1 Which type of computer is appropriate in the following sentences?

1 I've got all my friends' addresses on my...............I can just pop it into my

shirt pocket; it's so convenient.

2 I've bought a new................... It's about the size of an A4 sheet of paper and

it only weighs 3 kilos.

3 .............computers are small and light but the screen and keyboard are not

very big and can be awkward to use.

4 I can't imagine not having a................computer at home; I've got so used to

it. It's like another piece of furniture now.

2 Here are some other words and phrases connected with computers. Not all of them are on the opposite page. Fill the gaps in the sentences. Use a dictionary if necessary.

computer nerd analogue thumbhan icon

Screensaver trackpad techie footprint

1 There arc some good pictures of the Olympic Games on that sports website.,You can look at ..............pictures and then click on them to see the full-size version.

2 My younger brother's a real ............ . He never goes out, and all he ever

thinks about is, computers, computers.

3 I'm a bit of a...............really; I love getting the latest mobile phone or the

newest digital camera.

4 ................... video cameras cannot match the versatility and quality of digital

cameras.

5 He has a really cool ……which is a picture of planets, comets, stars and things all rushing towards you.

6 This new printer's got a smaller ……than the one I had before, which is

good, since my desk is not very big.

7 Just click on that................ there to open the program.

8 I don't really like this ……on my laptop; I'd prefer a proper mouse.

3 Based on a on the opposite page, what types of technology would you associate with the following?

1 a round the world yachtsman/woman trying to establish his/her exact position

2 a designer creating a new type of computer keyboard which would be more efficient

3 a scientist producing a new type of wheat which does not need to be sprayed against insects

4 a camera that does not use film

5 a computer that could make decisions for itself

*********************

A Technology of the future

smart buildings	computer-controlled buildings where things like lighting, heating, security, etc. are completely automatic; the adjective smart can be used for anything that is fully automatic, making its own decisions (e.g. a watch, a credit card, a camera, dishwasher, cooker)
virtual reality	computer-generated experiences that feel like the real thing; the adjective virtual can be used for any experience you can have without leaving your computer (e.g. a virtual university/supermarket)
interactive TV	TV set where you can choose exactly what to watch and when, and which can also be used as a computer for the Internet, etc.; the adjective interactive can be used for anything where the communication between you and the machine is two-way (e.g. interactive video: you do not just watch it, you can also send your own pictures)
interplanetary travel	travel to planets in outer space
e-commerce	doing business via the Internet

В The environment and nature

A doomsday scenario for the environment sees a world choked with pollution where man* plants and animals have become extinct, [the worst possible prediction]

Traffic in cities may become gridlocked. [unable to move at all]

Genetic modification may be used to change fruit and vegetables so that they grow better. [changing genes]

However, many people object to the idea of genetically modified (or GMf food.[food created by changing the genes of the ingredients]

Genetic engineering [making artificial changes to the genetk structure of organisms] and ; gene therapy [changing genes in order to prevent disease or disability] will be used to j eradicate diseases, thanks to our knowledge of the human genome [the 'map' or index of all the genes in a human being].

Designer babies may be possible, [babies whose genetic characteristics are artificially created]

Cloning of animals, and even human beings, may become common, [making a genetic identical copy]

C Society and people

The breakdown of the traditional family structure has already occurred in some countries. In future, the nuclear family may no longer be the main type of family unit, and more loosely defined relationships will develop. Communications and trade will be globalised. Globalisation will also affect our relationships, how we mix and work with people, and the world will become a global village. We may even make contact with extraterrestrial beings. The gulf between rich and poor nations will widen if we do not do something about it.

Exercises