The Internet gives new meanings to common words

The Internet gives new meanings to common words (20th October, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 4

The Internet has transformed our lives very quickly. It has changed the words we use. The website Dictionary.com started two decades ago. It has looked back to see how the Internet has created new definitions to many common words. It said, "the rise of technology has shaped our word use over time". It blogged about 20 words that have expanded in meaning. The site has been recording new meanings for words since, "the dawn of the Internet era".

One of the biggest changes is to the word "friend. This was always a noun. The rise of Facebook means it is now a verb too. Another form of this word is "befriend," which means to become friends with someone (usually in the real world). The word "tablet" once referred to a flat piece of stone, clay, or wood used to write on. Now it is a touchscreen device with Internet. Other words that have new definitions include "cloud," "wireless," and "viral".

Try the same news story at these levels:

Level 5 or Level 6

Sources

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationquestions/11931049/QUIZ-hows-your-modern-day-vocabulary.html
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/living/article39544122.html
http://blog.dictionary.com/20-words-in-20-years/

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The Activities

MATCHING

PARAGRAPH ONE:

1.	The Internet has	a.	ago
2.	two decades	b.	meanings for words
3.	new definitions to many common	c.	of technology
4.	the rise	d.	transformed our lives
5.	It blogged	e.	meaning
6.	expanded in	f.	words
7.	recording new	g.	Internet era
8.	the dawn of the	h.	about 20 words

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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

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PARAGRAPH TWO:

1.	One of the biggest	a.	word is 'befriend'
2.	This was always	b.	device
3.	The rise	c.	a noun
4.	Another form of this	d.	piece of stone
5.	become friends	e.	changes
6.	a flat	f.	have new definitions
7.	a touchscreen	g.	of Facebook
8.	Other words that	h.	with someone

LISTEN AND FILL IN THE GAPS

The Internet has transformed (1) ___________________ quickly. It has changed (2) ___________________. The website Dictionary.com started two decades ago. It has looked (3) ___________________ the Internet has created new definitions (4) ___________________ words. It said, "the rise of technology has shaped our (5) ___________________ ". It blogged about 20 words that have expanded in meaning. The site has been recording new meanings for words since, "(6) ___________________ Internet era".

One of the biggest changes (7) ___________________ "friend. This was always a noun. The rise of Facebook means (8) ___________________ too. Another (9) ___________________ is "befriend," which means to become friends with someone (usually in the real world). The word "tablet" (10) ___________________ flat piece of stone, clay, or wood used to write on. Now (11) ___________________ device with Internet. Other words that have (12) ___________________ "cloud," "wireless," and "viral".

WORDS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Words in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

WRITE QUESTIONS & ASK YOUR PARTNER(S)

Student A: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)	________________________________________________________
b)	________________________________________________________
c)	________________________________________________________
d)	________________________________________________________
e)	________________________________________________________
f)	________________________________________________________
g)	________________________________________________________
h)	________________________________________________________

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Student B: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)	________________________________________________________
b)	________________________________________________________
c)	________________________________________________________
d)	________________________________________________________
e)	________________________________________________________
f)	________________________________________________________
g)	________________________________________________________
h)	________________________________________________________

FREE WRITING

Write about words for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Answers

(Please check your answers against the article above.

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