Unit Review & Progress Test

Unit review — Media, Communication & Influence

Al finalizar esta unidad, deberías ser capaz de utilizar estructuras gramaticales avanzadas para hablar sobre planes futuros, intenciones inmediatas y la duración de acciones en el futuro. Esto te permitirá expresar matices de tiempo con precisión, algo esencial para alcanzar el nivel C1.

Asimismo, habrás adquirido un léxico especializado sobre los medios de comunicación, la ética periodística y la influencia digital. Deberías sentirte cómodo utilizando colocaciones compleas y cambiando de registro (formal a informal) para discutir temas de actualidad de manera sofisticada.

Grammar consolidation

Part 1: Sentence Transformation 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.

1. I started studying English three years ago and I'm still doing it. BEEN By next year, I ________ English for four years.

2. We are on the verge of signing the contract. ABOUT We ________ the contract.

3. It's certain that the government will announce the new law soon. GOING The government ________ the new law.

Part 2: Error Correction Identify and correct the grammatical error in each sentence.

4. By the time the journalist arrives, the press conference will be finished. (Wait, this is correct—find the error in the next one!)
5. At midnight, they will have been working for twenty hours straight. (Correct. Let's try this: By next month, I will have been living here since five years.)
6. I am about to leaving the house when the phone rang.

Part 3: Controlled Rewriting Rewrite the sentences using the prompts provided to maintain the original meaning.

7. The film starts in five minutes. (Use: ABOUT)
8. I intend to have finished this article by 6 PM. (Use: HAVE)
9. They started the investigation in January and it's still ongoing. (Use: BEEN)
10. The news is expected to break momentarily. (Use: ABOUT)

Vocabulary activation

Part 1: C1 Collocations Complete the sentences with the correct word to form a common collocation.

1. The documentary provided a _____ account of the political scandal. (In-depth / Deep)
2. Social media influencers often exert a _____ influence on young consumers. (Pervasive / Wide)
3. The news report was criticized for being _____ and biased. (Sensationalist / Loud)
4. We need to find a way to bridge the _____ gap between different political ideologies. (Communication / Talk)

Part 2: Word Formation Use the word in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap.

5. The _____ of the news story was questioned by many editors. (RELIANCE)
6. There has been a significant _____ in how we consume digital media. (SHIFT)
7. The politician's _____ speech went viral overnight. (ELOQUENT)
8. Many people are concerned about the _____ of fake news. (SPREAD)

Part 3: Register Choice Choose the most appropriate word for a formal academic essay.

9. The media's role in _____ (shaping / making) public opinion is vital.
10. The _____ (proliferation / growing) of digital platforms has changed journalism.
11. It is essential to _____ (scrutinise / look at) the sources of information.
12. The _____ (implications / results) of misinformation are profound.

Integrated skills task

Source Text: The Age of Echo Chambers

The digital revolution has fundamentally altered the landscape of communication. While the internet promised a global village of diverse perspectives, it has instead facilitated the rise of "echo chambers." Algorithms on social media platforms are designed to maximise engagement by showing users content that aligns with their existing beliefs. Consequently, individuals are rarely exposed to dissenting opinions, leading to increased social polarisation.

This phenomenon creates a feedback loop where biases are reinforced rather than challenged. As users interact more with like-minded individuals, their views become more extreme. This lack of intellectual diversity can undermine democratic processes, as nuanced debate is replaced by hostility and misinformation. While connectivity has increased, the quality of meaningful, cross-cultural dialogue seems to be declining. We must ask ourselves: are we communicating more, or are we simply talking to ourselves?

Writing Task

Instrucciones: Basándote en el texto anterior, escribe un ensayo de respuesta (180-220 palabras). Debes analizar si los algoritmos de las redes sociales son responsables de la polarización social y proponer una posible solución para fomentar un debate más equilibrado. Utiliza un registro formal y vocabulario de nivel C1.

Speaking checkpoint

1. Compare: Compare the influence of traditional newspapers with that of social media influencers. Which is more impactful in the long term?
2. Speculate: How might the way we consume news change in the next twenty years due to AI?
3. Evaluate: "The media's primary goal is to inform, not to entertain." To what extent do you agree with this statement?
4. Justify: If you had to choose between privacy and national security in the digital age, which would you prioritise and why?
5. Speculate: Imagine a world where all news is verified by a single global entity. Would this be a utopia or a dystopia?
6. Evaluate: Discuss the ethical implications of using "clickbait" to fund investigative journalism.

Self-assessment rubric

Answer key

Grammar consolidation 1. will have been studying 2. are about to sign 3. is going to announce 4. (Correct as written) 5. ...living here for five years. 6. I was about to leave the house when the phone rang. 7. The film is about to start. 8. I hope to have finished this article by 6 PM. 9. They have been conducting the investigation since January. 10. The news is about to break.

Vocabulary activation 1. in-depth 2. pervasive 3. sensationalist 4. communication 5. reliability 6. shift 7. eloquent 8. spread 9. shaping 10. proliferation 11. scrutinise 12. implications