4. Fill in the gaps.

1. British newspapers are very much different from each other in the way they ***news.

2. There are ***, which pay attention to sensational news and extraordinary events.

3. The popular press aims to *** its readers.

4. There are 9 national papers, which are published on ***.

5. Local newspapers are published *** or *** a week.

1. Find the words and expressions that mean:

   1. A newspaper which is published every day - ***

   2. A serious newspaper - ***

   3. A newspaper, which usually entertains its readers - ***

   4. A special colour magazine which is published on Sundays - ***

   5. A newspaper which reports local news - ***

2. Match the two halves.

1. to report 2. to pay attention 3. entertains it readers rather 4. newspapers are 5. the editors are allowed

a) to extraordinary events. b) privately owned. c) news. d) considerable freedom of expressions. e) than inform them.

Mass media. Internet.

TOPICAL VOCABULARY

-access; -accessible; -apparition; -average; -certificate; -compile; -demerit; -to dilate; -dimension; -disparity; -eloquent; -emergence; -entangle;

-to expound; -eyestrain; -fraction; -to imbibe; -limitation; -novice; -on account of; -to pop up; -quantity; -telephony; -unworthy of; -virtual; -to wander;

1. Read the following text and extract necessary information.

The Internet – a Brilliant Source of Information or a Menace to Our Health?

I am sure some people will consider my essay boring, needless, unworthy of reading; but some may find it rather useful, as it deals with the problem of people facing technology and devoted to them…

Internet is a network connecting many computer networks and based on a common addressing system and communications protocol called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). From its creation in 1983 it grew rapidly beyond its largely academic origin into an increasingly commercial and popular medium.

Today the Internet is becoming one of the most important parts of our life, so people are divided into exponents and adversaries of the World Wide Wed (WWW). I suppose that it’s an important problem to discuss; and the aim of my essay is not to make some persons change their mind about the topic, make them think of it and discuss it.

First of all it’s necessary to expound people’s positions.

The exponents of new technology believe that the Internet carries only “pluses”, that’s partly true from my point of view. The capabilities of the WWW can affect the wildest imagination. Like some kind of sponge, the Web imbibes the most important, useful, modern services: after telephone ensues the queen of video and TV, electronic business, banking. We shouldn’t also forget about many people who are working in the Web: system administrators, owners and developers of sites, servicemen who provide proper work of computer on-line and sites. Today the Internet coverts to the unified universal communication surroundings. Lots of people can’t imagine their life without it: as I’ve said using the Web people get aquatinted, interact (chat, conference, ICQ); even the employment of human speech is welcome. Lots of Net shops and auctions as well as banks appeared in the WWW; also many real-time games and tons of useful information (from research systems) are available. Today the Internet is accessible even for the blind: special monitors and keyboards have been developed.

Others think only about the negative sides of the Web, first of all connected with the health: the vision may decline, different measles of the back or joints may appear, foe example. Some people may become nervous, lose their contacts with people surrounding them: they lose their conception of real life. Hackers arouse lots of troubles: the Internet hooligans are interfering in lots of programmes, breaking computers, dilating viruses, breaking open even federal governmental sites.

So it’s people’s choice to decide whether to use the Internet or not, but it can’t be denied. As for me, I think that the WWW will do no harm if you realize that communication with your relatives and friends is necessary and earnest as well, problems with health can be avoided by introducing some reasonable limitation.

2. Discuss the following problem points.

1. Today computers play an important part in our lives. Because of computers, our lives are easier and better in so many ways. Can you list five different uses of computer technology?

2. If you have ever tried the Internet, what does it mean to you? Say if it’s a good or bad thing.

3. You can make friends on the Internet and find groups of people with the same interest and hobby. What special interest groups would you like to check out in the Internet? Why?

4. Speak about the possibilities of the Internet as a wonderful sources of learning. Think of the ways it might be used by people of different occupations.

5. With the coming of the Internet some government control and censorship over it is almost impossible. Dwell upon the problems that might come from the freedom of the Internet.

6. In the course of time people get addicted to computer games and the Internet. This addiction begins to interfere with people’s health. Share your opinion if it’s really inevitable to be caught in the Net and how to find some rational amount of time to be spent on it. What makes computers so addictive?

3. Role play. Imagine that you are a group of scientists working on home automation. Make a list of your ideas for home automation appliances. Describe these new devices.