- •Science and technological progress
- •Vocabulary
- •Vocabulary practice
- •2 Fill in the blanks using a word or word combination from the following list:
- •3 Fill in the correct word derived at the end of the sentence.
- •Discussion
- •Public opinion poll
- •Reading
- •Work on the text
- •1 Ask each other questions based on the text. Do it in pairs.
- •2 Answer the following questions using the information from the text or from any other sources.
- •Summary 1
- •Summary 2
- •Reading (ib)
- •1 Read the passage as fast as possible. From the four titles presented below choose the one which better expresses the main idea. Explain your choice.
- •Reading (ic)
- •2 Read carefully the second paragraph of the text and say a few words about the possible fields of investigation in the 21st century.
- •3 Read the passage carefully and find answers to the following questions.
- •4 Look through the passage and find English equivalents for the following Russian phrases.
- •5 Topics for discussion.
- •Reading (1d)
- •Work on the text
- •1 Look through the passage and find English equivalents for the following Russian phrases.
- •2 Examine each paragragh of the text above carefully and find answers to the following questions.
- •3 Look through the passage and fill in the blanks with the proper information. In some cases grammatical changes are necessary.
- •Supplementary reading
- •1 Answer the following questions.
- •2 Make a report about the houses described in this article paying attention to their shape and the materials they are made of.
- •Uses of the internet
- •Work on the text
- •1 Ask each other questions based on the text. Do it in pairs.
- •2 Tell the group whether these statements are true or false.
- •Shaping the future
- •Discussion
- •1 Read the following and discuss the likelihood of the predictions using the expressions in the box.
- •2 Which of these technologies would:
- •4 Complete the sentences with one word from the boxes. Then finish at least five with some predictions of your own concerning business, politics, the environment, leisure or life in general.
- •5 Read out the predictions you made in 4 to the rest of the group. Be prepared to support your views. Reading
- •1 Skim the extracts and match the extracts with the people.
- •2 Read the extracts for the second time and match the extracts with each speaker’s attitude towards technology, listed a – h.
- •The futurists
- •1 What are the latest trends and developments that you know or have heard about?
- •3 Team up with people from the other group. Explain your choice of titles, summarise what you read and discuss possible implications and opportunities for:
- •Listening
- •4 Listen to six business people’s opinions on the issues in 3 and compare your views. Choose one extract you like most. Explain why? Speaker 1
- •Speaker 2
- •Speaker 3
- •Speaker 4
- •Speaker 5
- •Speaker 6
- •For and against
- •1 Work in groups. Read one of the texts about modern technologies. Share your ideas with your partners.
- •2 Discuss the technology you’ve read about with the other group. Compare them according to:
- •3 Work in 3 groups. Read one of the extracts and make a short presentation of it.
- •4 Team up with the people of the other group and discuss possible technological implications and opportunities for:
- •Writing
- •1 Read the following and write an essay, giving your opinions on the statement.
- •Feedback
- •1 Share your opinion about the unit on the following:
- •2 Summarise your information (use the essay). Supplement
- •1 Read the following vision of the future. Then summarise and present the themes in your text to a partner.
- •2 Discuss the following questions in pairs or small groups.
- •1 Read the following vision of the future. Then summarise and present the themes in your text to a partner.
- •2 Discuss the following questions in pairs or small groups.
- •Innovations in transport
- •1 Read the text.
- •2 Answer the questions.
- •Reading and comprehension
- •Learn the meaning of the following words:
- •Read the text about electric cars and answer the questions below.
- •Reading and comprehension
- •3 Answer the questions.
- •4 Are these sentences about the text true or false?
- •5 Here are notes on the main points of “The Train with No Wheels”. Make full sentences and write a paragraph using the conjunction.
- •Future trends of a modern car warm up
- •1 Discuss the point how future-oriented you are.
- •2 Do this quiz. Answer the questions? Choose the variants that suits you more and find out your prospects.
- •Reading and comprehension
- •1 Study the meaning of these words so that you can understand the text better.
- •Try and guess the meaning of the following derivative and compound words:
- •Read the text about the car of the future and do the tasks that follows.
- •Discussion
- •Writing
- •Feedback
- •Listening
- •3 Complete the sentences.
- •4 Which speaker is:
- •5 Match words from the two columns to make expressions from the texts.
- •Speaking
- •1 Complete the table with these phrases used to talk about the future.
- •2 Work with your partner. Prepare a short presentation on one of these topics.
- •Reading and comprehension
- •1 Go through the vocabulary below to avoid difficulties of understanding:
- •2 Answer the following questions:
- •Supplement texts for reading
- •Contents
- •Технический прогресс
- •246653, Г. Гомель, ул. Кирова, 34.
Shaping the future
The best way to predict the future is to invent it. Alan Key, director of research at Apple |
WARM UP
Using the information from the text make up your own suggestions about the possible innovations that may happen in the future.
Tired of walking your dog and finding its hair everywhere? Sony’s robotic dog, AIBO, may be for you.
AIBO is a totally autonomous robot capable of hearing and seeing, sensing balance and touch. Eighteen specialized motors allow such dog-like motions as rolling over, scratching, playing dead, and chasing a pink ball. Like a puppy, with time and training AIBO develops perfect movements and unique behavior patterns. Programmed to seek companionship, AIBO simulates emotions like happiness, surprise, and anger and is clever at responding to verbal commands.
Discussion
1 Read the following and discuss the likelihood of the predictions using the expressions in the box.
It’s already happened. According to this, it should’ve already happened, but it hasn’t so far. I suppose it’s inevitable. It’s bound to happen sooner or later. It might just happen. It’s pretty unlikely in the foreseeable future. I can’t see it happening in my lifetime. It could never happen. There’s no way it could happen. It’s pure science fiction. |
BTEXACT TECHNOLOGIES 2001
The future is hard to predict but one thing is certain – in the distant future the world will be a very different place. The technology timeline is produced to give BT researchers and managers a view of what the operating environment may be like at any future date, so that our products and services can be better targeted to the needs of the customer. Not all these technologies will be successful in the marketplace. Some won’t ever be implemented at all, but as the rest come on stream, our lives will improve in many ways. |
|
Innovation |
Date expected |
– Designer babies – Cars with automatic steering – 25 % of TV celebrities computer-generated – Insect-like robots used in warfare – Academic study unnecessary in the age of smart machines – First manned mission to Mars – Space hotel for 300 guests – Electronic pets outnumber organic pets – Fully functioning artificial eyes – Holographic TV – Virtual reality used extensively in retirement homes – Emotion control devices – Robots physically and mentally superior to humans – First Bionic Olympics – Direct human-to-computer brainlink – Moonbase the size of a small village – Time travel invented – Faster-than-light travel |
– 2005 – 2008 – 2010 – 2010 – 2013 – 2015 – 2015 – 2020 – 2024 – 2025 – 2025 – 2025 – 2030 – 2030 – 2030 – 2040 – 2075 – 2100 |
BTexact Technologies |
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