Vocabulary

to dig (dug-dug) – копать

conquer – завоевать

to broadcast – вещать (по радио, ТВ )

“shuttle” train – «челнок»

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

1. What did people dream about for a long time?

2. Who planned to conquer England with the help of a tunnel?

3. What were the first attempts to dig and construct a tunnel?

4. How long is the tunnel?

5. Why is a special radio station needed in the tunnel?

3. What do people think about computers?

Clare (18): I really enjoy using my computer. It is so interesting. I can make new friends and chat with them on the Internet. Now I have two close friends from Italy and Canada. Next summer we are going to meet in Paris and spend a week together visiting museums and painting. Painting is our hobby. Besides, the Internet helps me in my studies. I can find the necessary information and ideas on the Internet and then use it in my work.

Jason (13): I am learning how to use the computer. It is very important for me because I want to be a computer programmer. I enjoy playing computer games. It is so exciting. Sometimes I am lucky and sometimes I am not, but I hate losing and try my chances again.

Mr. O’Neal (their father): Computers offer wonderful opportunities for everybody. However, I think that young people spend too much time using computers. They do not have time (and sometimes wish) for communication with their relatives and friends. They have no time for reading, sport and other traditional hobbies. Computers are dangerous and addictive.

Mrs. O’Neal (their mother): I hate computers. Children sit in front of them for hours. It is bad for their eyes. They cannot stop playing cruel and silly games. They become nervous, angry and tired. Computers are a waste of time. Children use them only for games and don’t really learn anything.

Vocabulary

addictive – вызывающий привыкание

cruel – жестокий

silly – глупый

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

1. What do you use the computer for?

2. In what way does it help you?

3. Do you think that “computers are a waste of time”?

4. How to make children stop playing cruel and silly games?

5. What is negative in using computers to your mind?

4. Hackers

With the development of technology in the 21^st century, it would be really difficult to imagine life without computers. They are a source of information, education and entertainment. But today’s world of computers can also be quite frightening and dangerous. This is because of people who use computers for illegal purposes. They are called hackers.

Hackers spend their time playing with computer data in all parts of the cyber space. Much of what they do is not dangerous, but sometimes their activities break the law, for example, when they break the websites, take control of computers or create viruses. They are especially interested in breaking through the security of military websites.

Hackers know how to trick people just using their programs. They use the “Troyan Horse”, a program that looks perfectly safe, but actually contains something destructive. The only way of not getting into trouble is not to open it.

Although they can get serious punishment if they are caught, most hackers still think that what they do is a game. They often meet at festivals to take part in discussions, share their experiences, meet other hackers and generally to have a good time. These meetings are organized in well-known places like Las Vegas or Berlin. However, what the hackers do at such festivals is a secret and often many of their activities take place at night.

Recently, hacking has started to increase. Hackers are getting into computer systems and stealing or destroying information. It is certain that there will be a lot more of this high-tech crime in the twenty- first century.