home cinema
projector - tablet
- headphones -
scientific calculator
usb stick -
sound bar - 3D printer - Game console
flatscreen TV - smartphones, iphones - sound
bar -
GPS
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Every year new desirable devices make their way into the market, such
as Go Pro cameras, espresso machines, or 3D printers.
We know we'd survive without as many gadgets as we own nowadays, but
why should we?
Much of our day is spent with devices that do things for us, tell us
where to go and what to do. They are
here to entertain and inform us, to feed us, track our health and manage our
time. And only after just a few years of existence, they prove to be so
valuable. Why does it seem impossible to think of life without them?
Most of us are so increasingly dependent on phones, for instance, that
it is unthinkable to even spend a day without social networks, apps or
videos.
How long can you survive without your gadgets before having an anxiety
attack?
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A)Girl
walking on the beach sees a man proposing to his girlfriend while taking a
selfie.
B)Little girl
in a park looking at her phone instead of swinging.
C)Girl turns
out the light to sleep while her boyfriend is looking at his phone.
D)Girl in
class while everybody is using their phones.
E)Girl in a
restaurant with friends trying to speak while their friends look at their
phones.
F)Girl with a
friend who’s pouring a drink and taking a selfie of herself.
G)A couple
waking up in the morning, boyfriend looking at his cellphone.
H)Man at a
theater show using his phone.
I)Girl trying
to buy at a store while the shop assistant is using her cellphone.
J)Girl
bringing out the cake at a birthday party while everybody is recording the
moment.
K)Girl
bowling at an alley while her friends are using their cellphones.
L)Girl going
for a run in the mountains, trying to enjoy the moment while
someone talks
loudly on his phone.
M)Girl at a
concert and everybody is recording the show.
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1.The kitchen
is...
a)the most used
room in your home b)the room where
we spend most time c)the room with
most gadgets
2.Which gadgets
are mentioned in the first part of the audio?
a) dishwashers
and coffee makers b)freezers and
microwave ovens c)cheese graters and
coffee machines
3.In the history
of gadget design... a) most
b)some c)few did not survive the new technologies
4.“From Hearth
to Cookstove:Gadgets and Utensils Made or Used in America from 1700 to 1930” is the name of
a)a TV show b)a
radio show c)a book
5.A historical
gadget called an “ale boot” was used to a)clean your shoes b)warm your
beer c)store boots
6.A “fly fan”
was used for... a)keeping flies away
b)frying flies c)catching flies
7.The “toast
fork” was the predecessor of...
a)the grill b)the electric oven c)the toaster
8. By 1874,
existed over eighty patents for...
a) tools for
mashing potatoes b)apple peelers c) egg beaters
9. According to
an article in the New York Times, by 1890 who had filed 2400 patents?
a)housewives b)women engineers c)women cooks
10. Our kitchens
are filled with...
a) history and
innovation b)creativity and ingenuity c)passion and necessity
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Which
examples of gadgets and devices from science fiction movies, books or series
will be common in 30 years time?
What would
you like to see as a reality?
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1."Physics
of the Future" is the name of...
2.Growing up,
physicist Michio Kaku had two heroes. Who were they?
3.He says that
internet will be in our contact
lenses.
What will we do
to go online?
What will we
see when we talk to peole?
What will
happen if someone speaks another language?
4.What are
physicist working on?
5.Dr Kaku
advises not to slam the door if someone knocks one day. Who could this person
be?
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 ·
Do you like watching the Olympic
games? Why (not)? Which sports are your favorite ones?
·
When and where were the first Olympic Games? How many past games can
you remember? Where are the next games?
·
Do you know any famous athletes? How many Olympic sports can you name?
·
Do you think that the Olympics are important? Why (not)?
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The first known Olympic Games date from 776 BC, and were held in Olympia, Greece. They were celebrated until 396 AD. The ancient games consisted of only one race, the "stade" race, which was the length of the stadium and between 180 and 240 meters long. Over the years more running races and other events were added, including boxing, wrestling, chariot racing, long jump, javelin and discus throwing. At the time, only young men could take part. They had to be free men, and speak Greek. They usually competed nude, and the prize was a crown of olive leaves, a sign of hope and peace. Women were not allowed to take part and married women were not even allowed to watch.  The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. A French nobleman, Pierre Fredy, the Baron de Coubertin, born in 1863, had a passionate belief that sport could encourage peace throughout the world and bring people from all over the world together. Coubertin was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games and travelled around the world, spending his own money, trying to persuade people to revive them. Eventually he managed to bring together representatives of many different countries in Paris, in 1894, and the Olympic Movement was begun. Women began to compete in 1900. For many years there were problems for the women athletes about what to wear, because it was considered rude to show any part of the body or even the shape of the body. When Coubertin founded the Olympic Movement he established the International Olympic Committee (the IOC) to supervise it, in 1894. He himself served as its president for 29 years, and there have been 8 presidents since then. There were originally 14 members but the Committee has now grown to over 130 members, all of whom must speak either French or English. Existing members elect new members as required. The IOC is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. |
