Technology & Privacy
Lesson 2.4 introduces the Task 2 discussion essay using technology and privacy as the topic.
- Plan a balanced discussion essay in 4 paragraphs
- Use linking devices for cohesion
- Conclude with a clear personal view
Get Ready · Privacy and tech
- What data do apps collect about you?
- Is sharing data a fair price for free services?
Listening Skills — Seminar on Data Privacy
You will hear part of a seminar discussion between a lecturer and students about data privacy and technology. Read the six statements before listening and decide what information you need to check.
- Read each statement carefully and identify its key claim before listening.
- Watch out for the lecturer correcting an earlier figure — the corrected version is usually the true one.
- If the seminar does not mention a detail at all, the answer is NOT GIVEN, not FALSE.
- Do not assume the answers follow a repeating pattern such as True, False, True, False.
Listen first — the transcript stays hidden so this works like the real exam.
Listening audio
Tap play to generate and listen.
Write TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN.
- The percentage of users who skip privacy policies has increased over time.
- GDPR only applies to companies that are physically based in the European Union.
- The lecturer states how many companies have been fined under GDPR so far.
- Incognito browsing mode stops internet providers from tracking a user's activity.
- The lecturer recommends using a VPN especially on public Wi-Fi networks.
- Students must submit their data-breach assignment within two weeks.
Answer key
Framework · Discussion essay
Writing · Sample prompt
Some people believe that companies should be free to collect personal data in exchange for free online services. Others feel that this represents a serious threat to privacy. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Pathway focus · Academic essay register
Academic essays reward nominalisation and precise hedging.
- Lots of people think tech companies are bad.
- It's a really big problem these days.
- A growing number of commentators question the conduct of technology firms.
- This has emerged as a pressing contemporary issue.
Exam Strategy
- Exam Tip
Plan 4 paragraphs in 4 minutes before you write.
- Exam Tip
One clear opinion — repeat it in intro and conclusion.
Independent Practice
Spend 10 minutes planning a different discussion prompt.
40 minutes — full Task 2 on the sample prompt.
Key Takeaways
- Discussion essays need both sides — never just one.
- Cohesion comes from linkers AND repeated key nouns.
- Tense choice under pressure20 fast decisions between present simple, present perfect and past simple.
- True / False / Not Given decisionsTen statements — the question type students lose most marks on.
- Trend language workoutDescribe movement precisely — verbs, adverbs and noun phrases.
Optional — this doesn't affect your lesson or course progress.