Scientific and Technological Progress
It's difficult to overestimate the role of science and technology in our life. They accelerate the development of civilization and help us in our co-operation with nature.
Scientists investigate the laws of the universe, discover the secrets of nature, and apply their knowledge in practice improving the life of people. Let "s compare our life nowadays with the life of people at the beginning of the 20th century. It has changed beyond recognition. Our ancestors hadn" t the slightest idea of the trivial things created by the scientific progress that we use in our every day life. I mean refrigerators, TV sets, computers, microwave ovens, radio telephones, what not.
They would seem miracles to them that made our life easy, comfortable and pleasant. On the other hand, the great inventions of the beginning of the 20th century, I mean radio, airplanes, combustion and jet engines have become usual things and we can't imagine our life without them. A century is a long period for scientific and technological progress, as it "s rather rapid. Millions of investigations the endless number of outstanding discoveries have been made. Our century has had several names that were connected with a certain era in science and technology. At first it was called the atomic age due to the discovery of the splitting of the atom. Then it became the age of the conquest of space when for the first time in the history of mankind a man overcame the gravity and entered the Universe. And now we live in the information era when the computer network embraces the globe and connects not only the countries and space stations but a lot of people all over the world. All these things prove the power and the greatest progressive role of science in our life.
But every medal has its reverse. And the rapid scientific progress has aroused a number of problems that are a matter of our great concern. These are ecological problems, the safety of nuclear power stations, the nuclear war threat, and the responsibility of a scientist. But still we are grateful to the outstanding men of the past and the present who have courage and patience to disclose the secrets of the Universe.
Translation of the text: Scientific and Technological Progress
It is difficult to overestimate the role of science and technology in our lives. They accelerate the development of civilization and help us in our cooperation with nature.
Scientists explore the laws of the universe, discover the secrets of nature, and apply their knowledge in practices that improve people's lives. Let's compare our life today with the life of people at the beginning of the 20th century. It has changed beyond recognition. Our ancestors did not have the slightest idea of the trivial things created by scientific progress that we use in our every day life. I mean refrigerators, televisions, computers, microwave ovens, cordless phones, what not.
They would seem like miracles to them that made our life easy, comfortable and enjoyable. On the other hand, the great inventions of the early 20th century, I mean radio, airplanes, combustion and jet engines have become commonplace and we cannot imagine our life without them. A century is a long period for scientific and technological progress as it is quite fast. Millions of studies an endless number of outstanding discoveries have been made. Our century had several names that were associated with a particular era in science and technology. At first it was called the atomic age because of the discovery of the split of the atom. Then it became the age of conquest of a place, when for the first time in the history of mankind man overcame seriousness and entered the Universe. And now we live in the information age, when a computer network spans the globe and connects not only countries and space stations, but also many people around the world. All these things prove the power and the greatest progressive role of science in our life.
But every medal has its change. And the rapid scientific progress has awakened many problems that are a matter of our great concern. These are environmental concerns, the safety of nuclear power plants, the nuclear military threat, and the responsibility of the scientist. But nevertheless we are grateful to the outstanding men of the past and present who have the courage and patience to uncover the mysteries of the universe.
Scientific and technical progress
The basis of scientific and technical progress of today is new informational technology which is very different from all the previous technologies. Thanks to up-to-date software and robots new informational technologies can make many processes much faster and transmit information more quickly. It is important today because the quantity of information is growing rapidly.
New informational society has its peculiarities. Firstly, more and more employees work in the sphere of service and information. Secondly, more and more huge databases appear to collect and store the information. And finally, information and IT become goods and start playing an important part in the country's economy.
These processes affect social structures and values.
It becomes important to learn to get new knowledge quickly and sometimes to change your qualifications. IT can first lead to unemployment, but later create even more workplaces especially for highly qualified professionals. While the hardest work can be performed by robots and routine calculations by computers, in the future people with the most creative mind and numerous fresh ideas will get better career chances.
On one hand technology development gives more access to professional and cultural information and leads to new forms of individual enterprises, but on the other hand there is a danger of total control of private life unless special laws are enforced by the government.
Another danger is "intellectual terrorism" when computer viruses block important programs.
There are other directions of technical and scientific progress of today.
One of them is the development of new ecologically clean sources of energy using sun, gravity, winds or rain. New kind of transports and new agricultural methods that do not harm our nature are being developed today.
Breakthroughs in science have led to the creation of artificial viruses for new medicines and products, body organs for transplantation and productive soils for growing vegetables and crops. Many new materials and technologies are being used in our everyday life.
All these innovations may have influence on our life, social relations and globally on our Earth.
The influence can be very different: from psychological and health problems of children who spend too much time online to an opportunity to prevent genetic diseases for future generations.
But the most difficult problems the humanity faces are global problems.
The first and foremost is ecological problem: pollution of air, water and soil, exhaustion of natural resources. Renewable natural resources such as oxygen, forests, flora and fauna do not have enough time to regenerate. This leads to different changes in climate and nature such as depletion of the ozone layer and other things that has not been properly studied by scientists yet.
Other crucial problems include wars, epidemics, and demographic problems.
The only way to solve them is to work globally and in cooperation with other countries. And here the humanity should find a way to use new technologies for the common good. The solution of these problems cannot be postponed because otherwise people will have fewer chances to survive on this planet.
Scientific and technical progress
Today, scientific and technological progress is based on new information technologies (IT), which are significantly different from all previous technologies. With the latest software and robots, new IT can speed up many processes and transfer information faster. This is important today because the amount of information is growing rapidly.
The new information society has its own characteristics. First, more and more employees work in the service and information sector. Secondly, there are more and more huge database repositories for collecting and storing information. Finally, information and IT are becoming commodities and starting to play an important role in the country's economy.
These processes influence social structures and values.
It becomes important to acquire new knowledge quickly and sometimes change your qualifications. IT may initially lead to unemployment, but then it creates even more jobs for highly skilled professionals. While the hardest work may be done by robots and standard calculations by computers, in the future, people with the most creative minds and the most fresh ideas will have the best career opportunities.
On the one hand, the development of technology gives more access to professional and cultural information and leads to the creation of new forms of individual enterprises, but on the other hand, there is a danger of total control over private life, unless special laws are passed by the government.
Another danger is "intellectual terrorism" when computer viruses block important programs.
There are other directions of development of scientific and technological progress today.
One of them is the development of new environmentally friendly energy sources using the sun, gravity, wind or rain. Today, new modes of transport and new agricultural methods are being developed that do not harm nature.
Scientific discoveries have led to the creation of artificial viruses for new drugs and products, organs for transplantation, and productive soils for growing vegetables and cereals. Many new materials and technologies are used in our daily life.
All these innovations can have an impact on our lives, social relationships and globally on our Earth.
The impact can range from psychological problems and health problems in children who spend too much time on the Internet to the ability to prevent genetic diseases in future generations.
But the most difficult problems that humanity faces are global problems.
The first and foremost is the environmental problem: air, water and soil pollution, depletion of natural resources. Renewable natural resources such as oxygen, forests, flora and fauna do not have enough time to recover. This leads to various changes in the climate and in nature, such as the depletion of the ozone layer and other phenomena that are not yet well understood by scientists.
Other key issues are wars, epidemics and demographic problems. The only way to solve them is to work globally and in cooperation with other countries. And here humanity must find a way to use new technologies for the common good. The solution of these problems cannot be postponed, otherwise people will have less chance to survive on this planet.
Vocabulary:
access - access
affect - influence
breakthrough - discovery, achievement, scientific breakthrough
calculation - calculation
common good - common good
crops - crops
crucial - the most important, key
database
development - development
to develop - develop
to enforce - zd. enforce (law)
to face - face
genetic - genetic
global - global, worldwide
to harm - harm, harm
highly qualified - highly qualified
humanity - humanity
to lead - lead to something
otherwise - otherwise, otherwise
peculiarities - features
postpone - postpone, transfer (in time)
properly - properly, properly
quantity - quantity
rapidly - quickly
to regenerate - recover, revive
renewable natural resources - renewable natural resources
routine - normal, standard
software - software
to solve a problem - solve a problem
solution - solution
source - source
survive - survive
transmit - transmit, send
unemployment - unemployment
up-to-date - latest, modern
values - values
Answer the questions
1. Why is IT progress different from other progresses?
2. What are the peculiarities of information society?
3. What is the role of information in this society?
4. According to the text who will have better career chances in the near future and why?
5. What are the possible dangers of wide access to information?
6. What ecologically clean sources of energy do you know?
7. How can scientific innovations influence our everyday life?
8. What are the key problems that humanity faces today?
9. How can these problems be solved?
10. What ecological problems are mentioned in the text?
11. What are the benefits of the scientific and technical progress?
12. What are the drawbacks of the scientific and technical progress?
13. Find in the text synonyms to the words "new", "fast", "important" and "to send". Can you think of other synonyms to these words?
14. Translate the underlined words and use them in your own sentences.
[ ]
It's difficult to overestimate the role of science and technology in our life. They accelerate the development of civilization and help us in our co-operation with nature.
Scientists investigate the laws of the universe, discover the secrets of nature, and apply their knowledge in practice improving the life of people. Let "s compare our life nowadays with the life of people at the beginning of the 20th century. It has changed beyond recognition. Our ancestors hadn" t the slightest idea of the trivial things created by the scientific progress that we use in our every day life. I mean refrigerators, TV sets, computers, microwave ovens, radio telephones, what not.
They would seem miracles to them that made our life easy, comfortable and pleasant. On the other hand, the great inventions of the beginning of the 20th century, I mean radio, airplanes, combustion and jet engines have become usual things and we can't imagine our life without them. A century is a long period for scientific and technological progress, as it "s rather rapid. Millions of investigations the endless number of outstanding discoveries have been made. Our century has had several names that were connected with a certain era in science and technology. At first it was called the atomic age due to the discovery of the splitting of the atom. Then it became the age of the conquest of space when for the first time in the history of mankind a man overcame the gravity and entered the Universe. And now we live in the information era when the computer network embraces the globe and connects not only the countries and space stations but a lot of people all over the world. All these things prove the power and the greatest progressive role of science in our life.
But every medal has its reverse. And the rapid scientific progress has aroused a number of problems that are a matter of our great concern. These are ecological problems, the safety of nuclear power stations, the nuclear war threat, and the responsibility of a scientist. But still we are grateful to the outstanding men of the past and the present who have courage and patience to disclose the secrets of the Universe.
Translation of the text: Scientific and Technological Progress
It is difficult to overestimate the role of science and technology in our lives. They accelerate the development of civilization and help us in our cooperation with nature.
Scientists explore the laws of the universe, discover the secrets of nature, and apply their knowledge in practices that improve people's lives. Let's compare our life today with the life of people at the beginning of the 20th century. It has changed beyond recognition. Our ancestors did not have the slightest idea of the trivial things created by scientific progress that we use in our every day life. I mean refrigerators, televisions, computers, microwave ovens, cordless phones, what not.
They would seem like miracles to them that made our life easy, comfortable and enjoyable. On the other hand, the great inventions of the early 20th century, I mean radio, airplanes, combustion and jet engines have become commonplace and we cannot imagine our life without them. A century is a long period for scientific and technological progress as it is quite fast. Millions of studies an endless number of outstanding discoveries have been made. Our century had several names that were associated with a particular era in science and technology. At first it was called the atomic age because of the discovery of the split of the atom. Then it became the age of conquest of a place, when for the first time in the history of mankind man overcame seriousness and entered the Universe. And now we live in the information age, when a computer network spans the globe and connects not only countries and space stations, but also many people around the world. All these things prove the power and the greatest progressive role of science in our life.
But every medal has its change. And the rapid scientific progress has awakened many problems that are a matter of our great concern. These are environmental concerns, the safety of nuclear power plants, the nuclear military threat, and the responsibility of the scientist. But nevertheless we are grateful to the outstanding men of the past and present who have the courage and patience to uncover the mysteries of the universe.
References:
1. 100 topics of oral English (V. Kaverina, V. Boyko, N. Zhidkih) 2002
2. English for schoolchildren and applicants to universities. Oral exam. Topics. Reading texts. Exam questions. (Tsvetkova I.V., Klepalchenko I.A., Myltseva N.A.)
3. English, 120 Topics. English language, 120 conversation topics. (Sergeev S.P.)
People in contemporary world can hardly imagine their lives without machines. Every day either a new gadget is invented or an old one is improved. Different people appreciate new inventions differently. Some suppose that sophisticated gadgets are really useful and necessary, while others find them absolutely awful as they influence people badly. As for me, I am pretty sure that gadgets make people`s lives easier.
Firstly, they do all kinds of dirty and hard work, as cleaning. Secondly, devices can save a lot of time as well as storage space. For instance, a computer disk can contain the same amount of information as several thick books.So, machines help people in different spheres.
However, opponents of this point of view are definitely sure that gadgets affect people negatively. People are reluctant to work due to the influence of machines. People become lazy and disorganized. They just expect their latest gadgets to do everything instead of them. According to scientists, a great number of widespread devices produce radiation moreover that can cause serious health problems. Furthermore, more and more people are becoming addicted to their modern gadgets, for instance computers, TVs or mobile phones. So, they neglect their home obligations, work or school and spend all their spare time in front of a laptop screen or a TV-set.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that in spite of all the drawbacks, gadgets have, their benefits are much more considerable, as they save people`s time and let them enjoy life.
Translation:
Modern man can hardly imagine his life without cars. Every day, either new devices appear, or existing ones are improved. People react differently to new inventions. Some believe that sophisticated gadgets are actually useful and necessary, while others consider them terrible because of their negative impact on people. As for me, I am absolutely sure that new devices make our life easier.
First, they do all the dirty and hard work like cleaning. Secondly, the devices save both time and space. For example, a computer disk can hold as much information as several thick books. So, machines help people in various fields of activity.
However, opponents of this point of view are absolutely sure that new inventions negatively affect people. People do not want to work because of the influence of devices. They become lazy and disorganized. They are waiting for their latest inventions to do everything for them. Moreover, according to scientists, many widespread gadgets emit radiation that can cause serious health problems. In addition, more and more people are becoming dependent on the computer, TV or mobile phone. They ignore their household chores, school or work and spend all their time in front of a laptop or TV screen.
In conclusion, I believe that, despite all the disadvantages, the advantages of gadgets are much more significant, as they save time and allow people to enjoy life!
Kamenskaya Tatiana
Sections: Foreign languages
Class: 11
Type of lesson: development of dialogic speech skills.
Type of lesson: combined.
Purpose: comprehensive formation of lexical and grammatical skills of students within the framework of the topic, teaching oral speech within the framework of the topic “Scientific and technological progress”.
- educational -
Lesson equipment (teaching aids): computer, projector, audio recordings, handouts.
During the classes
1. Organizational stage.
Teacher: Good morning everybody! Glad to see you again! Sit down please.
2. Communication of the topic and purpose of the lesson.
Teacher: So, boys and girls, today we are going to talk much about computers. The topic of our discussion is “Computers: friends or foes?” Please, read the statement on the blackboard and try to guess what the main aim of our lesson is:
“Computers aren’t intelligent, they only think they are”
(Students express their ideas.)
3. Speech warm-up. Actualization of vocabulary on the topic.
A. Fill in the mind map.
The work is carried out frontally, the one who named his version last is the winner.
Sample student responses:
- searching for information
- typing and keeping information
- listening to music
- watching films
- printing documents
- using e-mail
- chatting with friends and relatives
- using social media…
B. A computer quiz. Answer the questions. Use the words in the box:
(The work is organized in pairs, time is given to think about the answers to the questions, then each pair gives their answers, supplementing or correcting their classmates.)
- What computer system makes it possible to send letters very quickly?
- What system allows computer users around the world to send and to obtain information?
- What programs provide colorful pictures and sound?
- What is the name of a computer-created “world”, which seems almost completely real?
- What is a special term, which means “to obtain stored information from a computer’s memory”?
- What do we call a disk on which a large quantity of information can be stored?
- What do you call a sudden, unexpected computer failure?
- What is the term for the electrical or electronic components of a computer?
- What do we call a large collection of data that is stored in a computer system?
- What is the term for a set of instructions secretly put into a computer that destroys the information stored in it and stops it from working normally?
- Where on the Internet can you look for information about products and services offered by a company or organization?
- What is www?
- What store of information can you easily put into your pocket?
- What do we call a set of computer programs to control the operation of a computer?
- What kind of computer can you use on the plane?
4. Reflection.
Were the questions difficult for you?
Did you know the answers to all questions?
Could you explain the answers in Russian or in English? What was easier for you?
Have you learned something new? Do you think it's useful to know?
A. Listen to the interview with Mike Phillips, a journalist and match phrases from the interview (first column) to the ones similar in meaning from the second column. Add more uses of computers to the mind-map.
| 1. searching for | a) keeping a diary |
| 2. plug into | b) looking for |
| 3. an integral part | c) save the time |
| 4.user-friendly | d) easy to use |
| 5. reduce the time | e) a necessary part |
| 6. keeping track of life | f) connect to |
B. Listen to the interview again and fill in the gaps with the phrases from the table
- I use it mainly for word processing (but not for writing, which I still do with a pen), ________, _______________ from the Internet, for writing purposes or for traveling.
- I used to think the PC’s main purpose in our lives was to ______________ it took to get things done so that people could enjoy other hobbies – skiing, for example.
- The PC is becoming ______________ of our private and professional lives I should say.
- It was a small thing produced here in England, _____________ the TV.
- And that was what got me really interested because the Macintosh is very _____________ .
6. Reading.
Read the story “Steve belonged to the Net ”and put the linking words where it is necessary. Answer the questions after the text.
7. Grammar.
(The work is carried out frontally, the strategy for completing tasks in the USE format is discussed in the “Reading” section, emphasis should be placed on the need for knowledge of grammatical structures for the successful completion of tasks.
- Why are the linking words in the text so important?
- Which sentences in the first paragraph describe facts and which a process? Name the grammar forms of the verbs. Find some other cases in the text.
- Read the sentences with while and when. Which grammar forms help to describe the actions in the past?
- Read the underlined sentences in the 6th paragraph. Which was earlier in time? How do you know? Find other cases in the text.
Read this paragraph. Somebody is talking about using computers. Complete the text by choosing one word for each gap. One of the words is used twice.
For me, computers are a (1) _________ to an end, nothing (2)_________ . I don't find them interesting in (3) __________ . They enable me to do things that I need to do, (4) ________ as sending emails or checking information on websites to help me (5) __________ my homework or connected to one of my hobbies. But (6) __________ my sister the situation is (7) _______ different. It's like you can't believe we're (8) ___________ related. She is obsessed with computers. I don't understand, but that's the truth.
8. Speaking.
In groups of three discuss the text “Steve belonged to the Net ". Answer the questions:
- Why was the author so surprised that Steve didn't want to talk to him?
- How does the author describe his emotions?
- Why was he worried in the end of the narration?
- Can social networks substitute real life communication? What is your opinion?
- How much time do you personally spend on the Net?
- Do you have enough time for your hobbies or doing sport?
- Would you rather have a computer or a person for a company on a desert island?
Discuss with your partners whether computers are friends or foes in our life. Use the expressions on p. 242-243 of Student Books.
Work in groups of 3 people. (Presenting your arguments, expressing agreement / disagreement.)
9. Summing up the lesson.
Teacher: Well, I'd like to say that we have worked hard and you've been very active. I see that the problems we've discussed today are very interesting to you. I'd like you to express your attitude towards the exercises we've done and strategies we've discussed. What was difficult for you? What was new? Was it useful? Are you sure that you can express your opinion whether computers are friends or foes?
10. Homework.
SB ex. 2(1), p. 240, group dialogue “Computers: friends or foes?”
