Expert Proficiency Testmaster
Module 4 Answer Key
VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR
1
1D 2C 3A 4B 5D 6A 7B
2
1 ought 2 update 3 without 4 addition 5 heads 6 regard 7 up 8 to
3
1 interaction 2 censorship 3 constraints 4 informative 5 escapism 6 meaningless 7 compelling
8 disconnectedness 9 unmistakable
4
1 can’t have looked at every university website 2 onus is on you to resolve 3 have an obligation to
4 would be better off buying 5 couldn’t have used the Internet at home 6 shouldn’t have uploaded
W RITING
5
Mark scheme
Award a maximum of:
– three marks for addressing the required content:
– positive and negative effects on individuals
– positive and negative effects on businesses
– recommendations for dealing with it for individuals and businesses
– seven marks for language, organisation and development of topic.
Sample answer
This report presents the findings of research into the effects, both positive and negative, of the huge
quantity of information now available to individuals and businesses and makes some
recommendations as to how both of these groups can deal effectively with it.
In the light of technical development over the past few decades we are constantly bombarded with
information from all around us: mobile phones, iPads, computers, television and radio, both at work
and in the home. In fact some people are so addicted to their digital devices that they become very
agitated if they are disconnected for even a minute. Furthermore, we tend to expect immediate
responses to any communication we send and then worry if we don’t get an instant reply, so this
element of immediacy can also be extremely stressful.
From the business point of view, managing information can be the difference between success and
failure. A company that uses modern technology effectively is more likely to thrive, but on the other
hand, customers have become less patient and demand immediate service and delivery of their orders.
In addition, employees find that bosses demand more and more from them, in the belief that the
technology is helping them, often to the detriment of their health and the company.
In view of this, the report makes the following recommendations. First, it is proposed that individuals
should take breaks from the information bombardment and refuse to respond to messages or surf the
net at certain times. Moreover, they should limit their digital connection to aspects of life that really
interest them. As far as business is concerned, companies should ensure that they have enough staff to
PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2013 Pearson Longman ELT 1
deal with enquiries as soon as possible and implement systems to handle essential incoming
information. [292 words]
PHOTOCOPIABLE © 2013 Pearson Longman ELT 2
