technology is essential to business. Computer systems
can run assembly lines with a few operators to monitor and troubleshoot if the system goes offline. Every
desk has a computer, equipped with the latest software for data management, communications, and job task
completion. All this technology comes with a price. While using technology is critical to compete in today's
marketplace, there are disadvantages to consider in choosing the type and scope of use.
Office Distractions
In the next cubicle, John is conducting a job interview via Skype. Sue is walking through the office talking
on her cell phone, and Carlos is into the second hour of his interactive webinar. Add these distractions to
the normal noise of ringing phones, constant emails, and a noisy fax machine, and it's no wonder that it's
sometimes hard to get work done. Technology demands attention. The time saving advantages are often
outweighed by the constant distractions.
Loss of Interpersonal Communication Skills
Cell phones, email, texting and social media have largely replaced face-to-face communications. One short
meeting or conversation can eliminate multiple text messages, phone calls or emails. The ability to choose
the people you interact with, as on Facebook or Twitter, isn't an option in the workplace, whether dealing
with fellow workers or with clients. Interpersonal communications, critical to building business
relationships, are more complicated and require courtesies and listening skills not necessary in social media.
Too much reliance on electronic methods of communication not only can increase unnecessary traffic, but
can decrease vital personal interaction.
Maintenance Costs
Technology is constantly being improved, which requires constant and costly upgrading. Each upgrade
requires employee training, taking time away from production. The loss of productivity combined with
costs of software and implementation can reduce overall profitability. Each upgrade may also lower morale
as employees struggle to learn new applications and to meet new performance standards. Once a system
upgrade is completed, ongoing maintenance fees add to the overall cost. Since a breakdown of a system can
halt the production of an employee, a department, or an entire plant, the cost of technical support or
maintenance contracts are no longer optional.
Increased Security
Despite increased security efforts, there are always hacking risks from the outside and the internal threat of
information theft from employees with security clearances. Many employees in staff positions need to have
access to financial and personal data from customers and clients. Monitoring employees to protect the
information can raise employee privacy issues. Securing passwords and access to information, and
screening employees prior to issuing access are necessary challenges that add to company costs and
jeopardize employee relations.
 Article 4: Advantages & Disadvantages of Innovative Technology
Technological advances can help or hinder small businesses.
Advantages of Innovation Companies
Technological advances occur continuously, and businesses often feel the need to implement the latest
changes to keep up with the competition. In business, technological innovation can take many forms,
including computerization and mechanization of necessary systems and processes. For small business
owners, technological innovation can offer a number of important advantages as well as possible
disadvantages.
Market Expansion
Innovative technology can help even smaller businesses compete on a global stage. Innovations such as the
Internet, for example, allow a sole proprietor to offer her products or services to prospects around the world
through the use of a website. She can provide detailed product descriptions and photos of her products to
provide prospects with all the information they need to make an informed buying decision. Social media
vehicles like Facebook and Twitter also allow her to network with others who may have an interest in her
business, without the need for face-to-face interaction.
Cutting Costs
Innovation can also help business owners keep costs to a minimum. With the use of automation, a small
manufacturer can reduce his dependence on human beings to perform some of the necessary production
processes. As a result, the business can reduce employee expenses such as salary, benefits and turnover.
Technology can also help to streamline the production process, eliminating costly waste. Implementing a
"lean" manufacturing process like Six Sigma, for instance, offers the opportunity to meet customer demand
more quickly and efficiently.
Employee Concerns
While innovative technology may reduce the dependence on a workforce, the flip side is that employees
lose jobs in the process. In the case of a small business owner, this may mean she needs to make a difficult
choice between increasing profits or letting go long-time employees. Even if the implementation does not
result in job loss, some employees may have difficulty adapting to the change. There may also be a learning
curve when instituting the change, resulting in reduced productivity in the short term.
Upfront Costs
While new technology can result in savings in the long run, it sometimes results in a significant upfront
expense. A small business owner may not have the resources to purchase a state-of-the art computer system
or new machinery, or may need to borrow the money to do so. If the new purchase doesn't increase
production or reduce expenses over the long haul, it could have a crippling effect on the long-term viability
of the operation.
Article 6: Advantages & Disadvantages of Information & Communication Technology
Information and communication technology is a vast field encompassing virtually all technologies that can
store, receive or transmit signals electronically. With electronic devices so tightly wound into the fabric of
modern society, the advantages and disadvantages of ICT use may not be immediately apparent. Taking a
fresh look at these pros and cons helps to give perspective on the ways ICT affects you and your business.
New Communication Methods
ICT has opened up a wide range of new communication methods, allowing you to contact others for less
money and over greater distances than ever before. Technologies such as texting, instant messaging and
video conferencing allow users to communicate instantaneously with people across the world for a nominal
fee, a concept which may have seemed ludicrous before the advent of computers. In addition, text-based
computer communication can give those with speech or social problems a level playing field to
communicate with their peers.
New Industries
As well as providing a boost to existing industries such as manufacturing and shipping, heavy adoption of
ICT has spawned new industries all of its own. Programmers, systems analysts and Web designers all owe
their jobs to ICT, as do the people involved in secondary industries such as technology training and
recruitment. However, the increased efficiency and automation brought about by ICT can also cause job
losses, especially in manual roles and the manufacturing sector.
Body Language
Communication through voice chat or instant messaging does not take body language into account. Non-
verbal cues are a vital part of the way humans communicate, with researcher Albert Mehrabian calculating
that 55 percent of the message pertaining to feelings and attitudes portrayed by people is in facial expression
alone. As such, there is an increased chance that your message will be misunderstood if you are not engaged
in face-to-face dialog with the person you are talking to.
Security Issues
ICT provides a range of ways for fraudsters to gain access to your personal details, which could result in
you or your business losing money and reputation. Technologies such as online banking mean that with the
right security information a third party could impersonate you and gain access to your finances remotely.
This is in stark contrast to the pre-ICT era, when frauds would have needed to convince another person (for
example, a bank teller or phone operator) that they were you in order to access your money.

PRACTICE
Một mặt, có một số lý do người lớn tuổi nên học công nghệ thông tin. Lý do đầu tiên là công nghệ
thông tin mở ra được nhiều cơ hội cho họ. Ví dụ họ có thể làm việc với các đối tác thông qua mạng
internet bằng việc gửi email. Thứ 2 người lớn tuổi có thể thực hiện công việc dễ dàng hơn nhờ có
công nghệ. Vì vậy, họ có thể cân bằng giữa làm việc và nghỉ ngơi và tất nhiên hài lòng công việc và
hiệu suất cũng được nâng cao. Ngoài ra, công nghệ cũng giúp họ quản lý và theo dõi hiệu quả của
nhân viên vì người lớn tuổi thường giữ những vai trò cấp cao trong các công ty lớn.
UNIT 3
 Advantages and Disadvantages of the Death Penalty
February 27, 2016 Bookmark and Share
Since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976, there have been more than 1,400 inmates in death row
that have been executed. This year, the oldest prisoner in Georgia at 72 years of age added to the list. He
was given lethal injection.
In the United States and other parts of the world, there are supporters and critics of death penalty. In the
U.S. it is legal in 31 states and 19 states have chosen to abolish it, the most recent being Nebraska in May
2015. This is just a clear sign that there are compelling arguments between advocates and skeptics. Since
the 1980s, lethal injection is the common practice. However, pharmaceutical companies are now hesitant
to supply lethal drugs to be used in capital punishment or death sentence. On top of this, those who are not
for the death penalty are stating their views, saying it is not the solution. The issue on the availability of
these lethal drugs has triggered another controversial issue on whether the death penalty is slowing down.
Having said that, here are the pros and cons of a death sentence or capital punishment.

List of Advantages of Death Penalty

1. It deters bad people to commit heinous crimes.
One reason supporters of the capital punishment are for death penalty is its effectiveness as a crime
deterrent. According to the advocates for death sentencing, potential criminals will be scared to suffer such
harsh punishment and as a result, they will be hesitant to commit crimes like rape and murder. In fact, for
them, it is the greatest deterrent of criminal acts. If an offender commits a crime that is punishable by death
and gets executed, this will be known by the public, including those who are potential criminals. For fear
of suffering the same plight, they will be discouraged to commit crimes.

2. It is what hardened criminals deserve.

Some of the crimes that are under capital punishment include murder and rape, depending on the country
or state legalizing the practice. For pro-death penalty, there are criminals who are repeat offenders and not
scared to rape and murder again, knowing they will only be imprisoned. These types of people and those
who cannot be transformed should be put to death to project the majority.

3. The government need not spend for criminals who are murderers and such.
If there will be no death penalty, criminals who have committed grave offenses will only get life sentences
and stay in prison. With the increasing number of incarcerated individuals, the government will be spending
more and more on food and health care of these inmates. According to some critics, spending for people
committing heinous crimes is impractical and a waste of taxpayers’ money.

4. It reduces the number of committed crimes.

People who are for death penalty posit that without it, the number of major crimes like murder and homicide
will escalate since bad elements will not be afraid to do whatever they want., from dealing drugs to killing
other people. Without harsh punishments for their offenses, criminals will be taking advantage of weaker
people and victims.
5. It is humane, clean and safe.
Advocates for the death penalty claim that with lethal injection being practiced by more states and countries
over other forms of death sentence executions, it is the better option. Death by lethal injection is not as
barbaric as hanging or firing squad that can be messy and more painful.
List of Disadvantages of Death Penalty
1. It is not a crime deterrent.
Critics argue that the death penalty does not really deter criminals from committing offenses. This is because
there are criminals who suffer from mental illnesses and a death sentence will not be able to prevent them
from doing bad things they cannot control without proper medication.

2. It can result to punishing the wrong people.

The legal systems in most countries, even in the U.S. have flaws. There are many instances where innocent
people are sent to jail and convicted of crimes they have not committed just like the case of a man who was
imprisoned for 30 years for rape. If all people who are convicted will be executed, mistakes will be made
and many people will be put to death through legal injection even if they do not deserve to be.
3. It costs the government too much money.
Critics of death penalty contend the view of supporters that feeding the inmates is more expensive than
death penalty. On the contrary, the drugs used in lethal injection and other expenses related to the execution
are more costly.
4. It can cause depression and feelings of guilt on people.
One of the disadvantages of this practice is the reality that some of the people who have been involved in
the process suffer from depression out of guilt from having to end another person’s life. Some of this people
end up committing suicide and others have to suffer living the remaining years of their lives tormented with
the thought. According to a former executioner, there are many people who have participated in executions
whose lives were later destroyed. Some turned to drugs and alcohol to feel better.
5. It is not humane and cannot be undone.
There was an incident where a person who underwent lethal injection did not die right away and it took
more than 30 minutes for him to die from a heart attack. This was traumatic not only for the person being
executed but also for the people who witnessed the incident since they saw the man gasping for air and
trying to stand up. For people who are against death penalty, this is not a humane thing to do. Moreover,
they say that if a criminal is executed and after the execution, a new piece of evidence comes out that would
have proven the person’s innocence, he or she can never be brought back to life anymore.

With the ongoing issue on the availability of lethal drugs and the outcry for abolishment, the death penalty
continues to be a divided issue. Whether it is indeed good for society or a form of revenge, perhaps, depends
on the values and experiences of an individual. And for many people, though, the advantages have more
weight than the disadvantages.
 UNIT 4

SPOTLIGHT 1: ACADEMIC LANGUAGE FOR WRITING ABOUT SOLUTIONS

MODEL ESSAY
PUNISHMENTS
 CHECK & CHALLENGE
Some cities around the world are growing large. What are the reasons and consequences of this
trend?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………