The advantages of computers
It is difficult to imagine a world without computers. We use them in almost every area of our lives: at work, at school, and in our homes.
Computers have brought many advantages. They make it possible to access huge amounts of information very quickly and do complicated tasks in a short time. Instead of waiting inside a bank to get money from our bank accounts, we can use cash machines in the street 24 hours a day. People can communicate with each other instantly by e-mail, and you can buy almost anything on the Internet without having to leave your home. Many people now work from home using a computer, and use the computer in their leisure time for playing computer games or just surfing the net. They think that life would be dull without computers.
B) Discuss these points with a partner.
· What are the advantages of computers?
· What role does the computer play in your life?
· Do you have a computer at home? If so, what is it (e.g. PC, Mac, etc.)?
· Do you use computers at university?
· What do you use them for?
· What software are you familiar with?
· Do you use e-mail? What for?
Read the paragraph and tell about the problems that you sometimes have when you work on your computer.
This morning I went to the school library, switched on the computer, entered my password, and waited for the machine to start up. I clicked on an icon and opened the file that I wanted to work on. I spent two hours writing an essay. Just as I was about to save my data, the hard disc made a horrible noise, the screen froze, the machine crashed, and I lost all my work. The essay I had been writing was called “The benefits of modern technology”!
A) Complete the conversation with these phrases.
Are there any… How about watching … I’m looking for …
… it’s starting now … Let’s watch … What’s on?
A: What are you doing?
B: ………………………………….. the TV guide.
A: …………………………. Is there anything good?
B: Let’s see… there’s a Toby Maguire film on at nine-thirty, so …………..
A: Yes, but we saw that at the cinema. …………………………. any good detective programmes on?
B: Hmm, ……………………. Inspector Morse at 10.00?
A: OK. ……………………. that.
B) Work with a partner. Practise reading the dialogue.
c) Check the TV guide and decide what you’d like to watch. Work with a partner and agree on which programmes to see. Use the phrases to help you.
What’s on TV tonight?
Is there anything on TV?
How about watching …?
Why don’t we watch …?
Good idea.
I don’t know.
Not really.
ROUND-UP
Translate the sentences from Russian into English. Use the Active Vocabulary.
1) Каждый день мы читаем газеты и журналы, слушаем радио и смотрим телевизор. В наше время существует так много газет и журналов, радиостанций и телевизионных каналов, что нам нужно отдавать предпочтение только некоторым из них.
2) Газеты могут быть ежедневными или еженедельными. Журналы могут быть еженедельными и ежемесячными.
3) Что касается телевидения (As for …), у нас 24 канала и нет спутниковой тарелки. Мне нравится смотреть образовательные программы на канале Discovery. Кроме этого, я люблю смотреть интересные фильмы.
4) Существует большое количество каналов, которые освещают разные сферы нашей жизни: политика, новости, спорт, мир животных, художественные и мультипликационные фильмы, сериалы, искусство, ток-шоу, музыка, мода и многое другое.
5) Я провожу в интернете несколько часов в день. Я несколько раз в день проверяю почту, использую поисковую систему Google, общаюсь в социальных сетях, делаю покупки в интернет-магазинах.
2. Are these statements true for Russia? Discuss with your group mates.
Newspapers are boring.
There are a lot of magazines about celebrities.
Soap operas are all the same.
Computer games are violent and expensive.
Journalists usually tell the truth.
3. Write about the media in Russia. Use the Active Vocabulary. Describe:
- the number of newspapers, channels and radio stations
- the most popular types of articles and programmes
- how people pay for it
ACTIVE VOCABULARY
| Press advert article journalist daily/ weekly/ monthly newspaper magazine Sunday paper review of … gossip arts/ travel/ sports section tabloid headline on the front page horoscope TV guide do the crossword business pages | TV and radio comedy drama presenter sports/ nature programme documentary series soap opera radio station TV channel satellite cartoons talk show/ quiz show/ reality show/ makeover show international/ local news switch on/ off turn on/ off turn (the volume) up/ down turn (the channel) over broadcast music/ sports events weather forecast |
| Computers and the Internet computer game e-mail website search engine screen access smth/ have an access to smth instantly by e-mail buy on the Internet surf/ browse the net software work on/ at the computer laptop enter password click on the icon/ link save data make a noise freeze (about the screen) crash (about the computer) | Additional vocabulary mass media episode carry smth around with you recipe get the latest news keep up with the news on the cover cell phone entertain educate be of poor quality rubbish advantage/ disadvantage bank account upload/download celebrity tell the truth tell a lie/ lies What’s on? |
TOPIC 13. ENVIRONMENT
1. Can you pronounce the following words correctly? Practise saying them. How are they connected with the topic?
pollution famine
survive drought
resources flood
disaster earthquake