Study · Academic vocabularyModule 04
Technology and Society
Level B1–B2
Learning goals
- In this module, you will learn vocabulary for discussing how technology affects people and society. You will practise using the words in context and choosing the correct forms and collocations.
Step 1 — Read and discover
Read the passage and notice how the bold words are used.
Technology: progress with questions
Digital technology has changed how people communicate, work, and learn. Many digital and online services are now part of people's daily routine. They can improve access for people who live far from schools, hospitals, or public offices. However, not everyone has a reliable internet connection or the skills needed to use these services. This gap can create inequality between groups in society.
New tools can increase efficiency by helping people complete tasks more quickly. For example, software can organise information, while automated systems can handle routine work. Yet greater efficiency does not always mean better results. People still need to check whether a system is accurate and fair, and whether it supports concentration rather than distracting users.
The growing use of digital services also raises questions about privacy. Companies may collect personal data to improve their products, but users should understand what information is collected and how it is used. Strong security measures can reduce the risk of information being stolen or subject to misuse.
Another concern is dependence on devices. Constant notifications can interrupt concentration, and some people find it difficult to spend time offline. At the same time, technology can support innovation, connect communities, and help researchers solve complex problems.
The challenge is to adopt useful tools without ignoring their limits. Governments, companies, and individuals all have a role in creating clear rules and responsible habits. Technology can bring real benefits, but society must also consider its possible impact on jobs, relationships, and everyday life.
Check your understanding
1. What can the digital gap create?Try again
1. What can the digital gap create?
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2. Why should users understand how their data is used?Try again
2. Why should users understand how their data is used?
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3. What is the passage's main message?Try again
3. What is the passage's main message?
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Step 2 — Explore the vocabulary
Use the word cards to review each word's meaning, example, word family, and common collocations.
technology
nounB1–B2The use of scientific knowledge and tools to solve problems or perform tasks.
“Digital technology has changed how people communicate.”
- digital technology
- new technology
- technology sector
Word family: technological, technologically
access
nounB1–B2The ability or opportunity to reach, use, or obtain something.
“Online services can improve access to education.”
- access to information
- improve access
- limited access
Word family: access, accessible, accessibility
gap
nounB1–B2A difference or separation between two people, groups, or situations.
“The digital gap can make it harder for some people to use online services.”
- digital gap
- close a gap
- widen a gap
Word family: gap
efficiency
nounB1–B2The ability to work well without wasting time, effort, or resources.
“The new system improved efficiency at the office.”
- improve efficiency
- energy efficiency
- greater efficiency
Word family: efficient, efficiently
privacy
nounB1–B2The right to keep personal information and activities from being seen or shared without permission.
“Users should understand how an app protects their privacy.”
- protect privacy
- privacy settings
- privacy concerns
Word family: private, privately
data
nounB1–B2Information collected for reference, analysis, or decision-making.
“The company collects data to understand how its service is used.”
- collect data
- personal data
- data analysis
Word family: data-driven
Data is often treated as an uncountable noun in everyday English; in formal contexts it can also take a plural verb.
security
nounB1–B2Protection from danger, crime, or unauthorised access.
“Strong security helps protect online accounts.”
- online security
- security measures
- improve security
Word family: secure, securely, insecure
dependence
nounB1–B2A situation in which someone relies on a person or thing for help or support.
“Dependence on phones can interrupt face-to-face conversations.”
- dependence on technology
- reduce dependence
- growing dependence
Word family: depend, dependent, independent
innovation
nounB1–B2A new idea, method, or product, or the process of introducing it.
“Innovation can help communities solve practical problems.”
- encourage innovation
- technological innovation
- support innovation
Word family: innovate, innovative, innovator
adopt
verbB1–B2To begin to use or accept an idea, plan, or method.
“The organisation decided to adopt a new online system.”
- adopt a policy
- adopt a method
- widely adopted
Word family: adoption, adopted
role
nounB1–B2The function or part that someone or something has in a situation.
“Governments have a role in protecting online users.”
- play a role
- important role
- role in society
Word family: role
benefit
nounB1–B2A helpful or positive result or advantage.
“One benefit of online learning is flexible access to materials.”
- major benefit
- benefit of technology
- bring benefits
Word family: benefit, beneficial
impact
nounB1–B2A strong effect or influence that something has on a person or situation.
“Researchers are studying the impact of technology on work.”
- social impact
- significant impact
- impact on society
Word family: impact, impactful
digital
adjectiveB1–B2Using computer technology or electronic systems.
“Digital services are now common in many areas of daily life.”
- digital services
- digital skills
- digital divide
Word family: digitally, digitise, digitisation
automated
adjectiveB1–B2Using machines or software to do work with little direct human control.
“Automated systems can handle routine tasks.”
- automated system
- automated process
- highly automated
Word family: automate, automation, automatically
responsible
adjectiveB1–B2Making careful decisions and accepting the results of your actions.
“Companies should be responsible when collecting user information.”
- responsible use
- socially responsible
- responsible for
Word family: responsibility, responsibly, irresponsible
inequality
nounB1–B2A situation in which people do not have the same rights, opportunities, or resources.
“Limited internet access can increase inequality between communities.”
- social inequality
- reduce inequality
- inequality between groups
Word family: equal, equality, unequal, equally
concentration
nounB1–B2The ability to give your attention to one thing for a period of time.
“Frequent notifications can interrupt concentration.”
- improve concentration
- lose concentration
- concentration level
Word family: concentrate, concentrated
routine
noun/adjectiveB1–B2A usual way of doing things, or something done regularly.
“Software can handle routine work tasks.”
- daily routine
- routine task
- establish a routine
Word family: routinely
misuse
noun/verbB1–B2The use of something in a wrong, harmful, or unsuitable way.
“Clear rules can reduce the misuse of personal information.”
- misuse information
- prevent misuse
- misuse of data
Word family: misused, misusing
Step 3 — Meaning in context
Choose the best answer, then check your choices.
1. Online appointments can improve access to health services.Try again
1. Online appointments can improve access to health services.
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2. The new system increased efficiency because staff completed routine tasks faster.Try again
2. The new system increased efficiency because staff completed routine tasks faster.
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3. The website uses several layers of security to protect customer information.Try again
3. The website uses several layers of security to protect customer information.
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4. Some people develop a strong dependence on their phones.Try again
4. Some people develop a strong dependence on their phones.
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5. The city introduced a new payment app, but it first had to adopt clear rules for its use.Try again
5. The city introduced a new payment app, but it first had to adopt clear rules for its use.
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Step 4 — Complete the sentences
Type the missing word or phrase. Legitimate spelling variants and harmless capitalisation differences are accepted.
1.Digital has changed how people work and communicate.Try again✓
2.Some rural communities have limited to fast internet.Try again✓
3.The digital can leave some people behind.Try again✓
4.The new process improved by reducing wasted time.Try again✓
5.Users should understand how companies collect and use their personal .Try again✓
6.Strong helps protect accounts from unauthorised access.Try again✓
7.The on smartphones can make it difficult to focus offline.Try again✓
8.Governments and companies should consider the social of new tools.Try again✓
Step 5 — Word families
Choose the correct form of the word in brackets.
1. The team hopes to __________ a more accessible service next year. (INNOVATION)Try again
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2. The website is designed to make information more __________ to users. (ACCESS)Try again
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3. The company needs to improve the __________ of its payment system. (SECURE)Try again
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4. The report discusses the social __________ of artificial intelligence. (IMPACT)Try again
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5. The service became more __________ after several unnecessary steps were removed. (EFFICIENT)Try again
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Step 6 — Collocations
Match each beginning with the most natural ending.
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Step 7 — Quick review
Choose the best answer for each question.
1. Which word means “new ideas, methods, or products”?Try again
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2. Which word refers to information about people or activities that can be stored and analysed?Try again
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3. If a person or organisation begins using a new system, they __________ it.Try again
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4. Which phrase means “the positive results of something”?Try again
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5. Which word means “the effect that one thing has on another”?Try again
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