Some smart computer programs might change a lot of jobs soon. A big money group says these smart programs could change 4 out of 10 jobs. The boss of this money group says this might make some people have more money than others. If you have a job in a place with lots of money, these smart programs might change your job more. Some people might get more money because they can do their job better with these programs, but some might lose their jobs.

The money group says we need to help people who might lose their jobs. They say we should teach these people new things so they can work with the smart programs. Right now, some important people are talking about these smart programs in a big meeting. They are from all over the world. Some places are making rules for how to use these smart programs safely.

Original news source: AI to hit 40% of jobs and worsen inequality, IMF says (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Each team will take turns sending one member to act out a word or phrase related to the article. The rest of the team must guess what the person is acting out. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Each pair will take turns selecting a word or phrase from the article and drawing a picture to represent it. The other person must guess what the word or phrase is based on the drawing. The pair with the most correct guesses wins.

– News Summary
Instructions: Have the class work together to create a summary of the article. Each student will take turns sharing one sentence that summarizes a key point from the article. The class will work together to organize the sentences into a coherent summary.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Have the class discuss their opinions on the topic of smart computer programs changing jobs. Divide the class into small groups and give each group a list of questions to discuss, such as “Do you think smart programs will make some people have more money than others? Why or why not?” After the discussion, each group will share their opinions with the class.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Have the class think about the following question: “What are some ways we can help people who might lose their jobs due to smart computer programs?” Then, have students pair up and share their ideas with each other. Finally, ask a few pairs to share their ideas with the class.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What might happen to some jobs because of smart computer programs?
2. How many jobs could be changed by these smart programs?
3. What might happen to people’s money if they have a job in a place with lots of money?
4. What might happen to some people’s jobs if they can do their job better with these programs?
5. What does the money group say we should do to help people who might lose their jobs?
6. Who is talking about these smart programs in a big meeting?
7. What are some places doing to make sure these smart programs are used safely?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Some smart computer programs might (1)______ a lot of (2)______ soon. A big money group says these smart programs could change 4 out of 10 jobs. The boss of this money group says this might make some people have more (3)______ than others. If you have a job in a (4)______ with lots of money, these smart programs might change your job more. Some people might get more money because they can do their job better with these (5)______, but some might (6)______ their jobs.

The money group says we need to help people who might lose their jobs. They say we should teach these people new things so they can work with the smart programs. Right now, some important people are (7)______ about these smart programs in a big (8)______. They are from all over the world. Some places are making rules for how to use these smart programs safely.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What are smart computer programs?
2. How would you feel if a smart computer program changed your job?
3. Do you like the idea of smart computer programs changing jobs? Why or why not?
4. What do you think might happen if some people have more money than others because of these smart programs?
5. How do you think these smart programs can help people do their jobs better?
6. Do you think it’s important to help people who might lose their jobs because of these smart programs? Why or why not?
7. What new things do you think people should learn to work with smart programs?
8. Have you ever been to a big meeting where important people talk about something? How did you feel?
9. Do you think it’s a good idea for places to make rules for using smart programs safely? Why or why not?
10. How do you think smart programs could change the world?
11. What would you do if a smart program changed your job?
12. Can you think of any other ways that smart programs might affect people’s lives?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. programs
2. change
3. jobs
4. group
5. money
6. boss
7. teach
8. important
9. meeting
10. rules

Meanings:
(A) To make something different
(B) To show someone how to do something, like tying shoes
(C) Something that is very special or means a lot
(D) The person who is in charge, like a teacher in a classroom
(E) Instructions on what you can or cannot do
(F) The work that people do to earn things they need, like food and toys
(G) When people come together to talk about things
(H) What you use to buy things like toys and food
(I) Special games on a computer that can do many things
(J) A number of people or things that are together
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How many jobs could smart computer programs change?
(a) 4 out of 10
(b) 2 out of 10
(c) 6 out of 10
(d) 8 out of 10

2. What might happen to people’s jobs if they work in a place with lots of money?
(a) Their jobs might change more
(b) Their jobs might stay the same
(c) Their jobs might get easier
(d) Their jobs might get harder

3. What does the money group say we should do to help people who might lose their jobs?
(a) Give them more money
(b) Teach them new things
(c) Find them new jobs
(d) Ignore them

4. Who is talking about the smart programs in a big meeting?
(a) Regular people
(b) Young people
(c) Old people
(d) Important people

5. Where are the people from who are talking about the smart programs?
(a) Only in one country
(b) Only in one city
(c) All over the world
(d) Only in one company

6. What are some places making rules for?
(a) How to use the smart programs quickly
(b) How to use the smart programs safely
(c) How to use the smart programs slowly
(d) How to use the smart programs secretly

7. What might happen to people’s jobs if they can do their job better with these programs?
(a) They might get less money
(b) They might get a new job
(c) They might get more money
(d) They might get fired

8. What might happen to people’s jobs if they can’t do their job better with these programs?
(a) They might get a promotion
(b) They might get a raise
(c) They might get a new job
(d) They might lose their jobs

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Some people might lose their jobs because of these programs.
2. Some computer programs might not change jobs soon.
3. The money group says we need to help people who might lose their jobs.
4. If you work in a place with little money, these programs might not change your job more.
5. Some people might get more money because they can do their job better with these programs.
6. A group with little money says these programs could change 4 out of 10 jobs.
7. The boss of the money group says this might make some people have more money than others.
8. Some unimportant people from all over the world are not talking about these programs in a big meeting.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What might change a lot of jobs soon?
2. How many jobs could be changed by the smart computer programs?
3. What might happen to some people’s jobs if they work in a place with lots of money?
4. What do some people need to learn so they can work with the smart programs?
5. Who is talking about the smart programs in a big meeting?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What might happen to some jobs because of smart computer programs?
Some jobs might change or be replaced by smart computer programs.

2. How many jobs could be changed by these smart programs?
Four out of ten jobs could be changed by these smart programs.

3. What might happen to people’s money if they have a job in a place with lots of money?
People might have more money if they have a job in a place with lots of money.

4. What might happen to some people’s jobs if they can do their job better with these programs?
Some people might lose their jobs if they can do their job better with these programs.

5. What does the money group say we should do to help people who might lose their jobs?
The money group says we should teach these people new things so they can work with the smart programs.

6. Who is talking about these smart programs in a big meeting?
Important people from all over the world are talking about these smart programs in a big meeting.

7. What are some places doing to make sure these smart programs are used safely?
Some places are making rules for how to use these smart programs safely.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) change
(2) jobs
(3) money
(4) place
(5) programs
(6) lose
(7) talking
(8) meeting
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. programs
Answer: (I) Special games on a computer that can do many things

2. change
Answer: (A) To make something different

3. jobs
Answer: (F) The work that people do to earn things they need, like food and toys

4. group
Answer: (J) A number of people or things that are together

5. money
Answer: (H) What you use to buy things like toys and food

6. boss
Answer: (D) The person who is in charge, like a teacher in a classroom

7. teach
Answer: (B) To show someone how to do something, like tying shoes

8. important
Answer: (C) Something that is very special or means a lot

9. meeting
Answer: (G) When people come together to talk about things

10. rules
Answer: (E) Instructions on what you can or cannot do
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How many jobs could smart computer programs change?
Answer: (a) 4 out of 10

2. What might happen to people’s jobs if they work in a place with lots of money?
Answer: (a) Their jobs might change more

3. What does the money group say we should do to help people who might lose their jobs?
Answer: (b) Teach them new things

4. Who is talking about the smart programs in a big meeting?
Answer: (d) Important people

5. Where are the people from who are talking about the smart programs?
Answer: (c) All over the world

6. What are some places making rules for?
Answer: (b) How to use the smart programs safely

7. What might happen to people’s jobs if they can do their job better with these programs?
Answer: (c) They might get more money

8. What might happen to people’s jobs if they can’t do their job better with these programs?
Answer: (d) They might lose their jobs
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Some people might lose their jobs because of these programs. (Answer: True)
2. Some computer programs might not change jobs soon. (Answer: False)
3. The money group says we need to help people who might lose their jobs. (Answer: True)
4. If you work in a place with little money, these programs might not change your job more. (Answer: False)
5. Some people might get more money because they can do their job better with these programs. (Answer: True)
6. A group with little money says these programs could change 4 out of 10 jobs. (Answer: False)
7. The boss of the money group says this might make some people have more money than others. (Answer: True)
8. Some unimportant people from all over the world are not talking about these programs in a big meeting. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧