CP: AT&T: The Company Behind the Telephone

Class Plans
Featured Image

Set the Scene:

Let’s start with some engaging questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of the activity. Please take a moment to think about and discuss the following questions:

  • How do you think the world would be different if the telephone had not been invented?
  • Can you think of a time when you relied on a telephone or a similar communication device to connect with someone or access important information?
  • How do you think the invention of the telephone impacted the way people communicate and conduct business?
  • Have you ever heard of Alexander Graham Bell or AT&T before? What do you know about them?
  • How do you think the development of telephone technology has influenced other areas of technology, such as the internet or mobile devices?

Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:

Take a look at the featured image at the top of this page. What do you see in the image? What do you think this activity will be about based on this image? Please discuss your thoughts and predictions with your partner or group.

Introduction:

Now, let’s read the introduction to the activity. Please take a few minutes to read the text and understand the context of the activity.

Video Engagement:

Watch the video associated with this activity, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T58NGMrUp0M. As you watch the video, please pause at the following points and discuss the questions with your partner or group:

  1. Pause at 2:00 minutes: What do you think was the most significant challenge faced by Alexander Graham Bell when he invented the telephone? How do you think he overcame this challenge?
  2. Pause at 5:00 minutes: How do you think the development of the telephone impacted the way people communicate and conduct business? Can you think of any examples from your own life where you have used a telephone or a similar communication device to connect with someone or access important information?
  3. Pause at 8:00 minutes: What do you think was the role of AT&T in the development of telephone technology? How do you think the company’s actions and decisions impacted the industry as a whole?

For more information about the activity, please visit the original post at https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/att-the-company-behind-the-telephone/.

Key Vocabulary:

Let’s review some key vocabulary related to the activity. Please match the term with its definition and example usage:

Term Definition Example Usage
Alexander Graham Bell Scottish-born inventor credited with inventing the first practical telephone. Alexander Graham Bell made the first phone call on March 10, 1876, revolutionizing communication.
AT&T American Telephone and Telegraph Company, a leading telecommunications company. AT&T became the backbone of the Bell company, providing service across the nation.
Bell Laboratories A research and development organization that was the central research arm of AT&T. Bell Laboratories was set up in 1925 and became a leading scientific institute, responsible for Nobel Prize-winning works.
Bell System The system of companies that provided telephone service in the United States, dominated by AT&T. The Bell System was broken up into seven independent companies, known as the “Baby Bells,” in 1982.
Monopoly A market structure in which a single company or group owns all or nearly all of the market for a given product or service. AT&T developed a monopoly on long-distance phone service, leading to anti-trust concerns and eventual breakup.
Anti-trust Laws and regulations designed to promote competition and prevent monopolies. The government’s battle with AT&T culminated in an 8-year court case, ending with the breakup of the AT&T network due to anti-trust grounds.
Telecoms Market The market for telecommunications services, including telephone, internet, and television. AT&T faced questions over its control of the telecoms market, leading to agreements and rulings aimed at limiting its monopoly.
Long-distance Operations Telephone services that connect callers over long distances, often across different regions or countries. AT&T’s long-distance operations eroded due to new legislation and the development of fiber optics.
Fiber Optics A technology that uses thin glass or plastic fibers to transmit data as light signals. The development of fiber optics contributed to the erosion of AT&T’s long-distance operations.
Wireless Services Telecommunications services that use wireless technologies, such as cellular networks or satellite communications. Today, AT&T focuses on wireless services and has become the second-largest cellular provider in the US.
Acquisitions The act of one company buying or taking control of another company or asset. AT&T has made notable acquisitions, including DirectV in 2015, and plans to acquire Time Warner.

Vocabulary Quiz:

Test your understanding of the key vocabulary by completing the following quiz:

  1. Which word means ‘a person who gives money to a business or project in order to make a profit’?
    • A) Inventor
    • B) Financier
    • C) Operator
    • D) Investor
  2. What does ‘indefinite’ mean in the context of Alexander Graham Bell’s patents?
    • A) Lasting for a fixed period of time
    • B) Limited to a specific area
    • C) Having no end or limit
    • D) Requiring regular renewal
  3. What is the term for ‘a company that has complete control over a particular market or industry’?
    • A) Monopoly
    • B) Oligopoly
    • C) Duopoly
    • D) Free Market
  4. What does ‘anti-trust’ mean in the context of AT&T’s business practices?
    • A) Against the formation of trusts or monopolies
    • B) In support of trusts or monopolies
    • C) Related to the trust of customers in a company
    • D) Concerned with the trust between business partners
  5. What is the term for ‘a small company that is formed from a larger company that has been broken up’?
    • A) Parent Company
    • B) Subsidiary
    • C) Baby Bell
    • D) Spin-off

Answer Key:

  1. B
  2. C
  3. A
  4. A
  5. C

Grammar Focus: