Глотова Английский язык

3. Someone who knows nothing about computers asks you some questions:

1.What does “online piracy” mean?

2.What kinds of things are downloaded?

3.How does the file-sharing service work?

4.Why is piracy such a problem to film and music industries?

5.Is online piracy getting easier nowadays?

Speaking

4. Discuss with your group mates:

-Do you or your friends download music and films from the Internet without paying?

-Is it a form of stealing? How do you feel about it?

-What will happen to entertainment industries if piracy continues?

IV

LEGAL ACTION AGAINST A VIDEO GAME

A US Court is to decide if a popular video game should be removed from store shelves. The game Vice City concerns a cocaine dealer, Tommy Vercetty, who loses money in a drug deal and has to get his drugs and money back, but biker gangs, gangsters and corrupt politicians stand in his way. Vercetty’s mission involves committing violent and murderous crimes. In this game players can shoot people, beat them with baseball bats, kick them to death, run them over with stolen cars and get extra points for killing Haitians.

Haitian civil rights group brought the case against the makers of Vice City to the court demanding a total recall of the game. Rockstar Games, the New York company, made formal apologies to Haitian community and promised to remove offensive phrases from future copies of the game. But Haitian group insists on taking the game out of circulation. The mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, supports their side, saying that this case touches on a broader problem of “racism and violence propaganda among the youths”.

to remove – удалять deal - сделка

63

to commit a crime – совершить преступление violent – насильственный, агрессивный

to shoot – стрелять to kick – пинать

stolen – украденный (to steal – stole - stolen) extra points – дополнительные баллы

to demand – требовать

Vocabulary

1. Find in the text English equivalents of the following:

преступления, связанные с насилием и убийством, коррумпированные политики, гражданские права, затрагивать проблему, оскорбительные фразы, изъять из обращения, подать иск против кого-либо в суд, принести официальные извинения, поддерживать чью-либо сторону, настаивать на чем-либо.

2. Complete the table:

Reading

3. Answer the questions:

1) What is the storyline of the game?

2) Who brought the case against the makers of the game to the court? Why?

3) What does Haitian civil rights group insist on?

4) What was the reply of Rockstar Games?

5) Which side supports the mayor of New York and why?

4. Are the following statements true or false?

1) The main aim of the game is to kill Haitians.

64

2)Haitian group takes Rockstar Games company to court because it refuses to apologize.

3)Rockstar Games have agreed to make cuts in the game.

4)Haitian civil rights group demands total removal of the game from the shops.

5)The mayor of New York supports Rockstar Games protecting the freedom of speech.

Speaking

5. Discuss in groups:

-Have you ever played Vice City or similar games? Do you find them attractive and exciting?

-Are these games just entertainment? Do they make people more violent?

-Do you think video games, songs, books or magazines encouraging violence and racial hatred should be banned?

V

INTERNET INNOVATIONS

Phone technology and the Internet are changing so rapidly that we barely have time to get used to one new concept before it is immediately

replaced by another and becomes obsolete.

BROADBAND

What is it? A combination of the latest cable and radio technology means the huge amounts of electronic data can now be transmitted from computer to computer at extremely high speeds. It’s like changing from narrow pipe water delivery to a much broader pipe.

Benefits for the user: much faster, more reliable Internet connection; it’s turned on all the time (you pay a fixed sum and you don’t have to keep dialing up); you can do two Internet operations at the same time (e.g. collect e-mails and download a picture from the Internet).

WI-FI (short for “wireless fidelity”)

65

What is it? Computing without phone lines, similar to cordless phone technology.

Benefits for the user: the freedom to use your laptop or notebook without connecting it to a phone line (if you don’t go too far away from the wireless hub - the main unit that is connected to a phone line).

3G

What is it? “Third generation” mobile technology that is able to transmit data quickly to your phone.

Benefits for the user: access to the real Internet (not the mobileonly WAP network); ability to download music and video to your mobile.

Vocabulary

1. Match these technological words to their definitions.

2. Read the texts about Internet innovations and answer the questions:

1.Is broadband quicker than an ordinary Internet connection?

2.How do you pay for a broadband connection?

3.What are the advantages of wireless technology?

4.What are the limits of wireless technology?

5.What will you be able to do with 3G technology on your mobile?

Speaking

3. How do you think computer and Internet technology will develop over the next 50 years? Discuss with your groupmates.

66

VI

THE NETWORKED HOME

Talking fridges and intelligent central heating systems could become standard in houses all over the UK within a few years. The UK government announced that it is spending a budget of £40 million on new technology development over the next few years.

The fridges and central heating systems will be able to speak to a service centre when they need a new part or when there is a problem. They will be equipped with high-speed Internet access for that. Some of new types of fridges will also be programmed to inform the owner when they are running out of certain food items.

Televisions on wristwatch, the Internet on microwave ovens and DVD players on fridges will probably be the nearest future products. Scientists might also develop energy-saving systems to reduce bills and the harm to the environment. Research is already taking place to find out what the costs will be.

to announce – объявлять, сообщать to equip – оснащать

owner - собственник

to run out– кончаться, иссекать (о сроке, о времени) harm – вред, ущерб

research - исследование

Vocabulary

1.Find in the text the names of home electric units

2.Match the following words and combinations to their explanations:

conditions

Reading

3.Why is the text title “THE NETWORKED HOME”?

4.Are the following statements true or false:

1)The UK industry is going to produce new highly-technological products.

2)The money on new technologies will be given by private investors.

3)Home units and systems will use the Internet in order to connect with service centres.

4)Energy-saving systems can help save the environment.

Speaking

5. Imagine, it’s year 2050 now.

What units and gadgets are common at home, at an office? What functions do they perform?

How do they look like?

UNIT 7

SPORT AND LEISURE

IN THE UK AND USA

I

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

68

The Commonwealth is a voluntary organization of 54 independent countries who share a common history as part of British empire. The Commonwealth comprises the British countries (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Island) and the USA, Canada and New Zealand, Pakistan and Barbados, Zambia and Sri Lanka and other countries. The Queen Elizabeth is head of the organization. Today the Commonwealth works to advance democracy, human rights, social and economic development and promotes trade, science, health care and youths organizations in its member countries.

The Olympic-style Commonwealth Games are held every four years in a different member country. Known as the Empire Games until 1950, the first event was held in Hamilton, Canada in 1930. There were only eleven participating countries, and the sports included athletics, boxing, bowls, rowing, swimming and wrestling.

As happens for the Olympics, host countries usually build special new facilities for the Games. Manchester spent 20 years preparing for the 2002 Games and built a new 48,000-seat stadium which cost over £100 million. Luckily, the Games attracted around one million visitors to the city and were a financial success.

The Commonwealth Games have their own version of the Olympic torch ceremony. On Commonwealth day (May 11th) the Queen hands a baton (cylindrical stick) to an athlete. Then it is passed in a relay way to other athletes. They run through different Commonwealth countries until they reach the host nation. The baton is opened and the Queen’s message is read out at the opening ceremony of the Games.

voluntary - добровольный

to advance – двигать вперед, развивать to promote – продвигать, способствовать trade - торговля

to hold an event – проводить мероприятие to participate – принимать участие

host – хозяин, принимающая сторона facilities – удобства, оборудование torch – факел

to pass in a relay wayпередавать дальше по очереди, по зстафете

69

Vocabulary

1. Give synonyms to the following:

free, to comprise, leader, to advance, fortunately, case (incident).

2. Explain in English the meaning of the following words: voluntary, to promote, independent, host, facilities.

Reading

3. Are these sentences true or false?

1). The British monarch is the head of Commonwealth.

2)The Commonwealth Games take place every year.

3)The first games were in 1950.

4)England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Island compete as four separate countries in the Games.

5)48,000 people came to the Games in Manchester.

6)Commonwealth Day is in May.

7)Lots of different runners carry the Queen’s message to the host country.

Writing

4. Write a paragraph about one of your sport heroes. Mention their achievements at international events.

II

EXTREME SPORTS

     

sport is even illegal in some countries, including the USA.

Danger rating: 5/5

Reading

2. According to the website, which of the four sports:

1)is the most dangerous?

2)can be practiced on city streets?

3)needs you to control two pieces of equipment at the same time?

4)needs you to have experience in parachuting?

5)has a special move called “superman”?

6)is prohibited in some states?

Before you listen

3. Have you or you friends ever tried base jumping?

How do you think a person trying base jumping for the first time would feel?

Listening  7a

4. Listen to Paula describing her first experience of base jumping. Tick the things from the list that she mentions.

a.the location of the place where she jumped

b.the exact amount of parachuting she has done before

c.the exact amount of parachuting her friends have done before

d.how long it took them to climb to the ridge

e.why they chose that particular jump for her.

f.a difference between skydiving and base jumping

g.what injury her friend had

h.how long he had to stay in hospital

5.Listen again. Note down the exact details of the topics you ticked in ex.4.

6.Would you want to try any of these sports? Would you want to watch them as a spectator? Do you think they are really sports, or people who do them just crazy?

72