Progress Test Files 1-5 A

Progress Test Files 1-5

Grammar, Vocabulary, and Pronunciation A

GRAMMAR

VOCABULARY

PRONUNCIATION

Reading and Writing A

READING

Scientists have been developing smart clothing for medical purposes for some time, but now we’re beginning to see it coming onto the market with a wider variety of uses. While it hasn’t become popular just yet, it’s likely we’ll all be wearing smart clothing soon. Why? Because it allows technology to be part of our clothing whatever activity we’re doing. Here are just a few examples. Sports A few years ago, we were all attaching smartphones, watches, and pedometers to our bodies to monitor our fitness and sporting performance. But the days of checking a device every few minutes at the gym are over. In future, your sports clothing will collect all the data you need, leaving you to concentrate on your performance. The newest technology features sensors which are fitted into your sports clothing. It can perform various tasks such as monitoring your heart rate and breathing, tracking the movement of your muscles, and counting the number of calories you’ve burned. Your data appears on a smartphone app which then designs your own personalized training programme. Another invention which is likely to become popular is clothing which allows you to practise activities like yoga without an instructor. Specially designed fitness leggings have technology in them which vibrates at key points such as the hips, knees, and ankles. These are programmed to direct your movements, helping you get into the correct position, which prevents you from injuring yourself.

Many people spend a large part of their week commuting to and from work. Several technology companies are working on creating ‘connected clothing’ to make that regular journey easier and more enjoyable. One particularly appealing commuter jacket has sleeves with built in sensors which are both touch and gesture sensitive. This allows the wearer to interact with online services during their commute, including maps and entertainment apps. They can use hand or arm gestures to get directions or dismiss phone calls without actually getting a phone out of their pocket. Similarly, a smart business suit has been developed. It is fitted with ‘smart buttons’ which allow the wearer to swap digital business cards, or engage with their smartphone, during business activities. Fashion A particular appeal of smart clothing is that it can be both stylish and practical. An innovative design team has developed a material which contains sensors that react to temperature and movement, and then respond by heating or lighting up. So, if it’s cold, your footwear will become warm, and when it gets dark, your jacket will light up to ensure that you remain visible in traffic. The lightweight material works as a sensor which can be fitted to any clothing like a label. It contains metal inks which can conduct electricity. These inks connect to a battery and generate heat or light when they are required. Unsurprisingly, this new smart material has attracted the attention of several big clothing brands.

Smart clothing is not only useful and fashionable, it can allow its wearer to make money too. The sensors in your outfit can gather large amounts of data as you go about your daily life. This data is valuable to clothing brands because they can use it to develop better advertising. The clothing brands give wearers tokens, which can be used to purchase more products, in exchange for their data. Clever clothes that look great and can earn you money too, isn’t that what we’ve all been waiting for?

Reading total 15

WRITING

Listening and Speaking A

LISTENING

what each person says they regret or don’t regret doing. Use the letters only once. There are three extra letters you do not need to use. A accidentally upsetting another person B causing an accident C letting another person make an important decision D making a decision without thinking carefully about it E a decision which has cost them money F neglecting a person they cared about G missing an important deadline H getting married Speaker 1: [ ] Speaker 2: [ ] Speaker 3: [ ] Speaker 4: [ ] Speaker 5: [ ]

old clothes / help Chloe shop more ethically online.

SPEAKING