Unit 8

Technology“Operate with

caution”

Lead-in Activity Warm-up Listening Task Real World Listening Interaction Link Useful Expressions Additional Listening Homework Argument

Lead-in Activity

Read the following article. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

 Modern Technology Makes Life More Convenient    Modern technology makes life more convenient; tools are the milestones of the technology as well as human being's progress.    Men used to cut trees with hand saw. But now, by using electronic saw they can cut down a tree in only a few minutes. Another example is more vivid: You have something urgent which has to be informed to your friend whose house is two hour's ride away. You probably want to make a phone call. But no telephone is installed in your friend's home.  What could you do? Nowadays, with modern technology advancing, using internet is popular with us. Some years ago, people had to get what they wanted through looking into a lot of information; at last people could become tired and spent too much time. Now, if you use Internet, all becomes a piece of cake. Only by clicking, you will gain what you expect.      We all hope that modern technology will reach a higher level, because modern technology makes life more convenient indeed.

Part I

Warm-up

Language Pointsidentity theft n. 身份盗窃Identity theft means that someone steals your identity inf

ormation and uses it to buy things with your credit cards.

virus n. 病毒The viruses can damage your computer, if you can’t prot

ect it.incompatible a. 不相配的，不相容的；合不来的We must uninstall the program which is incompatible wit

h the computer.clogged up v. 阻塞，塞住The drain was clogged up with dead leaves. 排水道被枯堵

住了。

Language Points

spam n. 垃圾邮件 Every day I will receive lots of spam.update n. v. 更新，升级I updated the committee on your progress.

我向委员会报告了我们的进展情况。foe n. 敌人

identity theft obsession incompatible update

delete forwards clogged up

viruses addictive spam

Warm Up

Read this magazine article about modern technology. Write

the missing words and phrases.

MODERN TECHNOLOGY: FRIEND OR FOE?Modern technology has made our lives easier. But have we traded convenience for danger? Let’s take a look at the dark side of technology:1.Hidden Expenses:1.Hidden Expenses: Better save up some cash. Program developers are constantly changing their software, and you may need to pay to get the newest_______. Getting ready to buy a new computer? You might find that the programs you already own are ____________ with your new system.2.Security:2.Security: The Internet has make shopping easy. But it is possible to steal online credit information. That’s why insurance companies are offering ____________ policies. You also have to worry about ________ that could damage your computer.

updates

incompatible

identity theftviruses

3.Privacy:3.Privacy: Many people couldn’t live without e-mail. But most people could live without _____. Your inbox can get so __________ with cyber junk mail that you spend all your time _______ it. And what about those “cute” _______ people send? They might seem funny to some people, but they’re annoying to most.

4.Mental Health:4.Mental Health: Computers are very entertaining, but have people become too attached? For some, the computer has become an __________. Video games and online gambling are __________ activities that can make you a prisoner of your computer.

spamclogged up

deletingforwards

obsessionaddictive

Pairwork

Discuss the questions with your partner.

What do you think of the high-tech products? Do you view them as friends or foes? Why?

Part II

Listening Task

Language Points

hilarious a. 十分有趣的，非常滑稽的He showed us the hilarious account of thei

r camping holiday. 他给我们看了他们在假日里进行野营活动的引人入胜的记述。

forward n. 转发邮件 lame a. 蹩脚的；瘸的，scary a. 使人惊恐的，可怕的

Look at the pictures. What problem do these people have with their computers?

Why is the speaker complaining about computers?

First Listening

Fill in the missing information with what you’ve just heard.

3. She doesn’t like to __________________.

1.Someone stole her _________ information.

2.He’s had to spend a lot on ________.

4. He’ s playing ___________ too much.

credit-card

upgrades

receive useless e-mail

video games

Look at the pictures. What problem so these people have with their computers?

Which statement do you think the speaker would agree with?

second Listening

Check-upCheck-up

1.

2.

3.

4.

People shouldn’t use their credit cards over the internet.

Websites should take additional security measures to protect buyers.

Software companies should offer more free or low cost upgrades.

Software companies should upgrade programs less frequently sobuyers don’t need to repurchase constantly.

E-mail should be used only for serious communication.

People should think more carefully before forwarding lots of jokes and funny pictures.Video games can become an obsession.

Video games cause people to become lazy and violent.

Work with a partner and check your answers. Then you should give the reasons for your choices.

1. Why didn’t the first speaker have to pay for any of the things?

Because she called the credit card company and they had identity theft insurance.

2. What were the good things the second speaker said about his new computer?

It was definitely a cool machine. It got more memory than his old one, and it was faster.

3. Why did the third speaker say that she didn’t even get to read her important e-mails sometimes?

Because her inbox was always clogged up with forwards.

4. What was John’s excuse for playing the video game for hours?

He said that he had to get to level five before he could take a rest.

Answer the following question.

Third Listening

Script1. A: You wouldn’t believe what happened to me. B: What? A: Well, I got my credit card bill yesterday, and I was looking it over, and there were all these charges for things I didn’t buy. There was fur coat from some expensive website, and, like, fifty phone calls to Paris. B: Oh, no. Did someone steal your credit card? A: No, I still have the card, but someone must have gotten the number. Sometimes that’s all you need to buy something over the phone or on the Internet. B: Wow, that’s scary. A: Yeah, but I called the credit card company. They have identity theft insurance, so they’re going to give me a new card, a new number, and I don’t have to pay for any of that stuff.

2. A: How’s that new computer working out, man? B: Well, hard to say. It’s definitely a cool machine, top of the line. It’s got way more memory than my old computer, and it’s way faster. The thing is, none of my old software works with it. A: Really? B: Yeah, it’s a new operating system, so nothing is compatible. A: Wow. B: So now I have to buy all the upgrades for all my programs, all the new versions of everything. A: That’s gonna be expensive. B: Yep. It’s really lame.

Script

3. A: Hey, did you get the e-mail I sent you today? B: I think so. It was one of those joke forwards, right? One of the kind that are supposed to be funny. A: Yeah, it was a picture of an elephant playing baseball. Man, that was hilarious. B: Yeah, um, actually, I kind of wish you wouldn’t send me all those forwards. I end up just deleting them anyhow. A: Oh, OK. I didn’t realize. B: Sorry, but it’s just that I get, like, fifty forwards a day, from you, my mom, my sisters, my coworkers. My inbox is always so clogged up with forwards that sometimes I don’t even get to read my real e-mails, important e-mails, you know.

Script

4. A: John, you’ve been playing that video game for hours. B: I know, I know. It’s just that I have to get to level five before I can take a break. A: Well, you’ve been playing nonstop every day like this for the past week. B: Yeah. This game is really addictive. But I promise I’ll stop just as soon as I get into the secret room. A: The secret room? B: Yeah, but first I’ve got to get a hold of the golden key. A: John, just listen to yourself! I think this game is messing with your head.

Script

Part III

Real World Listening

Language Points

undercover a. 做密探工作的cop n. 警察pirate a. 海盗maroon v. 将…放逐（到无法逃脱的地方）Napoleon was marooned at a desert island

finally. 最后拿破仑被放逐到一个荒岛上。

Language Points

mars n. 火星abandon v. 遗弃，放弃frustration n. 灰心，不满，受挫Every job has its frustrations. 每种工作都有让人

不称心得地方。hack v. 猛砍，猛劈meditate v. 沉思，冥想psychiatrist n. 精神病医生

Culture Note: Computer Game There are many notions as to what a computer game

is.  A program can be an application software to one person but a game to another.  A popular definition of a computer is given below:

Google’s definition: A game played against a computer.  

History of Computer Game Computer games can be traced back to the 1950’s

when computers are in their early stages.  Early games are text oriented with simple user interface.  Since then, computer game shave evolved into highly sophisticated computer software.  The following is a link to an interest article on the history of computer games. 

Prepare

Jeff Townsend is a video game developer. He’s on Tech Trek to discuss his new video game “The Butcher.”

It’s fun.

It causes people to become violent.

It helps to prevent violence.

It’s a good lesson for children.

What do you think Jeff will say about “The Butcher”?

√

√

Check the statements that Jeff believes.

Get The Main Ideas

Violent video games should be played only by adults.

Video games are just entertainment.

People are smart enough to understand the difference between fantasy and real life.No one is going to try to imitate the Butcher.

You’ll be more relaxed if you play the game.

It is better to let out your anger and frustration in a fantasy game than in real life.The game encourages people to become cops.

People can’t get a real addiction to video games.

√√√√√

Complete the following with what you’ve heard.

Get The Details

1.Today, we are going to review three new video games whose names are _____________, ______ _______, and ___________________ .

2. A lot of people think that video games like “The Butcher” actually cause __________, that they’re ______________ on children.

3. To me, video games are just _____________. I think people can tell the difference ______________________________.4. You could ________ criminals for an hour, and then go on with the rest of your day _______________________.

“The Butcher” “PirateParty” “Marooned on Mars”

violencea bad influence

entertainment

between a video game and real lifehack up

in a peaceful, happy mood

ScriptGreg: Hello, this is “Tech Trek”, and I’m your host, Greg McFee. Today we’re going to review three new video games that everyone’s talking about. First, there’s “The Butcher.” the player is an undercover cop who used to be a butcher. Imagine that. Super violent, super fast game. Next is “Pirate Party,” which is based on last summer’s hit movie about a band of pirates that attacks cruise ships and beach resorts. Last is “Marooned on Mars,” a video fame that takes place in 2250 in an abandoned colony on Mars. The object of the game is to construct a spaceship to get back to Earth. OK, before we get to the reviews, we have a special guest on “Tech Trek”---Jeff Townsend, developer of “The Butcher.” Jeff, thanks for coming in today. Jeff: My pleasure, Greg.

ScriptGreg: So, Jeff. “The Butcher.” A lot of people are talking about your game, and most of them are saying it might be too violent.Jeff: Well, it is violent. I mean, it’s about a cop, who was once a butcher, who hunts down criminals. A lot of people think that video games like “ The Butcher” actually cause violence, that they’re a bad influence on children.Jeff: Yeah, I hear that a lot. But I don’t know. To me,

video games are just entertainment. I think people can tell the difference between a video game and real life.Greg: Even kids?

ScriptJeff: Even kids. I don’t think anyone is going to play “The Butcher” and then go out and make criminals into hamburger. You’re not going to become more violent if you play “The Butcher.”Greg: Maybe so, but---Jeff: In fact, I was reading the newspaper, and there are some scientists who think that playing violent video games can actually make you less violent.Greg: Hmm. That’s interesting.Jeff: Yeah, they say that if you get all your anger and frustration out in a video game, you’ll be a lot more relaxed in your regular life.Greg: So if you were a really angry person, it might be a good idea to play “The Butcher,” right? You could hack up criminals for an hour, and then go on with the rest of your day in a peaceful, happy mood.

Script

Jeff: Exactly, playing a video game might be

better than meditating or seeing a

psychiatrist, or anything like that.

Greg: Anyway, thanks for joining us on “Tech

Trek,” Jeff.

Jeff: Any time.

Respond to the Ideas

1. Do you agree with Jeff? Why or why not? Which of his points do you think is the strongest? Which is the weakest?

2. What do you think of all the new forms of entertainment made possible by computers? What are some of the negative and positive effects?

Oral Practice: comment

Please comment on one of the situations below

to expand the discussion on video games.

Situation 1: A mother’s group wants the government

to set a minimum age for buying or using video games.

Situation 2: Six months after “The Butcher” is released,

there is an increase in crimes that copy the video game.

Situation 3: A coworker plays computer games on his

company computer during lunchtime and coffee breaks.

Part IV

Interaction Link

1. Answer the questions about technology.

TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES

2. Ask a partner the same questions. Discuss your opinions.Issue Me My partner

Do video games causeviolence?

Where is it acceptableor unacceptable to talk on a cell phone?

Is it OK to break up with a boyfriend or girlfriend by e-mail?

Is it OK to meet an online friend in person?

Is it safe to buy things on the Internet with a credit card?

Should downloading music and movies be legal or illegal? Why ?

1. Answer the questions about technology.

TECHNOLOGICAL ISSUES

2. Ask a partner the same questions. Discuss your opinions.Issue Me My partner

Do video games causeviolence?

Yes

Where is it acceptableor unacceptable to talk on a cell phone?

In the public, it’s unacceptable to talk on a cell phone.

Is it OK to break up with a boyfriend or girlfriend by e-mail?

No

Is it OK to meet an online friend in person?

No

Is it safe to buy things on the Internet with a credit card?

Yes

Should downloading music and movies be legal or illegal? Why ?

illegal

Example

A: Where is it acceptable or unacceptable to talk on a cell phone?

B: As for me, In the public, it’s unacceptable to talk on a cell phone. How about you?

A: I can’t agree with you more. Although the cell phone is convenient for us, sometimes it will disturb others’ life.

B: Yes, you are right.

Part V

Useful Expressions

Useful Expressions

1 、离开了电子邮件，许多人就没法生活了。

Many people couldn’t live without e-mail.

2 、我迷上了计算机游戏。 I’m hooked on computer games.

3 、你还得担心病毒会损害你的计算机。You also have to worry about viruses that could damage your computer.

4 、现代技术让我们的生活变得更加容易。

Modern technology has made our lives easier.

5 、它产生了不良的影响。 It’s a bad influence.

6 、它可以让你摆脱挫折感。 It lets you get rid of your frustrations.

Part VI

Additional Listening

Additional Listening

Directions: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from S1 to S7 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from S8 to SIO you are required to fill in the missing information. You can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.

Additional Listening

There are a lot of good cameras available at the moment--most of these are made in Japan but there are also good (S1)_____________models from Germany and the USA. We have (S2)_____________an range of different models to see which is the best (S3)_______________ for money. After a number of different tests and interviews with people who are (S4)_____________ with different cameras being assessed, our researchers (S5)_________________with the different cameras being the Olympic BY model as the best auto-focus camera available at the moment. It costs $200 although you may well want to spend more--(S6)____________ as much as another $200--on buying (S7)_________________lenses and other equipment. It is a good Japanese camera, easy to use. S8)_______________________________________________________________whereas the American versions are considerably more expensive The Olympic BY model weighs only 320 grams which is quite a bit less than other cameras of a similar type. Indeed one of the other models we looked at weighed almost twice as much. (S9)________________________________________________________________________________________________________. All the people we interviewed expressed almost total satisfaction with it.(Sl0)___________________________________________________________________

quality

investigated

value

familiar

recommend

perhaps

additional

Equivalent German models tend to be heavier and slightly less easy to use,

of its competitors, thus fitting easily into a pocket or a handbag.

Similarly, it is smaller than most

The only problem was slight awkwardness in loading the film.

Additional Listening

There are a lot of good cameras available at the moment. Most of these are made in Japan. But there are also good quality models from Germany and the USA. We have investigated an range of models to see which is the best value for money. After a number of different tests and interviews with people who are familiar with different cameras being accessed, our researchers recommend the Olympic BY model as the best auto-focus camera available at the moment. It costs 200 dollars although you may well want to spend more perhaps as much as another 200 dollars--on buying additional lenses and other equipment. It is a good Japanese camera, easy to use. Equivalent German models tend to be heavier and slightly less easy to use, while the American versions are considerably more expensive. The Olympic BY model weighs only 320 grams, which is quite a bit less than other cameras of the similar type. Indeed, one of the other models we looked at weigh almost twice as much. Similarly, it's smaller than most of its competitors, thus fitting easily into a pocket or handbag. All the people we interviewed expressed almost total satisfaction with it. The only problem was slight awkwardness in loading the film.

Part VII

Homework Argument

Homework Argument

What are your opinions about the Internet?

Expressions for reference

Computer message inbox compose link website web page chat room (double) click connect image toolbarwireless connection internet café net bar blog online hacker virusclick on a link open a web pageaccess a website surf on the internetdownload an attachmentcompose a message

Possible argument

It’s a controversy for the use of Internet.

With the development of society, computer

and Internet provide many conveniences

to people. But now there is another voice

that Internet is deteriorating the people’s

life.