Unit Review & Progress Test

Unit review — Technology & Innovation

Al finalizar esta unidad, deberías ser capaz de discutir temas complejos relacionados con el impacto de la tecnología en la sociedad, utilizando un vocabulario avanzado y preciso. Habrás desarrollado la capacidad de expresar especulaciones sobre el pasado y críticas constructivas sobre decisiones tecnológicas utilizando las estructuras de los verbos modales perfectos.

Asimismo, habrás perfeccionado tu habilidad para utilizar colocaciones de nivel C1 y procesos de formación de palabras para hablar de innovación, inteligencia artificial y ética digital. Este examen de progreso busca consolidar estas competencias para asegurar que estás preparado para el nivel de exigencia del examen Cambridge C1 Advanced.

Grammar consolidation

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three and six words, including the word given.

1. I'm sure that he didn't forget to save the file; he's too professional. (MUST) He ________ the file.

2. It was a mistake for the company to invest so much in outdated software. (SHOULD) The company ________ so much in outdated software.

3. Perhaps they didn't realise the security breach was so serious. (COULD) They ________ the seriousness of the security breach.

4. I am certain that the developers didn't intend to cause this glitch. (CAN'T) The developers ________ this glitch.

5. It was a bad idea to ignore the warnings about the server overheating. (OUGHT) The engineers ________ the warnings about the server overheating.

6. Identify the error in the following sentence and rewrite it correctly: "She must has been working late to fix the coding error."

7. Rewrite the sentence using a modal perfect to express regret: "I regret not upgrading my hardware when I had the chance."

8. Rewrite the sentence using a modal perfect to express a logical deduction about the past: "I am certain that the hackers used a sophisticated algorithm."

9. Rewrite the sentence using a modal perfect to express a possibility in the past: "It is possible that the prototype failed due to poor materials."

10. Rewrite the sentence to show that something was not necessary, but was done anyway: "They didn't need to buy the expensive subscription, but they did it."

Vocabulary activation

A. Collocations: Complete the sentences with the correct verb (breakthrough, cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, obsolete, groundbreaking).

1. The laboratory has developed a ____ new method for carbon capture.
2. Most smartphones become ____ within just a few years due to rapid innovation.
3. Scientists have made a major ____ in quantum computing this year.
4. The hospital is equipped with ____ technology to ensure patient safety.
5. We need to stay ahead of the curve by adopting ____ technology.

B. Word Formation: Complete the sentences by changing the form of the word in brackets.

6. The rapid ____ of AI has caused significant debate regarding job security. (DEVELOP)
7. There is growing ____ about the privacy implications of facial recognition. (CONCERN)
8. The new software update was criticized for its lack of ____. (USER)
9. Many people find the constant stream of notifications highly ____. (DISTRACT)

C. Register Choice: Choose the most appropriate C1-level word to replace the underlined informal phrase.

10. The company decided to get rid of (____) its old data servers.
11. The new interface is very easy to use (____) for most users.
12. The sudden jump in (____) in processing power changed everything.

Integrated skills task

Reading Text

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence into our daily lives has sparked a global debate. While proponents argue that AI will lead to unprecedented levels of efficiency and solve complex problems—from climate change to medical diagnoses—critics raise significant ethical concerns. The primary fear is the potential for job displacement as automation becomes more sophisticated. Furthermore, the "black box" nature of some algorithms means that even their creators cannot fully explain how certain decisions are reached, leading to issues of accountability.

As we stand on the brink of a technological revolution, the challenge lies in balancing innovation with regulation. We must ensure that technological progress does not come at the cost of human agency or social equity. The goal should be "human-centric" innovation, where technology serves to augment human capability rather than replace it. Navigating this transition will require international cooperation and robust ethical frameworks to prevent the misuse of these powerful tools.

Writing Task

Instrucciones: Basándote en el texto anterior, escribe un ensayo (essay) de entre 180 y 220 palabras. En tu respuesta, debes: 1. Discutir los beneficios y los riesgos mencionados en el texto. 2. Expresar tu opinión sobre si la regulación es la solución para los problemas éticos de la IA. 3. Utilizar un registro formal y vocabulario de nivel C1.

Speaking checkpoint

Answer these prompts aloud to practice your fluency and ability to structure complex ideas.

1. Compare: Compare the impact of the internet on communication in the 1990s versus today.
2. Speculate: How might the job market change in the next twenty years due to automation?
3. Evaluate: Evaluate the pros and cons of social media algorithms in shaping public opinion.
4. Justify: Some argue that privacy is dead in the digital age. Do you agree? Justify your position.
5. Speculate: If we achieved a breakthrough in life-extension technology, how would society change?
6. Evaluate: To what extent should governments regulate the development of new technologies?

Self-assessment rubric

Answer key

Grammar consolidation 1. must not have forgotten 2. should not have invested 3. could have realised 4. can't have intended 5. ought to have listened to / ought to have heeded 6. She must have been working... 7. I should have upgraded my hardware when I had the chance. 8. The developers must have used a sophisticated algorithm. 9. The failure could have been caused by poor materials. 10. They needn't have bought the expensive subscription.

Vocabulary activation 1. groundbreaking 2. obsolete 3. breakthrough 4. state-of-the-art 5. cutting-edge 6. development 7. concern 8. usability 9. distracting 10. phase out / decommission / eliminate 11. intuitive 12. surge / leap / spike