Technology Essay Practice Questions PDF

L34OP1-ARGUE31B Technology ◪ Dissect and analyse the essay questions ◪ Brainstorm and generate ideas ◪ Write topic sentences that clearly and consistently address the question ◪ Write body paragraphs with coherent explanation and evidence Today’s question: “Technology has made modern soc...

L34OP1-ARGUE31B Technology ◪ Dissect and analyse the essay questions ◪ Brainstorm and generate ideas ◪ Write topic sentences that clearly and consistently address the question ◪ Write body paragraphs with coherent explanation and evidence Today’s question: “Technology has made modern society a more dangerous place.” How far would you agree? 1 Stage 1: Keyword Analysis Look at today’s questions and identify the key words and any associations or implications that they have. Also, think about the “tension” in the question. Keyword Keyword “technology” “modern society” “Technology has made modern society a more dangerous place.” How far would you agree? Keyword “a more dangerous place” 2 Stage 2: Generating Ideas and Brainstorming 1. First, identify the topic keywords from the question by underlining or highlighting them. 2. Based on the topic keywords you have identified, recall at least 4-5 concrete examples related to the topic(s). 1 of them will be used for your introduction hook. 3. Using the examples you have brainstormed, generate the point the example can be used to prove. To do this, consider whether the example supports or opposes what is expressed in the question. 4. Now, it’s time to turn these examples into points for your essay. To do that, we need to craft topic sentences. 3 Stage 3: Essay Skill Focus - Topic Sentence An effective topic sentence should: Clearly state the main idea or argument of the paragraph that answers the question Be specific enough to give direction but broad enough to allow for elaboration Address the question’s keywords clearly Recall the question: “Technology has made modern society a more dangerous place.” How far would you agree? Exercise 1: Evaluate the various topic sentences below by suggesting how they can be improved, if necessary. Many people today use social media platforms extensively, which affects how they interact with each other daily, potentially altering traditional communication methods. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Technology has enhanced security measures across the globe, but these improvements often infringe on personal freedoms, shaping a world where privacy is undervalued. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The development of drones and automated guns by military contractors, like those used in recent conflicts in the Middle East illustrate how technology not only streamlines warfare but also reduces the barriers to initiating attacks, leading to ethical dilemmas about the ease of deploying such weapons. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4 Exercise 2: Come up with 3 of your own topic sentences Recall the question: “Technology has made modern society a more dangerous place.” How far would you agree? Hints to consider: 1. Think about specific technologies and the unique risks they introduce to modern society. For example, how does the rise of digital platforms increase vulnerabilities to misinformation, cyberbullying? 2. Think about certain features of technology that are new/unique to the present, relative to the past. What do these features enable people to do today, which they were not able to in the past? Hence, how is this feature dangerous? 3. Consider the scale and speed at which technology is developed and adopted today. Does the rapid pace of technological advancement allow for adequate time for understanding and mitigating potential risks? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5 Essay Skill Recap: Introduction An effective introduction should contain the following elements: A Hook – An opening example illustrating one aspect of the issue. A clear link should also be established back to the essay question at the end of the example. This can be done by summarising what the opening example illustrates or posing a rhetorical question that reflects the essay question. A Debate – Provide opposing points of view towards the question. This is to provide some background to the issue and establish why the issue is even worth debating. This is also known as establishing the tension in the question. Use clear signposting such as “While proponents of social media opine… , detractors advocate…” Thesis Statement – Provide a stand and state your reasons briefly. Ensure that the thesis statement is clearly signalled. For instance, students can say, “In light of the above discussion, it is my opinion that…” Exercise 1: Analyse the introduction provided below and suggest some areas in which it can be improved. In the conflict-ridden region of Gaza, the Israeli Defense Forces have employed an advanced AI technology, morbidly named “Where’s Daddy?”, to identify and track suspected militants, leading to precision strikes on their homes. While such technology showcases the remarkable potential of AI in military strategy, it also raises profound ethical concerns. Incidents of misidentification and the resulting civilian casualties starkly illustrate the dark side of our technological advancements. This complex interplay between innovation and danger prompts a broader, critical question: has technology, in its relentless progress, made modern society a more dangerous place? Detractors might point to the numerous technologies that have enhanced safety, such as improving emergency response times, aiding in crime prevention through predictive policing, and facilitating better coordination among law enforcement agencies. The pervasive deployment of advanced technologies has indeed made modern society more dangerous as the potential for misuse, the ethical dilemmas of ‘authoritarian-like’ surveillance, and the increased threat of cyber warfare create an environment where both physical and digital landscapes are fraught with unprecedented risks. 6 Useful Sentence Connectors Include the following elements of style in your writing. To place emphasis As a matter of fact, As a result, As expected, Consequently, On top of this, Evidently, Indeed, In addition, Additionally, Similarly, Undeniably, Moreover, So, Therefore, Hence, Surely, Undoubtedly, Certainly, Thus, Clearly, Furthermore, To connect ideas Given that In light of the fact that In view of the fact that, Assuming that Besides, Naturally, Taking into consideration that As a matter of fact, Truly 7  To provide contrast On one hand…on the other hand, In contrast, On the contrary, In comparison In spite of… Conversely, To provide objectivity Tend to Perhaps It has been observed that Possibly Generally, It is widely assumed that It seems plausible that It seems likely that It is worth considering that Your Task: Come up with an introduction and 3 PEEL paragraphs. You may use the topic sentences you have crafted above. You are also encouraged to conduct further research for relevant examples to help support your topic sentences. 8 Exemplar Essay Has technology made modern society a more dangerous place? Discuss. Introduction [Hook] In January 2015, the Twitter account of the US Central Command (Centcom) was hacked and pro-ISIS messages were posted on it. Twitter was one of the services highly recommended by ISIS in a technology security Set the context for the manual recently provided to WIRED magazine by researchers at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The manual question. was written in 2014 by Cyberkov, a Kuwaiti cybersecurity firm, to instruct journalists and activists in Gaza on how to protect their identities but was later found to be co-opted by ISIS. In addition to Twitter, ISIS uses Telegram, a Berlin-based encrypted messaging app. There, users can share an unlimited number of photos, videos and files to private groups (of up to 200 people) or channels (with an unlimited number of followers). [Debate] This phenomenon Set out the debate clearly highlights the security concerns that many people have today. Critics argue that technology has made modern society a (what are the main more dangerous place by accentuating existing threats such as terrorism. On the other hand, supporters of technology arguments?) argue instead that technology has made modern society a less dangerous place through technological advances that have made workplaces and the society at large safer. [Thesis] Having considered these perspectives, it is my opinion that technology has ultimately made modern society a less dangerous place. Provide a clear thesis 9 [Counter-argument – Technology harming the environment] Counter-argument [Topic Sentence] Critics of technology may argue that technology poses an environmental threat to society by T - Craft a topic sentence. accelerating the environmental degradation today. [Elaboration] Industrialisation coupled with technological advancement has adversely affected the environment. While the world continues to invest in technology to sustain the E - Be sure to elaborate on your development of its economies, environmental degradation has exacerbated. This is evidenced by the different topic sentence so that the contributing factors, ranging from pollution arising from chemical waste that farms and factories dispose of, and carbon reader understands what you emissions due to increased air travel, to the depletion of natural resources and ecological imbalances experienced mean. today. [Evidence] In 2018, the oil and gas industries spent an estimated $1.75 billion on AI — a sum that is projected to balloon to $4 billion by 2025. Hopping on to the bandwagon, big tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon and Google are E - Provide evidence or developing AI for oil companies, even as they publicly celebrate their sustainable initiatives. By capitalising on AI and its examples to support your machine learning capabilities, these companies seek to automate fossil fuel discovery and extraction. If successful, this explanation. Explain what the could mean an increase in man’s consumption of fossil fuels and a further strain on Earth’s already depleting resources. evidence is suggesting or [Link – How example(s) address the question] Hence, the pursuit of technological advancement causes the rate of emphasising. environmental degradation to occur at a much faster rate today than ever before. L - Provide a link that relates your evidence back to the main idea of the paragraph (the topic sentence). 10 [Supporting Argument 1 – Technology reducing risks undertaken by humans] Supporting Argument [Rebuttal] However, the entrance of technology into the workforce has also made workplaces safer. T - Craft a topic sentence. [Topic sentence] Technology has been able to optimise safety and minimise danger in the workplace. [Elaboration] Enhanced workplace monitoring processes, smart tech as well as drone deployment for pipeline monitoring have also E - Be sure to elaborate on your helped optimise workers’ safety, especially in the oil and gas industries. Robotic technology has also allowed human topic sentence so that the labour to bypass or avoid unnecessary danger in performing dangerous technical work, as well as, operate in reader understands what you environments and conditions where humans cannot. Moreover, they can take over jobs that are tedious and have a low mean. margin for error. These advancements have helped minimise dangers in the workplace. [Evidence] SmokeBot is one such technology. It is a robot that firefighter crews can send into flaming structures to monitor the progression of fires E - Provide evidence or and the damage caused. This robot creates interior maps firefighters can use later to find their way around the building. examples to support your It accomplishes this map-making feat with a combination of attachments including a thermal camera and gas sensors. explanation. Explain what the The U.S. Navy also has a firefighting robot that extinguishes flames on ships. That piece of equipment has arms that evidence is suggesting or can open doors or use hoses to help fight and control the fire. [Link – How example(s) address the question] Thus, emphasising. advances in technology have made modern society a safer place by minimising workplace hazards and enhancing the L - Provide a link that relates safety of workers. your evidence back to the main idea of the paragraph (the topic sentence). 11 [Supporting Argument 2 – Technology tackles crime more efficiently] [Topic sentence] Furthermore, technology has also made modern society a safer place by enabling more efficient ways to combat crime. [Elaboration] Modern technology has increasingly enabled governments and law enforcement agencies to combat and deter crime in a much more efficient manner. There have been many cases of police solving crimes based on tips from Facebook or Twitter posts. Technology today has enabled them to engage with the public at large and share useful information. [Evidence] In May 2018, Singapore’s Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam presented newly-developed technologies that would better equip the police to combat crime, at the Singapore Police Force's (SPF) annual workplan seminar at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. These include souped-up smartphones that allow officers to respond faster and more effectively to incidents, as well as call up key information on a case. The police smartphone will allow officers to receive real-time information on the ground 24/7. With the police smartphone, they will be able to perform the functions of calling, messaging and incident report filing all on one platform. The phones will also let officers access information on standard operating procedures on the go, en route to an incident and even while they are off duty. Some apps even allow policemen to quickly map out points of interest - like locations of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras - and identify uniforms of suspects. This will aid investigations. [Link – How example(s) address the question] Technology has thus increased the efficiency of combating and deterring crime, contributing immensely to public safety. [Conclusion] Conclusion In my final analysis, considering the massive positive impacts that technological advancement has had on the safety of Briefly summarise the modern society, my stand is that technology has made the world a less dangerous place today. [Additional points that have been commentary] Although technology does not discriminate between users, and people with ill-intent can utilise technology mentioned. as mediums to cause harm, many governments and big companies have invested huge sums of money into technological advancement for good causes. Since it appears unlikely that technological advancement will stop or slow down in the future, we should simply take heed of the potential limitations that technology might bring and actively seek to find ways Link to a wider suggestion/ to regulate them. This would perhaps then ensure that mankind continues to reap its benefits while simultaneously idea. avoiding its catastrophes. 12 Essential Reading Yes, technology has made society a more dangerous place 1. Technology has exacerbated crime The advent of the Internet has heralded the dawn of a new era in communications. Unfortunately, online technology has also given rise to cyber-crime. Cybercrime is a new form of illegal activity that can be committed anonymously and insidiously with little trace of evidence. Our interconnectedness has made us vulnerable to such attacks. Every single nation, community and individual can be subjected to cybercrime. As such, technology has made this world a much more dangerous (and sometimes even deadly) place to live in given the prevalence and various forms of cybercrime. Example: Cybercrimes (Scams) Credit card frauds and online scams have risen with the advent of technology. Criminals who are able to source for credit information can easily use other’s cards to purchase items online. Due to the affordances of anonymity digital technology offers, these fraudulent acts are hard to crack down. More than 800 people fell prey to e-commerce scams taking place at the online marketplace Carousell in 2017, amid an increased wave of online scams in Singapore. This number forms the majority of e-commerce scams – which involve victims making payment for online purchases that are not delivered to them - reported in Singapore. There were a total of 900 cases involving losses of $691,700 in the first six months of 2017. 2. Technological advancements damage the environment Industrialisation coupled with technological advancement has adversely affected the environment. While the world continues to invest in technology to sustain the development of its economies, environmental degradation has been exacerbated. This is evidenced by the different contributing factors, ranging from pollution arising from chemical waste that farms, and factories dispose, and carbon emissions due to increased air travel, to the depletion of natural resources and ecological imbalances experienced today. Example: China A pertinent real-world example of how technology has exacerbated environmental destruction is the situation in China. As the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, China has seen significant environmental degradation due to its rapid industrialisation and technological advancements. The country's heavy reliance on coal for energy production has led to severe air pollution, contributing to global warming and adversely impacting public health. Major cities like Beijing often experience smog so dense that it obscures visibility and poses serious health risks to residents. Additionally, industrial waste discharged into rivers and lakes has caused widespread water pollution, affecting aquatic life and rendering water sources unsafe for human consumption. 13 Other ideas to consider: Technological advancements has facilitated extremism and terrorism Example 1: ISIS utilising Twitter and Telegram for recruitment purposes Example 2: Social media spreading white supremacist ideology Technology has enabled large-scale devastation Example: Fukushima Disaster Technology threatens jobs Example: AI replacing the need for human labour Technological advancements have made the world a less dangerous place 1. Technological advancements have benefited the medical industry Technological developments in healthcare have saved countless patients and are continuously improving our quality of life. Not only that, but technology in the medical field has had a massive impact on nearly all processes and practices of healthcare professionals. Whether these advancements have improved the administrative processes in the medical sector or have given medical professionals the ability to detect diseases earlier, the fact that human life expectancy has gradually increased over the years is a testament to the effectiveness of technology. Example: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) MRI technology has revolutionised healthcare. There are more than 20,000 MRI scanners installed around the world performing around 50 million examinations every year. Around 304 NHS-owned MRI scanners in England carry out 2.3 million examinations every year, making a huge contribution to government targets for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. One of the main advantages of MRI is that unlike X-rays, it does not involve exposing the body to radiation and is therefore an important way of monitoring foetal defects in pregnancy. MRI scanners are used to speed up the diagnosis and recovery of patients suffering from conditions such as dementia and strokes. They are also used to identify damage suffered during heart attacks, or assess damage to cartilage, tendons and ligaments sustained in sports injuries. This example demonstrates how technology developed for fundamental physics many decades ago has underpinned the development of technology which has revolutionised healthcare around the world. 14 2. Technological advancements enable more efficient ways to combat crime Modern technology has increasingly enabled governments and law enforcement agencies to combat and deter crime in a much more efficient manner. There have been many cases of police solving crimes based on tips from Facebook or Twitter posts. Technology today has enabled them to engage with the public at large and share useful information. Law enforcement is also using biometrics for data security and identification to instantly identify individuals with criminal pasts. Other than this, electronic tag readers are being used to analyse licence plates on every vehicle for effective surveillance. HD security cameras and CCTV on every prime location are also proving to be highly advantageous in solving criminal cases and preventing mishaps. In sum, these applications have contributed immensely to public safety. Example 1: Smartphones In May 2018, Singapore’s Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam presented newly developed technologies that would better equip the police to combat crime, at the Singapore Police Force's (SPF) annual workplan seminar at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. These include souped-up smartphones that allow officers to respond faster and more effectively to incidents, as well as call up key information on a case. Robots on patrol can aid in the detection of suspicious activities, and handheld scanners will make it easier to take real-time 3D scans of crime scenes to help investigators. Example 2: Facial recognition Facial recognition technology has huge potential in the police’s weaponry against fighting crime, having analytics algorithms to process images in real time to make it much more effective. Eye detection software and motion and sensor technology are also being used to detect psychological and physical behaviour to tell if people are telling the truth. An Automated Virtual Agent for Truth Assessments in Real Time (AVATAR) is already being tested by the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) to help border security police to determine if travellers are coming into the country legally or for the right motive. Other ideas to consider: Technology made travelling safer and more efficient. Example 1: Global Positioning System (GPS) Example 2: Translation applications Technology made modern society a less dangerous place by completing risky tasks on their behalf. Example 1: Firefighting robots Example 2: Cleaning-up nuclear sites like Fukushima 15