B1

← Lesson Library

Lesson

Luis's Cold Weather Challenge

technology
Take a quiz Print / save as PDF Download vocabulary (CSV) Teacher view

Word Bank

These words appear in the reading and the exercises below. Hover or click a word to see its definition.

AI n.Technology that allows machines to copy human intelligence and learn from data.Many people worry that AI will soon replace their jobs. gadget n.A small device designed to do a particular job, often clever or new.Joe’s always buying new gadgets that he claims will make his life easier. smart device n.Electronic device that can connect and send information to other devices or the internet.Smart devices enable us to communicate with others wherever we happen to be. wearable technology n.Electronic devices that you wear on your body.These days, most wearable technology is comfortable and easy to wear. wearable devices n.Electronic gadgets that you wear on your body.Wearable devices can track your steps and heart rate. internet provider n.Company that gives you access to the internet at home or work.I’d been experiencing poor reception for days, so I called my internet provider. search engine n.Website you use to look for information on the internet.Google is my favorite search engine; I don’t use any others. web browser n.Program you use to access websites and view pages online.I don’t always use the same web browser. server n.Computer or place where a website’s data is stored and sent from.Our webpage has thousands of videos, so we use a server with a lot of disk space. cybersecurity n.Protection of computers,accounts,and systems from online attacks.With internet crimes on the rise, cybersecurity is essential. voicemail n.a system that records messages when you miss a callJim didn't answer the call, so I left a message on his voicemail. signal n.the strength of the phone connectionYou'll get a stronger signal if you go out into the garden. ringtone n.the sound your phone makes when someone callsThat's my phone ringing. I recognise the ringtone. SIM card n.a small card in your phone that stores your phone number and informationAll your personal data is stored on the SIM card inside your phone. charger n.a cable used to power your phone's batteryI was unable to charge my phone because I had left my charger at home.
Study as flashcards
Full vocabulary notes (examples, collocations, related words)
AI noun — Technology that allows machines to copy human intelligence and learn from data. Many people worry that AI will soon replace their jobs.Collocations: use AI,AI system,AI technology,AI toolsRelated: artificial intelligence,machine learningNotes: Stands for Artificial Intelligence.
gadget noun — A small device designed to do a particular job, often clever or new. Joe’s always buying new gadgets that he claims will make his life easier.Collocations: electronic gadget,new gadget,handy gadget,latest gadgetRelated: device,toolNotes: Often used for modern, fun devices.
smart device noun · in the reading — Electronic device that can connect and send information to other devices or the internet. Smart devices enable us to communicate with others wherever we happen to be.Collocations: smart device at home,smart device network,connect smart devices,smart device appRelated: smartphone,tablet,smartwatchNotes: Includes phones,watches,speakers.
wearable technology noun — Electronic devices that you wear on your body. These days, most wearable technology is comfortable and easy to wear.Collocations: wearable technology device,latest wearable technology,health wearable technology,wearable technology industryRelated: wearable devices,fitness trackerNotes: Also called wearable devices.
wearable devices noun — Electronic gadgets that you wear on your body. Wearable devices can track your steps and heart rate.Collocations: wearable devices market,fitness wearable devices,small wearable devices,wearable devices for healthRelated: wearable technology,smartwatchNotes: Synonym of wearable technology.
internet provider noun · in the reading — Company that gives you access to the internet at home or work. I’d been experiencing poor reception for days, so I called my internet provider.Collocations: call your internet provider,internet provider contract,change internet provider,local internet providerRelated: service provider,ISPNotes: Often also ISP (internet service provider).
search engine noun — Website you use to look for information on the internet. Google is my favorite search engine; I don’t use any others.Collocations: use a search engine,open a search engine,popular search engine,search engine resultsRelated: Google,BingNotes: Learners often confuse with browser.
web browser noun · in the reading — Program you use to access websites and view pages online. I don’t always use the same web browser.Collocations: open your web browser,change web browser,new web browser,web browser historyRelated: browser,Internet ExplorerNotes: Examples: Chrome,Firefox,Safari.
server noun · in the reading — Computer or place where a website’s data is stored and sent from. Our webpage has thousands of videos, so we use a server with a lot of disk space.Collocations: web server,mail server,powerful server,server spaceRelated: host machineNotes: Technical IT word.
cybersecurity noun — Protection of computers,accounts,and systems from online attacks. With internet crimes on the rise, cybersecurity is essential.Collocations: cybersecurity expert,cybersecurity measures,cybersecurity system,learn about cybersecurityRelated: IT security,online securityNotes: Often in IT and business contexts.
voicemail noun · in the reading — a system that records messages when you miss a call Jim didn't answer the call, so I left a message on his voicemail.Collocations: leave a voicemail, check voicemail, voicemail message
signal noun · in the reading — the strength of the phone connection You'll get a stronger signal if you go out into the garden.Collocations: strong signal, weak signal, get a signal, lose signal
ringtone noun — the sound your phone makes when someone calls That's my phone ringing. I recognise the ringtone.Collocations: phone ringtone, set a ringtone, change the ringtone
SIM card noun — a small card in your phone that stores your phone number and information All your personal data is stored on the SIM card inside your phone.Collocations: insert a SIM card, SIM card slot
charger noun — a cable used to power your phone's battery I was unable to charge my phone because I had left my charger at home.Collocations: phone charger, plug in the charger

Reading

Read the text, then try the exercises below.

Luis Ortega, a Spanish engineer at Volta Drive in Gliwice, Poland, is testing a new battery pack for electric bikes in the cold winter of Zabrze. He is checking how well the sulfur-based battery works in the harsh winter conditions. A smart device on the bike records the battery’s temperature on every ride. Every day, he rides his test e-bike twelve kilometres to work and back, keeping notes in both Spanish and Polish in his notebook. However, one morning, his home internet stops working. He needs to send yesterday’s data to the server, but his web browser will not open any page. The phone signal in his old brick flat is weak, so he stands by the window and calls his internet provider. He tries to speak Polish, but he panics and leaves a confused voicemail.

At work, Agnieszka Wróbel, the HR manager, hears about Luis’s problem. She offers to call the internet provider for him, but Luis wants to practice his Polish for his B1 exam next summer. That evening, his elderly neighbour, Henryk, helps him practice the call. Henryk corrects every ending and explains the right way to ask for help. The next day, Luis makes the call again and successfully sends his data to the server. He feels proud and more confident in his Polish.

Fill in the Blank

Pick the word that best completes each sentence. The sentence may use a different form of the word (a plural, or -ed / -ing).

Matching

Click a word, then click its definition — or drag from one to the other. Use the undo button if you change your mind.