UNIT IV
Modern Technologies
Contents
Preface. Предисловие. Шленкина В.И.
I. Vocabulary and Speech. Text “Modern Technologies”
Active Vocabulary
Speech Patterns.
Agreement and Disagreement Vocabulary Activisation and Speech Exercises
II. Grammar. Pronunciation. Present Simple, Present Continuous. Past Simple, Past Continuous
(On the comparative use ...)
Grammar Exercises
Pronunciation
III. Reading. Writing. Free Speech. Texts
1. Distance Learning
2. Our Comfortable Life and Health Problems
3. No Action - No Health
4. Addiction to Technology
5. When Technology Fails
Exercises
Reading
Writing
Free Speech
IV. Distance Learning. Audio and Visual Aids. Audio Aids
Visual Aids
I. Vocabulary and Speech
Text
Modern Technologies
Modern technologies are simply an advancement of old technologies. Cinema came into life
at the beginning of the XX century and was a modern technology of that time. Electricity, radio and television were considered to be modern technologies, too.
The
invention of the computer was a very important
event. Now our homes and offices are fully equipped with computers, printers, scanners, and we can not imagine our life without the internet.
New technologies are making life faster, easier, more comfortable and interesting. The things we can do on the internet nowadays are:
connecting with friends all over the world,
online shopping, banking, working from home and
distance learning. Isn't that
convenient? Could people
imagine that in the XX century?
However we should
realize, that digital and electronic inventions have both positive and negative impacts on our daily life.
I know that people think it is convenient, but also very
dangerous. People are stopping to talk to each other face to face in real life. They are becoming anti-social and starting
to depend more and more on their gadgets. Some of my friends spend most of their time occupying their gadgets (smartphones or i-pads) even when we go out together. There are many people nowadays who use social networks (such as Facebook or Instagram) and don't understand that one day they may have problems with their
privacy.
It is difficult to imagine our life without new technologies today. However, there are serious arguments both for and against the use of them in our
life.
Active Vocabulary
| 1. Modern technologies | современные технологии |
| 2. At the beginning of | в начале |
| 3. An invention | изобретение |
| 4. An event | событие |
| 5. A connecting | связь, подключение |
| 6. Online shopping | покупки в интернете |
| 7. Distance learning | дистанционное обучение |
| 8. Сonvenient | удобный |
| 9. To imagine | представлять, воображать |
| 10. To realize | осознавать, понимать |
| 11. Dangerous | опасный |
| 12. To depend on | зависеть от (чего-л., кого-л.) |
| 13. A privacy | приватность, конфиденциальность |
| 14. It is difficult | трудно, тяжело |
| 15. A life | жизнь |
Speech Patterns
Agreement and Disagreement
Translate the following English people use a rather elaborate roundabout way of asking for things. And when they refuse, they try to do it very
politely.
- Do you agree with me? Could you possibly do it? Would you do it?
- I agree with you. I couldn't agree more. (Oh, yes), certainly.
- I'm afraid I can't agree with you. I'd like to say yes, but it's just not possible.
Vocabulary Activisation and Speech Exercises
I.
Warming up exercise. Listen to the text and read it together with the speaker (as many times as you need to do it at
the speed of the speaker). Mind your pronunciation.II.
Complete the sentences by quoting the text.
1. Modern technologies are ... 2. Cinema came into life ... 3. Electricity, radio and television were considered ... 4. The
invention of ... 5. Now our homes and offices are ... 6. New technologies are ... 7. The things we can do on the
internet nowadays are: …
8. However we should realize ... 9. I know the people ... 10. People are stopping to ... 11. They are becoming ...
12. Some of my friends ... 13. There are many people nowadays ... 14. It is difficult to ...
III.
Fill in the missing words. 1. Modern technologies are simply an ... of old technologies. 2. ... , ... and ... were considered to be modern
technologies,
too. 3. The invention of ... 4. Now our homes and offices are fully equipped with ... and we can not imagine our life
without internet. 5. New technologies are making things ... 6. Connecting with friends ... . 7. Could people ... in the XX
century?
8. However we should ... that digital and electronic inventions have both ... and ... on our daily life. 9. People are stopping
to talk ... in reality. 10. They are becoming ... and start to ... 11. They may have ... with their ... 12. It is difficult to
imagine our life without ... today . 13. there are ... both ... and ... the use of them in our life.
IV.
Answer the questions by quoting the text. 1. What are modern technologies?
2. When did cinema come into life?
3. What was considered to be modern technologies?
4. What was a very important event?
5. What are our homes and offices equipped with?
6. What are things we can do on the internet?
7. What should we realize?
8. What do people start to depend on?
9. How do some of my friends spend time?
10. What is difficult to imagine?
11. What kind of arguments are there?
V.
Translate the following sentences. Consult the main text. 1. Современные технологии это просто развитие старых.
2. Кино пришло в нашу жизнь в начале 20 века.
3. Электричество, радио и телевидение также считались современными технологиями.
4. Изобретение компьютера было очень важным событием.
5. Мы не можем представить себе жизнь без интернета.
6. Новые технологии делают жизнь проще, быстрее, комфортнее и интереснее.
7. Работать из дома и дистанционное обучение.
8. Цифровые и электронные изобретения имеют как положительное, так и отрицательное влияние на нашу
обычную жизнь.
9. Я знаю людей, которые считают это удобно, но очень опасно.
10. Люди перестают общаться друг с другом в реальной жизни.
11. Они становятся анти-социальными и начинают зависеть от их гаджетов.
12. Некоторые мои друзья проводят половину своего времени в гаджетах, даже когда выходят гулять.
13. Многие люди, использующие социальные сети, не понимают, что однажды у них будут проблемы
с приватностью (конфиденциальностью).
14. Существуют серьезные аргументы за и против их использования в нашей жизни.
VI.
Copy the text.VII.
Reproduce the text.VIII.
Read, look up and say. 1. "Radio, cinema and television are modern technologies."
"I'm afraid I can't agree with you. They came into life long ago, in the XX century".
"The computer and the internet came into life in the XX century, too. Aren't they modern technologies?"
"Certainly, they are."
"Then, what's the difference?"
"Well... I don't know. Let's ask Alexander, our IT specialist."
2. "They say, that the invention of the computer was a very important event."
"And what about it?"
"They say, it's difficult to imagine our life without it..."
"I couldn't agree more."
"They say, we may have problems with our privacy because of the computer."
"I'd like to say yes, but it's just not possible."
3. "Do you have a computer of your own?"
"Oh, yes! I do."
"They say it's convenient but dangerous at the same time."
"Dangerous? How come? I have been using my computer since my early childhood and I can't imagine my life
without it."
"Just wait and see!"
4. "My Mom is a theatre goer. She says no computer can be compared with a real performance."
"Do you agree with her?"
"Yes, certainly. She took me to the Bolshoi theatre to see the Swan Lake. I enjoyed everything: the performance,
the actors... We had our seats in the dress circle. A beautiful girl was sitting near me..."
"Now, I agree with you. No computer can be compared with real life."
5. "Could you possibly help me?"
"Yes, certainly. What can I do for you?"
"I don't know where I can find audio materials to do my home work."
"Look it up in the school's forum in the Homework section."
*
* *
IX.
Listen to the text and say what the text is about.X.
Make up sentences (in writing) using the Active Vocabulary.XI.
Make up a story (based on the text, in writing). Consult the teacher. Reproduce the story in one minute time.II. Grammar
Present Simple, Present Continuous. Past Simple, Past Contiuous
(On the comparative use ...)
Present Simple обозначает действие в настоящем
в широком смысле слова. Оно употребляется для обозначения обычных, регулярно повторяющихся или постоянных действий, например, когда мы говорим о
чьих-либо привычках, режиме дня, расписании.
I always go to school in the morning. – Я всегда хожу в школу по утрам.
Слова – указатели: often, always, rare, every day/week/hour/year, usually.
Present Continuous обозначает действие, которое происходит в определённый промежуток времени в настоящем и часто употребляется с наречиями: now (сейчас), at the moment (в данный момент), still (всё ещё).
I am doing my homework now – Я делаю домашнюю работу сейчас.
Past Simple (простое прошедшее) используется для обозначения действия, которое произошло в определенное время в прошлом и время которого истекло (произошло и закончилось).
I did my homework yesterday – Вчера я сделал домашнее задание. Слова – указатели: yesterday, two days ago, a long time ago, last week (month, year), in 1980.
Past Continuous (прошедшее длительное) используется для обозначения действия, которое происходило в определенное время в прошлом.
I was doing my homework when you called me yesterday. – Я делал домашнее задание, когда ты позвонил мне вчера.
Слова – указатели: yesterday at 7 a.m., yesterday night, when you called me, …
| Present Simple | I do my homework every day |
| Present Continuous | I am doing my homework now |
| Past Simple | I did my homework yesterday |
| Past Continuous | I was doing my homework when you called me yesterday |
Grammar Exercises
I. Listen and write a) the -ing form b) the -ed form of the following regular verbs. To imagine, to realize, to study, to repeat, to like, to study, to ask, to use.
II. Listen and write the three forms of the following irregular verbs. Learn them by heart.
To be, to have, to know, to read, to write, to do, to come, to begin, to become, to understand, to make.
III. Read the following sentences, translate them into Russian and see how Present Simple and Present Continuous
are used in them. 1. The invention of the computer is a very important event.
2. Unfortunately, the comptuter is becoming anti-social. (maybe users?)
3. We are starting to depend more and more on computers.
4. My grandpa doesn't use social networks.
5. He doesn't want to have problems with his privacy.
IV. Copy the sentences of Ex. III.V. Read the following sentences, translate them into Russian and see how Present Simple and Present Continuous
are used in them. 1. Cinema came into life at the beginning of the XX century.
2. Cinema became a very important part of our life.
3. Last year I went to the cinema every Sunday.
4. Boris was watching a TV film when I rang him up.
5. I was sitting in front of the computer when my Mom came in and told me to go to bed. I switched off the computer
and went to bed.
VI. Copy the sentences of Ex. V.
VII. Find the sentences in the text where Present Simple and Past Simple are used and copy them.
VIII. Open the parethesis in the nesessary form (?). 1. The invention of the computer (be) a very important event.
2. I can do many things on the computer. For example, yesterday I (connect) with my friend and (do) on-line shopping.
3. When I (do) the on-line shopping my sister came into my room.
4. Have you (order) pizza I like she asked. I answered that I (ordered) the pizza she liked. ???
5. Cinema (come) into our life at the beginning of the XX century.
IX.
Translate the following sentences. 1. Современные технологии - это просто развитие старых. - Не могу не согласиться.
2. Вчера я выходил на связь со своими друзьями и делал покупки в Интернете.
3. Я сидел перед компьютером, когда вошла мама и сказала идти спать.
4. Мои бабушка и дедушка не пользуются социальными сетями.
5. Мы начинаем зависеть от компьютеров все больше и больше.
X.
Make up sentences using Present Simple, Present Continuous and Past Simple, Past Continuous.
Use the following words and word combinations:
Present Simple: to go to school; to go to Modern Education School; to have four holidays a year; to be on holidays.
Present Continuous: to use the smartphone, to do online shopping, to connect with friend all over the world.
Past Simple: yesterday, to go to the theatre, to go to the cinema.
Past Continuous: yesterday at 5 o'clock, to talk over the telephone, to discuss a new film.
XI. Answer the following questions. Work according to the model.
Model: What are modern technologies? - Modern technologies are simply an advancement of old technologies.
1. Do your grandparents use any social networks?
2. Could we imagine our life without modern technologies?
3. Have you ever been to the Bolshoi theatre?
4. Is it dangerous to spend all the time using a smartphone? Why?
5. When did cinema come into life?
XII. Make up questions to the main text (as many as you can).
XIII. Describe the pictures using Present Simple, Past Simple, Present Continuous and Past Continuous
1.  | 2. 
|
3. | 4.
|
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Pronunciation
I. Listen to the main text and read it together with the speaker (as many times as you need to do it at the speed
of the speaker). Mind your pronunciation!II. Listen to the texts from part III (Reading. Writing. Free Speech) and read them together with the speaker
(as many times as you need to do it at the speed of the speaker). Mind your pronunciation!III. Reading. Writing. Free Speech
1. Distance Learning
One of the advantages of modern technologies is the possibility for humans to find any information they want in no time.
Furthermore, you can get education with their help. Just stay at home, get out of your bed in the morning, make yourself comfortable in front of the computer and get connected with the teacher. And here you are! You are having a lesson without going out, taking a bus or the underground and even without any extra trouble like putting on yourself decent clothes. Isn't that convenient?
It's more than convenient. It's wonderful!
2. Our Comfortable Life and Health Problems
Nobody would deny the importance of modern technologies. Smartphones, i-phones, digital cameras, headphones, printers, scanners have made our life easier, quicker and more comfortable.
However, it's not always healthy to use them for a long time. Sitting long hours in front of the computer leads to eyesight and back problems. Cell phones contain negative vibes that affect human organism.
Many health specialists are against the excessive use of cell phones and other means of modern technology.
3. No Action - No Health
We have stopped washing clothes by hand. We have stopped washing the dishes after meals, because the dishwasher can do it for us. Very few people use the brooms - there are vacuum cleaners for cleaning up. We don't go on foot any more - there are cars and buses for this. We can do a lot of things on the internet nowadays without even going out: connecting with friends, doing online shopping, banking, working from home and even distance learning.
However, cars, household appliances and the internet that make people's life easier often lead to idleness and obesity. No action - no health.
4. Addiction to Technology
We should realize that people can be addicted to technology. And in our technological world more and more people start to depend on their gadgets.
In a restaurant, on a bus and in a taxi you can see people busy using their mobile phones. They sit silently one near another without seeing each other and looking like strange creatures from another world.
It's common knowledge, that the extensive usage of mobile phones leads to different kinds of diseases. One of them is depression.
5. When Technology Fails
The human society is growing. Every person wants to make everything automatic, and it is difficult to imagine our life without new technologies today. They are very convenient and we all use them every day. However, the problem with technology is that it sometimes fails and doesn't work properly. Then it may take a lot of time and money for recovery.
The more technology you use, the more time, money and nerve you spend and lose. One of the most important losses is your privacy and independence.
Exercises
Reading
I. Read the text (silently, aloud, in chain, in parts, other variants).
II. Translate the text.
III. Make questions to the text.
IV. Give the gist of the text.
V. Reproduce the text. Learn the text by heart.
Writing
I. Copy the text (some parts of it, the whole of it).
II. Make questions to the text in writing.
III. Write the reproduction of the text.
IV. Write the dictation.
V. Give the plan of the text in writing.
Free speech
I. Get ready for one minute monologue based on one of the texts.
II. Give a talk on the topics (could be prepared):
1. Distance Learning.
2. Our Comfortable Life and Health Problems.
3. No Action - No Health.
4. Addiction to Technology.
5. When Technology Fails.
III. Discussion on the topic “Modern Technologies” (could be unprepared):
1. Modern Technologies.
2. Cinema.
3. Homes and Offices.
4. Other topics.
IV. Distance Learning. Audio and Visual Aids
Audio Aids
I. Vocabulary Activisation and Speech Exercises. Ex. I,IV,V, VIII.
II. Grammar. Pronunciation. Ex. I,II, IX, XI.
III. Reading. Writing. Free Speech. Texts 1 - 5.
Visual Aids
I.
II. Pictures to the Unit, Ex. XVII.
