- •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.
Discussion
1 Are these sentences about the text true or false?
– You’ll still need a key to open the car door.
– You’ll no longer have a steering wheel.
– Sensors in the dashboard will measure your blood pressure.
– You won’t be able to fall asleep while driving.
– You won’t need to read traffic signs any more.
– You’ll still need good parking skills.
2 Which of the technical features described are already present in a car today, and which still have to be developed? Make a list.
Writing
1 Your boss sends you this email about the text «The car of the future». Write a reply.
Hi,
I read the attached article as part of my preparation for the forthcoming strategy meeting. The problem is I know very little about new technology. I’d like to know what you think of it as you are more involved in this area. Can you read it to me and let me know your opinion? Do you think the predictions are accurate? How far away from new technology are we?
Thanks for your help!
Chris
Feedback
1 Before you do the next task look up the meaning and pronunciation of the following words:
environmental awareness, to be environmentally-conscious, fuel consumption, recyclability, to manufacture, to be taxed, a speed limit, priority
2 Environmental awareness will become increasingly important in the future. How environmentally conscious are you?
1) A car’s fuel consumption is a key priority when I buy a car.
2) I consider the car’s recyclability when I decide which new car to buy.
3) I always find out if my car has been manufactured in a plant with an eco-audit.
4) Fuel should be highly taxed.
5) Introducing a speed limit on roads is a good idea.
You work in the economic and environmental issues department of a major car manufacturer. You have heard that the government plans to introduce a speed limit on motorways in the future to come in line with the rest of Europe. You are meeting to discuss whether or not to support this measure.
Group A. You are for introducing a speed limit. Brainstorm arguments in favour of the speed limit.
Group B. You are against introducing a speed limit. Brainstorm arguments against the speed limit.
Listening
Here are four comments about the future of cars. Match the speaker with the topic of their presentation.
a) the intelligent car of the future
b) telematics
c) new market possibilities in China
d) swivelling headlights
2 The vocabulary list below will help you to avoid difficulties of understanding.
telematics (n) – интегрированные средства обработки и передачи информации
swiveling (adj) – поворотный, вращающийся
headlights (n) – фары на передней части транспортного средства
joint venture (n) – совместное предприятие
convince (v) – убеждать, уверять
solid line (n) – сплошная линия
dotted line (n) – пунктирная линия
in favour of – в пользу
catch on (v) – завоевать популярность
Eleonora Gentile
Let’s now turn to new market opportunities. As you can see from the statistics here, the next big market is without doubt China. The level of car ownership is expected to rise to 50 million by the end of this decade. I’m absolutely certain that we need to expand operations in China now to meet this demand. There’s a good chance of forming a joint venture with the China Motor Company, and this is what I would like to look at in more detail. First of all, I’m going to show you a breakdown of the cost involved…
Uwe Schmidt
Let’s move on to the next slide. We are convinced there’s a good chance that we can increase sales by including swivelling headlights as standard equipment. The solid line represents sales with the headlights as standard. The dotted line indicates sales without, and the blue-coloured line shows potential sales with the lights as an optional extra. As you can see, offering the headlights as standard is clearly the best option. That’s why we think it’s highly probable that our main competitors will also follow this strategy.
Pascal Callabat
So, that brings me to the end of my talk today. It’s possible that you do not agree with all the points of view I presented today about the intelligent car of the future. You may feel afraid of the new technology and the fact that the car will make all the decisions that drivers now make. Let me conclude by saying there’s no doubt that the future means the end of driver self-determination in favour of the thinking car. Now, I’m sure you have some questions.
Cathy Epson
Hello. My name’s Cathy Epson from Elite Satallite. I’m here today to talk to you about the most significant development in driver comfort in the last ten years – telematics. I admit telematics has been slow to catch on, but we’re convinced that will change in the near future as a result of our new package. We are offering voice-activated navigation, constant traffic monitoring, and, of course, SOS assistance. I’d like you to sit back and relax while I show a short film which shows the benefits of our product.