2. Some pieces of technology are more important for us than others.
1) What piece of technology couldn't people below live without? Why are they important for these people? (reading/listening for specific information)
I couldn't live without my computer at home.
I use it all the time. It is like a typewriter and address book for me and it is also used for checking my spelling. Besides I can go on the Internet* and discover everything about anything, it's a brilliant source of information. I've designed my own website and I'm getting loads of information for school. Besides some websites are packed with quizzes, games and competitions, it's all you need for hours of fun on your computer. You can play and learn on it. It is absolutely essential. I don't know how I ever managed without it. But my elder sister thinks people are getting a bit too dependent on computers. She thinks that we rely on them too much. My sister says, 'You can't rely on all the information, you don't know who it has been written by or where it's coming from. To be dependent on anything, especially a lifeless machine, that can quite easily break down, is not good. Besides computers shouldn't replace seeing your friends."
Kate
I couldn't possibly live without my car. Convenience seems to be the most common and most logical answer: cars take you where you want to go and when you want to go there. I can travel freely and comfortably wherever I want. Besides it allows me to live where I want as I can easily get to the place I need with the help of the car. Besides a car is a way of self-expression. I really hate to be without it. I think a car is a necessity rather than a luxury. But my wife thinks there are too many cars in our cities. Some people use them in cases when they could go on foot for example when going to buy a newspaper in a kiosk. It's necessary to give thought to problems caused by cars. Pollution, accidents and so on. She says that cars are useful but not essential and it's nice when cars are banned from the central shopping areas. I don't agree with such situation but I have to accept it. My wife prefers to go to work using intercity transportation system. She says that during the rush hour, a trip from our home to her work by car takes much more time than a trip on foot. But I prefer to use my car. It suits me.
John
I couldn't imagine my life without my phone or I should say phones because I've got a mobile, too. I need a telephone to get in touch with my friends or to call the police or an ambulance. It is almost impossible for me to live without my phones. At home I've got a cordless telephone, I think it saves time when you have a receiver just at hand. But my mum was against buying a cordless phone because if there is some problem with electricity it won't work and you'll be totally lost. She also thinks that it is a luxury to have a mobile, it is too expensive, it is more trouble than it's worth. Besides she says that mobiles are dangerous for health. The rays may cause headaches and even more dangerous diseases. I don't believe her. For me my telephones are really invaluable.
Ann
2) Are the statements below true or false?
1. Kate uses her PC for typing and keeping information. (true)
2. Kate uses her computer to get information from the Internet. (true)
3. Kate's sister thinks it's not clever to believe all facts stored on the Internet. (true)
4. Kate's sister considers electronic devices not reliable. (true)
5. John doesn't like his car but he needs it. (false)
6. John's wife most probably goes to work by bus than by car. (true)
7. John doesn't like the situation when he can't use his car for going shopping. (true)
8. John's wife spends less time to get to her work when she walks than when she goes by car. (true)
9. Ann doesn't agree to have one phone. (true)
10. Ann's mum thinks that telephones are more trouble than profit. (true)
11. There are some problems with computers, cars and telephones. (true)
3) What arguments are given for and against the computer, the car and the phone? Organise the information in the table, (reading/listening for specific information)
4) Which of the arguments do you agree or disagree with? (agreeing/disagreeing)
5) GROUP WORK
What are your arguments for and against the computer, the car and the phone? Work in a group of three persons (one piece of technology for a person). Make your lists of arguments, (giving arguments)
Discuss your arguments with other groupmates. Let them agree or disagree with you. (agreeing/disagreeing)
Agreement
That's right. I also think so. I must agree that ... You are quite right.
Disagreement
On the contrary, it is ... I think it's absolutely wrong to ... On the one hand ... , but on the other hand ... Don't forget about the other side of the problem. You don't seem to understand that ... I think you're being rather optimistic/unrealistic saying that
6) Look back at the list of things you compiled while doing exercise 1 on ^ \ page 240. Why has your group chosen these three invaluable things and these three totally useless? Give your arguments.
1) What piece of technology couldn't people below live without? Why are they important for these people? (reading/listening for specific information)
I couldn't live without my computer at home.
I use it all the time. It is like a typewriter and address book for me and it is also used for checking my spelling. Besides I can go on the Internet* and discover everything about anything, it's a brilliant source of information. I've designed my own website and I'm getting loads of information for school. Besides some websites are packed with quizzes, games and competitions, it's all you need for hours of fun on your computer. You can play and learn on it. It is absolutely essential. I don't know how I ever managed without it. But my elder sister thinks people are getting a bit too dependent on computers. She thinks that we rely on them too much. My sister says, 'You can't rely on all the information, you don't know who it has been written by or where it's coming from. To be dependent on anything, especially a lifeless machine, that can quite easily break down, is not good. Besides computers shouldn't replace seeing your friends."
Kate
I couldn't possibly live without my car. Convenience seems to be the most common and most logical answer: cars take you where you want to go and when you want to go there. I can travel freely and comfortably wherever I want. Besides it allows me to live where I want as I can easily get to the place I need with the help of the car. Besides a car is a way of self-expression. I really hate to be without it. I think a car is a necessity rather than a luxury. But my wife thinks there are too many cars in our cities. Some people use them in cases when they could go on foot for example when going to buy a newspaper in a kiosk. It's necessary to give thought to problems caused by cars. Pollution, accidents and so on. She says that cars are useful but not essential and it's nice when cars are banned from the central shopping areas. I don't agree with such situation but I have to accept it. My wife prefers to go to work using intercity transportation system. She says that during the rush hour, a trip from our home to her work by car takes much more time than a trip on foot. But I prefer to use my car. It suits me.
John
I couldn't imagine my life without my phone or I should say phones because I've got a mobile, too. I need a telephone to get in touch with my friends or to call the police or an ambulance. It is almost impossible for me to live without my phones. At home I've got a cordless telephone, I think it saves time when you have a receiver just at hand. But my mum was against buying a cordless phone because if there is some problem with electricity it won't work and you'll be totally lost. She also thinks that it is a luxury to have a mobile, it is too expensive, it is more trouble than it's worth. Besides she says that mobiles are dangerous for health. The rays may cause headaches and even more dangerous diseases. I don't believe her. For me my telephones are really invaluable.
Ann
2) Are the statements below true or false?
1. Kate uses her PC for typing and keeping information. (true)
2. Kate uses her computer to get information from the Internet. (true)
3. Kate's sister thinks it's not clever to believe all facts stored on the Internet. (true)
4. Kate's sister considers electronic devices not reliable. (true)
5. John doesn't like his car but he needs it. (false)
6. John's wife most probably goes to work by bus than by car. (true)
7. John doesn't like the situation when he can't use his car for going shopping. (true)
8. John's wife spends less time to get to her work when she walks than when she goes by car. (true)
9. Ann doesn't agree to have one phone. (true)
10. Ann's mum thinks that telephones are more trouble than profit. (true)
11. There are some problems with computers, cars and telephones. (true)
3) What arguments are given for and against the computer, the car and the phone? Organise the information in the table, (reading/listening for specific information)
4) Which of the arguments do you agree or disagree with? (agreeing/disagreeing)
5) GROUP WORK
What are your arguments for and against the computer, the car and the phone? Work in a group of three persons (one piece of technology for a person). Make your lists of arguments, (giving arguments)
Discuss your arguments with other groupmates. Let them agree or disagree with you. (agreeing/disagreeing)
Agreement
That's right. I also think so. I must agree that ... You are quite right.
Disagreement
On the contrary, it is ... I think it's absolutely wrong to ... On the one hand ... , but on the other hand ... Don't forget about the other side of the problem. You don't seem to understand that ... I think you're being rather optimistic/unrealistic saying that
6) Look back at the list of things you compiled while doing exercise 1 on ^ \ page 240. Why has your group chosen these three invaluable things and these three totally useless? Give your arguments.
