EOY Reading 9

1. Read the text and choose the correct answer, A, B or C.

MAN AND MACHINE

by Mark Ravens

Science and technology have developed a lot since the fifteenth century, when the artist Leonardo da Vinci drew mechanical figures that looked like men – the first known robot designs. Now, of course, robots are everywhere, from factories to space stations, and they safely carry out all sorts of tasks, from cutting the grass to performing surgery. However, until recently most of them haven’t looked like humans at all, as Leonardo imagined, and they certainly haven’t had feelings. But now all that is beginning to change.

Imagine a world in which robots not only look like us but also know our moods, and have feelings themselves. It might even be possible for robots to become our friends! Science fiction writers have written about a world just like that for many years, and scientists are now predicting that intelligent robots like these will exist quite soon. In fact, they’ve already produced one that recognizes sound, movement and touch. Its bright red heart, which you can see through its plastic body, beats faster if you are rough, with the robot, or shout at it. But its heart slows down if you are gentle with it. Although it can’t talk, it’s easy to believe the robot actually has feelings!

It’s true that so far ‘human’ robots do not really move, talk or respond in the way we humans do, but they are becoming more advanced all the time. At some point in the future, a robot will definitely be created that may not look like us, but will be capable of doing anything that we can. And then we will truly be in the world of science fiction stories! 

1. Mark says that when da Vinci drew some robots, he

1. Read the text and choose the correct answer, A, B or C.

MAN AND MACHINE

by Mark Ravens

Science and technology have developed a lot since the fifteenth century, when the artist Leonardo da Vinci drew mechanical figures that looked like men – the first known robot designs. Now, of course, robots are everywhere, from factories to space stations, and they safely carry out all sorts of tasks, from cutting the grass to performing surgery. However, until recently most of them haven’t looked like humans at all, as Leonardo imagined, and they certainly haven’t had feelings. But now all that is beginning to change.

Imagine a world in which robots not only look like us but also know our moods, and have feelings themselves. It might even be possible for robots to become our friends! Science fiction writers have written about a world just like that for many years, and scientists are now predicting that intelligent robots like these will exist quite soon. In fact, they’ve already produced one that recognizes sound, movement and touch. Its bright red heart, which you can see through its plastic body, beats faster if you are rough, with the robot, or shout at it. But its heart slows down if you are gentle with it. Although it can’t talk, it’s easy to believe the robot actually has feelings!

It’s true that so far ‘human’ robots do not really move, talk or respond in the way we humans do, but they are becoming more advanced all the time. At some point in the future, a robot will definitely be created that may not look like us, but will be capable of doing anything that we can. And then we will truly be in the world of science fiction stories! 

2. Mark says that robots nowadays

1. Read the text and choose the correct answer, A, B or C.

MAN AND MACHINE

by Mark Ravens

Science and technology have developed a lot since the fifteenth century, when the artist Leonardo da Vinci drew mechanical figures that looked like men – the first known robot designs. Now, of course, robots are everywhere, from factories to space stations, and they safely carry out all sorts of tasks, from cutting the grass to performing surgery. However, until recently most of them haven’t looked like humans at all, as Leonardo imagined, and they certainly haven’t had feelings. But now all that is beginning to change.

Imagine a world in which robots not only look like us but also know our moods, and have feelings themselves. It might even be possible for robots to become our friends! Science fiction writers have written about a world just like that for many years, and scientists are now predicting that intelligent robots like these will exist quite soon. In fact, they’ve already produced one that recognizes sound, movement and touch. Its bright red heart, which you can see through its plastic body, beats faster if you are rough, with the robot, or shout at it. But its heart slows down if you are gentle with it. Although it can’t talk, it’s easy to believe the robot actually has feelings!

It’s true that so far ‘human’ robots do not really move, talk or respond in the way we humans do, but they are becoming more advanced all the time. At some point in the future, a robot will definitely be created that may not look like us, but will be capable of doing anything that we can. And then we will truly be in the world of science fiction stories!

3. In the second paragraph, Mark says that

1. Read the text and choose the correct answer, A, B or C.

MAN AND MACHINE

by Mark Ravens

Science and technology have developed a lot since the fifteenth century, when the artist Leonardo da Vinci drew mechanical figures that looked like men – the first known robot designs. Now, of course, robots are everywhere, from factories to space stations, and they safely carry out all sorts of tasks, from cutting the grass to performing surgery. However, until recently most of them haven’t looked like humans at all, as Leonardo imagined, and they certainly haven’t had feelings. But now all that is beginning to change.

Imagine a world in which robots not only look like us but also know our moods, and have feelings themselves. It might even be possible for robots to become our friends! Science fiction writers have written about a world just like that for many years, and scientists are now predicting that intelligent robots like these will exist quite soon. In fact, they’ve already produced one that recognizes sound, movement and touch. Its bright red heart, which you can see through its plastic body, beats faster if you are rough, with the robot, or shout at it. But its heart slows down if you are gentle with it. Although it can’t talk, it’s easy to believe the robot actually has feelings!

It’s true that so far ‘human’ robots do not really move, talk or respond in the way we humans do, but they are becoming more advanced all the time. At some point in the future, a robot will definitely be created that may not look like us, but will be capable of doing anything that we can. And then we will truly be in the world of science fiction stories!

4. How does Mark describe one robot that already exists?

1. Read the text and choose the correct answer, A, B or C.

MAN AND MACHINE

by Mark Ravens

Science and technology have developed a lot since the fifteenth century, when the artist Leonardo da Vinci drew mechanical figures that looked like men – the first known robot designs. Now, of course, robots are everywhere, from factories to space stations, and they safely carry out all sorts of tasks, from cutting the grass to performing surgery. However, until recently most of them haven’t looked like humans at all, as Leonardo imagined, and they certainly haven’t had feelings. But now all that is beginning to change.

Imagine a world in which robots not only look like us but also know our moods, and have feelings themselves. It might even be possible for robots to become our friends! Science fiction writers have written about a world just like that for many years, and scientists are now predicting that intelligent robots like these will exist quite soon. In fact, they’ve already produced one that recognizes sound, movement and touch. Its bright red heart, which you can see through its plastic body, beats faster if you are rough, with the robot, or shout at it. But its heart slows down if you are gentle with it. Although it can’t talk, it’s easy to believe the robot actually has feelings!

It’s true that so far ‘human’ robots do not really move, talk or respond in the way we humans do, but they are becoming more advanced all the time. At some point in the future, a robot will definitely be created that may not look like us, but will be capable of doing anything that we can. And then we will truly be in the world of science fiction stories!

5. Mark thinks that in the future, robots will

1. Read the text and choose the correct answer, A, B or C.

MAN AND MACHINE

by Mark Ravens

Science and technology have developed a lot since the fifteenth century, when the artist Leonardo da Vinci drew mechanical figures that looked like men – the first known robot designs. Now, of course, robots are everywhere, from factories to space stations, and they safely carry out all sorts of tasks, from cutting the grass to performing surgery. However, until recently most of them haven’t looked like humans at all, as Leonardo imagined, and they certainly haven’t had feelings. But now all that is beginning to change.

Imagine a world in which robots not only look like us but also know our moods, and have feelings themselves. It might even be possible for robots to become our friends! Science fiction writers have written about a world just like that for many years, and scientists are now predicting that intelligent robots like these will exist quite soon. In fact, they’ve already produced one that recognizes sound, movement and touch. Its bright red heart, which you can see through its plastic body, beats faster if you are rough, with the robot, or shout at it. But its heart slows down if you are gentle with it. Although it can’t talk, it’s easy to believe the robot actually has feelings!

It’s true that so far ‘human’ robots do not really move, talk or respond in the way we humans do, but they are becoming more advanced all the time. At some point in the future, a robot will definitely be created that may not look like us, but will be capable of doing anything that we can. And then we will truly be in the world of science fiction stories!

6. What does Mark say about science fiction writers?

2. Look at the sentences about getting things online. Then read the text on the opposite page and decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

TEEN TYCOON

by Sarah Marsh

Have you ever bought something on the Internet that wasn’t new? It’s becoming a more popular way to buy second-hand things, and you can certainly pick up some bargains. However, if it’s something expensive, like a car or a computer, you need to see it first if you don’t want to make a mistake that will cost you money.

Of course, some people get things from the Internet that they don’t need to pay for! One person who has got second-hand things online is teenager Steven Ortiz, from the US. He became the owner of a car worth about $10,000 that he saw online – but he got it without any money! So how did he do it? With patient and clever use of a website he discovered, which advertises items that people want to exchange for something else. The whole process took him two years.

It all started when Steven was given an old mobile phone by a friend. He traded it for a better phone, which he then exchanged for an MP3 player. Next came several bikes, a laptop and then a series of cars. With the fourteenth exchange, he ended up with a Porsche – a very expensive sports car. Luckily, by then he was old enough to drive it!

The story may sound too good to be true, but in fact, Steven isn’t the first person to do something like this. In 2005, Kyle MacDonald had been in the news when he started with a small red paperclip, and ended up with an entire house, also in fourteen moves. Kyle did it by creating a website called ‘One red paperclip’ and also blogging about his adventures. Followers contacted him with offers of items to exchange, and altogether the process took him a year. Since then, he has written a book about what he did, and has become a celebrity in Canada, his home country.

1. Buying something online that isn’t new will definitely save you money.

2. Look at the sentences about getting things online. Then read the text on the opposite page and decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

TEEN TYCOON

by Sarah Marsh

Have you ever bought something on the Internet that wasn’t new? It’s becoming a more popular way to buy second-hand things, and you can certainly pick up some bargains. However, if it’s something expensive, like a car or a computer, you need to see it first if you don’t want to make a mistake that will cost you money.

Of course, some people get things from the Internet that they don’t need to pay for! One person who has got second-hand things online is teenager Steven Ortiz, from the US. He became the owner of a car worth about $10,000 that he saw online – but he got it without any money! So how did he do it? With patient and clever use of a website he discovered, which advertises items that people want to exchange for something else. The whole process took him two years.

It all started when Steven was given an old mobile phone by a friend. He traded it for a better phone, which he then exchanged for an MP3 player. Next came several bikes, a laptop and then a series of cars. With the fourteenth exchange, he ended up with a Porsche – a very expensive sports car. Luckily, by then he was old enough to drive it!

The story may sound too good to be true, but in fact, Steven isn’t the first person to do something like this. In 2005, Kyle MacDonald had been in the news when he started with a small red paperclip, and ended up with an entire house, also in fourteen moves. Kyle did it by creating a website called ‘One red paperclip’ and also blogging about his adventures. Followers contacted him with offers of items to exchange, and altogether the process took him a year. Since then, he has written a book about what he did, and has become a celebrity in Canada, his home country.

2. Steven Ortiz doesn’t spend a lot of time online.

2. Look at the sentences about getting things online. Then read the text on the opposite page and decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

TEEN TYCOON

by Sarah Marsh

Have you ever bought something on the Internet that wasn’t new? It’s becoming a more popular way to buy second-hand things, and you can certainly pick up some bargains. However, if it’s something expensive, like a car or a computer, you need to see it first if you don’t want to make a mistake that will cost you money.

Of course, some people get things from the Internet that they don’t need to pay for! One person who has got second-hand things online is teenager Steven Ortiz, from the US. He became the owner of a car worth about $10,000 that he saw online – but he got it without any money! So how did he do it? With patient and clever use of a website he discovered, which advertises items that people want to exchange for something else. The whole process took him two years.

It all started when Steven was given an old mobile phone by a friend. He traded it for a better phone, which he then exchanged for an MP3 player. Next came several bikes, a laptop and then a series of cars. With the fourteenth exchange, he ended up with a Porsche – a very expensive sports car. Luckily, by then he was old enough to drive it!

The story may sound too good to be true, but in fact, Steven isn’t the first person to do something like this. In 2005, Kyle MacDonald had been in the news when he started with a small red paperclip, and ended up with an entire house, also in fourteen moves. Kyle did it by creating a website called ‘One red paperclip’ and also blogging about his adventures. Followers contacted him with offers of items to exchange, and altogether the process took him a year. Since then, he has written a book about what he did, and has become a celebrity in Canada, his home country.

3. Steven managed to get a car online that he couldn’t use. 

2. Look at the sentences about getting things online. Then read the text on the opposite page and decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

TEEN TYCOON

by Sarah Marsh

Have you ever bought something on the Internet that wasn’t new? It’s becoming a more popular way to buy second-hand things, and you can certainly pick up some bargains. However, if it’s something expensive, like a car or a computer, you need to see it first if you don’t want to make a mistake that will cost you money.

Of course, some people get things from the Internet that they don’t need to pay for! One person who has got second-hand things online is teenager Steven Ortiz, from the US. He became the owner of a car worth about $10,000 that he saw online – but he got it without any money! So how did he do it? With patient and clever use of a website he discovered, which advertises items that people want to exchange for something else. The whole process took him two years.

It all started when Steven was given an old mobile phone by a friend. He traded it for a better phone, which he then exchanged for an MP3 player. Next came several bikes, a laptop and then a series of cars. With the fourteenth exchange, he ended up with a Porsche – a very expensive sports car. Luckily, by then he was old enough to drive it!

The story may sound too good to be true, but in fact, Steven isn’t the first person to do something like this. In 2005, Kyle MacDonald had been in the news when he started with a small red paperclip, and ended up with an entire house, also in fourteen moves. Kyle did it by creating a website called ‘One red paperclip’ and also blogging about his adventures. Followers contacted him with offers of items to exchange, and altogether the process took him a year. Since then, he has written a book about what he did, and has become a celebrity in Canada, his home country.

4. Other people have achieved similar things.

2. Look at the sentences about getting things online. Then read the text on the opposite page and decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

TEEN TYCOON

by Sarah Marsh

Have you ever bought something on the Internet that wasn’t new? It’s becoming a more popular way to buy second-hand things, and you can certainly pick up some bargains. However, if it’s something expensive, like a car or a computer, you need to see it first if you don’t want to make a mistake that will cost you money.

Of course, some people get things from the Internet that they don’t need to pay for! One person who has got second-hand things online is teenager Steven Ortiz, from the US. He became the owner of a car worth about $10,000 that he saw online – but he got it without any money! So how did he do it? With patient and clever use of a website he discovered, which advertises items that people want to exchange for something else. The whole process took him two years.

It all started when Steven was given an old mobile phone by a friend. He traded it for a better phone, which he then exchanged for an MP3 player. Next came several bikes, a laptop and then a series of cars. With the fourteenth exchange, he ended up with a Porsche – a very expensive sports car. Luckily, by then he was old enough to drive it!

The story may sound too good to be true, but in fact, Steven isn’t the first person to do something like this. In 2005, Kyle MacDonald had been in the news when he started with a small red paperclip, and ended up with an entire house, also in fourteen moves. Kyle did it by creating a website called ‘One red paperclip’ and also blogging about his adventures. Followers contacted him with offers of items to exchange, and altogether the process took him a year. Since then, he has written a book about what he did, and has become a celebrity in Canada, his home country.

5. People were able to read about Kyle Macdonald’s success story online.

2. Look at the sentences about getting things online. Then read the text on the opposite page and decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

TEEN TYCOON

by Sarah Marsh

Have you ever bought something on the Internet that wasn’t new? It’s becoming a more popular way to buy second-hand things, and you can certainly pick up some bargains. However, if it’s something expensive, like a car or a computer, you need to see it first if you don’t want to make a mistake that will cost you money.

Of course, some people get things from the Internet that they don’t need to pay for! One person who has got second-hand things online is teenager Steven Ortiz, from the US. He became the owner of a car worth about $10,000 that he saw online – but he got it without any money! So how did he do it? With patient and clever use of a website he discovered, which advertises items that people want to exchange for something else. The whole process took him two years.

It all started when Steven was given an old mobile phone by a friend. He traded it for a better phone, which he then exchanged for an MP3 player. Next came several bikes, a laptop and then a series of cars. With the fourteenth exchange, he ended up with a Porsche – a very expensive sports car. Luckily, by then he was old enough to drive it!

The story may sound too good to be true, but in fact, Steven isn’t the first person to do something like this. In 2005, Kyle MacDonald had been in the news when he started with a small red paperclip, and ended up with an entire house, also in fourteen moves. Kyle did it by creating a website called ‘One red paperclip’ and also blogging about his adventures. Followers contacted him with offers of items to exchange, and altogether the process took him a year. Since then, he has written a book about what he did, and has become a celebrity in Canada, his home country.

6. Kyle MacDonald is well-known because of what he achieved online.