I. PRE-READING (10 POINTS)
A. Complete the table with the headings, subheadings, and visual titles/descriptions from the text. Provide at least 2 entries for each column.
| Headings | Subheadings | Title/Description of Visuals |
|---|---|---|
|
Are We Too Dependent on Technology? The Cost of Forgetting. Automation and Its Consequences. The Future of Human Memory. |
Who Needs Knowledge? Are There Business Costs of Being Too Dependent on Technology? Digital Amnesia Getting Real About Technology |
An image of a person using multiple digital devices at once. A diagram showing brain activity with and without GPS use. A visual representation of digital data storage replacing human memory. An infographic about technology’s impact on cognitive functions. |
B. Fill the table with information that you already know about the topic (K), you wonder about the topic (W), and you will learn after reading the text (L). Fill the L Column after reading the text. Provide at least 2 entries for each column.
| K | W | L |
|---|---|---|
|
Technology can make our jobs or tasks more easier. We use technology for many different things in many different ways. Smartphones are used for many things. |
How does technology affect us? What can happen to us if we depend too much on technology? What are the long-term effects of technology dependence? |
Over-reliance on technology has led to a decline in our cognitive ability. Digital amnesia is a real phenomenon that has evidence to support it. |
II. READING ANALYSIS
A. Fill the table with specific details from the text and inferences that can be drawn from it. Provide at least 2 entries for each column.
| Details from the Text | Plausible Inferences |
|---|---|
| A 2017 study by researchers at University College London (UCL) claims that when using automated systems to memorize directions and guide us, the hippocampus and other brain areas used to think of different routes are "switched off." | Depending on technology can lessen our use of our brain causing our cognitive ability to be weakened. |
| The two most costly words in business are “I forgot.” That’s according to memory optimization expert and CEO of Kwik Learning, Jim Kwik. | Memory is very crucial when it comes to business. |
| However, an inevitable side-effect of using robotics to perform surgery is that existing surgeons may start to “lose their touch” when it comes to operating on patients directly. | Depending on technology can also affect us physically. |
B. Figure out the meaning of the technical term from the text. Write the technical term, indicate the clue from the text, and use the term in your own sentence. Provide at least 2 entries for each column.
| Technical Term | Context Clue | Use each technical term in a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hippocam pus |
In an enlarged part of the brain called the hippocampus. | Studies show that the hippocampus plays a key role in memory. |
| 2. Digital Amnesia | A phrase first coined by Kaspersky in a study of the phenomenon in 2015. | Digital amnesia is a growing concern that everyone should be aware of. |
| 3. GPS technology | Using automated systems to memorize directions and guide us where we need to go . | I’m using GPS technology to know the direction I need to go to. |
| 4. Cognitive Map | London taxi drivers develop an impressive cognitive map evident on an MRI scan. | Cognitive maps help people navigate unfamiliar places without relying on GPS. |
| 5. Digital Deluge | Our 200,000-year-old brains are overwhelmed by and outsourced to exponentially improving technologies. | Digital deluge of information makes it harder for people to retain important knowledge. |
C. Supply the missing information below:
1. Topic of the text:
The dependency of modern society on technology and its potential effects on
cognition, memory, and business efficiency.
2. Writer’s opinion about the text’s topic:
While technology improves efficiency, over-reliance may weaken cognitive abilities and
essential skills.
3. Support for writer’s opinion (e.g., evidence such as facts, testimonies, examples, etc.):
a. A 2017 UCL study found that relying on GPS reduces hippocampus activity,
affecting memory and spatial awareness.
b. Kaspersky’s 2015 and 2019 studies revealed increasing digital amnesia,
as people forget important information due to easy online access.
c. Jim Kwik, a memory expert, argues that dependence on digital tools
leads to cognitive decline.
III. POST-READING (10 POINTS)
A. Answer the following rhetorical analysis guide questions.
1. What credentials does the author have which give him/her the authority to write
about the topic of the text?
Terry Brown is a technology writer with experience analyzing digital trends and
their societal impact. His expertise in IT and emerging technologies supports his
discussion on the consequences of tech dependence.
cognition, memory, and business efficiency.
2. After considering the author’s profession and affiliation, what possible biases
the author might have about the topic?
Since the author writes for IT Chronicles, there might be a bias toward presenting
technology in a critical light to generate discussion and caution readers. However,
the use of studies and expert opinions adds credibility to his claims.
3. What is the purpose of the text, and how does the author accomplish that purpose?
What evidence does the author use to support the main idea in the text?
The purpose of the text is to make readers aware of the risks of over-dependence
on technology while acknowledging its benefits. The author uses studies, expert
opinions, and real-world examples to highlight the impact on memory, business,
and cognitive functions.
4. What specific idea/information in the text challenges or surprises you? Why?
I was surprised to learn that relying on GPS can actually reduce hippocampus
activity. I never considered that using navigation apps frequently could have a
long-term effect on brain function.
5. Is the style of writing suitable for the intended audience? Is it too formal
or too casual? Why?
The writing style is well-balanced—informative but not overly academic,
making it accessible to a broad audience. It provides research-based insights
while keeping the language clear and engaging, which makes the topic more relatable.
Quick Links
This is the PDF Link: Reading-Process-Worksheet.pdf
