Write a card, read a poem, take fewer photos: how to feel more human in 2026

This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.

Might

However

To allow ((someone) to do something))

To suffer

Likely

To distract (someone)

To reduce (something)

Anxious

To reveal (something)

To stick (to something/ someone)

To shrink

To cut down (on something)

To tend to (do something)

To thrive

To wander

Daunting

To overhear (something/ something)

To sustain (something/ someone)

To defeat the point/ purpose (of something)

Fleeting

Chances are

To dwarf (something/ someone)

To do something at your peril

Needn’t

To carve (something) out

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1.       What was said about ‘take out your headphones’?

2.       What was said about ‘make better introductions’?

3.       What was said about ‘talk to people outside your generation’?

4.       What was said about ‘say it with handwriting’?

5.       What was said about ‘read – and share – poetry’?

6.       What was said about ‘avoid technical shortcuts’?

7.       What was said about ‘taking fewer photos’?

8.       Which of these ideas do you strongly agree with?

9.       Which of these ideas do you think it utter nonsense?

10.     Do you think its ok for people to use headphones in the house?

11.     Do you think that handwriting is a pointless skill that schools shouldn’t bother focussing on?

12.     Do you prefer to speak or remain silent when you buy goods and services?

13.     Have you ever been moved by a poem?

14.     Have you ever spied on someone on social media before you met them? Do you think this is common?

15.     ‘Altruism puts the brain in one of the most pleasurable states it can be.’ Do you agree?