MODULE 1. COMPUTERS IN OUR LIFE

UNIT 1. THE DIGITAL ERA

STARTER

1. Think over and answer the following questions:

Can you imagine your life without a notebook or an ipad? What is “the digital era”? Why is modern generation called “digital”? Where are computers used nowadays? Give examples.

2. Discuss your ideas with the partner.READING

1. Read the first sentence of Text A and try to guess what it is going to be about.

2. Skim the text and decide what type of word (noun, verb, adjective, adverb) you need to fill in the gaps.

3. Read the Text A and complete it with the words from the box.

moreoverswitchedfinancialperform

keep in touchdocumentservices

Text A

Computers have influenced the way we … everyday tasks, such as going shopping, working, searching for information, learning online. Architects design new buildings by means of PCs; people order books, food, … on the Internet; it’s also convenient to make flight reservations or book a room in a hotel via this global system of interconnected computer networks. Modern gadgets spring to life the moment they are … on helping us communicate with others wherever you are and allowing to work without leaving home.

With the appropriate hardware and software, a PC can cope with any complicated problem you ask it to do. It’ a magical typewriter that lets you type and print any sort of …. It’s a calculating machine that performs … calculations. It’s a filing cabinet that keeps and saves huge collections of data. It’s a smart laboratory that helps you make and edit photos and films. …, you can chat with your friends or … with your family when you are away from home to overcome homesickness. A computer also allow you to enjoy any electronic entertainment - watching movies, playing games, listening to music and so on.

4. Choose the most appropriate title for the text. A computer is the main calculating tool. Nowadays everyone has a computer. A computer is an indispensable part of our life. It’s impossible to survive without the Internet.

5. Without looking at the text, name as many uses of computers as you can.1. Read the first paragraph of Text B. What do you expect to find out when you

read the text? Write down three questions.

2. Share your ideas with the partner.

3. Read the text and answer the questions you have written.Text B

Nowadays people live in so-called the digital age that means the era in which computers have become the most essential part of our life. Young people grown up with PCs, mobile phones and other electronic gadgets are called the digital generation.

With the help of computers students perform matematical operations and improve their mathematical skills. These effective electronic devices are used to access the Internet, to do scientific research, to communicate with different people around the world. Thanks to computers teachers make and give presentations, get ready for lessons, look for additional information for their students. Online learning, organizing conferences and webinars are also great advantages that computers and the Internet give us. Due to these technologies schools and universities keep records of teachers and students, their works and results. Furthermore, students have an opportunity to enrol for courses via the websites and their parents can download official reports.

Banks officers make active use of computers to store information about customers’ accounts, to access large databases, to carry out financial transactions at high speed. The cashpoints or ATMs (automatic teller machines) which dispense money to customers by means of PIN-protected card are controlled by computers. It’s convenient to pay for goods and services, to pay bills and transfer money using a Chip and Pin card and entering a four-digit personal identification number instead of putting a signature to verify payments, which makes transactions more secure.

Modern gadgets allow people to make voice calls, send messages, email friends, download pictures, video, music or games. Nowadays smartphones combine functions of a cellphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a media player and a GPS navigation system. Most smartphones have a touchscreen user interface, 4G LTE internet, motion sensors and mobile payment mechanisms.

In addition, computers are used to help airline pilots control the plane, for example, by displaying data about fuel consumption and weather conditions on monitors. It's also possible to manage radar systems and regulate air traffic in airport control towers. Travel agencies are connected with airlines by means of computers. A travel agent uses them to find out about the availability of flights, prices, times, stopovers and other details.

4. Find six ways of using computers that were not mentioned in Text A.

5. Compare your answers with your groupmates’ ones.

6. Try to find the most appropriate title for the text.

7. Match the words and word combinations (1-8) with the definitions (A-H).

1. research A. new machines, equipment, and ways of doing things that are based on modern knowledge about science and computers

2. Internet B. a piece of electronic equipment, such as a laptop computer or a mobile phone, that is small and easy to carry

3. technology C. the state of being able to be obtained or used4. to download D. detailed study of something in order to discover new

facts, especially in a university or scientific institution5. personal electronic device

E. a business deal or action, such as buying or selling something

6. smartphone F. the large system of connected computers around the world

7. transactions G. a mobile phone that also works as a PDA (personal digital assistant)

8. availability H. to move information or programs from a computer network to a small computer

1. Read the first sentence of Text C and try to guess what it is going to be about.

2. Read and listen to the text and find out whether your ideas were right or wrong.

Text C

A digital age is based on successfully developed digital technologies. Computers are absolutely everywhere. The speed and capacity of computers have increased at a phenomenal rate. People increasingly wear computers in their clothes or jewelry, or carry computers in their phones or audio players. These new media are characterized by their interactivity. Interactive media continue to evolve and modernize. In interactive media, data is digital so it is transferable between devices, transmittable across wireless networks.

We are moving into a completely new era: THE COMPUTER IS DISAPPEARING. We expect interaction with digital media to become much more

physical and less screen-based. People will interact with digital technologies through touch, manipulation, and gesture; interaction will increasingly be embodied. People will move through environments embedded with digital artifacts, and will interact with and through technologies in new ways. These new environments promise to be highly complex in terms of their accessibility, functionality and usability. Conceptually, it will be difficult to determine what can be done, how it can be done, and where it can be done.

3. What is the main idea of the text?

4. What does the author mean by saying “THE COMPUTER IS DISAPPEARING”?

5. Do you agree with the author’s opinion? Why?/ Why not?

6. Compare your ideas with your partner’s ones.

7. Which Text (A, B, C) contains the following information:

Educational establishments can store data about their staff. People make transactions easily via the Internet. A computer is able to make calculations. Computers are installed in almost all modern devices. People can enjoy themselves by means of computers. Computers are actively used by airlines. Modern computers perform extremely fast.

8. Decide if the following sentences are true or false. Correct the false sentences. Use the model and the phrases from Appendix 3.

Model:

Student A: Notebooks have a monitor to read information from the computer.

Student B: I’m afraid I can’t agree with you. Notebooks have a screen, not a monitor.

Or

I think you are mistaken. Notebooks have no monitor but a screen that shows information from the computer.

Using computers we do a lot of things differently compared to the way we used to twenty years ago.

Most people prefer to communicate face-to-face rather than online. Calculations made by people are hundred times faster and more accurate than

those performed by computers.

Computers have made it far easier to hold conferences and meetings, to exchange ideas between scientists all over the world.

It’s quite dangerous to pay bills or make other transactions via the Internet. Smartphones are small computers. Computers allow pilots to control the correct functioning of the plane. Electronic devices can be used for different purposes: to do research, to chat

online, to email friends or relatives. In future people are considered to interact with digital technology in new ways.

9. Complete the sentences with your own words using the information from Texts A, B, C.

Any modern computer is able to cope with … With the help of computers we can easily … In future computers are believed to … It is rather convenient to … via the Internet. I think “the digital era” is … I am (not) a part of the “digital generation”, because …

10. How do you think computers will be used in future?LANGUAGE WORK

1. Study the information in the HELP BOX and match the verbs (1-7) with the nouns (A-G) to make collocations from the TEXTs A, B, C.

1. perform A. presentations

2. do B. voice calls

3. store C. operations

4. give D. databases

5. transfer E. information

6. make F. research

7. keep G. money

2. Use collocations from Exercise 1 to complete the following sentences: Owing to Wi-Fi, it's now easy and convenient to ___________________

from home without going to a bank and standing in a queue.

HELP BOX

Сollocations are typical word combinations and short phrases that commonly occur in English speech and writing. Learning collocations instead of individual words encourages you to speak more fluently, remembering which verb is used with each noun.

Skype is a telecommunications application software product that enables users to __________________ from computers, tablets and mobile devices over the Internet for free.

In our university students as well as teachers ____________________ using PowerPoint so as to make their talks more visually attractive.

Nowadays modern technologies provided a great number of opportunities for those who ____________________, so they can find any necessary information in seconds.

Cookies let a website to ____________________ on your computer and later retrieve it. Visiting the website again, you can easily find your preferences, as it remembers them for you.

3. Make your own sentences with the collocations from Exercise 1.

4. Choose the best verb.

To turn on the computer, ______________ the “START” button.

a) touch b) press c) switch The batteries in my digital camera are nearly dead. They need

____________.a) to change b) exchanging c) changing

I have to ____________ a computer screen for eight hours a day.a) look at b) see c) watch

Switch off your computer and _______________ it from the wall socket. a) de-plug b) unplug c) non-plug

__________ any key to continue.a) Kick b) Smash c) Hit

5. Choose the best adjective. Oh dear, I pressed the ____________ button.

a) incorrect b) wrong c) false I can’t use my mobile phone. The battery’s ______________.

a) over b) flat c) exhausted The battery isn’t completely flat, but it’s very ______________.

a) down b) short c) low My video camera is very ____________________.

a) easy to use b) uncomplicated

c) obvious

My new computer has a very _____________ processor.a) quick b) high-speed c) fast

GRAMMAR

1. Look through TEXTs A, B, C again and find Participles (14) and Gerunds (3). State their forms and functions. (Use Grammar guide 1 and Grammar guide 2 to help you).

2. These are answers of people questioned about the use of computers in their lives. Complete the sentences with the appropriate Participle from the box. State their forms and functions.

I have a GPS (Global Positioning System) ____________ in my car.

I teach Maths ______________ an interactive whiteboard, like a large touchscreen, which is very convenient.

Once _________________ assistive technology for people with disabilities I cannot imagine my life without it.

Thanks to HMD (head-mounted display) I’m ____________ virtual reality, the artificial environment of the latest video games.

______________ to the latest standards, our university wireless network works perfectly.

Cybercrime, crime ____________ with the help of computers, is _____________ serious problems.

I use databases to store information so that it can be easily ______________.

3. Complete the sentences with the appropriate Gerund from the box. State their forms and functions.

He liked _________________ computer games a lot which led to computer addiction. This method is worth _______________. Our society is completely dependent on

technology. When computers break down,

being upgradedusingstored

enjoyingcommitted

fittedcreating

having tried

giving upflying

detectingmakingapplyingplaying

everything around us freezes, planes stop _____________, banks and offices have to close.

I retouch photos on my computer, I improve them by _______________ a few touches and then save them on CD.

She insisted on his _________________ computer games. We have studied a new method of _______________ errors in such type of

programs.

SPEAKING1. Work in groups of three. Choose one of the areas in the diagram below and

discuss how computers can be used in that area. Study the USEFUL LANGUAGE box to help you.

USEFUL LANGUAGE

Industry: design products; make calculations; control industrial robots; control assembly lines; keep records of materials, equipment; calculate wages

Medicine: diagnose diseases; work out new treatment, medicine, pills; examine the internal organs of the human body; store valuable patients’ data

Business: calculate customer's bills, taxes; predict future trends of a business; keep track of the fall and rise of stocks; sell and buy goods online

Entertainment: download music, films, pictures; burn CDs, edit photos, make video clips, listen to MP3s, listen to news via the Web, watch new films on the computer, surf the Internet

Industry Medicine

Entertainment Business

PROJECT WORK

Work in pairs. Make a presentation on all possible uses of modern computers. You may use PowerPoint to format it and Appendix 6 to help you. Report back to your group.

UNIT 2. COMPUTER ESSENTIALS

STARTER

1. What kind of a computer have you got at home? How often do you use it?2. What are the main components and features of your computer system?3. Label the elements of the computer system below.

1. __________________ 2. _______________

3. _________________

4. _______________ 5. ______________ 6. ___________

7. _______________ 8. ______________9. ____________

READING

1. Think over and write down your own definition of a computer.2. Compare it with your groupmates’ definitions.3. Work out a unified definition of a computer, write it on the board.4. Read the text below and find out which features you haven't mentioned,

then make a diagram of computer’s work.A computer is an electronic machine that accepts information, processes and

keeps it, then outputs when it is need by means of output devices.

At first, data is collected and put into the memory of a computer. When the program is run, the computer performs a set of coded instructions and processes the data. The result can be seen on the screen of the computer and saved in soft or hard copy.

A typical computer system consists of two parts: hardware and software. The parts of a computer you can see or touch, such as a monitor or CPU, are called hardware. There are three basic hardware sections: the Central Processing Unit, the main memory and peripherals. The operating system (OS) is software that controls the hardware.

The CPU, so-called “the heart" of the computer, is a microprocessor chip that executes program instructions and coordinates the activities of all other unites. Speed of data processing is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). The higher the speed, the faster the computer runs.

The main memory contains two main sections: RAM (random access memory) and ROM (read-only memory). RAM is the best known form of computer memory and is considered "random access" because any memory cell can be accessed directly if the row and column that intersect at that cell are known. RAM controls the performance of the computer when it works and moves data to and from the CPU. Programs with a lot of graphics need a large RAM to run well. ROM, also known as firmware, is an integrated circuit programmed with specific data when it is manufactured. ROM chips are used not only in computers, but in most other electronic items as well. The main memory keeps the data and instructions being processed by the CPU.

Peripherals are the physical units connected to the computer and used with it. They include:

Input devices that let data and commands enter the computer’s memory. Output devices that help us extract the finished product from the

computer.

Storage devices used for storing information permanently.At the back of the computer you can find some ports into which a wide range

of peripherals can be plugged, such as a scanner, a digital camera, etc. They provide communication between the computer and the devices.

5. Find the most appropriate titles for each paragraph of the text above.

6. Look at the words below and decide if they define hardware (H), software (S), peripherals (P) or measurement (M).

CPU – Linux – megabyte (MB) – printer – Microsoft Word – gigahertz (GHz) – hard drive – Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) – DVD drive – RAM – Power Point – modem –

7. Match the following words from the text (1-9) with the correct definitions (A-I).

1. output A. sockets into which an external device may be connected

2. peripherals B. programs which are used on a particular computer system

3. ports C. the heart of the computer4. input D. section that holds programs and data while

they are executed or processed5. hardware E. result produced by the computer6. software F. magnetic device used to store data7. CPU G. data which is put into the computer8. main memory H. physical parts that constitute a computer

system9. hard drive I. output devices attached to the CPU

8. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate word: DVDs are expected to replace CDs as _____________ devices.

Computer ____________ is the visible and audible result of data processing.

____________ will provide high-quality output, with sharp text and impressive graphics.

Thanks to _____________ we can let our parents and friends watch our new apartments.

9. Label the diagram with the correct terms. Use the text above to help you.

programs mechanical and electronic parts

LANGUAGE WORK

1. Look back at the text above and match the underlined words and phrases in the text with the meanings.

makes a computer use a program or carry out an instruction __________ pictures and images _________________ make a program work successfully _________________ the speed and effectiveness of a computer ________________________

Computer system

__________________ ___________________

_________________ Main memory

__________________

_____________ _______________

________________

_________________

______________

hard disk, DVD drivemonitor, printerkeyboard, mouse

can be connected with an electricity supply or to another piece of equipment _________________

the complete path that an electric current flows around ______________ remove something from a particular place _________________ a camera that takes and stores pictures and video in the form of

electronic signals ___________________ reads and uses data _________________ computer program _____________________________

2. Match the devices (1-6) with the places in which they can be found (A-F).

1. ATM/ cash machine A. connected to a pair of headphones2. MP3 player B. on the back of a credit card3. photocopier C. in the hands of a tourist4. barcode reader D. in an office, copy shop, university5. video camera E. outside a bank6. magnetic strip F. at a supermarket checkout

3. Look at these common noun and adjective suffixes that are used to form different parts of speech.

Nouns -tion -ment -ness -ance -or -ing

Adjectives -ic -al -ful -less -tific -y

Complete the charts below and mark the stress. Pay attention to some spelling changes. Use Appendix 7 to help you.

Noun Verb Noun Adjective

_____________ perform _______________ effective

instruction ______________ digit _______________

_____________ measure _______________ scientific

_____________ communicate use _______________

improvement ______________ help _______________

_____________ develop power _______________

_____________ process person _______________

_____________ produce wire _______________

drawing ______________ _______________ noisy

illustration ______________ photograph _______________

GRAMMAR

1. Read the descriptions of different types of printers. Fill in the gaps with the appropriate prepositions from the box to the right.

Ink-jet (also called bubble-jet) printers spray ionized tiny drops of ink … a page to create an image. It is attained by using magnetized plates which aim the ink onto the paper in the desired pattern. High quality print produced by ink-jet printers can be compared … the quality of a laser printer. A standard ink-jet printer has a resolution of 600 dots per inch, although more modern models have improved on that. Besides, color link-jet printers can be used as a regular black and white printer.

A dot-matrix (also impact) printer produces characters and illustrations … striking pins against an ink ribbon to print closely spaced dots … the appropriate shape. These printers have two main disadvantages: noise they make and relatively low resolution. In spite of them, dot-matrix printers can print to multi-page forms (that is, carbon copies).

for

to

onto

by (2)

in

of (3)

with

Laser printers use a laser beam to fix the ink to the paper. A laser works like a photocopier; a powder called toner is pulled to paper by electrostatic charge and fused on … a hot roller. Laser printers have a high resolution and print very fast.

LED (liquid crystal display)/LCD (light-emitting diode) printers are types of electro photographic printers that are similar … laser printers in most ways. They both use a light source instead … a laser to create an image on a drum.

Plotters are large-scale printers that are very accurate at reproducing line drawings and are commonly used … technical drawings, in computer-aided design, 3D technical illustration, maps. The two main types … plotters are flatbed plotters and drum plotters.

Multi-function printers are capable of performing more than one task and are used as scanners, faxes, photocopiers as well as printers.

Wireless printer  is able to work with wireless network, and takes advantage of these benefits: prints from anywhere in your home or office,  says goodbye to cord

clutter and the length of printer cables determining the placement of other peripherals, shares a single printer with an entire household or office, saves on the hardware and energy costs.

2. Translate the following word combinations from Russian into English using different forms of Participles. Use Grammar guide 1 to help you.

создав изображение; порошок, называемый тонер; используя лазер в качестве фотокопировального устройства; имея высокое расширение; напечатанный текст; выполняя более одной задачи; улучшенная картинка; определив местоположение других внешних периферийных

устройств; сравнивая качество печати; ионизированные капли чернил.

3. Find 6 Participles and 2 Gerunds in the first two paragraphs. Define their forms and functions. Use Grammar guide 1 and Grammar guide 2 to help you.

4. Form Participle II from the following verbs:

achieve ____________________

desire ____________________

produce ____________________

take ____________________

use ____________________

make ____________________

direct ____________________

print ____________________

save ____________________

call ____________________

5. Make your own sentences with the formed Participles from ex. 4 using the following structural patterns as: N+V3, V3+N, be+V3, when/if/though+V3.

SPEAKING

1. Think over the ideal computer you would most like to have. Make notes about as many features as you can. Characteristics in the box can help you.

Speed Accuracy Memory Network connectivity

Battery power Operating system Display/ Screen Processing power

Storage Reliability Accuracy Versatility

2. Discuss your ideal computer with your partner comparing all the features. Give reasons for your choice. Study the USEFUL LANGUAGE box to help you.

USEFUL LANGUAGE

The ideal computer has got ...It can perform ..../ carry out ....... is calculated in ...The standard RAM memory is … and it’s expandable …The hard disk can hold …As for the Internet, …It would have the ability to store …… use all the current and future software, such as …It would also need to have an output for …It has got highly developed …… prevents the computer from …

… the larger the screen, the more amount of viewable space I will be able to...It should be taken into consideration that ...

PROJECT WORK

Your university is considering replacing all the PCs with laptops and tablets. Write an email to the Rector explaining the benefits of these changes for the students and the university, and possible drawbacks of using only laptops and tablets instead of PCs.

UNIT 4. FUTURE TRENDS IN ICT

STARTER

1. What do you think ICT mean?2. Watch the video ‘2025 The Future of ICT’ on the following website

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpJ36KzHJG4. 3. What are the possibilities of ICT in future mentioned in the video?4. How will they influence such spheres of life as education, healthcare and

cities?5. How will new trends in ICT affect our lives in future?

READING

1. Look at the pictures below and say what the following text is going to be about.

2. Discuss your ideas with the partner.3. Read the text and match the pictures (A-I) with the passages (1-6). More than

one picture may correspond to one passage.

Picture A Picture B Picture C

Picture D Picture E Picture F

Picture G Picture H Picture I

1. Automata (or androids) are the machines in the shape of humans which basic components are similar to a human body. Generally humanoid robots have a torso with a head, two arms and two legs (end effectors); some forms of humanoid robots may simulate only a part of the body. Some humanoid robots may also have a 'face', with 'eyes' and 'mouth'. Their mobile parts are connected with mechanical links - joints. They may be equipped with cameras or infrared controls (sensors), which deliver information to the central system so as to locate objects or regulate movements. Their heart and muscles are electric or pneumatic motors (actuators), which produce movements. The brain of a humanoid robot is a computer system that directs its actions.

Humanoid robots are used to do dangerous work that requires a human-like form, to take care of the elderly, to keep an eye on children and also as a teacher or a trainer. Despite their currently limited capabilities, humanoid robots still have a great number of uses, and in the future they may be able to do much more important tasks.

Surgical robots are designed to help doctors in very delicate microsurgery operations or mimic surgeon’s movements in telesurgery operations. Mobile robots are constructed to work in close interaction with people in various environments, such as homes, hospitals, public spaces, public transportation systems and disaster

areas. Planetary rovers are able to rove over a planet's surface and make detailed observations of it. A space probe is any unmanned instrumented spacecraft designed to carry out physical studies of space environment.

2. Nanorobotics is the technology of creating tiny robots at the scale of a nanometre (10-9 metres). Nanorobots (nanobots or nanoids) are known as devices varying in size from 0.1-10 micrometres and designed of nanoscale or molecular components.

Although nanobots do not exist yet, in future they are expected to be used in molecular manufacturing (nanofactories), medicine, surgery and other fields. The medical applications of nanorobots are exceedingly forward-looking, and a lot of researchers fix attention on these uses of the technology. Due to its size (similar to many invaders in the body), theoretically a nanorobot could be used as a specifically-programmed “soldier”, able to steer through the blood stream making repairs, guarding against infection and fighting off cancerous cells or viruses. Besides, they could be used to help doctors with early detection of diseases making more detailed scans of people and simply assist to make sure the body is functioning at an optimal level.

3. Biometrics is the automated method of identifying a person based on physiological or behavioral characteristics, such as fingerprints, facial features, voice, signature, iris and retina patterns. Biometrics is expected to be extensively used for providing Homeland Security including applications for improving strengthening national borders, airport security, in travel documents, visas and in preventing ID theft.

A wide range of new applications can be found in electronic banking, retail sales, health and social services, amusement parks, various financial organizations, enterprise and government networks, passport programs and driver licenses, physical access to multiple facilities (e.g., nightclubs), different educational establishments.

Biometric-based authentication applications include data protection, network and domain access, remote access to resources, application logon, transaction security and web security. Using biometrics for personal authentication offers unique advantages and is more secure than magnetic stripe cards, photo ID cards, smart cards, physical keys, which can be stolen, lost, duplicated or simply left at home. Passwords can be shared, forgotten or observed. Moreover, today's rapidly growing electronic world requires that people have to remember a large number of passwords and personal identification numbers (PINs) for computer accounts, bank ATMs, wireless phones, e-mail accounts, web sites and so forth. Biometrics completely solves these problems.

4. Would you like to be able to talk to computers and robots the same way you communicate with your friends? It might become a reality in the nearest future. Researchers are trying to break down the language barrier between humans and computers, and working on the programs that aim to make computers express themselves more like humans by teaching them to use spoken language, facial expressions and gestures to communicate.

5. Everything is rapidly getting smarter. If a physical item doesn’t have a sensor, a computer chip to interact, it will soon. Look at the following smart devises that will become ubiquitous in the near future.

A gadget in the form of a ring determines the content of oxygen in the blood, heart rate, body temperature, sleep quality, blood pressure and many others. Smart drinking cup allows you to get instant information about the actual temperature of your drink not to burn your tongue and to provide you with best flavor of a drink. A suitcase made of nylon and high-quality aluminum, with built-in support for a laptop, USB-port as well as a Wi-fi, Bluetooth and other pleasant bonuses will enable you to travel with pleasure and comfort.

The kitchen of the future will have a smart surface that recognizes everything that is put on it. A projector above the table projects recipes and tips on cooking onto the work surface. A smart surface knows what you will cook and can be used as plates, a cutting board, a dining table or an interactive screen for gaming. Projectors and sensors detect objects on the table, guessing the desire of users and customizing the interface accordingly. No matter where you put a pot or a pan. The table is able to warm up any space on the work surface, suggest suitable recipes and calculate the cooking time. The system recognizes the ingredients on a cutting board and tells you what to do next. The system interacts with mobile devices through a special application, which contains numerous recipes. The program can also share recipes with friends.

6. A house that combines advanced automation systems to provide the residents with carefully designed monitoring and control over the building's functions is known as a smart house or a smart home. For instance, a smart home may control lighting, temperature, security, window and door operations, multi-media as well as many other functions.

'Home automation' technologies are used in smart homes to provide home owners with 'intelligent' feedback and information by monitoring many aspects of a home. For example, a refrigerator has Wi-Fi connectivity, LCD display that catalogues its contents and controls food expiry date, voice control. This device is able to suggest menus, recommend healthy alternatives, and order replacements as

food is used up. A smart house might even be responsible for feeding a dog and watering plants.

Exciting opportunities of a smart home can change the way we live by checking messages, answering calls, self-washing, drying and folding clothes, monitoring and controlling home appliances, providing security and safety, entertaining its residents, etc.

4. Write a suitable caption for each picture above.

5. Think over the most appropriate title for each passage and the whole text. Discuss your ideas with the partner.

6. Complete the sentences with your own words using the information from the text.

With the help of such physiological or behavioral characteristics as … biometrics makes it possible to recognize a person.

Man-like machines could be used … Things that … are called smart devices. The medical applications of nanorobots are extensively developing to be used

for … The technology … is called nanorobotics. The kitchen of the future differs from the present one … Automata have such fundamental components as … I can’t call my home “a smart house” because …

7. Which paragraph contains the following information: Personal data security and financial transactions can be provided by biometric-

based authentication applications. These robots have grippers called end-effectors. Researchers are working on programs that will enable computers to

communicate with people easily. One day nano-sized robots will be injected into the body’s bloodstream in

order to treat diseases at the celluar level. Planetary rovers are designed to walk on a planet's surface and explore it in

detail. In an intelligent home all the systems and devices are connected in a local area

network and controlled by a central computer. A gadget that helps you control the condition of your body has already become

a reality. Nowadays it’s easy to forget passwords that we have to keep in mind to

perform banking transactions, use e-mail, social networks, etc.

8. Work in pairs. Express your opinion on all the future trends in ICT mentioned in the text. Think over other perspectives of developments in ICT.

LANGUAGE WORK

1. Find words in the text with the following meanings: a machine that can move and do some of the work of a person, and is usually

controlled by a computer; a piece of equipment that reacts to physical changes such as the amount of heat

or light that exists somewhere; the process of watching something or someone carefully for a period of time in

order to find something out; a machine that looks and talks like a human and can do many of the things

humans do; a microscopic robot built with nanotechnology; biological identification of a person; a system that keeps computer information safe by checking who the user is and

checking that the information has not been changed; seeming to be everywhere; recognize someone and be able to say who they are; things that are done to keep a person, building, or country safe from danger or

crime.

2. Solve the following cross-word puzzle on the information and communications technologies (ICT) systems. Use a specialized dictionary if necessary.

1

2 5

3 4

I A N D C T E C H N O L O G I E S

6 E

7 E

8

9

Across

1. The term that refers to the transmission of audio signals (radio) or audiovisual signals (television).

2. The device that allows PCs to communicate over telephone lines.3. A system that provides news and other information for people to read on their

television screens.4. A computer that is designed to be worn as an item of clothing.5. A system for finding exactly where you are anywhere in the world using

satellites (acronym).

Down

6. The practice of working at home and communicating with the office by phone and computer.

7. The term that means without wires.8. A mobile phone that also works as a small computer, allowing you to store

information and write letters and reports.9. Television broadcasting that uses electronic signals.

GRAMMAR

HELP BOX Predictions: Future forms and Complex subject

To predict actions which will happen in future we can use:1. Future Simple :

Nanobots will be injected into the body’s bloodstream to treat diseases.

2. Construction be going to: Nanotechnology is going to

have a huge impact on business and our daily lives.

3. Future Continuous: In a few years doctors will be

using expert systems to diagnose illnesses.

4. Future Perfect: Probably by 2040 genetics will have

created the first biologically optimised human.

5. Complex subject: We are expected to work from

telework centres in future. People are likely to interact naturally

with hundreds of smart devices in a few years.

All people seem to live in smart homes in 2050.

1. Make predictions for 2050 related to your life, computers and developments in ICT. Write down your sentences using the verbs below or your own ideas. Compare your predictions with your partner’s.

develop disappear increase replace take over the Internet computing power monitors interfaces keyboards teleworking machine intelligence smart devices robots Bluetooth

2. Complete the sentences using an appropriate form of the verb using the methods, described in the HELP BOX. You can use the information in Grammar guide 3. Compare your sentences with your partner’s ones.

People (have) electronic chips in their bodies in future. We (be unlikely use) cable connections in some years. Thanks to ICT, by the year 2030 scientists (find) medicine for the major

diseases of our time. The Internet (change) the publishing industry in the way that TV changed the

movie industry. The CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor (be sure be replaced) completely in the

next few years. I’m sure that smart technology (be incorporated) into fabrics by 2040, so we’ll

be able to email from our jackets. The motor car (expect, be replaced) before 2040. In thirty years’ time some people (live) in space, perhaps inside a computerized

colony. Robots (be unlikely replace) teachers at schools, colleges and universities.

SPEAKING

1. Think of arguments for and against the following statement. Discuss them with the partner. Give reasons for your choice. Study the USEFUL LANGUAGE box and Appendix 4 to help you.

Computers will catch up with the power and speed of the human brain by 2050. Some time after that they will outstrip us and wrest control over people.

USEFUL LANGUAGE

To express opinion:

In my opinion, … I believe that … As far as I'm concerned…

It seems to me that … It’s clear that … My personal view is that..

To add arguments:

In addition, … Furthermore, … Besides, …

To introduce opposing ideas:

On the one hand, … On the other hand, … Some people say …

Others say … However, … Although …

PROJECT WORK

1. Surf the Internet and find official sites informing a reader about new research in the field of robotics. Look through the articles about the latest models of humanoid robots and their uses, and analyse new trends. Work out your model of android and present it to your group.

2. Would you like to live in the Smart home? Work out a draft of your ideal smart house you’d love to have. Make a presentation and introduce it to your groupmates with the comments. Use Appendix 6 to help you.