§ Lesson 51 Predicting the future 预测未来【New words and expressions】生词和短语notoriously adv. 臭名昭著的, 声名狼藉的(尤指因坏事)众所周知地notorious [nəu’tɔ:riəs]adj.臭名昭著的, 声名狼藉的He is a notorious rake.他是个声名狼藉的浪子。
a notorious gambler有名的赌棍be notorious for以...出名It is notorious that ... ...是众所周知的(事实)。
mainframe [‘meinfreim]n.(大型电脑的)主机, 中央处理机full-time adj.全部时间的,专任的technician [tek’niʃən]n.技术人员, 专家; 技巧好的人The technician is busy repairing the machine.技师正忙于修理那台机器。
software [‘sɔftwɛə]n.软件IBM n.美国国际商用机器公司(International Business Machines)1911年创立于美国，IBM是专业的信息技术和业务解决方案公司，IBM业务遍及160多个国家和地区。
IBM硬件产品包括IBM服务器，IBM存储设备，IBM打印机，IBM POS机，IBM网络设备，还有IBM技术服务，IBM软件产品等主营业务。
DOS 磁盘操作系统(Disk Operating System)Microsoft n.美国微软公司user-friendly adj.用户界面友好的,用户容易掌握使用的multimedia [,mʌlti’mi:djə]adj.多种手段的, 多种方式的alternative [ɔ:l’tə:nətiv]adj.两者择一的, 供替代的We returned by the alternative road.我们从另一条路回来的。
Lesson 51 Predicting the futureComprehension questionsI. Is predicting the future notoriously difficult?2. Could anyone have imagined that computers would be common in people's homes by theend of the 20th century?3. When were computers reasonably common?4. But where were they common?5. What were these big computers called?6. Were full-time technicians employed to run them?7. When was the Altair PC launched in the USA?8. How could it properly be described?9. What was it followed by at the end of the 1970s?10. What operating system did IBM's first PC run on?11. When did Leon Bagrit make his predictions about the uses of computers?12. Bagrit dismissed the idea that computers would learn to think for themselves, didn't he?13. Did he foresee a time when computers would be small enough to hold in the hand?14. What kind of work did he think computers would be able to take over for office workers andaccountants?15. Could he have foreseen the development of the Internet?16. How rapidly can we communicate with anyone worldwide on the Internet?17. What else can we use the Internet for?Learn the following words and phrases1. notorious: well known for being bad in some way (notoriously adv.)2. be taken over by: be replaced by3. primitive: very simple, undeveloped4. humble: small, low5. dismiss: to refuse to think about sth6. be capable of doing sth.: be able to do sth6. alternative: that can be used instead of sth. else7. diagnose: to say exactly what an illness or the cause of an illness is8. relieve: to remove or reduce an unpleasant feeling or pain9. commonplace: done very often, or existing in many places, and therefore not unusual10. instantly: immediatelyStudy the following sentences1. Mainframe computers were very large indeed, often occupying whole air-conditionedrooms, employing full-time technicians and run on specially-written software.2. Bagrit foresaw a time when computers would be small enough to hold in the hand, whenthey would be capable of providing information about traffic jams and suggesting alternative routes, when they would be used in hospitals to help doctors to diagnose illnesses, when they would relieve office workers and accountants of dull, repetitive clerical work.3. Nor could he have foreseen how we could use the Internet to obtain information on everyknown subject, so we can read it on a screen in our homes and even print it as well if we want to.Complete the following sentences with the words givenlaunch occupy capable employ diagnose remarkable dismiss alternative relieve instantly notoriously humble enable obtain1. Predicting the future is _________ difficult.2. Mainframe computers were very large indeed, often ________ whole air-conditioned rooms, __________ full-time technicians and run on specially-written software.3. In l975, a primitive machine called the Altair, _________ in the USA.4. From those __________ beginnings, we have seen the development of the user-friendly home computers and multimedia machines which are in common use today.5. Bagrit __________ the idea that computers would learn to ‘think’ for themselves and would ‘rule the world’, which people liked to belie ve in those days.6. Bagrit foresaw a time when computers would be small enough to hold in the hand, when they would be _______of providing information about traffic jams and suggesting ________ routes, when they would be used in hospitals to help doctors to ________ illnesses, when they would __________office workers and accountants of dull, repetitive clerical work.7. Of course, Leon Bagrit could not possibly have foreseen the development of the Internet, the worldwide system that __________us to communicate __________ with anyone in any part of the world by using computers linked to telephone networks.8. Nor could he have foreseen how we could use the Internet to __________ information on every known subject, so we can read it on a screen in our homes and even print it as well if we want to.9. This is what makes Leon Bagrit’s predictions particularly _________.Complete the following sentences with the words given. These sentences are new.remarkable primitive dismiss occupy relievenotoriously diagnose employ alternative bumble1. Mountain weather is __________difficult to predict.2. The bed seems to _________ most of the room.3. How many people does the company___________?4. The methods of communication used during the Second World War were ___________bytoday’s standard.5. The company has worked its way up from __________beginnings to become the marketleader.6. I think we can safely___________ their objections.7. Do you have an ___________ solution?8. The illness was ____________ as cancer.9. The new secretary will ___________us of some of the paperwork.10. This was in the early 1980s and the country was going through ___________ changes.。
Lesson 51 Predicting the futureKey to CompositionA possible answerflan and ideas for composition (a)Titles Computers in 20 years' time - Introduction: Predicting what computers will be like — guessing gameDevelopment: Development so fast — computers already smaller, more powerful, cheaper than ever — in 20 years, what? Let's speculate1 Everyday shopping by computer — virtual-reality shopping2 Education—computer-notebooks3 Travel- computer -driven aircraft, cars, lorries, etc.4 Medicine and health—brain surgery — computer-operated limbs Conclusion: Who knows? — wait and seeCompositionPredicting what computers will be like in 20 years' time or what they will be able to do is a guessing game. If Leon Bagrit could not predict everything, what chance have I got? However, because prediction is just a calculated guess, I will try!The development of the computer since the 1960s has been very fast. Prom large mainframe computers which filled whole rooms to small lap-top computers which you can carry in a shoulder bag or large handbag, it has taken only forty years. Computers are already smaller, more powerful and cheaper than they have ever been. So what might happen in the next twenty years? Let's speculate.In twenty years' time it's possible that many people will be doing their everyday shopping by computer. The "virtual-reality" shop will be available through your TV set. You will be able to "walk through" your supermarket on screen, click or tick what you want, and then order it — and it will be delivered. In education, most students could be using computer-notebooks which make notes for them as they listen to a lecture or watch a demonstration experiment. In the world of travel, aircraft already have computer systems that will con-trol auto-pilot In twenty years' time, computers could actually pilot aircraft — with no need for a real, live human pilot at all. Computers already help doctors diagnose disease and other health problems, and help in the control of body systems during opera-tions. What else might they do in the future? They might actually control certain kinds of surgery (brain surgery, for example) where the human hand cannot always keep still enough, and power computer-operated limbs.So there are some ideas. But who knows what might really happen? No one. No one can see into the future. We shall just have to wait and see. (307 words)Lesson 52 Mud is mudKey to CompositionA possible answerPlan and ideas for composition (a)Title: A day's shoppingIntroduction: Looking forward to day out — wanted to get new clothes — last Friday Development: Got up usual time —caught bus to centre of town —a list of purchases —something to wear to friend's wedding — pair of shoes to go with new clothes — within an hourhad most important things on list Then most difficult part of day — "Birthday present for Pat" —a book Spent 2 hours in one large book shop — failed — bought three for self!Conclusion: How I felt when I got home CompositionFor me, a day's shopping is the best way I think of to pass a day away from college or work. I have been looking forward to a day out shopping for weeks because I have wanted to get some new clothes for ages, so last Friday I took a day off.I got up at the usual time (as if I were going to work or college) because for me shopping is as serious as work. Before I left the house I made sure I put on a good pair of walking shoes and then caught the bus into the centre of the town.Some people visit all the shops in the hope that they will find what they want at the prices they want to pay. Not me: I'm one of those shoppers who has a list of purchases — and with a fairly good idea of how much I want to pay.The first thing 1 wanted was something to wear to a friend's wedding next month — and I didn't want to pay very much- I found just what f wanted in the second shop I visited. And in the second shoe shop I visited, I found a pair of shoes that would go with the new clothes and which I could wear to work afterwards. Within an hour I had bought the most important things on my shopping list. I was so pleased!But then came the most difficult part of the day. The third thing on my shopping list was "Birthday present for Pat". I like to give her a present but it is always so difficult. This year, I decided, I would buy her a book. Do you know how long I spent in one large book shop? Two hours! And even then I didn't get her a book — although I bought three for myself IBy the time I got home, it was six o'clock. I was absolutely exhausted, but pleased that I had managed to buy two things on my list.(337 word)Lesson 53 In the public interestKey to CompetitionA possible answerPlan and ideas for composition (6)Title: The work of a policemanIntroduction: In Britain —people —different attitudes to police —generally appreciate them (not criminals!)What do police do?Development: Number of jobs in one:Traffics ;keeping the peace; solving crime; helping to keep order in emergencies — air crashes, fires, road accidents, etc. Conclusion: Police do excellent job — don't envy them Composition In Britain, people have different attitudes to the police. Most people generally appreciate them and the job they do — although there. are certain people (including criminals, of course) who do not believe that the police should have the power that they do.What does a policeman actually do? It is not an easy job to describe. After all, a policeman has a number of jobs in one. A policeman often has to control traffic, either on foot in the centre of a town, or in a police car on the roads. Indeed, in Britain, he might be in the Traffic Police and spend all, or a lot of, his time driving up and down main roads and motorways. A traffic policeman has to help keep the traffic moving, stop speeding motorists and help when there is anaccident. 'A policeman has to help keep the peace, too. If there is a fight or some other disturbance, we expect the police to come and assess the situation and restore order. And they often have to deal with situations at great risk to themselves and their own safety.We expect the police to solve crimes, of course, so an ordinary policeman, even if he is not a detective, will often have to help look for and arrest criminals.And who do we call when there is an emergency —an air crash, a fire, a road accident, or a burglary? We call the police. So a po-liceman has to be prepared to face any unpleasant emergency that may happen in the modern world.The police do an absolutely necessary job, they do it extremely well and I support them, but I do not envy policemen. 1 do not think that 1 could ever do the job of a policeman. (296words)Lesson 54 Instinct or cleverness?Key to CompositionA possible answerPlan and ideas for composition (b)Title: Our efforts to control pestsIntroduction: What are "pests"? — see dictionary definition — always been difficult to control or exterminate themDevelopment: Insects: ants, wasps, locusts, (plague), beetles that damage woodwork. . . damage property, devour our crops, . . . —other pests —mice, rats —eat food —spread disease —efforts to control pests — insecticides and pesticides — poison —traps . . . . , . . . . , .For farmers, even certain birds are pests — gulls, pigeons, etc. — follow at sowing time and eat seeds —' scarecrows to frighten birdsConclusion: Tried almost everything — some pests held in check other still a major problem (e. g. locusts) . .CompositionAccording to my dictionary, "pests" are "small animals or. insects that harm or destroy food supplies". But, for me, they are more than that: they are insects and small animals that spread disease and damage property, too. Whatever they do and however you define them, pests have been a major problem to man throughout history. Man has tried to control or exterminate these creatures, but neverwith very much success.In some ways, insects are the worst pests. Ants, locusts and beetles damage property, woodwork, crops and harvest, and. in this century we have sprayed crops with insecticides and pesticides to protect them from insects. The problem now is that there are some in-sects that have become immune to pesticides. Rats and mice eat our food supplies too and spread disease, and people have tried to kill or catch them with poison or traps. But again, they are still with us- We. haven't managed to exterminate them.Let's not forget, however, that for farmers, certain birds are "pests" too. In Britain, seagulls, pigeons and other birds often fly down in their hundreds (or even thousands) to pick up seeds when farmers are planting crops. Years ago, fanners used to stand scare- crows in the fields to frighten away birds, but I'm not sure how effective they were.We have tried different things, then, to control pests, and we have managed to hold some pests in check. However, some are a big problem, both in the major industrial nations and in the Third World. While locusts are a terrible problem in countries like Sudan and Ethiopia, rats are still a problem in most large cities in the world. We might control pests to a certain extent, but we shall never get . rid of them. (292words)Lesson 55 From the earth: GreetingsKey to Composition.A possible answerPlan and ideas fair composition (a)Title: ExtraterrestrialsIntroduction: Remember "ET"? Ideas about extraterrestrialsDevelopment: But creatures with incredible intelligence and no form? How deal with them? Not benevolent? Stories of extraterrestrials aliens landing —have scientists studied them? Extraterrestrials helping scientists? Stories just rumours?Conclusion: Extraterrestrials out there in space? Perhaps one day we'll know: change our view of everything CompositionDo you remember ET in the Film ET, the Extraterrestrial'! If you do, you will know that the common picture of extraterrestrials is that they will look rather strange —for instance, they might have big eyes and funny feet and be a strange colour — but they will still somehow look like living creatures from earth. At the same time, of course, we believe that they will probably have incredible powers —like ET's power to heal injuries and to come alive again. Many science-fiction stories and films have shown aliens or extraterrestrials like this. They may somehow look like strange earth creatures, therefore, but they are benevolent.But what if extraterrestrials —beings from other planets —are creatures with incredible intelligence and with no form, that is, with no body form like earthly creatures? They might be almost "living thoughts''. How would we greet them? How would we deal with them? And what if they are not benevolent? In other words, what if they really want to take over the earth?There are stories that extraterrestrials or aliens have already crashed on earth m spacecraft (flying saucers) and that scientists have studied them. There are even more fantastic stories that scientists are already learning from extraterrestrials new knowledge which will help us build incredible spacecraft to fly to other planets and beyond. Stories like that must surely be just rumours.Perhaps one day we will know if there really are extraterrestrials out there in space, and if there are, we will know what they look like and what they think of us. Will they really be little green men? Or will they be giants? Or perhaps they will be so small that we can hardly see them? Will they be friendly? Or will they want to take over the earth? Who knows? One thing is certain. If we were ever to discover that there are extraterrestrials out there, the discovery would completely change our view of the universe and ourselves.(329 words)。
