Unit 7, Welcome to the future!

UNIT 7: Welcome to the future!

• A WHAT ROLE WILL ROBOTS PLAY IN THE FUTURE?
• B THE INVISIBLE MAN BY H. G. WELLS
• In this unit, you will:
• a. read, listen and talk about:
• what role will robots play in future
• The Invisible Man by Herbert George Wells
• what the future holds
• b. practice:
• the future continuous tense
• the causative structure with "have"
• type 3 conditional sentences
• modal verbs
• prepositions: phrasal verbs with up
• negative prefixes and suffixes
• talking about certainty/uncertainty
• 
• Caption: Robot

LEAD-IN

• 1. People often give their opinions on how things will be in the future. Discuss the following questions in class. Compare your answers.
• Which invention do you think has had the greatest impact on society? Why?
• What do you think the world will be like a hundred years from now?
• 2. Talk about how possible the following will be in the near future.
• Someone will celebrate their 150th birthday.
• Your clothes will clean themselves.
• We will find life beyond Earth.
• Contact lenses will have all the features of a mobile phone and a camera.
• Robot servants will do most of our day-to-day chores.
• ​​​​​​​Robots will possess the power of thought.

7A What role will robots play in the future?

• The text you are going to read is partly fact and partly fiction. It is based on predictions of technological advancement.
• 1. Read the text once and find out which paragraph talks about:
• the advantages of robot as pets.
• robots replacing people in risky jobs.
• robots which will be doing things better than people in the future.
• the role of robots in space exploration.
• the possibility that robots might take over the world.
• robots assisting people who need help.
• GLOSSARY
• accurate - exact, precise
• handle - to manage a difficult work situation, deal with, to operate with the hands.
• indistinguishable - that cannot be differentiated
• outwit - be cleverer than
• A The television, computer, telephone, mobile phone and many other devices have changed and improved our world dramatically. What we are now witnessing is a revolution that will transform our lives forever. Practical, useful robots are taking on more significant roles. It is predicted that sophisticated robots will soon be doing everything that humans do now, only better, and so ease our lives in every way imaginable. Since we will have all the housework done for use, we will have more free time to enjoy ourselves.
• B Even now there are robots available on the market in a wide variety of forms and with many functions and they are constantly being upgraded. Robots used on industrial production lines are already faster, more accurate and cheaper than humans who would do the same job. Androids are especially popular among the elderly, the widowed and the disabled, serving as companions and guides. Some of the more advanced models even have lifelike skin, hair and eyes.
• C Besides assisting human beings, robots will be employed to perform different task. They will certainly play a more important role in various rescue operations after accidents and disasters. As for their role in medicine, in the not too distant future, surgery robots will be performing complex operations far more precisely, handling them even without human assistance.
• D The leisure industry also creates opportunities for robotics. One particular trend at the moment is for robot cats, dogs and other pets with highly realistic movements and behavior, often indistinguishable from the real thing. These have a number of advantages - such as never getting sick or dying, never requiring food or water, and never biting their owners. Robot toys can also play with children and help them in their development.
• E In space, robots have already explored hundreds of moons and planets in the outer solar system and are expected to perform far more complex tasks in the future.
• F But some people worry that we are not asking some fundamental questions: Are there certain tasks or roles that we should not let robots do? Is there a danger of robots taking over the world? The majority of people think that we should ensure that robots remain just 'servants' and never reach the capacity to outwit humans.

Task

• 2. Finish these sentences according to the information in the text.
• Robots are used on industrial production lines because :Answer:.
• Sophisticated robots are designed to assist :Answer:.
• Androids are specially popular because they :Answer:.
• Robots pets are designated to :Answer:.
• Some people are afraid that robots :Answer:.
• 3. Talk about the positive and negative sides of robots.
• Do you think that robots are going to play an important role in our lives? Why/Why not?
• Which services that robots can provide are useful?
• Which functions of robots may not be appropriate?
• Will robots bring more benefits or downsides? Why?
• Should there be a limit to robot technology? Why/Why not?

VOCABULARY

• 1. Work out the meanings of the highlighted words in the text from the context and choose a word or phrase from the list below that is an explanation for each of them.
• very complex, advanced - sophisticated
• free from trouble or worry, to make less painful - ease
• physically handicapped - disabled
• a robot with human appearance - androids
• to investigate systematically, examine - explored
• to improve, update - upgraded
• 2. Use the words from exercise 1 and the Glossary in their correct form to complete these sentences.
• The calculations were accurate. There were absolutely no mistakes.
• The government was criticizes for the way it handled the crisis.
• The accident had left her severely disabled.
• They used the latest and most sophisticated technology.
• Computer games have become practically indistinguishable from reality.
• 3. Use some of the new words in the text to make sentences.
• 4. a) March the words in column A with the nouns in column B to make collocations.
• b) Think of other possible collocations with the words (1-5) and write them in box C.
• The first collocation has been done as an example.
• A: 1. to handle, 2. indistinguishable, 3. significant, 4. sophisticated, 5. ease.
• B: a. a problem, b. roles, c. the pain, d. twins, e. equipment.
• C. to handle a tool / crisis

PREPOSITIONS

• Fill in the gaps with the correct prepositions.
• Every day new electronic products are coming out onto the market. There are numerous product available (1) ____ all different lifestyles. Companies are constantly upgrading and redesigning products to make people (2) ____ all age groups more interested (3) ____ buying them. It is easy to get excited (4) ____ something that is smaller, better and more fun than previous models.
• As technology advances, so do the gadgets that we are fond (5) ____. Young people are particularly good (6) ____ embracing new technologies. The current generation is constantly thinking (7) ____ having the latest thing or what is more convenient (8) ____ them rather than what is best for them.
• Writing
• Choose one of the following questions to write a short composition on. Use about 150 words.
• What kinds of new gadgets would you like scientist to invent?
• In which direction should technological advancement go?
• Machines might learn to predict our thoughts.
• Can robots with artificial intelligence be dangerous for people?

PHRASAL VERBS with UP

• 1. Guess the meanings of the phrasal verbs from the context.
• go up The government is trying to prevent prices from going up.
• bring up Don't bring up the subject of politics tomorrow at dinner time.
• make up Can't you make up an excuse? I don't want to go there.
• do up She and her husband were planing to buy an old house and do it up.
• come up When the opportunity came up, she took it immediately.
• set up I'll set up a meeting for a next week.
• 2. Now match the phrasal verbs with their meanings (a-f). The first one has been done for you.
• start to talk about a particular subject
• become available (a job or opportunity)
• organize or plan an event
• repair or improve the appearance of something [e.g. a building]
• increase (used with an amount, rate, or standard)
• invent a story or lie
• 3. Complete the dialogue with the phrasal verbs with up.
• Mary: John, please go to see Mr Jones in his office. Something urgent seems to have (1) _____.
• John: Oh, I don't want to go. Prices have (2) _____ because of inflation. He want me to (3) _____ the problem at the meeting tomorrow.
• Mary: Then you must (4) _____ an excuse and avoid coming to work tomorrow.

GRAMMAR. The future continuous tense

• Complete these sentences from the text.
• It is predicted that robots ____ soon ______ everything that humans do now.
• In the not too distant future, surgery robots ________ complex operations.
• The future continuous tense (will be + present participle) is used to express:
• an activity that will continue for a certain period of time in the future.
• They'll be shopping all afternoon.
• an action that will be in progress at a certain time in the future.
• Please don't come at 9 o'clock. She'll be sleeping at that time.
• what we expect will happen in the usual course of events (the event is certain and will happen naturally)
• ​​​​​​​In the future, robots will be doing all our chores.
• Note:
• Remember that the future simple tense is used to express future facts, sudden decisions, and predictions based on what we think, and to make requests, promises or offers.
• I think he will pass the exam this time. / She will be eighteen next month.
• Useful tips: going to + infinitive is used for decisions made before the moment of speaking.
• will + infinitive is used for decisions made at the moment of speaking.
• I'm going to see some old friends at the weekend. (I have already planned it.)
• I'll buy that dress. (I make the decision in the shop when I see the dress.)

PRACTICE

• 1. Put the verbs from the box into the future continuous tense to complete the sentences.
• watch sleep have supper move play
• Tom, come round between eight and nine, We _____ computer games.
• Right now, I am watching the news, but this time tomorrow, I _____ a film.
• At midnight we _____. We go to bed at about ten.
• We _____ house next week. Can you help us?
• Don't phone at 8.00 - I _____ then.
• 2. Put the verbs in brackets into either the future continuous tense or future simple.
• Sorry, but I can't come at 5. I _____ (play) football with my mates.
• In half an hour everybody _____ (watch) the film.
• Don't phone me between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. I _____ (have) a meeting then.
• I think she _____ (win) the race.
• This time tomorrow I _____ (fly) to London.
• I suppose the show _____ (start) before 8.
• John seems to be very upset today. I _____ (try) to talk to him.

The causative structure: have/get something done

• Study the word order in the following sentences.
• We will have all the housework done for us. / He had/god his latest novel translated to French.
• We use the structure have/get something done when we want to say that we ask someone else to do something for us.
• HAVE/GET + OBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE
• Compare the sentences:
• I fixed the computer. (I did it myself)
• I had my computer fixed. (I asked someone to fix it for me)
• More examples:
• I'm going to have my hair cut next week.
• She has had her house painted recently.
• She will get her novel published soon.

PRACTICE

• Complete the following sentences by using the verb have or get in the correct form and the past participle of the verbs in brackets.
• John took my car to the mechanic's to ____ it _____. (repair)
• 'Have you made this skirt yourself?' 'No, I ____ it ____.' (make)
• I want to ____ my tooth ____. (fill)
• I ____ my flat ____ thoroughly last week. (clean)
• I am going to an optician to ____ my eyes ____. (test)
• I decided to ____ the TV ____ to another room. (move)
• She ____ the roof of her house ____ next week. (fix)
• He ____ all his suits ____ last week. (dry-clean)

7B SCIENCE FICTION

• Herbert George Wells (1866-1946) was a British novelist, journalist and historian. Wells is mos famous today for his science fiction novels, of which the best known are: The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine and The Invisible Man. In his early scientific writings, Wells predicted the invention of modern weapons, such as the tank and the atom bomb. In The Invisible Man, Wells explores the life of another scientist who undergoes a dark personal transformation after becoming invisible.
• 1. Discuss in class:
• If it will ever be possible for people to become invisible.
• What the benefits of becoming invisible might be.
• What kind of problems invisibility might cause.
• 2. Read the extract from the novel The Invisible Man and say whether the ability to become invisible brought Griffin any benefits.
• 3. Find the sentences in the text which support these statements.
• Griffin ...
• wanted to become visible again.
• had to leave the inn urgently.
• thought that Mr Kemp would be interested in his project.
• asked the professor to keep a secret.
• succeeded in making objects transparent.
• decided to make himself invisible.
• had many problems and tried to hide from people.
• needed someone to help him.
• 4. In four sentences describe the troubles Griffin went through and why it was easy to be discovered.
• VOCABULARY
• by chance -
• for a moment -
• see-through, clear -
• be discovered -
• (someone's job) in the past, but not now -
• make something known -
• The invisible man
• Griffin, who made himself invisible with an earlier experiment, enters a town and sets up a lab in an inn where he works night and day to come up with a formula that will reverse his invisibility. When he slips up and accidentally reveals himself, he is forced to run and find a new hiding place. As more people become aware of his existence, his situation becomes more dangerous. Finally, he finds the home of a former college professor whom he assumes will be interested in his experiments and willing ti help him.
• This is what Griffin said to Dr Kemp.
• Griffin: I'll tell you the whole story. First, though, you must get me some food, and light the fire. I'm tired, I'm hungry, and I'm cold. Yes, yes, I'll tell you the whole story. But you must promise not to tell a soul. Dr Kemp, do not forget for an instant that though you cannot see me, I can see you all the time.
• You may remember that at the College I was much interested in the problems of light. I began to do some experiments in changing the color of various substances. Finally, quite by accident, I hit on a method of making any inert object - a piece of wood, a bit of meat, even a lump of coal - absolutely colorless, as transparent as water. Suddenly I had a brilliant idea: why not make myself invisible? I worked at it for years - and at last I succeeded. I will not bore you with the details of my experiments. I have had many adventures as an invisible man... but it is not going as I had planned. I am invisible only when I am undressed: with clothes on, I can be seen as easily as you. While I was still experimenting, I saw only the advantages of the thing. But there are disadvantages, I can tell you. I cannot eat unless I am alone, for I would be found out by the spoon floating in mid-air. That is why this is such a stroke of luck, my running into you. I need and accomplice. I can take refuge in your house. I made a huge mistake, Kemp, in trying to carry the thing through alone.
• If you want to know what happened later, listen to Mr Kemp's story.

EASILY CONFUSED WORDS

• 1. Study the use of the following words.
• strike (struck, struck) v = 1. hit hard - He struck the ball. 2. attack - The enemy will strike again. 3. refuse to work - The miners decided to strike.
• Expressions with strike:
• The clock strikes every hour. / He struck a match. / They hope to strike oil/gold.
• strike n = 1. a refusal to work: 2. a hunger strike (= a refusal to eat)
• stroke v = moving a hand gently over someone or something - She gently stroked her dog's back.
• stroke n = 1. a sudden illness which can make people parayises - He suffered a stroke and is unable to walk. 2. a stroke of luck/good fortune - Winning the lottery was quite a stroke of luck.
• 2. The former / the latter
• The former refers to the first of two things, the latter to the second.
• Example: I like apples and oranges, but I prefer the former over the latter meaning I like apples more than oranges.
• I enjoy reading magazines and tabloids, but prefer the latter over the former.
• Joan liked both dogs and cats, but because of her cat allergy, she preferred the former.
• Red and blue are popular colors, but the latter is more popular.

Slide 14

• WORD FORMATION
• Negative prefixes: in- (im-, ir-), un-, dis- and the suffix -less are added to nouns adjectives, adverbs and verbs to make their meaning negative. E.g. impossible, disapprove, careless.
• Use the words below to complete the sentences, making any changes necessary.
• advantage thought willing visible possible home
• There are a lot of ____ people who live on the streets of big cities.
• It was ____ of me to forget her birthday.
• The new school building has a lot of ____, including the fact it's so far from the town center.
• I invited him, but he was ____ to come.
• The poem was too long: it was ____ to learn it for the next day.
• One day in the future people will put on special glasses and become ____.
• PHRASAL VERBS with CARRY
• carry through - accomplish
• carry on - continue
• carry out - perform a task: follow instructions
• carry away - make enthusiastic
• Complete the sentences by using the correct form of a phrasal verb with carry.
• She ____ with her work and didn't look at me.
• The audience was completely ____ by her singing and couldn't stop cheering.
• We ____ everything that was written in the letter and the results were excellent.
• In the end, they ____ the project ____ despite the difficulties.

The end of the invisible man

• 1. Before you listen to the text, study the words in column A. What do you think these words mean? Try to find the explanations in the column B. Use a dictionary if necessary.
• A: 1. capture 2. insane 3. trust 4. betray 5. cruel
• B: a. faith, belief b. be disloyal to someone c. brutal, heartless d. mad e. catch, seize, arrest
• 2. Listen to Kemp's instructions on how to capture Griffin and do exercise 3.
• 3. Answer the following questions.
• How did Mr Kemp betray Griffin?
• What did Mr Kemp think of the invisible man as a person?
• Why did people want to capture the invisible man?
• Why did Mr Kemp want clothes to be kept away?
• What happened to Griffin in the end?

GRAMMAR: MODAL VERBS

• Modal verbs are used with other verbs to express permission, ability, obligation, possibility and so on. Study the meanings of the modal verbs and do the exercise below.
• Modal Meaning Example
• can to express ability I can speak a little Russian.
• can to request permission Can I open the window?
• may to express possibility I may be home late.
• may to request permission May I sit down, please?
• must to express obligation I must go now.
• must to express strong belief She must be over 90 years old.
• should to give advice You should stop smoking.
• would to request or offer Would you like a cup of tea?
• would in if-sentences to give advice If I were you, I would say sorry.
• Note: Mustn't and needn't/don't have to
• We use mustn't to say that something is NOT ALLOWED and needn't (or don't need to/don't have to) to say that something is NOT NECESSARY.
• You must not copy on the test.
• We needn't go into details now.
• Things to remember:
• Can in the past is was/were able or could and for other tenses be able to.
• Examples:
• When I was young, I was able to earn a living pretty easily. Now I can't - I'm too old! I couldn't hear what he was saying. When I finish my studies, I will be able to find a job.

PRACTICE

• Complete the sentence using an appropriate modal verb. Sometimes there may be more than one possibility.
• E.g. I didn't feel very well yesterday. I couldn't eat anything.
• It's snowing, so it ____ be very cold outside.
• This bill ____ be right. $200 for two cups of coffee!
• You ____ come home late tonight.
• You ____ stop smoking.
• ____ I leave early today, please?
• You ____ use the car tonight.
• You ____ tell her the truth. That's the best option.
• You ____ pay until next week.
• His excuse ____ be true, but I don't believe it.

READING and GRAMMAR

• Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if some inventions hadn't been made? Discuss the following questions in class.
• In what ways has technology improved your lives?
• How has the Internet changed the way you live?
• Do computers save time or do they just make you waste more time?
• Do you think that people will ever visit Mars?
• GLOSSARY
• out of the blue - unexpectendly
• breakthrough - an important discovery, especially in science
• evolve - develop
• Read the text and pay attention to the parts of the sentences in bold. These are examples of the third conditional. Can you work out its usage from the context?
• What does the future hold?
• The world would be such a different place if it hadn't been for scientist and inventors whose inventions had changed the course of history. How our civilization would have developed if many of the inventions hadn't been designed is now difficult to imagine. The invention that have affected the lives of most people around the world are the telephone, electricity, radio, television, the computer, the car and the ability to communicate through the Internet. Hopefully, there will be new important technological breakthroughs that will not only make our lives easier, but also lead to economic growth. We are particularly looking forward to new technology in fields such as medicine, transport and appliances.
• Some of 2020's new gadgets will probable come of the blue. If we had been asked about our expectations several decades ago, we would never have imagined many of the hot gadgets available today. Smartphones, with their ability to multi-task have already changed the way the world communicates and lives. They are continually evolving and will soon become micro personal computers. This industry simply moves too fast to be predictable and only time will tell what we will see.
• We certainly expect more powerful mobile devices, thinner and lighter tablets, sophisticated robots, self-healing systems, and the development of artificial intelligence - that's a reasonable list to get started with.

GRAMMAR: THIRD CONDITIONAL

• We use the third conditional to talk about the past and a situation that didn't happen. We also imagine how the situation could have been different.
• Form: {if + past perfect} + {would have + past participle}
• Examples:
• If I had worked harder at school, I would have got better marks.
• If we had caught the earlier train, we would have got there on time.
• I would/could/might have asked him if I had seen him at the meeting.
• Notice that the main clause can contain would, could or might.

PRACTICE

• 1. Put the verbs into the correct form to make third conditional sentences.
• If I ____ (pay) more attention, I ____ (understand) him.
• If ____ (have) time, I ____ (go) to see him, but I didn't.
• You ____ (enjoy) the play if you ____ (not/fall) asleep.
• She ____ (not ring) her daughter if she ____ (not be) so excited.
• If Tesla ____ (live) longer, he ____ (carry) out more experiments.
• The actress ____ (not be interviewed) if she ____ (not marry) a millionaire.
• 2. Complete the following sentences in an appropriate way.
• If I had been with them at the party, I _____.
• If I had had the power to change one thing in my childhood, I _____.
• I probably wouldn't have met my best friend if _____.
• I'd have been really pleased last week if _____.
• If the computer hadn't been invented, _____.
• Diana would have worn her red dress if _____.
• Would he have had that terrible accident if _____?
• If we had saved some money, _____.
• 3. Rewrite the sentences below to form second or third conditional sentences. The first one has been don for you.
• 1. They didn't watch the news so they didn't hear about the earthquake.
• If they had watched the news, they would have heard about the earthquake.
• 2. What can't go sailing because there isn't enough wind.
• 3. We don't go abroad on holiday because we don't have a visa.
• 4. He broke his leg so he couldn't take part in the competition.
• 5. I couldn't take any photos because I had forgotten to pack my camera.
• 6. She didn't pass her exams so she couldn't go to university.
• SPEAKING
• 1. What would you do?
• A What would you do if you were invited to a really good party by someone you didn't like?
• B If you could be a headmaster for a day, what changes would you make to your school and why?
• 2. What would you have done?
• ​​​​​​​Last week your friend found a purse with a lot of money in it and decided not to hand it in to the police. What would you have done if you hand found the money?

KEY WORD TRANSFORMATIONS

• Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word in bold. Do not change the form of the word in bold.
• 1. The painters painted our house last month. /had
• We _____ last month.
• 2. That's the garage where I left my car last week. /repaired
• That's where I went _____ last week.
• 3. People say that cats have nine lives.
• Cats _____ nine lives. /said
• 4. I want to go to university this year. /interested
• I _____ to university this year.
• 5. I didn't learn enough and I failed the exam. /more
• If I _____ passed the exam.
• 6. James gave me good advice and I saved a lot of money. /given
• If James _____.
• 7. We won't go swimming if the weather is bad. /changes
• Unless _____.

Useful Expressions

• 1. Complete the sentences with the expressions from the box.
• take into account in the meantime for the time being make a fuss return the favor
• Why did you _____ over a problem like that?
• I'll try ti _____ all the things that are important before I make a decision.
• Our flight is at 8:00. _____, we can go to a cafe and have a drink.
• There is no point in helping Jack. He'll never _____.
• He can stay with us _____. I hope he will soon find a suitable flat.
• 2. Use the phrases from the box to make new sentences.
• Expressing certainty and uncertainty
• Asking if someone is sure about something
• Are you quite sure ...?
• Are you certain ...?
• Do you think ...?
• When we are sure about something
• I'm quite sure / positive / certain that ...
• I think ...
• Yes, certainly / absolutely / definitely.
• Of course ... will.
• When we are not sure about something
• Perhaps / Maybe / Probably
• I suppose / I expect ...
• I'm not really sure.
• I can't say for certain.
• I doubt it.
• It's possible / likely.
• Work in pairs. Take turns to ask and answer questions expressing a) certainty and b) uncertainty. Use the phrases from the boxes.
• Do you think
• you will go to the seaside this year?
• Serbia will be basketball world champions this decade?
• a cure for cancer / AIDS will be found soon?
• England will win the next football World Cup?
• every home will have a sky car in ten years' time?

TEST 7 Self-Assessment

• KEY WORD LIST
• Verbs: assume, explore, ease, handle, upgrade, reverse, bore.
• Nouns: accomplice, substance, refuge.
• Adjectives: accurate, disabled, inert, sophisticated, indistinguishable.
• Phrases: a stroke of luck, by chance, carry through, carry on, carry out, carry away.
• 1. Complete the sentences with word/s from the Key word list. (6 pts.)
• The third _____ was sentenced to life in prison.
• As technology advances, these gadgets will become more _____.
• The poor guy didn't event have any medicine to _____ the pain.
• This is not the sort of experiment you can _____ ______ in your bathroom.
• We need to _____ these problems with care.
• Scientist want to _____ what is happening deep inside the planet.
• 2. Complete the sentences by using the correct form of the word in bold (4 pts.)
• This quality of inventions is ____. Not all of them are good. /predictable
• He failed to back up the files and it had _____ consequences. /disaster
• The work was completed with the _____ of robots. /assist
• This bus is _____ for disabled travelers. /convenience
• 3. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense. (5 pts.)
• If I hadn't gone to London, I _____ (get) this job.
• Don't come between 6 and 8. I _____ (have) dinner with my family then.
• Why didn't you phone me? If I _____ (know) you were ill, I _____ (come) to see you.
• This time tomorrow we _____ (celebrate) our victory.
• If you had come to the race, which horse _____ (you/bet) on?
• 4. Rewrite the following sentences using the words in bold. (4 pts.)
• 1. You should take the train instead of the bus. /were
• If _____, I'd take the train instead of the bus.
• 2. My father drove slowly and we arrived late for the show. /not
• I _____ changed.
• 3. The mechanic changed the oil in my car yesterday. /had
• I _____ changed.
• 4. It isn't Jane. I'm sure she is in Paris. /be
• ​​​​​​​It _____. She is in Paris.