Technology and Media
Read about the smartphone in your pocket and a popular gadget review. Then check your understanding and play a word game.
Read
Gadgets in our lives
Take your time. The important words are highlighted.
1The smartphone in your pocket
A smartphone is much more than a phone.
With a smartphone you can make calls, send texts, and take photos. It also connects to the internet, so you can read the news, check your email, and use apps like Instagram and YouTube.
The best feature of a smartphone is the apps. There is an app for almost everything — games, learning, shopping, and health. But it is important to use your phone wisely. Too much time on a screen is bad for your eyes, so take breaks and put it away before you sleep.
2A review: the SmartFit watch
The SmartFit watch is a popular gadget for people who love fitness. It looks like a normal watch, but it does much more. It can track your steps, check your heart rate, and follow your sleep at night.
You can also connect the watch to your phone. Then you can see your messages and calls on your wrist. Many people like it because it reminds them to move. The one problem is the battery — some users say it does not last long enough. Overall, it is a great gadget for an active life.
3Is new always better?
New gadgets come out every year, and the advertisements look exciting. But a new phone or watch can be very expensive, and the old one often works fine.
Before you buy, ask two simple questions: Do I really need this? And will I use it every day? A smart shopper reads a review first, compares the price, and only buys what is truly useful.
Check
Did you understand?
Tap an answer. You get the result and an explanation straight away.
1What is the best feature of a smartphone, according to the text?
The text says the best feature is the apps — there is one for almost everything.
2When should you put your phone away?
Put it away before you sleep, and take breaks to rest your eyes.
3What can the SmartFit watch do?
It can track steps, check heart rate, and follow your sleep.
4What problem do some users have with the watch?
Some users say the battery does not last long enough.
5You can connect the watch to your phone to see messages and calls.
True — when you connect it to your phone, you see messages and calls on your wrist.
6What two questions should you ask before buying a new gadget?
Ask: Do I really need this? and Will I use it every day?
7What does a smart shopper do first?
A smart shopper reads a review and compares the price before buying.
Words
Key vocabulary
Tap a card to see the meaning and an example.
Play
Match the words
Tap a word, then tap its meaning. Match them all to win.
Great work today!
You read about smartphones and a gadget review, and you learned how to be a smart shopper. Try describing your favourite gadget using three new words.
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