1.20 Life in the 22nd Century

What will life be like in the 22nd century? Recently there have been many predictions about how everyday life will change. Some of these predictions are already coming true. Today we look at the top five inventions which as scientists say will soon be in our homes.

You'll never need to worry about housework again with the clever home robot. This robot will clean your house whenever it feels it is necessary - and it can tell the difference between things accidentally left on the floor, such as a sock and ordinary rubbish. Sounds too good to be true? Well, scientists at the Future Corporation are already developing a prototype.

The second home innovation is a computerized washing machine.

This machine uses electricity to clean clothes rather than water, so it's good for the environment as well as cheaper to run. In addition, it can clean and dry clothes much more quickly than a conventional machine - and you don't have to iron them!

Have you ever heard of intelligent furniture? Well, the third innovation is just that chairs and tables will adjust their height to make you more comfortable! This intelligent furniture can also select music, send email messages and adjust the lighting in a room.

We've often seen the third innovation in films about the future. Well, now it's going to be in every intelligent home. If you haven't already guessed, it's the virtual reality machine. This three-dimensional "screen" will replace your computer or digital TV screen. You'll be able to use it for hologram meetings at work or to play three-dimensional computer games.

Finally, robot helpers, similar to R2D2 in Star Wars, will soon be protecting your home from burglars, as well as helping with the housework. This versatile robot will be able to recognize spoken commands and can play games with you, too. (1531)

Задание 1 Назовите 5 новинок, которые вскоре появятся в наших домах:

Задани е 2 Ответьте на вопросы:

1. What housework will robots be able to do?

2. What will computerized washing machine use instead of water?

3. What will intelligent furniture be able to do?

4. In what films have you seen anything similar to such robots?

Part II

2.1 Tina Turner

A It was January 1988 and at the Maracana Arena in Rio the atmosphere was electric. 180,000 people were waiting to see the star of the show. She was a 49-year-old grandmother, but one of the biggest rock stars in the world. The audience went wild as she stepped onto the stage and they heard the voice of Tina Turner.

B Annie Bullock was born in November 1939 in Brownsville, Tennessee, USA. Her parents abandoned Annie and her sister and the two girls grew up with relatives in St Louis. The two girls became singers and in 1956 Annie joined Ike Turner's band. Ike and Annie were married two years later and Annie changed her name to Tina Turner.

C Ike and Tina Turner made a lot of records together. Their first big hit was "River Deep, Mountain High". They had successful concert tours in the United States and in Europe. However, the marriage was not happy and in 1976 Ike and Tina were divorced.

D For the next four years Tina had a hard time. She started singing in clubs again on her own. Then in 1981 she joined a concert tour by the Rolling Stones. Recording contracts followed and she had huge international hits with records such as "What's Love Got To Do With It?" and "We Don't Need Another Hero".

E Tina Turner's early life was very hard, but she survived. In spite of her problems she never gave up. This is typical of her. She is always positive and even when things are not going well, she keeps smiling. Now she is one of the biggest rock stars of all time with millions of fans around the world. (1246)

Задание 1 Выберите заголовок для каждого абзаца:

1. Her solo career - D

2. Her early life -

3. Her biggest ever concert -

4. Her career with Ike Turner -

5. Her personality - E

Задание 2 К какому абзацу подходят эти утверждения:

1. - She had four children to support and very little work. - D

2. - She had an older sister called Alline.

3. - It was Ike's idea to change her name to Tina.

4. - No singer had ever sung to a larger audience before.

5. - She always laughs and tells jokes.

6. - Her parents left her when she was very young.

7. - Tina and Ike had concerts in Britain.