Speaking Task — uzdevums. Eksāmens angļu valodā, Angļu valoda II (Augstākais līmenis).

In the speaking part of the exam, you will be asked to deliver a short talk on a given topic using the provided materials. You will have time to read the texts, select relevant ideas, and plan how to structure your talk before speaking. To help you prepare for this part of the exam, study the speaking task below and complete the activities that follow. These tasks are designed to help you understand how to structure your talk, support your arguments with the material, and draw clear conclusions, so that you feel more confident when completing the speaking task in the real exam.

Prepare a 5-minute talk on the topic of “Application of Technology”.
Read the materials below and select at least three points and opinions which you will use to support your argument. You can use other ideas as well, but you must discuss the ideas you selected from the material first. After your talk, you will answer three questions and justify your opinion.

In your talk:

introduce the topic and outline the structure of your talk;
present your arguments, supporting them with the information from the material provided;
draw conclusions on the topic.

You have 20 minutes to prepare your talk. You can make notes on the paper.

“Application of Technology”:

Source 1: Before you become too entranced with gorgeous gadgets and mesmerizing video displays, let me remind you that information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, and wisdom is not foresight. Each grows out of the other, and we need them all. (Arthur C. Clarke, British fiction writer)

Source 2: The world is rapidly advancing in technology, and the statistics show it. In 2025, two-thirds of global tech spending will come from software and IT services, and in Europe and North America, this share of tech spending will be even higher. (Gitnux Marketdata Report 2024; forrester.com)

Source 3: The most important and urgent problems of the technology of today are no longer the satisfactions of the primary needs or of archetypal wishes, but the reparation of the evils and damages by technology of yesterday. (Dennis Gabor, Hungarian-British engineer and physicist)

Source 4: Our inventions are wont* to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which it was already but too easy to arrive at; as railroads lead to Boston or New York. We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate. (Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854)
*wont (to do something) - in the habit of doing something

Source 5: Every man lives in two realms, the internal and the external. The internal is that realm of spiritual ends expressed in art, literature, morals, and religion. The external is that complex of devices, techniques, mechanisms, and instrumentalities by means of which we live. Our problem today is that we have allowed the internal to become lost in the external. (Martin Luther King, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance lecture, 1964)

1. Introducing the Topic

Which opening sentence most effectively introduces the topic of the talk?

Today I will examine the application of technology, focusing on its impact on human priorities, ethical responsibility, and social development.
I chose this topic because technology plays an important role in my daily life, shaping habits, routines, and personal experiences.
There are many different opinions about technology in modern society, shaped by cultural values, personal beliefs, and social contexts.
Technology has always been part of human life, influencing daily behaviour, social interaction, and patterns of communication.

2. Outlining the Structure of the Talk

Which sentence best outlines the structure of the talk?

In my talk, I will refer to several quotations from different authors to support discussion.
I will start with my first argument and then move on to the others in a logical order.
The materials present different views on technology and highlight a range of perspectives discussed.
I will present three key arguments supported by the provided materials before drawing a conclusion.

3. Introducing an Argument

Which sentence most effectively introduces an argument in the main part of the talk?

One significant concern regarding the application of technology is its tendency to prioritise efficiency over ethical reflection.
The texts discuss technology from various perspectives, presenting a range of viewpoints that appear across the provided materials.
Technology exists in many forms and affects different areas of life, influencing how people live, work, and communicate.
I will now refer to my first quotation in order to introduce ideas from the materials and begin discussing the topic in more detail.

4. Supporting an Argument with Source Material

Which sentence most effectively uses the material to substantiate an argument?

Technology can at times divert attention away from essential human values, particularly when efficiency and speed are prioritised over reflection.
As Dennis Gabor argues, technological progress frequently outpaces society’s capacity to foresee and address its adverse consequences.
I strongly agree with this quotation and the point it makes, as it reflects common concerns about the impact of technology.
The texts outline several issues associated with technological development, drawing attention to concerns that arise as innovation advances.

5. Drawing a Conclusion

Which sentence most effectively begins the conclusion?

In this talk, I have discussed different ideas about technology and referred to several perspectives presented in the materials to explore the topic in detail.
Technology has many advantages and disadvantages, which affect individuals and societies in various ways and continue to shape everyday life.
Overall, the materials suggest that while technological development is inevitable, its application requires ethical awareness and responsible decision-making.
The texts were interesting to analyse and offered a range of viewpoints on the application of technology, highlighting different opinions and approaches.

Atsauce:

viaa.gov.lv, Centralizētais eksāmens angļu valodā (augstākais mācību satura apguves līmenis), 2025

14. Speaking Task

Uzdevums:

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