Семестрова читання

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 What does Mark say about da Vinci’s robot drawings?

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 In the first paragraph, Mark says that robots

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 What does Mark say about science fiction writers?

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 Mark says that the robot with a heart

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 In the final paragraph, Mark says he

Read the text. Complete gaps 1-5 with sentences A-F.

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. (1) _____ That will ensure you don’t make a mistake that will cost you money.

Read the text. Complete gaps 1-5 with sentences A-F.

TEEN TYCOON

BY SARAH MARSH

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. (2) _____ 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.

Read the text. Complete gaps 1-5 with sentences A-F.

TEEN TYCOON

BY SARAH MARSH

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. (3) _____ 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!

Read the text. Complete gaps 1-5 with sentences A-F.

TEEN TYCOON

BY SARAH MARSH

The story may sound too good to be true, but in fact, Steven isn’t the first person to do something like this. (4) _____ He did this in only 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.

Read the text. Complete gaps 1-5 with sentences A-F.

TEEN TYCOON

BY SARAH MARSH

Steven and Kyle have both become celebrities in their home countries since sharing their stories. Kyle has written a book about what he did, and is often asked to give talks at events and conferences. (5) _____ He is thinking of buying a car that is less expensive to repair.

BIRTHDAY SHOPPING

I love celebrating birthdays, but unfortunately for me I have three sisters and they were all born 0 _______December. This causes a number of problems that I have to cope 1 _____. The biggest problem is buying presents for them all. I only have a part- time job so it’s important for me to buy things on special 2 _____ to save money. It’s also difficult to know what to buy. As soon 3 _____ I figure out what they like, they’ve changed their minds and want something different. I’ve just applied for a new job. If I 4 _____ it, I’ll be able to buy them nicer presents this year. And I think they deserve it. They have to put 5 _____ with me all year!

BIRTHDAY SHOPPING

I love celebrating birthdays, but unfortunately for me I have three sisters and they were all born 0 ______ December. This causes a number of problems that I have to cope 1 _____. The biggest problem is buying presents for them all. I only have a part- time job so it’s important for me to buy things on special 2 _____ to save money. It’s also difficult to know what to buy. As soon 3 _____ I figure out what they like, they’ve changed their minds and want something different. I’ve just applied for a new job. If I 4 _____ it, I’ll be able to buy them nicer presents this year. And I think they deserve it. They have to put 5 _____ with me all year!

BIRTHDAY SHOPPING

I love celebrating birthdays, but unfortunately for me I have three sisters and they were all born 0 _____ December. This causes a number of problems that I have to cope 1 _____. The biggest problem is buying presents for them all. I only have a part- time job so it’s important for me to buy things on special 2 _____ to save money. It’s also difficult to know what to buy. As soon 3 _____ I figure out what they like, they’ve changed their minds and want something different. I’ve just applied for a new job. If I 4 _____ it, I’ll be able to buy them nicer presents this year. And I think they deserve it. They have to put 5 _____ with me all year!

BIRTHDAY SHOPPING

I love celebrating birthdays, but unfortunately for me I have three sisters and they were all born 0 _____ December. This causes a number of problems that I have to cope 1 _____. The biggest problem is buying presents for them all. I only have a part- time job so it’s important for me to buy things on special 2 _____ to save money. It’s also difficult to know what to buy. As soon 3 _____ I figure out what they like, they’ve changed their minds and want something different. I’ve just applied for a new job. If I 4 _____ it, I’ll be able to buy them nicer presents this year. And I think they deserve it. They have to put 5 _____ with me all year!

BIRTHDAY SHOPPING

I love celebrating birthdays, but unfortunately for me I have three sisters and they were all born 0 _____ December. This causes a number of problems that I have to cope 1 _____. The biggest problem is buying presents for them all. I only have a part- time job so it’s important for me to buy things on special 2 _____ to save money. It’s also difficult to know what to buy. As soon 3 _____ I figure out what they like, they’ve changed their minds and want something different. I’ve just applied for a new job. If I 4 _____ it, I’ll be able to buy them nicer presents this year. And I think they deserve it. They have to put 5 _____ with me all year!

BIRTHDAY SHOPPING

I love celebrating birthdays, but unfortunately for me I have three sisters and they were all born 0 _____ December. This causes a number of problems that I have to cope 1 _____. The biggest problem is buying presents for them all. I only have a part- time job so it’s important for me to buy things on special 2 _____ to save money. It’s also difficult to know what to buy. As soon 3 _____ I figure out what they like, they’ve changed their minds and want something different. I’ve just applied for a new job. If I 4 _____ it, I’ll be able to buy them nicer presents this year. And I think they deserve it. They have to put 5 _____ with me all year!