Welcome to "The Internet"!
Hey everyone! Ready to dive into a topic we use every single day? This chapter is all about The Internet. We're not just going to talk about memes and videos (though they're great!). We'll be exploring how the internet and social media affect our lives, and we'll learn the English skills you need to discuss these topics clearly and confidently. This is super important for your HKDSE exams, especially for group discussions, reading comprehension, and writing tasks. Let's get started!
Section 1: Must-Know Internet Vocabulary
To talk about the internet, you need the right words! Don't worry if some of these are new. We'll go through them step-by-step. Try to use them in your own sentences!
General Internet Terms
Browser: A program you use to access websites.
Example: I use Google Chrome as my browser to search for information.
Download / Upload: To download is to copy something from the internet to your device. To upload is to copy something from your device to the internet.
Example: I need to download the form, fill it in, and then upload it to the school portal.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The address of a webpage.
Example: Can you please send me the URL for the news article?
Social Media Lingo
Platform: A type of social media service.
Example: Instagram is a popular platform for sharing photos.
News Feed: The updating list of stories and posts in the middle of your social media homepage.
Example: My news feed is full of my friends' holiday pictures.
Go Viral: When a post, image, or video spreads very quickly and widely online.
Example: That video of the cat playing the piano is expected to go viral.
Algorithm: A set of rules that a social media platform uses to decide what content to show you.
Example: The YouTube algorithm recommends videos based on what I have watched before.
Cyber Security Words
Phishing: A scam where fake emails or websites try to trick you into giving away personal information, like passwords or credit card numbers.
Example: I received a phishing email that looked like it was from my bank, but it was fake.
Malware: Software designed to damage your computer or steal your data.
Example: You should install anti-virus software to protect your computer from malware.
Cyberbullying: Using the internet to harm or frighten another person, especially by posting mean or threatening things.
Example: Cyberbullying can have a serious negative impact on a young person's mental health.
Fake News: False information presented as real news. It's also called misinformation or disinformation.
Example: It's important to check sources before believing and sharing stories, as fake news spreads easily online.
Key Takeaway
Learning these words is your first step to success! They are the building blocks for understanding texts and expressing your own ideas about the internet. Try to review them often.
Section 2: Discussing Social Media - The Pros and Cons
Social media is a huge part of life, but is it all good? In your exams, you might be asked to discuss the advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at both sides of the coin.
The Good Stuff (The Pros)
1. Connection and Community: Social media helps us stay in touch with friends and family, especially those who live far away. It also allows people with similar interests to form online communities.
Example: I use Facebook to see what my cousins in Canada are doing.
2. Access to Information: It's a fast way to get news and learn about what's happening in the world. Many people get their news updates from platforms like Twitter.
Example: During the typhoon, I got real-time updates from the news agency's social media page.
3. Raising Awareness: It can be a powerful tool for social change. Campaigns for charity, environmental protection, or social justice can reach millions of people quickly.
Example: The online campaign helped raise a lot of money for the animal shelter.
The Not-So-Good Stuff (The Cons)
1. Cyberbullying: The anonymity of the internet can make some people feel brave enough to post hurtful or abusive comments.
Example: He felt very upset after reading the mean comments people left on his photo.
2. Unrealistic Expectations: People usually only post their best moments, which can make others feel like their own lives are not good enough. This can lead to low self-esteem.
Example: Seeing influencers on perfect holidays all the time can create unrealistic expectations about life.
3. Addiction and Wasted Time: The endless scrolling can be addictive. Many students find they spend hours on social media when they should be studying.
Example: I lost track of time and spent three hours scrolling through my news feed.
4. Privacy Concerns: We often share a lot of personal information online, which could be misused by companies or hackers.
Example: It's important to check your privacy settings to control who can see your posts.
Language for Discussion
When you discuss pros and cons, use these phrases to structure your arguments!
Introducing an advantage:
A major advantage of social media is...
One of the main benefits is that...
On the one hand, it allows us to...
Introducing a disadvantage:
However, a significant drawback is...
A serious disadvantage is that...
On the other hand, it can lead to...
Key Takeaway
Social media is a tool. It can be used for good or bad. For your exams, it's important to understand and be able to explain both sides of the argument. Being balanced shows critical thinking!
Section 3: How to Suggest Solutions to Online Problems
It's not enough to just identify problems like fake news and cyberbullying. You also need to be able to suggest solutions. This is a very useful skill for both writing and speaking.
Problem 1: Fake News
How to suggest solutions: Use modal verbs like should, could, and must to give advice and make suggestions.
To combat fake news, social media platforms should invest more in fact-checking technologies.
Schools could teach students critical thinking skills to help them identify false information.
As responsible users, we must always check the source before sharing an article.
Problem 2: Cyberbullying
How to suggest solutions: Use phrases like "One possible solution is..." or "It is crucial that..." to sound more formal.
One possible solution is to make it easier for users to report abusive content.
Another approach could be to promote a culture of kindness and respect online.
It is crucial that parents and teachers talk to young people about the impact of cyberbullying.
Quick Review: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Be careful with the words advice (noun) and advise (verb).
Incorrect: My teacher gave me some good advise.
Correct: My teacher gave me some good advice. (noun)
Correct: My teacher will advise me on the project. (verb)
Did you know?
Some researchers suggest having a "digital detox" - a period of time where you stay away from all electronic devices - can help reduce stress and improve focus. A simple solution to digital addiction!
Key Takeaway
When suggesting solutions, state the problem clearly and then offer a practical idea using strong suggestion language. Think about what different groups of people (e.g., the government, schools, individuals) can do.
Section 4: Workplace Communication - Writing a Memo on Cyber Security
Sometimes you need to write more formally, especially in a work or school context. A memorandum (or memo) is a short, official note used for internal communication. Let's learn how to write one about an important internet-related topic: cyber security.
What is a Memo?
Think of it as an official, formal message sent to a group of people within the same organisation. It's not a chat message! It needs to be clear, professional, and straight to the point.
The Structure of a Memo
A memo always has a standard format. It's easy to remember!
1. Heading: This part is crucial. It must include four things:
- TO: Who the memo is for (e.g., All Staff, Head of Department)
- FROM: Who wrote the memo (e.g., Pat Chan, IT Manager)
- DATE: The date the memo is sent
- SUBJECT: A short, clear title of the memo's content (e.g., New Password Policy)
2. Opening: The first sentence should state the main purpose of the memo directly. Don't waste time with small talk.
3. Body: This is where you explain the situation, provide details, and give reasons. Use short paragraphs or bullet points to make it easy to read.
4. Closing/Call to Action: The last part tells the readers what you want them to do. It should be a clear instruction or request.
Sample Memo: Cyber Security Reminder
Let's look at an example. This directly relates to the syllabus activity about writing a memo on cyber security.
--- Start of Sample ---
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Staff
FROM: Chris Wong, Head of Administration
DATE: 25 October 2023
SUBJECT: Urgent Reminder: Strengthening Cyber Security at the Workplace
(Opening: The purpose is stated clearly in the first sentence.)
This memo serves as an urgent reminder for all staff to follow company guidelines on cyber security to protect our data.
(Body: This part gives details and explains the problem.)
Recently, there has been an increase in phishing emails targeting our industry. These emails often look official and ask for your login details. To avoid security breaches, please remember the following:
- Do not click on suspicious links or download unknown attachments.
- Our IT Department will never ask for your password via email.
- Use strong, unique passwords for all your work accounts.
(Closing/Call to Action: This part tells staff exactly what to do.)
If you receive a suspicious email, please forward it to the IT Department immediately and do not reply to it. Your cooperation is essential to keeping our network secure.
--- End of Sample ---
Language Focus: Formal and Professional Tone
Use these phrases to make your memo sound professional:
- This is to inform you that...
- Please be advised that...
- It has come to our attention that...
- All staff are required to...
- Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Key Takeaway
Writing a memo is a practical skill. The most important things are the correct format (TO/FROM/DATE/SUBJECT) and a clear, direct message. Always keep your audience and purpose in mind.