Unit 6. Scientific and technological progress. Modert technologies Text 1. Modern technologies

Vocabulary

It goes without saying that life was much more difficult before technology had developed as much as it has now. When it took two weeks for a letter to reach Australia, you couldn't keep in touch with people easily. Or just travelling from your home to another town a few kilometers away could take hours. And if you didn't live in a big city, you didn't have much information because there was no television or the Internet.

We have seen major technological advances over the last twenty years and the next twenty years or so are going to be equally exciting. I believe that in the not-too-distant future, we won't have to carry our mobile phones around but will implant them somewhere in the body — maybe in our teeth or in our shoulders. I think that we won't have cash or credit cards any longer. It will mainly be digital money. And supermarkets will probably have iris recognition systems, so the money for our groceries will automatically be transferred from your bank account into the supermarket's bank account as you're standing at the checkout. Many people say it's science fiction but I think it's our future. Soon we'll all have more time for our hobbies and interests because robots will do all the work for us! I'm sure that new technology will change our lives for the better.

However, we must admit, that technological progress has its drawbacks. For example, cars pollute our atmosphere. There is a lot of radiation from TVs, computers, mobiles and other electronic devices. Moreover, technology makes us lazy! Many teenagers would rather spend their free time in front of their computer than meet their friends. As a result, they don't have enough exercise and are getting fat. That's not healthy at all.

As for me, I'm a fan of modern technology. Now, with computers and e-mail we never have to lose contact with any­one. We can travel from one place to another quickly and safely. What's more, because of television, everyone has information about the world around them. I can't imagine my life without technology. Of course, we've got things like a TV, a video play­er, a computer and different kitchen appliances such as a microwave oven and a dishwasher. But most of all I enjoy my new mobile because now I can always stay-in touch. I never go anywhere without it! I use it all the time and send about twenty text messages every day! To sum up, I want to say that techno­logy has definitely made our lives easier and we couldn't live without it!

Answer the following questions:

1. Can you imagine your life without modern technology? 2. Does technology make our life easier? 3. Do you think we rely too much on technology? 4. Why are some people against new technology? 5. Are you a fan of modern technology? Why?

Text 2. Computer revolution

Vocabulary

computer technology – компютерные технологии

industry – отрасль промышленности, индустрия

minibus – микроавтобус

to weigh – весить

ton – тонна

chip – чип , микросхема

pin head – булавочная головка

wrist – запястье

generation – поколение

to contain – содержать

neural network – нейронная сеть

human – человеческий

brain – мозг

step – шаг

to diagnose – ставить диагноз

to identify – опознавать

criminal – преступник

dangerous – опасный

to save – экономить

to surf the Internet – искать ,"бродить" по Интернету

on-line shopping – покупки через Интернет (интернет- магазины)

exactly - именно то

price – цена

e-mail – электронная почта

invention – изобретение

all in all – в общем

tool – инструмент

So why shouldn't we make them work to our advantage? – зд . Почему бы их не за­ставить работать на нас?

50 years ago people didn't even heard of computers, and today we cannot imagine life without them.

Computer technology is the fastest-growing industry in the world. The first computer was the size of a minibus and weighed a ton. Today, its job can be done by a chip the size of a pin head. And the revolution is still going on. Very soon we'll have computers that we'll wear on our wrists or even in our glasses and earrings.

The next generation of computers will be able to talk and even think for themselves. They will contain electronic "neural networks". Of course, they'll be still a lot simpler than human brains, but it will be a great step forward. Such computers will help to diagnose illnesses, find minerals, identify criminals and control space travel.

Some people say that computers are dangerous, but I don't agree with them. They save a lot of time. They seldom make mistakes. It's much faster and easier to surf the Internet than to go to the library.

On-line shopping makes it possible to find exactly what you want at the best price, saving both time and money.

E-mail is a great invention, to6. It's faster than sending a letter and cheaper than sending a telegram.

All in all, I strongly believe that computers are a useful tool. They have changed our life for the better. So why shouldn't we make them work to our advantage?

Answer the following questions:

1. Have you got a computer? 2. Do you think it's a useful tool? 3. Will computers become smaller in the future? 4. Can the Internet help you to do your homework? 5. Can computers help us to learn foreign languages? 6. Do you play computer games? 7. What are the advantages of on-line shopping? 8. What are the advantages of e-mail? 9. Do you think that computers are bad for health? 10. Some people have made friends through the Internet. What about you? 11. Some people say that computers make us less sociable. Do you agree? 12. What will the next generation of computers be able to do?