Английский,
READING

Task 1. Read the views of two bloggers. Are these statements True (T), False (F) or is the information Not Mentioned (NM)?

READING

What’s top of your technology wish list and why?
A Gemma
It’s an interesting question, particularly now when every day we see more and more gadgets in the shops and we begin to wonder how far technology can actually advance. For me, there’s one big hurdle science needs to cross and I shall be delighted if I’m still around to see it when it happens, as I’m sure it will. One day, I’m sure the technology will exist to replicate what they’ve been doing on science-fiction programmes for years: the ability to transport a person immediately from one place to another. This amazing ability has fascinated people for centuries. We’ve read stories about it and seen films where transporting is a basic form of getting from A to B. We’ve even seen magic shows where conjurors try every trick in the book to fool us into believing that they have this ability. There’s a film called The Prestige about two magicians from Victorian times who were obsessed by this, but the real truth is that it has never been done. How often have we thought how useful it would be to be able to press a switch and travel immediately to a destination? Imagine – no more problems waiting in airports or squeezing into crowded buses. I think inventing a transporter would be the single most important development for our society. It would completely change our way of life. All the airlines would be out of business for a start! It will happen – the question is when?
B Quentin
Wow, that’s a difficult question. Technology is moving ahead so quickly at the moment that it’s difficult to know what gadgets are just around the corner and which aren’t even on the drawing board. Things like robots and computer games are developing all the time. They’re two things that really interest me. Robots are getting smaller and cleverer and I don’t think it will be long before they are regularly used in daily, everyday life situations rather than as they are now, mainly in industry. I can see them helping with chores around the house, cooking, cleaning and so on. I know some robots are used in this capacity already, but it’s only the very rich who can afford the luxury and I think they’re still a bit clumsy, although the technology is improving all the time. But apart from robot development, what intrigues me is how far the developers of computer games will go.
On Star Trek™, that incredible sci-fi series of the 70s which still has a cult following today, for relaxation the crew of the star ship go to the ‘Holodeck’. There they could interact with holograms from different historical periods in situations of their choice. Now, wouldn’t that be a great form of entertainment? Researchers have found a way to use lasers, mirrors and cameras to create a three-dimensional interactive hologram that is safe to touch, but the technology is still very much in its infancy. I can’t see it happening soon but one day, who knows? That’s definitely at the top of my technology wish list!

1. Gemma believes that significant scientific progress in this field will happen in her lifetime. *

B. FALSE

A. TRUE

C. NOT MENTIONED

2. The desire to be able to ‘transport’ has come about because of recent science fiction films and stories. *

A. TRUE

B. FALSE

C. NOT MENTIONED

3. Scientists have started investigating the possibilities of ‘transporting’ people. *



A. TRUE

B. FALSE

C. NOT MENTIONED

4. Some interesting new inventions may already be in development. *

A. TRUE

B. FALSE

C. NOT MENTIONED

5. Researchers are trying to reproduce the recreation activities seen on a popular TV programme. *

A. TRUE

B. FALSE

C. NOT MENTIONED

6. A commercial version of the ‘Holodeck’ is too far-fetched to ever happen. *

A. TRUE

B. FALSE

C. NOT MENTIONED

READING

Task 2.Read the article again. Match the sentence beginnings with the correct sentence endings. There is one extra ending.

7. Magicians use all their powers of deception in an attempt *

A. within the means of the wealthy.

B. in imagined form in a popular TV series.

C. significant lifestyle changes.

D. to persuade us that they can transport a person instantly.

8. This form of transportation would result in *

A. within the means of the wealthy.

B. in imagined form in a popular TV series.

C. significant lifestyle changes.

D. to persuade us that they can transport a person instantly.

9. Domestic robots are currently only *

A. within the means of the wealthy.

B. in imagined form in a popular TV series.

C. significant lifestyle changes.

D. to persuade us that they can transport a person instantly.

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Vureshivatel    3   21.05.2020 13:26    34