Y05W20VC Theme Words — Technology in daily life

This module focuses on vocabulary connected to the theme of technology in daily life. The words in this set are used when discussing digital tools, screens, communication, and the ways technology shapes how people live and learn. Many of these terms appear in media literacy, STEM, and persuasive writing. Building fluency with this vocabulary helps students engage critically with technology-related topics.

Word in Context (Theme: Technology in daily life)

These three words connect to the theme of Technology in daily life. Read each one carefully and think about how it helps you explain the topic more clearly.

digital

/ˈdɪdʒɪtəl/

dig‑i‑tal

adjective

Something that is digital exists or works in an electronic form, using computer technology.

Word family: digitally (adv.)

Example: Many students now submit their assignments through a digital platform rather than on paper.

Synonyms: electronic, online, computer-based

Collocations: digital technology, digital device, digital world

device

/dɪˈvaɪs/

de‑vice

noun

A device is a piece of equipment or technology designed to perform a particular function.

Example: Each student was issued with a personal device to use for research and classwork.

Synonyms: gadget, tool, instrument

Collocations: a digital device, a smart device, use a device

interact

/ˈɪntərækt/

in‑ter‑act

verb | [interact – interacted – interacted]

To interact means to communicate or work together with others, often through a shared activity or system.

Word Breakdown: inter- (prefix meaning ‘between’)

Word family: interaction (n.), interactive (adj.)

Example: The programme allowed students to interact with peers from schools in other states.

Synonyms: communicate, engage, connect

Collocations: interact with, interact online, interact face to face

Academic Vocab

plan

/plæn/

plan

verb | [plan – planned – planned]

To plan means to think ahead and decide what you will do and how you will do it.

Word family: planning (n.), planner (n.)

Example: She planned each step of the project carefully before she started writing.

Synonyms: prepare, organise, outline

Collocations: plan ahead, plan your work, plan the steps

organise

/ˈɔːɡənaɪz/

or‑gan‑ise

verb | [organise – organised – organised]

To organise means to arrange things in a clear and logical order so they are easy to use or follow.

Word family: organisation (n.), organised (adj.)

Example: He organised his information into three clear sections before writing his report.

Synonyms: arrange, sort, structure

Collocations: organise your work, organise information, well organised

sequence

/ˈsiːkwəns/

se‑quence

noun

A sequence is a set of events, steps, or items arranged in a specific order.

Word family: sequential (adj.)

Example: She followed the sequence of steps on the screen to set up her new account.

Synonyms: order, series, set

Collocations: in sequence, the correct sequence, a sequence of steps

arrange

/əˈreɪndʒ/

ar‑range

verb | [arrange – arranged – arranged]

To arrange means to put things in a particular order or to make plans for something.

Word family: arrangement (n.)

Example: She arranged the information cards in order before typing them into the document.

Synonyms: sort, organise, set out

Collocations: arrange in order, arrange a meeting, arrange your ideas

order

/ˈɔːdə/

or‑der

noun

Order refers to the way things are arranged so that everything is in the right place or sequence.

Example: The instructions were displayed in order from the first step to the last.

Synonyms: sequence, arrangement, organisation

Collocations: in order, correct order, put in order

first of all

/ˈfɜːst əv ɔːl/

first of all

phrase

‘First of all’ is used to introduce the most important point or the first step in a sequence.

Example: First of all, make sure you have saved your document before you close the programme.

Synonyms: firstly, to begin with, above all

Collocations: first of all, consider; first of all, it is important; first of all, students should

Confusing Words

desert vs dessert

These two words look similar and are easy to mix up, but they have completely different meanings.

  • desert — Desert' (one 's') is a noun referring to a large, dry, sandy area with very little rainfall — for example, The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world.
  • dessert — Dessert' (two 's') is a noun referring to the sweet course at the end of a meal — for example, She chose a fruit salad for dessert after the main course.

Memory rule: A helpful trick: 'dessert' has two 's' letters because it is so delicious you always want more. If you are talking about something sweet after a meal, use 'dessert' with two 's'.