1) SPEAKING. In pairs, look at the cartoon and the title of the article. What do you think an 'early adopter is in terms of technology?
An early adopter is someone or organization that starts using a new technology or product as soon as it becomes available, often before the general public (other users) .
In other words, early adopters in the context of technology refers to those who are aware of new technologies before they become widely known.
EARLY ADOPTER OR LAGGARD?
Are you the kind of person who queues up all night because you can't wait to get the latest tech gadget? Do you always upgrade lo the newest version of your favourite device immediately? Or do you wait until your device is so old and outdated that it can't handle new apps, or keeps crashing or overheating and when it needs to be backed up, there isn't enough memory left to do it?
If you just have to have that improved functionality, or fry out a new trend before everyone else, then you're what's known as an 'early adopter'. On the other hand, if your phone is so old that you can't even swipe on it, then you're a 'laggard'.
Early adopters tend to be young, but not always that young, because buying state-of-the-art technology is expensive. Essentially, you're paying more to have your device first and as soon as you've bought it, its value will go down, and, of course, it will eventually become obsolete.
New devices often come with compatibility issues, so that you also need to buy new adaptors or cables. Being a pioneer also means dealing with any bugs or glitches that the manufacturers didn't or couldn't predict.
3) Match the highlighted words and phrases from the article with their definitions.
1. Not in use any more because a newer invention exists. → obsolete
2. Small problems that prevent a device from working well. →bugs or glitches
3. Everything a piece of software can do. → functionality
4. Old-fashioned. → outdated
5. Most modern. → state-of-the-art/latest
6. Using the most recent ideas and methods. →state-of-the-art/latest
7. Deal with. → handle
8. The ability of one piece of equipment/ software to be used with another. → compatibility
9. Change for something newer or better. → upgrade
10. Stored on a computer/other device so it won't be lost. → backed up
4) Read Active Vocabulary and complete the sentences with synonyms.
|
dated, obsolete. old-fashioned , outdated |
1. That style of trousers looks really dated/old-fashioned now.
2. The software isn't working very well because it's rather outdated
3. The telephone is very large and obsolete with a wire connecting it to the wall.
| appliance(s) gadget(s) device(s) |
4. The kitchen drawer is full of handy gadgets (devices also possible, but less likely) to slice onions or peel eggs and so on.
5. The spy's listening device was hidden inside a pen.
6. We will need a van to move the kitchen appliances ,such as the freezer and cooker.
ACTIVE VOCABULARY | Synonyms
Synonyms are words or phrases which have neatly the same meaning as other words or phrases.
• There is usually some small difference in meaning or register, eg. an appliance is something electrical used in the house (a fridge). Gadgets and devices tend to be smaller.
• Sometimes synonyms have different connotations, dated and old-fashioned both mean not modern?, but dated has a negative connotation.
5) SPEAKING Tell your partner about a piece of technology which is now outdated or even obsolete.
Answers Students’ own answers
