Units 11 & 12 Exam & Skills Test Audio script

1, 2.

Track 10

Presenter: Good evening and welcome to Technology Phone-In. I'm Dave Denby and today we're looking at how our everyday lives have been changed by the Internet. We want you to call in and tell us if your life has been affected by the Internet and whether you think this has been a good or a bad thing. I think we have our first caller on the line. Hello.

Jennifer: Hello, Dave.

Presenter: Hello there. What's your name and where are you calling from?

Jennifer: My name's Jennifer and I'm calling from Manchester.

Presenter: Hi, Jennifer. So what's your opinion of the Internet?

Jennifer: Well, I'm not very confident with technology and, until last year, the Internet wasn't used very often in my house at all!

Presenter: So what happened last year?

Jennifer: My daughter Sarah moved to Australia with her husband and two children. Now we use the Internet every day to stay in touch with her. Sarah has created a blog and all the family photographs and messages from my grandchildren are posted on it. It's a fantastic way of keeping up to date with family.

Presenter: And can your grandchildren use the Internet too?

Jennifer: Oh, yes. They're expert Internet users. I think it's a great idea for young children to learn how to use technology … Anyway, in my opinion, the main advantage of the Internet is that families are being brought closer together.

Presenter: OK. Thank you very much, Jennifer. What a nice way to use the Internet. Now, let's talk to our next caller, Martin in Bristol. Hello Martin.

Martin: Hello Dave.

Presenter: So how has the Internet changed your life Martin?

Martin: Well, for me, the Internet has completely replaced the telephone. I don't use the normal telephone any more. When I want to talk to my friends, I use my computer and my webcam. It means I can talk to my friends and see them at the same time.

Presenter: That sounds much better than the telephone.

Martin: It is and, actually, it's cheaper too! So, for me, communication has been made cheaper and easier by the Internet.

Presenter: OK. Thank you Martin. Now let's move on to line three where I think Paul is waiting to speak to us. Hello, Paul?

Paul: Hi Dave.

Presenter: Where are you calling from Paul?

Paul: I'm calling from London.

Presenter: OK Paul, what have you got to say about the Internet?

Paul: Well, I agree with Jennifer and Martin - the Internet is a fantastic tool and has been one of the most important technological advances of the last hundred years.

Presenter: Right. And has your everyday life been affected at all by the Internet?

Paul: Well, yes, of course. I think everybody's life has been changed by the Internet. For me personally I use the Internet to access music. I can now buy and download all my favourite music whenever I want.

Presenter: So the Internet makes listening to music easier?

Paul: Yes, that's right. But it also gives us more choice. Music that isn't available in shops can be found on the Internet and downloaded at the click of a button. So we can listen to music from all over the world.

Presenter: Well, thanks very much Paul. You certainly are enthusiastic about the Internet. Now to our final caller, Louise, who is on line two. Where are you calling from Louise?

Louise: Hi Dave. I'm calling from Leicester and I'm sorry but I really don't agree with the last three callers.

Presenter: That's OK Louise. Do you want to explain why?

Louise: Well, because anyone can put anything they like on the Internet. It isn't controlled so the information on the Internet is often wrong and sometimes things on the Internet are offensive and dangerous.

Presenter: Dangerous? In what way?

Louise: Well, small children use the Internet and there are some images that can frighten or disturb them. I think that the government should check and control everything that's on the Internet.

Presenter: Oh, I see. So do you use the Internet at all Louise?

Louise: I certainly don't use it, no.

Presenter: Well, thank you Louise. If you have an opinion about the Internet and want to tell us about it, give us a call …

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