EF p 192. The Two Sides of Modern Life: Is Our Changing World Better or Worse? Article

Write an article about how some aspects of life have changed, and discuss whether these changes are positive or negative.

How to Write an Article?

Sample answer: 

The Two Sides of Modern Life: Is Our Changing World Better or Worse?

Have you ever wondered how different your life would be if you had to go an entire week without your smartphone or internet access? For most of us, this thought sounds nearly impossible because modern life has changed at an incredible speed, completely transforming the way we work, communicate, and spend our free time. Advances in technology have brought clear improvements to our daily routines, making many tasks faster and easier than ever before. However, these changes also bring new challenges that affect our well-being and social lives, raising an important question: is our world actually changing for the better?

One of the biggest changes is how we communicate with each other. Today, smartphones and social media allow us to keep in touch with friends and family anywhere in the world instantly. This makes it easier to stay connected and find people who share our interests. On the other hand, online interactions often lack the warmth of real-world conversations. Many people spend hours scrolling through screens instead of spending time with friends in person, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and stress.

The way we work and learn has also transformed significantly. Remote work and online education give people much more flexibility, saving valuable time on daily commutes and allowing students to learn new skills from home. However, this convenience comes with a downside. When our homes become our offices, it is hard to separate work from personal life. Many workers feel pressure to answer emails late at night, which can cause burnout and continuous stress.

Finally, access to information and entertainment is now unlimited. With a quick search, we can read news, watch films, or study almost any subject on demand. Whilst this democratises knowledge, it can also lead to information overload. People often find it difficult to concentrate for long periods, and fake news can spread quickly online, creating confusion about what is true.

In conclusion, the changes in modern life are neither completely positive nor entirely negative. Technology offers us unprecedented convenience and connectivity, but it also demands better boundaries to protect our mental health and relationships. Ultimately, progress is a tool, and its value depends on how we choose to use it in our daily lives.

EF p 192. Articles

How to Write an Article?

EF p 192. The Two Sides of Modern Life: Is Our Changing World Better or Worse? Article

EF p 192. Fancy a Down-to-Earth Holiday? Writing an Article. Verb Form Gap Fill

Ready for C1 p 34. Fashion Trends. Article. Word Formation

Ready for C1 p 34. It’s a dog’s life. Writing an article. Cloze

EF p 192. An Article about Childhood. Word Formation

ALL FOOLS’ DAY - 1ST of APRIL. Extra Cloze

 Article on how clothing may affect our behaviour

Writing an Article Ways to save our planet. 

Article: Consumerism. Writing

EF p 192. Fancy a Down-to-Earth Holiday? Writing an Article. Verb Form Gap Fill

 

Read the following text and fill in the gaps with the verb that best fits each space using the correct verb form of the verbs below. There are TWO extra verbs you will not need. The activity begins with an example (0). 

Verbs: picture, stumble across, work, always/fascinate, kowtow, give, curb, find, nod, tell, swap, finally/allow, clearly/wait, dig.

Task instructions: You have been asked to write an article describing your experience of an unusual type of holiday for a students’ magazine. 

Fancy a Down-to-Earth Holiday?

Are you tired of doing the same thing every summer? (0) Picture this: you're sprawled on a beach towel, bored out of your mind, watching other tourists do exactly what you're doing – absolutely nothing. Sound familiar? If you (1) your head right now, it might be time to trade that sun lounger for something more memorable.

I (2) by history, but let's be honest – reading about ancient civilisations in dusty textbooks isn't exactly thrilling. So when I (3) an advertisement for an archaeology training holiday, I was intrigued. A week of hands-on historical detective work? Sign me up! My friends thought I'd lost my mind. "You're paying to dig holes in the dirt?" one asked. "You could do that in your garden for free!"

Our group was wonderfully eclectic. Eight of us gathered that first morning: a retired school teacher who (4) for years for this adventure, two enthusiastic American college students armed with expensive cameras (naturally), an out-of-work actor who (5) us dramatic readings of historical texts at every opportunity – including at breakfast – and a few others who, like me, were simply curious. We stayed in a converted farmhouse where the accommodation was refreshingly simple but comfortable, and the home-cooked meals were absolutely delicious. Proper food, not the usual holiday fare that makes you wonder which century it's from (though given our location, that might have been appropriate).

After some basic training in archaeological techniques – learning the difference between a significant find and a rock was harder than you'd think, and I'm still not entirely convinced about some of my "discoveries" – we (6) to join a real dig at a nearby archaeological site. Imagine carefully brushing away centuries of soil with what looks like a toothbrush, never quite knowing what might emerge. The tension, the concentration, the sheer excitement of it all! Also, the backache. Nobody mentions the backache.

Then it happened. As I (7) methodically through my assigned section, convinced I (8) nothing but more dirt, my trowel struck something hard. My heart raced as I gently uncovered a tiny fragment of pottery, its surface surprisingly smooth despite the passage of time. When our instructor examined it later that day, she confirmed it was Roman. "Beginner's luck!" she announced with a grin. Meanwhile, the retired teacher who (9) for three days had found precisely one modern bottle cap. I tried not to look too smug.

Would I recommend an educational holiday? Absolutely. In fact, I'm already planning my next one – mediaeval castle restoration, anyone? Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with traditional beach holidays if that's your thing. But personally, I can't think of anything more rewarding than learning a new skill, meeting fascinating people, and coming home with stories that are actually worth (10) at dinner parties.

Oh, and I still got a sun tan – just with considerably more dirt under my fingernails and a newfound appreciation for professional archaeologists who do this every day without complaining. So, what would your life be like if you (11) predictable for unforgettable this summer?

KEY

1. 're nodding

2. 've always been fascinated

3. stumbled across

4. 'd clearly been waiting

5. gave

6. were finally allowed

7. was working

8. 'd find

9. 'd been digging

10. telling

11. swapped

Extra verbs:

To Curb: To check or keep in check; to restrain. Sp. frenar, restringir.

• "The government introduced new laws to curb inflation."

To Kowtow: To act in an excessively subservient manner.

• “I refuse to kowtow to the demands of a bully.”

EF p 194. Proposals

 

Open World p 191. Examples of Proposal. Writing

EF p 194. PROPOSAL FOR A MONTHLY INTERCULTURAL STREET FOOD MARKET. Writing. Verb Form Gap Fill

 Towns and Villages. A Proposal Sample.

Speakout Advanced p 35. Towns and Villages. Discourse markers

Towns and Villages. A Proposal

 Writing: Proposal for a Food Fair. Extra Writing

EF p 194. A Proposal. Writing. Cloze

 Raising the School's Profile. Proposal

EF p 194. PROPOSAL FOR A MONTHLY INTERCULTURAL STREET FOOD MARKET. Writing. Verb Form Gap Fill

 Read the following text and fill in the gaps with the verb that best fits each space using the correct verb form of the verbs below. There are TWO extra verbs you will not need. The activity begins with an example (0). 

 Verbs:

conclude, foster, outline, exacerbate, propose, feature, belong, ensure, adopt, acquiesce, request, launch, encourage, dine, establish, encompass, require, outline, promote, engage, fail, submit, lower.

You have been asked by your local city council to suggest one cultural initiative intended to strengthen community life in urban areas, where many people report feeling increasingly isolated.

PROPOSAL FOR A MONTHLY INTERCULTURAL STREET FOOD MARKET

Submitted to: Hartfield City Council
Date: 16th January 2026

---

Introduction

As (0) requested, I (1) the following proposal in order to address the council's recent findings regarding social isolation amongst urban residents. The main purpose of this proposal is (2) a cultural initiative that would transform our underutilised Market Square into a vibrant community hub (3) cultural exchange and meaningful interaction.

Current Situation

It is clear from residents' feedback that opportunities (4) with one another across cultural boundaries remain severely limited. It is a fact that many adults report feeling disconnected from their neighbours, which means that our public spaces, whilst plentiful, (5) to function as genuine gathering points. In light of this year's community survey, a more dynamic approach is vital if we are (6) the sense of belonging our community desperately requires.

The Proposed Initiative

I strongly recommend (7) a monthly Intercultural Street Food Market operating on the last Saturday of each month. We propose that the market (8) food stalls run by local residents representing various cultural backgrounds. Crucially, this would not simply be a commercial venture. I therefore recommend that participants (9) to share the stories and traditions behind their dishes, with designated "cultural exchange zones" where cooking demonstrations and informal language practice sessions could take place.

(10) active participation rather than passive consumption, it would be advisable to incorporate communal seating areas designed to encourage strangers (11) together, alongside interactive activities such as collaborative cooking workshops and traditional music performances. We suggest (12) stall holders to work in pairs from different cultural backgrounds, ensuring that cross-cultural collaboration lies at the heart of the project.

Expected Benefits

The advantages of the approach proposed would be considerable. Food provides a universally accessible entry point for cultural dialogue, whilst the informal market atmosphere (13) barriers that might prevent engagement in more structured community events. If we were to celebrate our diversity as an asset, we could potentially reduce prejudice through positive personal encounters.

Furthermore, this course of action would be beneficial since it would increase footfall for local businesses and generate renewed civic pride. The short-term benefits include immediate opportunities for meaningful social connection, whilst the long-term advantages (14) enhanced community cohesion and a transformed town centre.

Conclusion

(15), the evidence points towards this initiative as an effective solution to urban isolation. In light of the above, I believe this proposal (16) with immediate approval of funding and commitment to (17) a pilot programme this spring. Our residents deserve genuine opportunities to connect and value one another.

I trust that the recommendations (18) in this proposal will receive your serious consideration. I feel certain that the course of action (19) above will answer the needs of our community and transform our town from a place where people merely coexist into one where they genuinely (20).

 

 

 

 

KEY

 

 

1. am submitting 

 

 

 

 

 

2. to outline 

 

 

 

 

3. promoting 

 

 

 

4. to engage 

 

 

 

 

5. have failed 

 

 

 

 

6. to foster 

 

 

 

 

 

7. establishing 

 

 

 

 

8. (should) feature 

 

 

 

 

9. (should) be encouraged

10. To ensure

11. to dine

12. requiring

13. would lower

14. would encompass

15. To conclude

16. should be adopted

17. to launching/ to launch

18. outlined

19. proposed

20. belong

Extra verbs:

To Acquiesce: to accept something reluctantly but without protest. Consent.

“Despite her initial reservations, she finally acquiesced to the board's demands.”





To Exacerbate: To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse. Worsen.

“Adding more tasks to his plate will only exacerbate his current stress levels.