Innovation
English Practice
Help with English for International students – reading practice.
Practice reading with these short texts and reading comprehension questions. Read the text and answer the question to confirm your understanding.
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Innovation
Dictionary Definitions:
(the use of) a new idea or method
“the latest innovations in computer technology”
from Cambridge dictionary
1 : a new idea, method, or device : novelty
2 : the introduction of something new
from Merriam-Webster
- She is responsible for many innovations in her field.
- the latest innovation in computer technology
- Through technology and innovation, they found ways to get better results with less work.
- the rapid pace of technological innovation
Business Innovation
Innovation is used in business to describe the process of creating new ideas to improve existing products or services, or a new business model which is creating a new way of doing something.
Examples of new business models would be Uber changing the taxi business, or Airbnb changing the accommodation industry.
Innovation could be in an organization such as working from home or for 4 days a week, a process like when companies changed their information systems to use cloud computing, or product innovation such as electirc power for vehicles rather than gas.
image source: reallygoodinnovation.com
Innovation - reading exercise
Read the following passage and answer the questions to help your understanding.
Innovation is the process of making changes to something by introducing something new. We can see innovation when people improve a product from an idea or create a new invention.
Things change over time, but innovation makes a complete change where the new approach, product or service is different from the existing one. It is not only different, but also better and gives value to the user.
In business, it is important to understand the needs of the customers. We can have ideas of how to improve our business with innovation, ways of changing the old way to a new way that is better. This helps our customers and allows our business to grow.
Some companies have a research and development (R & D) department where people develop innovative ideas. These ideas can come from customer’s feedback, such as in a survey. Innovation is not just important for companies but also for countries as it helps economy growth.
Innovation Questions
Please answer the following questions:
A. What is the name of the process when we introduce something new?
- Invention
- Idea
- Creation
- Innovation
B. How much change does innovation make?
- Very little
- Small
- Average
- Complete
C. What might be changed with innovation?
- approach
- product
- service
- all of the above
D. In business, what do we need to do with needs of the customers?
- See them
- Write them
- Understand them
- Hear them
E. Which answer(s) describes the benefits of innovation?
- it is better
- it gives value
- it helps our business grow
- all of the above
F. What does the ‘D’ mean in an R & D department?
- discovery
- department
- development
- all of the above
G. Which of the following is an example of a method to get new innovative ideas?
- Customer relations
- Customer feedback
- Customer care
- All of the above
H. What helps economic growth?
- Invention
- Ideas
- Innovation
- Creations