Scientific and technological progress

It is impossible to overestimate the role of science and technology in our life. We can’t imagine our contemporary life without telephones and cars, computers and many other devices created or modified by science. Now we live in the information era when the computer network embraces the globe and connects not only the countries and space stations but also a lot of people all over the world. New technologies are being widely developed and used in different spheres of life.

However, every medal has its reverse. Nowadays we realize that the rapid scientific progress has aroused a number of global problems: ecological problems, the safety of people and nuclear power stations and the nuclear war threat. Such inventions as nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles made wars of annihilation possible.

A lot of people are sure that scientific and technological progress threatens nature. Different kinds of pollution, holes in the ozone layer, acid rains and greenhouse effect are the result of it. A lot of inventions are harmful for our environment and the future of our generation. If we don’t think about the solution to these problems, we’ll ruin the place of our habitat very soon.

I think that by means of science it is possible to find harmless technologies, use purifying systems, produce environmentally friendly products and develop alternative sources of energy. But solutions to these problems need great investment into science.

Do you know that…...?

There are many the Alfred Nobel winners among Russian scientists:

Ivan Pavlov (the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1904)

Ilya Mechnikov (the Nobel Prize for chemistry in1908)

Nikolai Semyonov (the Nobel Prize for chemistry in1956)

Ilya Frank, P.Cherenkov, I. Tamm (the Nobel Prize for physics in 1958)

Lev Landau (the Nobel Prize for physics in 1962)

Peter Kapitsa (the Nobel Prize for his work in magnetism and low-temperature physics, 1978)

 

Can you add more names?

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STUDENT CARD

Give a 2-2.5 minute talk on the topic “Scientific and technological progress”.

Remember to talk about:

• The role of scientific and technological progress in our life
• If technological progress threatens nature and people
• What can be done to find the right balance between the technological progress and the safety of life

 

Answer the question: “Can you think of anything you would like to see invented that will make your life easier?

WORD FORMATION

Form a word that fits each gap

A technological nightmare

I had a really_____ (dread) weekend last month. In forty-eight hours, almost every_____ (electric) appliance in the house broke down. The computer was first. A message appeared saying ‘Disk_____ (fail) and I just had to switch it off and call the_____ (technical) for help. Next was the washing machine. I heard a terrible noise like an _____ (explode) and when I went to check, the laundry was full of smoke. I managed to _____ (plug) the machine just before it caught fire. _____ (believe) as it may seem, the fridge stopped working the same day. It started to _____ (frost) itself for no reason and there was water all over the kitchen floor. By then I was a _____ (nerve) wreck, so I decided to lie down for a while. I was just falling _____ (sleep) when my electric toothbrush started buzzing ______ (loud). Somehow it had switched itself on!

WRITING

С1

Personal Letter

This is a part of a letter from Mark, your English-speaking friend, who writes:

 

… Yesterday there was something wrong with my computer! It was awful! Now I understand how addicted I am to all these electrical appliances… How often do you use your computer? Do you only use it to chat on the Net? Do you have a digital camera? Soon my parents are going to buy me a new iPod…

 

• Write back to Mark answering his questions.
• Ask 3 questions about his new iPod.

 

Write 100-140 words.

Remember the rules of letter writing

 

С2

Argumentative composition

Technology is an important part of our lives. We use computers and other electronic equipment at work and at home. However, some people believe that we rely too much on machines, and that the more technology improves, the lazier and weaker humans will become.

What is your opinion on this problem? Do you agree or disagree?

 

Write 200-250 words.

 

Use the following plan

§ make an introduction. (state the problem)

§ express your personal opinion and give 2-3 reasons for your opinion

§ express an opposing opinion and give 1-2 reasons for this opposing opinion

§ express why you don’t agree with the opposing opinion

§ make a conclusion restating your opinion