Working with Authentic Materials (RC Activity)

Reading Comprehension Activity: "Smartphone Revolution"

Pre-reading

1) In pairs, look at the following pictures and discuss:

     a). Do you have one of these devices? 
     b). What do you use it for?
     c). How often do you use it? 
     d). What do they all have in common?

Example:  
    This is a camera. 
    I use it to take photographs with my friends.
    I normally use it. 



Now, it's your turn:

Some common uses: 

2) Answer, individually: 

a) What gadget do you use the most? ______________________________.

b) Explain why: ________________________________________________.

c) Share your answers with a partner  ("I chose ______, because ________")



While-reading

3) Skim through the following text and answer:

The text is about:
a). How smartphones have changed over time.
b). How smartphones are useful but also dangerous.
c). How smartphones have made our lives easier.

4) Scan through the text and answer. 

Attention:  

• All of you must answer at least 3 questions.                    
• Some of you might answer 4 questions.

a). In what way have smartphones changed our lives?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b). According to the text, what kind of demanding tasks can smartphones perform?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

c). What does the author mean by "glued to their cell phones"? (last paragraph; line 4).
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

d). Why do you think the text is titled "Smartphone Revolution"?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Post-reading:

5)  In pairs, make a list of 3 advantages and disadvantages of smartphones. 
     Discuss why they are positive and negative for people.

6) In your opinion, is the author right to say that people is addicted to smartphones? Think about your personal experience. 

Write a short paragraph explaining your answer:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You may use the following chart to apply a pre-writing strategy of your choice (brainstorming, outline, mind map, etc).

7) Reflection. Answer "YES or "NO":

Reading

a) I enjoy reading activities.

b) I concentrate on reading activities in class.

c) I pay attention to the pictures to make predictions.

d) I stop reading when I don't understand a word.

e) The reading was too long for me.

f) I enjoy working in pairs.

Writing

a) I realize when I make mistakes

b) I can communicate myself through writing

c) I enjoy writing activities

In groups of 3-4, share your answers and discuss what can be done to improve your weak points.

Adapted from: https://www.totalphase.com/blog/2017/05/impact-technology-lives-future-technology/