Read the passage carefully before attempting Exercise 1 (Multiple Choice) and Exercise 2 (Fill in the blanks dropdown) below.
A decade ago, artificial intelligence felt like a concept belonging to science fiction films — something remote, futuristic, and slightly threatening. Today, it has quietly embedded itself into the routines of billions of people. Whether you’re streaming music, applying for a bank loan, or simply unlocking your phone with your face, AI is already there, working in the background. What has changed isn’t just the technology itself, but the speed at which it has become invisible — so seamlessly woven into daily life that most people barely notice it at all.
The benefits are difficult to dismiss. In healthcare, AI systems have been trained to detect certain cancers from scan images with accuracy rates that match, and in some cases exceed, those of experienced specialists. In education, adaptive learning platforms adjust the difficulty of exercises in real time depending on how a student is performing, allowing learners to progress at their own pace rather than being constrained by a one-size-fits-all curriculum. Meanwhile, in urban transport, AI-powered traffic management systems in cities like Singapore and Amsterdam have significantly reduced congestion by analysing thousands of data points per second and adjusting signal timings accordingly. These are not minor conveniences — they represent genuine improvements in quality of life.
Nevertheless, the picture is far from entirely positive. Critics argue that the widespread use of AI in hiring processes, credit scoring, and law enforcement has introduced new forms of bias that are harder to challenge than human prejudice, precisely because they are hidden inside algorithms. If a recruitment system rejects your application based on patterns in historical data, you may never know why — and that lack of transparency is deeply troubling. There are also legitimate concerns about employment. Whereas previous waves of automation mainly displaced manual labour, AI threatens to affect white-collar professions too, from legal research to financial analysis.
Perhaps the most complex issue, however, is one of dependency. As AI systems take on more cognitive tasks — summarising information, drafting messages, planning schedules — there is a growing debate about whether we are gradually outsourcing skills we should be developing ourselves. Some researchers suggest that over-reliance on AI assistants could, over time, weaken our ability to think critically and independently. Others counter that every major technological shift, from the printing press to the internet, prompted similar fears that ultimately proved exaggerated.
What seems clear is that AI is neither a straightforward solution nor a simple threat. Its impact depends enormously on how it is designed, regulated, and used. The societies that will benefit most from this technology are likely to be those that engage seriously with the difficult questions it raises — rather than those that simply assume the answers will sort themselves out.
Exercise 1
Read the passage about the impact of artificial intelligence on everyday life carefully, then choose the best answer for each question based on the information given in the text.
Example: According to the text, which sector has been most transformed by artificial intelligence in recent years?
Answer: The healthcare sector has been most transformed by artificial intelligence in recent years.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Everyday Life
Think about the last time you asked your phone for directions, received a film recommendation, or noticed an unusually accurate advertisement. Behind each of these moments was artificial intelligence quietly making decisions on your behalf. Before you read, consider these two questions: In what ways do you already interact with AI without realising it? And do you think AI makes our daily lives genuinely better, or does it create new problems we haven't fully considered?
Reading Passage: The Invisible Assistant
A decade ago, artificial intelligence felt like a concept belonging to science fiction films — something remote, futuristic, and slightly threatening. Today, it has quietly embedded itself into the routines of billions of people. Whether you're streaming music, applying for a bank loan, or simply unlocking your phone with your face, AI is already there, working in the background. What has changed isn't just the technology itself, but the speed at which it has become invisible — so seamlessly woven into daily life that most people barely notice it at all.
The benefits are difficult to dismiss. In healthcare, AI systems have been trained to detect certain cancers from scan images with accuracy rates that match, and in some cases exceed, those of experienced specialists. In education, adaptive learning platforms adjust the difficulty of exercises in real time depending on how a student is performing, allowing learners to progress at their own pace rather than being constrained by a one-size-fits-all curriculum. Meanwhile, in urban transport, AI-powered traffic management systems in cities like Singapore and Amsterdam have significantly reduced congestion by analysing thousands of data points per second and adjusting signal timings accordingly. These are not minor conveniences — they represent genuine improvements in quality of life.
Nevertheless, the picture is far from entirely positive. Critics argue that the widespread use of AI in hiring processes, credit scoring, and law enforcement has introduced new forms of bias that are harder to challenge than human prejudice, precisely because they are hidden inside algorithms. If a recruitment system rejects your application based on patterns in historical data, you may never know why — and that lack of transparency is deeply troubling. There are also legitimate concerns about employment. Whereas previous waves of automation mainly displaced manual labour, AI threatens to affect white-collar professions too, from legal research to financial analysis.
Perhaps the most complex issue, however, is one of dependency. As AI systems take on more cognitive tasks — summarising information, drafting messages, planning schedules — there is a growing debate about whether we are gradually outsourcing skills we should be developing ourselves. Some researchers suggest that over-reliance on AI assistants could, over time, weaken our ability to think critically and independently. Others counter that every major technological shift, from the printing press to the internet, prompted similar fears that ultimately proved exaggerated.
What seems clear is that AI is neither a straightforward solution nor a simple threat. Its impact depends enormously on how it is designed, regulated, and used. The societies that will benefit most from this technology are likely to be those that engage seriously with the difficult questions it raises — rather than those that simply assume the answers will sort themselves out.
Key Vocabulary in Context
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| embedded | adjective / past participle | fixed firmly and deeply into something, often so that it becomes a natural part of it | Social media has become so embedded in modern communication that many people check it before getting out of bed. |
| seamlessly | adverb | smoothly and without any obvious joins, gaps, or problems | The two companies merged so seamlessly that customers barely noticed any changes. |
| adaptive | adjective | able to change or adjust in response to different situations or needs | The school introduced an adaptive reading programme that adjusts the level of texts based on each pupil's progress. |
| congestion | noun | a situation in which a place is so crowded or blocked that movement is slow or difficult | The new cycling lanes were introduced partly to reduce congestion in the city centre. |
| algorithm | noun | a set of rules or instructions that a computer follows in order to solve a problem or make a decision | The streaming platform uses an algorithm to recommend films based on your viewing history. |
| transparency | noun | the quality of being open, clear, and easy to understand, especially about how decisions are made | Voters demanded greater transparency regarding how public funds were being spent. |
| outsourcing | gerund / noun | giving a task or responsibility to an outside person, system, or organisation rather than doing it yourself | Some people worry that outsourcing our memory to smartphones is making us less mentally sharp. |
| over-reliance | noun | depending on something too much, to the point where it becomes a problem | Teachers have warned against over-reliance on calculators in early mathematics education. |
Reading Strategies & Comprehension Tips
Skimming for the Main Idea
Read the first and last sentences of each paragraph quickly. Notice that this article doesn't simply argue that AI is good or bad — it presents a balanced view. Identifying this balanced structure early will help you answer questions about the writer's attitude correctly.
Scanning for Specific Details
The passage contains specific examples — cities, fields of work, and research claims. When answering detail questions, scan for proper nouns (like Singapore and Amsterdam) or field-specific words (like healthcare or recruitment) to locate the relevant section quickly without re-reading everything.
Understanding Cause and Effect
Pay close attention to linking phrases such as consequently, because, as a result, and depending on. For example, the passage explains why algorithmic bias is particularly difficult to challenge — not just that it exists. Understanding these cause-and-effect connections will help you answer inference questions.
Recognising the Writer's Tone
The writer uses hedging language such as "seems clear", "likely to be", and "suggests". This signals that the writer is being careful and objective rather than making absolute claims. Noticing this language will help you identify the writer's stance accurately.
Common Reading Pitfalls & Traps
Confusing Examples with Main Arguments
The passage mentions Singapore and Amsterdam as examples of AI in transport. Be careful not to treat these as central claims — they are supporting evidence for a broader point about the benefits of AI in urban planning. Questions may test whether you can distinguish between main ideas and illustrative details.
Misreading the Writer's Position
Because the passage discusses both advantages and disadvantages, some readers incorrectly conclude that the writer is opposed to AI. In fact, the writer takes a cautiously optimistic but critical stance — acknowledging benefits while warning about risks. Avoid choosing answer options that suggest the writer is entirely negative or entirely positive.
False Friends: "Bias" and "Prejudice"
The passage uses both bias and prejudice — words that are closely related but not identical in this context. The writer argues that algorithmic bias is actually harder to challenge than human prejudice, not easier. A question may exploit this contrast, so read that paragraph closely.
Over-interpreting Hedged Claims
When the passage says AI accuracy in healthcare "in some cases" exceeds that of specialists, this is a carefully limited claim. Be cautious of answer options that turn this into an absolute statement, such as "AI is always more accurate than doctors" — that goes beyond what the text actually says.
Quick Summary
Now read the passage carefully and complete Exercise 1 (Multiple Choice) and Exercise 2 (Fill-in-the-gap dropdown) below.
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