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Reading Worksheet

What Technology Can Do

A2 Modals of Ability: can, could, be able to (present and future) Technology 20 minutes
Before You Read

Discuss these questions with a partner before you read.

  • What technology do you use every day?
  • Can computers do things better than humans? Give an example.
  • What can your phone do that phones ten years ago couldn't do?
  • Is there anything you think technology will never be able to do?
Key Vocabulary
Word Definition Example
artificial intelligence (n.) technology that can think and learn like a human Artificial intelligence can translate languages very quickly.
translate (v.) to change words from one language into another This app can translate English into Spanish.
perform (v.) to do or carry out a task Some robots can perform simple surgery.
surgery (n.) a medical operation inside the body The doctor performed surgery on his knee.
recognise (v.) to identify something you have seen before This app can recognise faces in photos.
emotion (n.) a feeling, such as happiness, fear, or sadness Computers can't feel emotions the way humans can.
Reading Text
Magazine Article ~210 words

What Technology Can Do

Technology is changing fast. But what can it really do? And what can't it do yet?

Artificial intelligence can now write emails and translate languages. It can recognise faces and help drive cars. But it can't feel emotions, and it can't be creative in the way humans can.

Robots can build cars and pack boxes in factories. Some robots can even perform simple surgery. But most robots can't think for themselves. One day, they will be able to do much more.

With a smartphone, you can do your shopping, book a flight, and talk to a doctor online. Ten years ago, phones couldn't do these things. They were just for calling and texting. Today's children will be able to do things with technology that we cannot even imagine.

You can find almost any information on the internet. But you can't always know if the information is true. Deciding what to believe is still a human skill.

Technology can do amazing things. It can help people, save time, and solve problems. But there are still many things that only humans can do — like feeling, creating, and caring. The question is not just what technology can do. It is what we want it to do.

Notice the Grammar

Look at the article. Find words for present ability (now), past inability (ten years ago), and future ability (one day). Which phrases do you find?

1 Reading for Gist

Answer in a few words.

  1. What is the main topic of this article?
  2. What types of technology does the article talk about?
  3. What is the final message of the article?
2 Reading for Detail

Write short answers.

  1. Name two things artificial intelligence can do.
  2. What could phones NOT do ten years ago?
  3. What is one thing only humans can do, according to the article?
  4. What can some robots do in hospitals?  a) Talk to patients b) Perform simple surgery c) Write medical reports 
  5. Why can't we always trust information on the internet?
3 True, False, or Not Given

Write T, F, or NG.

  1. Artificial intelligence can translate languages.
  2. Robots can think for themselves.
  3. The internet was invented in the 1990s.
  4. Ten years ago, phones couldn't book flights.
  5. Artificial intelligence can feel emotions.
4 Vocabulary in Context

Answer questions about words from the article.

  1. What does 'recognise' mean in the article?  a) to create something new b) to identify something you have seen before c) to remember a person's name 
  2. What is 'artificial intelligence'? Use your own words.
  3. Find a word in the article that means 'a medical operation inside the body'. 
  4. What does 'emotion' mean in this context? Write your own definition.
5 Grammar in Context

Complete these activities about can, can't, and will be able to.

  1. Find three sentences with 'can', two with 'can't', and one with 'will be able to'. Write them.
    can (x3):  can't (x2):  will be able to (x1): 
  2. The article uses 'will be able to' for the future. Why can't we say 'will can'?
  3. Which is correct?  a) In the future, robots will can do more. b) In the future, robots will be able to do more. c) In the future, robots can will do more. 
  4. Complete the sentences: (a) 'Phones had no translation apps ten years ago.' → 'Ten years ago, phones _____ translate languages.' (b) 'Future AI will have new abilities.' → 'One day, AI _____ do things it cannot do today.'
  5. Write two sentences: one thing technology can do that is amazing, and one thing it still can't do.
Personal Response — Discuss with a partner

Discuss with a partner. Share one idea with the class.

  1. What is the most useful thing technology can do in your life?
  2. Do you think robots will be able to do your job one day? Why or why not?
  3. What is one thing you hope technology will be able to do in the future?

Answer Key

What Technology Can Do — A2 — Modals of Ability: can, could, be able to (present and future)

Exercise 1 — Reading for Gist

  1. What technology can and cannot do.
  2. Artificial intelligence, robots, smartphones, and the internet.
  3. There are still things only humans can do, and we must decide what we want technology to do.

Exercise 2 — Reading for Detail

  1. Write emails and translate languages. (Also: recognise faces, help drive cars.)
  2. They couldn't do shopping, book flights, or let you talk to a doctor online — they were just for calling and texting.
  3. Feeling, creating, and caring. / Deciding what information is true.
  4. b)
  5. Because we can't always know if the information is true.

Exercise 3 — True, False, or Not Given

  1. T — The article states this directly.
  2. F — The article says 'most robots can't think for themselves'.
  3. NG — The article does not mention when the internet was invented.
  4. T — The article says 'Ten years ago, phones couldn't do these things.'
  5. F — The article says 'it can't feel emotions'.

Exercise 4 — Vocabulary in Context

  1. b)
  2. Technology that can think or learn like a human.
  3. surgery
  4. A feeling — like happiness, sadness, or fear. The article says AI can't feel emotions the way humans can.

Exercise 5 — Grammar in Context

  1. Any matching sentences from the article. e.g. can: 'Artificial intelligence can now write emails.' / can't: 'It can't feel emotions.' / will be able to: 'They will be able to do much more.'
  2. 'Can' has no infinitive form. We use 'will be able to' (not 'will can') for future ability.
  3. b)
  4. (a) Ten years ago, phones couldn't translate languages. (b) One day, AI will be able to do things it cannot do today.
  5. Answers will vary. Answers will vary. Check: can/can't + base infinitive.

Notice the Grammar — suggested answers

Accept any five correct examples from the article that use the target grammar. Students should be able to explain why the grammar is used in each case.

Personal Response

Answers will vary. This section is for spoken discussion or short written response. There are no single correct answers.