APIEWriting: Old Gadgets and Technology
Old gadgets and changing technology
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
📻 Module 1: Old Gadgets & Changing Technology (Vocabulary Practice)
📌 How to use this lesson
👩🏫 Teacher Note:
Use this 30-minute introductory module to introduce core gadget vocabulary before students begin their main blog writing task.
Have students complete the quick interactive practice sections individually while you monitor and check their progress instantly.
👨🎓 Student Note:
First, look at the target vocabulary cards and the example sentence pattern below to see how key words are used.
Next, work through the four quick exercises below to build your word skills for the writing lesson.
💡 Sentence Pattern to Notice
"My grandmother still uses a landline, but I no longer have one."
The first part says what continues now. The second part says what has stopped.
Key Unit Vocabulary (10 Words)
Part 1: Word Order
Put the words in the right order to form a complete sentence. Type the full sentence into the box.
1. Scrambled words: [ she / still / a / landline / uses ]
____ (Type the correct sentence here...)2. Scrambled words: [ an / old / typewriter / is / outdated ]
____ (Type the correct sentence here...)3. Scrambled words: [ you / need / to / dial / the / number ]
____ (Type the correct sentence here...)4. Scrambled words: [ we / want / to / upgrade / our / player ]
____ (Type the correct sentence here...)Part 2: Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct word from the word bank to complete each sentence.
1. My grandfather loves listening to music on a classic ____ record.
2. Before digital audio files existed, people recorded songs onto a magnetic ____ tape.
3. Smartphones are very ____ devices that give us instant access to the internet.
4. Please plug the power ____ into the wall socket to switch on the radio.
5. Floppy disks are considered ____ technology because almost nobody uses them today.
Part 3: Choose the Correct Word
Select the best option that matches the gadget description.
1. Which device is a traditional phone fixed to a wall or desk by a wire?
2. What action do you take when turning the wheel on an old telephone to enter a number?
3. What mechanical machine was used to print letters directly onto paper before computers?
4. What do you do when you buy a newer, better version of your current laptop or phone?
Part 4: Question & Answer Match
Read the options box below, then match each question to its correct answer column.
Answer Choices:
Answer A: "Yes, she prefers it over a mobile phone."
Answer B: "First, place the vinyl record on the player and press start."
Answer C: "Because a modern computer is much faster and easier to use."
✍️ Module 2: Writing Task - School Blog Post
Now it's time to write your own blog post using the gadget vocabulary and sentence patterns you practiced.
"Write a short post for your school or college blog. Write about a gadget that your family still uses or no longer uses. Describe the gadget, say why people still use it or why they stopped, and say what you think about it."
💬 Useful Sentence Starters
Use these sentence frames to structure your post:
✅ Checklist (What to Include)
Make sure your blog post includes all 5 key points:
- ✓ The gadget name and who uses (or used) it
- ✓ One sentence with "still"
- ✓ One sentence with "no longer" or "not ... any more"
- ✓ One reason why people use it or stopped using it
- ✓ What you think about the gadget (your opinion)
📖 Module 3: Model Answer for the Blog Post
Read this sample blog post to see how to use all sentence starters from Module 2 in a complete 110–130 word writing piece.
In my home, technology is changing fast, but some traditional devices stay with us. My family still uses an old landline phone in our living room every day. My parents don't use cassettes any more because streaming music online is much faster and clearer. We no longer buy vinyl records either, even though retro music is becoming popular again. People stopped buying landlines because modern smartphones can do everything, but my grandmother prefers a phone with big buttons to make calls. It isn't broken yet, and it works even when the power is off, so we keep it. I think keeping one old gadget is a good idea because it is useful and it reminds us of the past.
💡 Why This Works (Useful Key Phrases & Notes)
Notice how these 6 highlighted phrases from Module 2 make the blog post clear, natural, and well-organized:
Note: Use "still" to talk about an action or habit that continues from the past into the present.
Note: Put "not ... any more" at the end of a sentence to show that a past activity has stopped.
Note: Place "no longer" before the main verb to show a permanent change in habit.
Note: Combine "stopped + -ing" with "because" to give a clear explanation for a change.
Note: Use "isn't ... yet" to explain that a situation has not changed completely up to now.
Note: Use "I think" to start your personal opinion paragraph and finish with a strong reason.
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