An injured worker

A trade union representative

a medical man/woman

Witness(es)

Human Resources Manager

Lesson 5

LASERS

LEAD-IN

Task 1. Discuss with a partner the following questions.

1. What are lasers?

2. When were lasers invented?

3. What are applications for lasers?

4. Is it possible to go without lasers in modern life?

LISTENING

Task 2. Listen to the text to check your answers to the questions in Task 1.

Task 3. Listen to the text again and fill in the table of laser applications. You may also add any applications you know of which are not included in the text.

Field of application	Applications
Military
Engineering
Communications
Medicine
Arts

Task 4. Make up questions to the text beginning with the following words. Ask your partner to answer them.

What Where When

DISCUSSION

Task 5. Read the title of the article devoted to laser technology. Work in pairs and make up a list of questions you would like to ask the inventor of this technology. Why would you like to know it?

WE HAVE THE SOLUTION! OUR NEW 1500 WATT CNC-CONTROLLED

LASER CUTTER IS AT YOUR DISPOSAL

LISTENING

Task 6. Listen to the article and check if your questions are answered. Is technology described in the text a new one?

WRITING

A multi-paragraph composition

Points to remember

The first sentence in a composition is usually a general thesis statement that introduces the topic of all the paragraphs that follow.

Begin a new paragraph each time you change focus.

Task 7. Read this composition and decide where the writer changes focus. Mark where you think each new paragraph should begin. Compare with a partner.

Lasers are devices which amplify light and produce beams of light which are very intense, directional, and pure in colour. They can be solid state, gas, semiconductor, or liquid. Lasers were invented in 1960. In the 1980s, the United States experimented with lasers as a defence against nuclear missiles. But apart from military uses, they have many applications. In engineering, powerful laser beams can be focused on a small area. These beams can heat, melt, or vaporize material in a very precise way. Lasers are ideal for communications in space. Laser light can carry many more information channels than microwaves because of its high frequency. In medicine, laser beams can treat damaged tissue without harming healthy tissue. They can be used in very precise eye operations.

Task 8. Write a three-paragraph composition about any application of lasers or laser technology.

Task 9. Read your partner’s composition, and answer these questions.

1. Are the paragraphs divided where they should be?

2. Is the focus of each paragraph clear?

3. Is there any additional information that you would like to know that was not included in the composition?

Unit II

INNOVATIONS

Lesson 1

WHAT ARE INNOVATIONS?

LEAD-IN

Task 1. Answer the following questions.

1. What is an innovation? How do you understand this word?

2. If necessary, use a dictionary to find a definition of innovations.

3. What role do innovations play in our life? Think of some innovations that has had the greatest influence on our lives.

DISCUSSION

Task 2. Work with your partner or in small groups of 3-4 people. Discuss the following questions.You have about 30 minutes to prepare.

1. What technology would you most like to see invented?

2. What technology would you most like to see disinvented?

3. What technological innovation is of most practical use in your home?

4. Which technological change has given the greatest benefit to society?

5. If you could only take one piece of technology to your Desert Island, what would it be?

6. Who should regulate the development of new technology?

Task 3. Present the results of your discussion to the class.

Lesson 2

BEST AND WORST INNOVATIONS

LISTENING

Task 1. Listen to this short article about innovations. You will hear the recording twice. Which of the following facts are true according to the recording? Which are false?

Example

0. The survey was conducted by BBC Radio 4. TRUE

1. BBC Radio 4 has been asking listeners to vote for the most significant technological innovation since 1900.

2. According to the survey, the washing machine is people’s favourite invention for the home.

3. The humble motorcycle beat such technological inventions as the internal combustion engine.

4. The survey was launched on Friday 1 December.

5. Experts from the field of science were not asked for their nominations.

6. The piece of technology that most people (26%) would like to see disinvented is GM foods.

7. The piece of technology that most people would like to see invented is the electro-magnetic induction ring.

8. The number of people wishing to see nuclear power disinvented equals to 19% of the respondents.

9. 25% of listeners voted for the electric cooker as the second most useful technological invention for the home.

10. As for the regulation of technological advancement, the majority of people said it should be down to the government of each country.

DISCUSSION

Task 2. Do you agree with the respondents? Why? Why not? Give your reasons.

WRITING

Task 3. In no more than 12-15 sentences, summarize the information you learnt from the text. To learn more about summary writing, consult Appendix 2 of the Script.

Lesson 3

BIZARRE INVENTIONS

LEAD-IN

Task 1. Answer the following questions.

1. What is an invention? Try to explain the meaning in your own words or find definition in an English-English dictionary if necessary.

2. What does the word ‘bizarre’ mean? Find definition in a dictionary if necessary.

DISCUSSION

Task 2. Work with your partner. Try to think of some really bizarre inventions you have ever heard of. You have about 10 minutes to prepare. Then present your ideas to the class.

Task 3. Check your knowledge of the following words and word combinations. Consult the dictionary where necessary.

gadgets

a slightly surreal world

to persuade

rubbish dumps

a little bit weird

a lever

possessions

eccentric

LISTENING

Task 4. Listen to the article about bizarre inventions. You will hear the recording twice. For sentences 1-15, fill in the gaps with information from the article. You will need to write a word or a short phrase in each sentence.

1. Maurice Collins has become a world _______________ on strange devices.

2. He lives in a ________________ world.

3. He has written _______________ about the items that were designed to make life easier.

4. Maurice is ________________ by the look of the items he collects.

5. He likes objects that look ________________, are ________________ and also a little bit ________________.

6. Sometimes Maurice buys objects that turn out to be totally ______________ to what he thought they were.

7. To work the teasmaid, you ______________.

8. Maurice’s collection is made up of __________________.

9. He has hundreds of _______________ in his home in London.

10. Many of his items have been _________________ to museums.

11. Not all of his possessions are _________________.

12. Bletchley Park Museum boasts some of his more practical gadgets such as a ____________ and one of the first ever ______________.

13. But collectors who have it all still want ______________.

14. Portobello market is famous for lots of _______________.

15. The ‘Deserter Tattooing’ machine costs _______________.

Task 5. Answer the following questions.

1. What is so peculiar about Maurice’s hobby?

2. How long has Maurice been collecting his strange gadgets?

3. What is Maurice intrigued by?

4. What is the pride of his collection?

5. Are all of Maurice’s possessions completely eccentric?

6. What do you personally think about Maurice’s hobby? Would you also like to possess some of those strange things? Do you have any eccentric things at home? If you do, what are they?

Lesson 4

PRACTICAL INNOVATIONS

LEAD-IN, DISCUSSION

Task 1. Work with a partner. Think of some innovations in the sphere of architecture and construction. What environmentally friendly building technologies and materials can you name? Use the Internet if necessary. Here are site websites where you can find information.

http://www.cleanvalley.org/

http://www.greenhomeoutfitters.com/

http://www.rts.fi/ecologi.htm

http://www.debraslist.com/list.php?topic=Building

http://www.igreenbuild.com/

READING

Task 2. Look through the text ‘Cork floors, old pickle barrels’. Check the meaning of the words in italic. Use a dictionary if necessary.

Task 3. Read the text ‘Cork floors, old pickle barrels’.

CORK FLOORS, OLD PICKLE BARRELS

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (AP) -- When the Chesapeake Bay Foundation moves into its new headquarters later this year, employees will use flushless toilets and wash their hands in unheated rainwater. A system of computerized red and green lights will tell them when, in the interest of energy efficiency, whether they should open or close windows. Photo sensors will turn off the lights when there is enough natural light shining through the glass walls looking out over the Chesapeake Bay.

Rain that runs off the parking lot will be routed through two filtering systems and wetlands before entering the bay, at which time it is supposed to be pure enough to drink.

Those are just a few of the features incorporated in what foundation officials think will be one of the "greenest" office buildings ever built.

Chuck Foster, director of fleets and facilities for the foundation, said environmental criteria guided every decision, from the selection of building materials and office furniture, to landscaping, to the height of outdoor lighting, which is low to reduce the impact on birds at night.

"Every building material was looked at" with environmental questions in mind, Foster said. What was the recyclable content? How long was the life cycle? How far would materials be transported from the manufacturing site to the construction site? How much packing material would be used?

And, looking far into the future, the final question: "When it dies, can it be made into something useful again?" Foster said.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, an environmental group that works to restore the health of the bay, has offices scattered in several locations around Annapolis. It spent several years looking for a site for a new headquarters.

It settled on a 33-acre (13-hectare) tract on the Chesapeake Bay in the community of Bay Ridge at the mouth of the Severn River, a few miles from downtown Annapolis. A $7.5 million gift from Philip Merrill, publisher of Washingtonian Magazine, The (Annapolis) Capital and four other newspapers, provided the major funding for the headquarters.

Tom Eichbaum, partner in Smith Group Architects, which designed the building, said residential development of the property would have had a more negative impact on the environment than its use by the bay foundation.

Eichbaum said it was fun to design what he called "this wonderful puzzle that is slowly emerging." One example of an environmentally friendly design element: using cork flooring throughout most of the building instead of carpeting, even though carpeting would have cost less. Cork is quiet, is a warm color and does not give off harmful gases as does some carpet. Plus, it is a renewable resource, Eichbaum said.

"You harvest cork and the tree remains alive. You're not destroying a forest," he said. The designers used wood from old pickle barrels salvaged by Foster to build sun screens that will reduce heat from the summer sun but allow sun to help heat the building in winter.

They used galvanized siding for the exterior walls. Foster said the siding has a high recyclable content, requires little maintenance, is manufactured within 300 miles (500 kilometers) of the site and "is flat and required minimal packaging."

Energy use got a lot of attention.

About one-third of the energy will come from renewable sources, including solar panels to heat water for showers and laundry and geothermal heat pumps operating in 300-foot (90-meter) deep wells to assist in heating and cooling the building.

Foster estimates the building will use only about one-third as much energy from conventional sources as a traditional office building.

Those flushless toilets, with wastes going directly into composting bins, will contribute to large reductions in water use. Foster estimates the building will use only about 10 percent as much water from wells or public water supplies as a conventional building.

All this environmental concern does not come cheap. The costs will be around $200 a square foot, considerably more expensive than a standard building but "not too far out of line with a very high-end building," Foster said. He estimates efforts to make the building as green as possible added about $50 a square foot to the $7.5 million project.

There will be some long-term savings from reduced energy use and reduced maintenance, but not enough to make up the difference, Foster said.

"Our board wanted us to set an example, to show people what can be done," Foster said.

(from CNN.com)

Task 4. Answer the following questions.

1. What is so unusual about the new headquarters of the Shakespeare Bay Foundation?

2. On what principle were building materials chosen?

3. Where is the new building located?

4. What is an example of environmentally friendly design element?

5. What are the benefits of using cork flooring instead of carpeting?

6. What materials did designers use for the exterior walls of the building?

7. How much energy will come from renewable sources?

8. What are these renewable sources?

9. What devices can assist in heating and cooling the building?

10. Is this environmental concern cheap?

WRITING

Task 5. Write a summary of the text. In no more than 10-12 sentences, express the main idea and the general content of the text. If necessary, consult Appendix 2 Writing a Summary.

Lesson 5

FINAL ACTIVITY

LEAD-IN

Our world is constantly changing and developing. New ideas, methods and technologies are emerging all the time and are so numerous that it is hardly possible to count them. And something that was modern a year ago may now seem not quite up-to-date and even old-fashioned. Innovations are extremely diverse and are present in all spheres of our life. Some innovations are really very useful and practical, some are more for fun and pleasure. Why not try and look for some interesting innovations?

ON-LINE ASSIGNMENT, PRESENTATION

Task.

1. Work in groups of 3-4 people. You are to find information about three different innovations (preferably in the sphere of engineering, technology or business). While looking for information you are free to use the internet sites given below as well as any other online resources.

2. Summarize all the information you have found and make a short presentation in front of the class. In your presentation you may speak about all the three innovations you have read about or you are free to concentrate on one particular innovation.

Resources.

Definition of innovations:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Innovations

http://www.webster.com/dictionary/innovations

Some sites where you can find information:

http://www.newscientist.com/

http://www.cnn.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/

http://www.sciam.com/

Popular search engines:

www.yahoo.com

www.google.com

www.altavista.com

Conclusion. Congratulations! You have worked very hard to complete this task. In the process of doing it you have learnt a lot about innovations, improved your knowledge of English as well as your presentation-making and group work skills.

Unit III

TECHNOLOGY

Lesson 1

NANOTECHNOLOGY

LEAD-IN

Task 1. Discuss the following questions with a partner.

1. What is IBM?

2. What is nanotechnology? Is nanotechnology widely used in the world?

3. Is your computer fast enough? What about its storage device? Can it save as much information as you need?

LISTENING

Task 2. Listen to the text and comment on its title IBM Discoveries Add Promise for Nanotech.

Task 3. Decide if the following statements are true or false. Correct the false ones with the right information and discuss your answers with a partner.

1. Scientists learned how to steer single atoms which helped them to create ultra-tiny storage devices.

2. Nanotechnology deals with particles smaller than the width of a match.

3. One of the basic properties of the atom is that it behaves like liquid.

4. The scientists are looking for an atom now that remains stable over a long time.

5. A main function needed in computer logic is to manipulate molecules to interchange.

6. Scientists noticed the switching capabilities of the molecules when they were evaluating their vibration.

7. The discovery of the switching action of the molecules altered their framework.

Task 4. Answer the following questions.

1. Why is it so important to understand and manipulate the behavior of atoms?

2. What property of atom is mentioned in the text?

3. What is a basic function needed in computer logic?

4. How do switches inside computer chips work?

5. How could molecular switches be used?

Task 5. Make up a list of questions you would like to ask the scientists who discovered the switching capability of the molecule. Discuss your questions with a partner. Why would you like to know it?

WRITING

Advantages and disadvantages

Points to remember

Before writing a composition about the advantages and disadvantages of a certain topic you should make a list of the good and bad points, giving reasons for each one. Start your composition by briefly stating the topic, then present the points for and against in two separate paragraphs, giving reasons. End your composition by restating the fact that the topic has both advantages and disadvantages. Remember to use appropriate linking words (e.g. furthermore, to start with, also, what is more, on the other hand, in conclusion, etc). Also begin each paragraph with a topic sentence (a sentence which summarizes what the paragraph is about).

Task 6. Write an article for your university magazine about advantages and disadvantages of the discovery described in the text. Use the plan below to write your article. The beginning and ending as well as the linking words have been written for you. Underline the topic sentences after you have written your composition.

PLAN

INTRODUCTION

Para 1: state topic

MAIN BODY

Para 2: list the advantages and give reasons

Para 3: list the disadvantages and give reasons

CONCLUSION

Para 4: restate the fact that there are both advantages and disadvantages

There are many advantages and disadvantages of _______________.

One of the main advantages of ______________ is that ____________ because _____________. Furthermore, ________________ as ________________.

However there are disadvantages ________________.Firstly, _____________ because __________. In addition to this, _______________ as ______________.

All things considered, ______________ is a good idea, as long as you are aware of the drawbacks.

Lesson 2

ALTERNATE FUEL

LEAD-IN

Task 1. Look atthe title of Lesson 2 and try to recollect everything you know about alternate fuel. Discuss your ideas with a partner.

Task 2. Discuss the following questions with a partner.

1. Why is it important to produce alternate fuel?

2. Is alternate fuel production environment-friendly?

3. What is used as raw material to produce alternate fuel?

4. Is alternate fuel production cost-effective? Why?

5. Is alternate fuel in wide use all over the world? Why?

6. What industries make use of alternate fuel?

LISTENING

Task 3. Listen to the text ASU Professors Working on Cost Effective Fuel Conversion Process and decide whether this process is really cost effective.

Task 4. Answer the following questions.

1. What organization finances the research? How much is the grant?

2. How long can it take to find a way to produce algae cost-effectively?

3. Where do the researchers plan to farm algae? What is necessary for growing the stuff?

4. Is algae production environment friendly?

5. What does the programme expect to produce fuel for?

Task 5. Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases from the text. Reproduce the situations with them.

1. cost effective 2. feasibility 3. to screen for 4. competitively priced 5. to be rich in oil

6. on a commercial scale 7. fresh-water resources 8. evaporation 9. to furnish 10. certified

Task 6. Make up a list of questions you would like to ask ASU professors. Discuss your questions with a partner and answer those ones you can. Why would you like to know it?

WRITING

News report

Task 7. Read the text and rewrite the highlighted sentences in the passive. Then answer the questions.

1 What information is given in the first paragraph?

2 In which paragraph is the main event described in detail?

3 In which paragraph are the consequences of the event described?

4 In which paragraph are people’s comments mentioned?

5 In which paragraph is the action to be taken mentioned?

QUAKE HITS SANTA MARIA

An earthquake struck the town of Santa Maria in Peru early yesterday morning. The quake measured 7.5 on the Richter scale and is one of the worst earthquakes to have struck the area in over fifty years. The authorities have reported fifty people missing.

The quake struck at 5 am local time, and lasted for about half a minute. Most buildings collapsed, ten people have died and hundreds are still buried under debris. Other countries are now sending emergency medical supplies to the town. Volunteers are building shelters and Red Cross doctors are treating the injured. Ambulances have taken others to a hospital in a nearby city.

The government will give money to the town to help pay for the rebuilding of the houses which the earthquake has destroyed. Local people are still trying to get over the shock. "It was horrible," one resident said. "I'll never forget it."

Points to remember

A news report differs from a story. It gives only fact s whereas a story has a personal and chatty style. A news report always has a headline and is written in a formal, impersonal style. The writer's feelings and emotions are not mentioned. Passive voice is frequently used. Direct speech is also used to mention people's comments.

Task 8. You are a journalist. Using the plan below and the information from the text ASU Professors Working on Cost Effective Fuel Conversion Process, write a news report about the discovery.

PLAN

INTRODUCTION

Para 1: summary of the event (what, when, where, who)

MAIN BODY

Para 2: detailed description of the event, consequences

CONCLUSION

Para 3: action to be taken, people's comments

Lesson 3

TOYOTA’S OLYMPIC TURN

LEAD-IN

Task 1. Discuss the following questions with a partner.

1. When did the modern Olympic Games start?

2. Why do big corporations and companies stand as Olympic Games sponsors?

3. What companies do you know which invest money in Olympic Games?

LISTENING

Task 2. Listen to the text and tell what big companies and corporations are mentioned. What do you know about them?

Task 3. Listen to the text again and decide if the following statements are true or false. Correct the false ones with the right information and discuss your answers with a partner.

1. Toyota will sponsor American Olympic athletes as a result of an abdication by GM.

2. GM is going to pull its sponsorship of the Olympics after the flame is extinguished in Tokyo next summer.

3. GM is going to spend Olympic dollars on developing new models.

4. The Olympics were not profitable for GM.

5. By wrapping itself in the Olympic and American flags, Toyota could seal the deal with car buyers, who’ve already vaulted Toyota into first place in sales in the U.S. market.

6. Toyota will be the first foreign company to sponsor America’s Olympic athletes.

7. Most Americans consider Toyota part of the landscape, that’s why the Camry is America’s No. 1 family car.

Task 4. What do the following numbers refer to?Discuss your ideas with a partner.

24 $13 billion 1997 $13.7 billion $1 billion 23%

Task 5. Make up questions concerning the text beginning with the following words. Ask your partner to answer them.

What Where Why How much When How many

WRITING

Expressing opinion

Compositions expressing opinions are formal in style. This type of topic asks for your own opinion, which should be clearly stated and supported by reasons. A good argumentative composition expressing opinion should consist of:

a) an introduction in which your opinion is clearly stated,

b) a main body which can consist of two or more paragraphs. Each viewpoint, supported by a logical reason, should be presented in a separate paragraph. The opposing viewpoint is mentioned in a new paragraph. In the same paragraph you might include a lead-in opinion to your conclusion.

c) a conclusion in which you sum up your viewpoints and re-state your opinion.

Points to remember

· Never start writing your composition before making a plan.

· Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence which summarizes the paragraph.

· Each viewpoint should be joined to the others with linking or sequence words e.g. in the first place, to start with, what is more, also, furthermore, besides, apart from this, it is argued that, etc.

Useful Words and Phrases

To list viewpoints: Firstly, In the first place, To begin with, Secondly, Thirdly, Finally, etc.

To add viewpoints: both...and, What is more, not only...but also, In addition, Furthermore, Besides, not to mention the fact that, etc.

To present the other side of the argument: Contrary to what most people believe, As opposed to the above ideas, Some people argue that... etc.

To express opinion: I believe, In my opinion, I think, In my view, I strongly believe, I feel that, It seems to me that, etc.

Task 6. Using the plan below and the information from the text Toyota’s Olympic Turn, write a composition expressing your opinion on Toyota’s desire to stand as Olympic Games sponsor.

PLAN

INTRODUCTION

Para 1: state topic and your opinion clearly

MAIN BODY

Para 2: viewpoint 1 and reason

Para 3: viewpoint 2 and reason

Para 4: give the opposing viewpoint and reasons

CONCLUSION

Final Paragraph: restate your opinion using different words

Lesson 4

SPACE

LEAD-IN

Task 1. Answer the following questions.

1. What is happening at the moment in the American, Russian, and European space programmes?

2. What are they planning to do?

Task 2. In pairs write some questions. What would you like to know about living in space?

LISTENING

Task 3. Listen to the text and decide which of your questions were answered.

Task 4. Listen to the text again and answer the following questions in pairs.

1. The article refers to the flights to the Moon in the 1970s as 'camping trips'. What does this mean?

2. Sheffield is about 150 miles from London. How high above the Earth does the Shuttle orbit?

3. Who produced these plans for a space settlement?

4. Why would gravity be so important?

5. Why is the Moon unsuitable for a settlement?

6. How and why would sunlight be controlled?

7. Why would the settlement look similar to 'modern' small towns on Earth?

8. What is L5?

9. 'There could be settlements in space that would house adventurers leading more or less normal lives.' What elements of living in space would be normal? What would be unusual?

DISCUSSION

Task 5. Express your point of view on the following issues.

1. The article does not say what would occupy people's time in space. What do you think they could do?

2. No reasons are given why there should be settlements in space. What reasons can you think of?

3. Does the article make living in space sound attractive? What would appeal to you?

4. Do you think the expense of such space programmes is justified?

WRITING

A survey report

· A survey report is a formal piece of writing based on research.

· A main heading is required in which the subject of the report and the people concerned are mentioned, e.g.

To: Paul Williams

From: Mary Nielsen

Subject:

· A survey report should consist of:

a) an introduction which states the purpose and content of your report,

b) a main body where all information collected is presented clearly in detail (sub-headings, numbers or letters can be used to separate each piece of information),

c) a final paragraph which summarizes the points mentioned before. If necessary, a recommendation can be included as well.

· Present Tenses, Reported Speech and an impersonal style should be used in survey reports. Use a variety of reporting verbs such as claim, state, report, agree, complain, suggest, etc.

· When reporting the results of a survey, the figures gathered should be given in the form of percentages or proportions. Expressions such as "one in four" or "six out of ten" can be used, or exact percentages e.g. 25% of the people questioned, 68% of those who filled in the questionnaire, etc. Less exact expressions such as: the majority of those questioned, a large proportion of, a significant number of, etc. can also be used.

Useful language for reports

To introduce: The purpose/aim of this report, As requested, This survey was carried out, etc. Tо generalise: In general, Generally, On the whole, etc.

To refer to a fact: The fact is that, In fact, In practice, etc.

Tо introduce other people's opinions: Many people consider, Some people argue/believe/claim, etc.

To conclude/summarize: In conclusion, All things considered, To sum up, All in all, etc.

Task 6. Your company has planned to build a space settlement described in the text, and asked you to investigate whether it will be popular with the public. Using the plan below write your report for the company.

PLAN

INTRODUCTION

state purpose and content of your report

MAIN BODY

summarize your information under suitable sub-headings

FINAL PARAGRAPH

end with a general conclusion, and, if necessary, make recommendations/suggestions

Lesson 5

HOME MOVIE

LEAD-IN

Task 1. Answer the following question.

1. Do you like to watch movies at home or you prefer to go to the cinema? Why?

2. What can make people stay at home to watch a movie instead of going to the movie theatre?

3. What home movie viewing technologies make this process really entertaining?

LISTENING

Task 2. You are going to listen to the text called Home Movie Viewing Gets Jumpstart with New Technologies. What is the issue of the article? Discuss your ideas with a partner.

Task 3. Listen to the text and enumerate all home movie technologies mentioned.

Task 4. Listen to the text again and answer the following questions in pairs.

1. What home movie viewing technologies according to the author of the article can change home movie entertainment?

2. Is it expensive to have modern home movie viewing technologies?

3. Will modern home movie viewing technologies prevent people from visiting cinema houses?

4. Is your house equipped with any home movie viewing technologies?

5. What technology described in the article would you like to have installed in your house?

DISCUSSION

Task 5. Work in groups.

Group A. Write a list of advantages of high definition television technology and Dish on Demand technology.

Group B. Write a list of disadvantages of high definition television technology and Dish on Demand technology.

Task 6. Join Student A and Student B. Discuss all the pros and cons of having one of the modern home movie viewing technologies.

WRITING

Providing solutions to problems

Points to remember

Before you write a composition providing solutions to problems, you should make a list of the suggestions and the results. Start your composition by stating the problem(s) and cause(s), then present each of your suggestions and results in separate paragraphs. Join your suggestions and results using so, consequently, therefore, by doing this, in this way, etc. End your composition by summarizing your opinion.

Task 7. Use the plan below to write an article for your university magazine entitled “How can new technologies change the way people watch movies at home”.

PLAN

INTRODUCTION

Para 1: state the problem

MAIN BODY

Para 2: suggestion 1 & result

Para 3:suggestion 2 & result

Para 4: suggestion 3 & result

CONCLUSION

Para 5: summarize your opinion

Unit IV

COMMUNICATION

Lesson 1

MOBILE TELEVISION

LEAD-IN

Task 1. Discuss these questions.

1. How do you entertain on a long journey?

2. What do you think mobile television is?

Task 2. Match these words to their definitions.

1. to launch a) fast

2. terrestrial b) not costing anything

3. portable c) to send out messages or programmes to be received by radios

or televisions

4. subsidiary d) existing on the Earth

5. broadcast e) to initiate

6. rapid f) a company that is owned by a larger company

7. free g) transportable

READING

Task 3. Scan the article and answer these questions.

1. What is the biggest mobile operator in South Korea?

2. What do these numbers in the article refer to?

a) 2005 b) 7.5m c) 1.2m d) $435m

Task 4. Now read the article more carefully and answer these questions.

1. Who is target audience of TU Media?

2. Why is mobile TV successful in South Korea?

LESSONS FROM SOUTH KOREA’S EXPERIMENT WITH MOBILE TV

From The Economist

Ride on the Seoul metro or take a bus around the city's streets and you will see passengers gazing at their mobile phones with rapt attention, earplugs firmly in place. They are watching television. Since the first services were launched in 2005, mobile-TV services have garnered over 7.5m customers. The signals are delivered via terrestrial and satellite broadcasts, a far more efficient approach than sending individual data streams to each viewer's handset, as is mostly done in other countries.

Of the 6.3m users of the terrestrial service, which is free, about one-third watch on their phones, and the rest on screens installed in motor vehicles or on other portable devices. Another 1.2m people watch the satellite service, which costs about $11 a month. The government predicts that by the end of next year the number of terrestrial customers will reach 10.8m and the number of satellite subscribers will grow to 2.8m. In other words, more than one-quarter of the population will be tuning in.

SK Telecom, the biggest mobile operator, has been pushing the satellite service, which is offered by its subsidiary, TU Media. It has spent about $435m on the service so far and needs 2.5m subscribers to break even, says Kwang Heo of TU. Its customers are mostly sports-loving young men. Soap operas and variety shows were at first available only with a time delay, but in July TU struck a deal with MBC, Korea's biggest private broadcaster, to provide a live feed.

But even if mobile TV does prove successful in South Korea, it does not necessarily bode well for similar services elsewhere. Its rapid rise in South Korea is largely due to the government, which set technology standards and insisted on a free terrestrial service.

Task 5. Mark each statement true or false.

1. Ride on the Seoul metro or take a bus around the city's streets and you will see passengers reading magazines.

2. Mobile TV was launched in 2000.

3. Users have to pay for the terrestrial service.

4. Customers of TU are mostly fashion-conscious women.

5. The government insisted on a free terrestrial service.

DISCUSSION

Task 6. Work in pairs. Discuss these questions.

1. How popular is mobile TV in your country?

2. Who offers mobile TV service in your country?

3. What are advantages and disadvantages of TV mobile?

WRITING

Task 7. Imagine that it is 2050. Write a short article “Images of Everyday Life in the Future”. List some innovative technologies that you imagine for that year and describe their benefits.

Lesson 2

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