Unit 31: Smart Cities: The Future of Living
Warm-up and Vocabulary
Welcome to the future, Unit 31! Imagine a city where the traffic lights never make you wait, and the streetlights turn on only when you walk by. This is a ‘Smart City.’ It sounds amazing, right? But… is it safe? Or is it a little creepy? In this Reading unit, we are not just reading facts. We are learning to read the Author’s Mind. Is the writer a fan of this technology, or do they hate it? We will learn to find the ‘Stance’ (the opinion) hidden in the text. Let’s decode the message!
Vocabulary List
Read the list below carefully. You will need these words to identify the author’s opinion.
- Smart City: A city that uses technology and sensors to manage resources and traffic.
- Stance: The author’s attitude or opinion about a topic (Positive, Negative, or Neutral).
- Efficient: Working well without wasting time or energy.
- Surveillance: Closely watching people (usually by cameras or police).
- Privacy: The right to keep your personal life secret.
- Sustainable: Good for the environment; eco-friendly.
- Invasive: Going into someone’s private space without permission.
- Benefit: A good result; an advantage.
- Drawback: A bad result; a disadvantage.
- Optimize: To make something as good or fast as possible.
Activity 1: Let’s Discuss
Look at the questions below. Think about your answers or discuss them with a partner.
- Do you use Google Maps or other Digital Maps to avoid traffic? How does the app know where the traffic is?
- Would you like to live in a house that talks to you (e.g., “Good morning, I made coffee”)? Why or why not?
- If there were cameras on every street corner watching you for “safety,” would you feel safe or spied on?
Decoding the Author’s Opinion (The Traffic Light System)
Authors don’t always say “I like this” or “I hate this.” They use specific words to show their feelings. To find the Stance, imagine a Traffic Light:
1. The Green Light (Positive / Supportive)
The author wants you to “Go” with this idea. They think it is good.
- Clue Words (Adjectives): Amazing, Essential, Innovative, Safe, Convenient, Efficient, Sustainable.
- Clue Verbs: Improve, Solve, Help, Save, Benefit.
- Grammar Clue (Modals): They use “We must…” or “We should…” (Encouraging action).
- Example: “We must build smart cities to save the planet.”
2. The Red Light (Negative / Opposing)
The author wants you to “Stop.” They think it is bad or dangerous.
- Clue Words (Adjectives): Risky, Dangerous, Invasive, Expensive, Scary, Problematic, Unfair.
- Clue Verbs: Threaten, Violate, Destroy, Waste, Harm.
- Grammar Clue (Modals): They use “This could fail…” or “We cannot allow…” (Warning).
- Example: “These cameras threaten our privacy and violate our rights.”
3. The Yellow Light (Neutral / Objective)
The author is just reporting the facts. They are like a news reporter.
- Clue Words: Numbers, Dates, Names, Places.
- Style: No emotion words. They say “is” or “was,” not “is amazing” or “is terrible.”
- Example: “The project cost $5 million and started in 2024.”
Summary Table:
| Stance | Tone | Key Signals to Look For |
| Supportive | Happy / Hopeful | Excellent, Best, Solution, Hope |
| Opposing | Angry / Worried | Worst, Problem, Fear, Trap |
| Neutral | Calm / Factual | Data, Statistics, Definitions |
Skill Practice
Complete the following 4 exercises.
Exercise 1: Word Search
Exercise 2: Matching Definitions
Exercise 3: Fill in the Blank
Exercise 4: Identify the Stance
Read the short sentence. Does the author Support (Positive), Oppose (Negative), or remain Neutral (Fact only)?