Unit Review & Progress Test

Unit review — Social Media, Algorithms & Attention

Al finalizar esta unidad, deberías ser capaz de discutir temas complejos relacionados con la tecnología, la psicología del comportamiento y el impacto de la inteligencia artificial en la sociedad. Habrás desarrollado la capacidad de expresar opiniones matizadas sobre temas controvertidos, utilizando un vocabulario avanzado y estructuras gramaticales sofisticadas para modificar el tono de tus oraciones.

Asimismo, habrás perfeccionado el uso de adverbios de oración y complementos clausulares para organizar tus argumentos de manera cohesiva, algo esencial para alcanzar el nivel C1. Deberías sentirte cómodo utilizando colocaciones precisas para describir fenómenos digitales y ser capaz de producir textos argumentativos con un registro formal y académico.

Grammar consolidation

Complete the following tasks. Focus on sentence adverbials (e.g., "Fortunately, ...") vs. clausal adjuncts (e.g., "..., unfortunately, ...") and sentence transformations.

Part A: Rewrite the sentences using the word in brackets so that the meaning remains the same. Do not change the word provided.

1. It is obvious that the algorithm prioritises engagement over truth. (OBVIOUSLY)

2. The user was surprised to find that their data had been leaked. (SURPRISINGLY)

3. I am sorry to tell you that your account has been suspended. (REGRETTABLY)

4. It is possible that the dopamine loop is causing this addiction. (POSSIBLY)

Part B: Error Correction. Identify and correct the mistake in each sentence.

5. Surprisingly enough, the algorithm has predicted our preferences perfectly. (Wait, is there an error? If not, write "Correct".)

6. Honestly speaking, I think social media is destroying our attention spans. (Rewrite to use a more formal clausal adjunct position.)

7. The news was shocking to hear, it was. (Rewrite using a sentence adverbial at the start.)

Part C: Controlled Rewriting. Combine the two sentences into one single sentence using the adverbial provided.

8. The app was designed to be addictive. It was also very easy to use. (FURTHERMORE)

9. The company claimed to protect privacy. In reality, they sold user data. (CONTRADICTORILY)

10. We must regulate AI. It is a matter of urgency. (URGENTLY) _______________

Vocabulary activation

Task 1: Word Formation. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the word in capital letters.

1. The _____ of social media has changed how we perceive reality. (CONCENTRATE)
2. Many users suffer from _____ when they cannot access their feeds. (WITHDRAW)
3. The _____ of the algorithm remains a closely guarded secret. (OPAQUE)
4. We are living in an era of constant _____ overload. (INFORMATION)

Task 2: Collocations. Choose the correct word to complete the C1-level collocation.

5. The platform uses a highly sophisticated _____ algorithm to target ads. (predictive / speculative / visionary)
6. Constant scrolling can lead to a _____ loop of dopamine hits. (vicious / wicked / deadly)
7. To maintain privacy, users should _____ strict security settings. (implement / enact / execute)
8. The _____ impact of social media on mental health is widely debated. (profound / heavy / deep)

Task 3: Register Choice. Replace the underlined informal words with a more formal C1-level equivalent from the box.

exacerbate | pervasive | detrimental | ubiquitous

9. The everywhere nature of smartphones means we are always connected. ___
10. Using these apps too much can have a bad effect on sleep. ___
11. The lack of regulation will make worse the spread of misinformation. ___
12. The common influence of influencers is felt across all demographics. ___

Integrated skills task

Source Text: The Attention Economy

The modern digital landscape is no longer driven by service, but by the capture of human attention. Tech giants have mastered the art of the "attention economy," employing psychological triggers to ensure users remain tethered to their screens. Through sophisticated algorithms, platforms curate feeds that provide instant gratification, creating a feedback loop that is difficult to break. While these tools offer unprecedented connectivity, they also pose significant risks to cognitive focus and mental well-being. The constant need for validation through "likes" and "shares" has fundamentally altered social interaction. As we move further into this era, the line between meaningful engagement and mindless consumption becomes increasingly blurred. The challenge lies in reclaiming our autonomy from the very tools designed to serve us.

Instrucciones de escritura:

Basándote en el texto anterior, escribe un ensayo de respuesta (response essay) de entre 180 y 220 palabras. En tu texto, debes: 1. Resumir brevemente los puntos principales del texto original. 2. Expresar tu opinión sobre si la "economía de la atención" es una amenaza inevitable o si se puede mitigar mediante la educación digital. 3. Utilizar vocabulario avanzado y estructuras de nivel C1 (como los adverbios de oración estudiados).

Speaking checkpoint

Utiliza estas preguntas para practicar tu expresión oral. Intenta hablar durante 1-2 minutos por cada prompt, utilizando un lenguaje formal y estructurado.

1. Compare: Compare the way people used to socialise before the rise of social media with how they do so today.
2. Speculate: How might the development of more advanced AI algorithms affect our ability to distinguish truth from fiction in the future?
3. Evaluate: Evaluate the statement: "Social media has made us more connected to the world, but more isolated from our immediate surroundings."
4. Justify: If you had to choose between total digital privacy and total digital convenience, which would you justify choosing and why?
5. Analyze: Discuss the psychological impact of the "infinite scroll" feature on younger generations.
6. Hypothesize: Imagine a world where social media platforms are strictly regulated by law. How would this change the current digital landscape?

Self-assessment rubric

Answer key

Grammar consolidation 1. Obviously, the algorithm prioritises engagement over truth. 2. Surprisingly, the user found that their data had been leaked. (OR: The user found, surprisingly, that...) 3. Regrettably, I am sorry to tell you that your account has been suspended. (OR: I am sorry to tell you, regrettably, that...) 4. It is possible that the algorithm is causing this addiction. (Note: "Possibly" is often used as a sentence adverbial: "Possibly, the algorithm...") 5. Correct. 6. Honestly speaking, I think... $\rightarrow$ I think, honestly, that... (or) Honestly, I think... 7. The news was shocking to hear. $\rightarrow$ Shockingly, the news was... 8. The app was designed to be addictive; furthermore, it was very easy to use. 9. Contradictorily, the company claimed to protect privacy while they actually sold user data. (Note: "Contradictorily" is rare; "In contradiction to their claims..." is more natural, but following the instruction: Contradictorily, the company...) 10. We must urgently regulate AI. (OR: Urgently, we must regulate AI.)

Vocabulary activation 1. concentration 2. withdrawal 3. opacity 4. information 5. predictive 6. vicious 7. implement 8. profound 9. ubiquitous 10. detrimental 11. exacerbate 12. pervasive