1. Some ‘modern’ technologies are a lot older than many people think. 2. Can you give any examples of existing technologies which can be made cleaner and more efficient? 3. Anyone may like or dislike the technology but nobody can avoid its impact. 4. Some 1,244 billion people use the Internet according to Internet World Statistics. 5. According to one of the existing definitions, innovation is the process of making improvements by introducing something new. 6. They haven’t heard anything about negative effects of the new technology introduced last year. 7. There is some dilemma between sharing scientific knowledge and not to share competitive technologies; after all, these two things are closely related. 8. The introduction of any new technology demands the joint efforts of a great number of specialists conducting investigations, experimenting, and testing new installations.
Task 7. Read the text and give the written translation of paragraphs 1 and 2 into your native language.
Technology
1. In general, ‘technology’ is the relationship that society has with its tools and
crafts, and to what extent society can control its environment. The Merriam-Webster
dictionary offers a definition of the term: ‘the practical application of knowledge
especially in a particular area’ and ‘a capability given by the practical application of
knowledge’. Technology is a term with origins in the Greek ‘technologia’, ‘ τεχνολογία ’ – ‘techne’, ‘ τέχνη ’ (‘craft’) and ‘logia’, ‘ λογία ’ (‘saying’).
2. The history of technology is at least as old as humankind, if not older. The human race's use of technology began with the conversion of plentiful natural resources into simple tools. The prehistoric discovery of the ability to control fire increased the available sources of food, and the invention of the wheel helped humans in travelling in and controlling their environment. Recent technological developments, including the printing press and the Internet, have lessened physical barriers to communication and allowed humans to interact on a global scale. However, not all technology has been used for peaceful purposes; the development of weapons of ever-increasing destructive power has progressed throughout history, from clubs to nuclear weapons.
3. Technology has affected society and its surroundings in a number of ways. In many societies, technology has helped develop more advanced economies (including today's global economy). However, many technological processes produce unwanted by-products, known as pollution, and deplete natural resources, to the detriment of the Earth and its environment. Various implementations of technology influence the values of a society and new technology raises new ethical questions. Philosophical debates have arisen over the present and future use of technology in society, with disagreements over whether technology improves the human condition or worsens it. 4. Today technology is pervasive. It is nearly impossible to go anywhere today and escape from technology or from its impact, either upon the environment or upon society. But the most important contribution of technology is making life of common people much easier and helping them achieve what was previously not possible. It is important to keep in mind that although technology enriches many spheres of human life, there may also be drawbacks. This is the ethical challenge faced by society as technology becomes more ingrained in our lives.
Task 8. Choose the correct variant corresponding to the content of the text
Above.
1. Technology determines
a. the efficiency of productive resources use.
b. the general progress the society has achieved.
c. the extent to which the society can control its environment.
d. human influence on surrounding environment.
2. In many societies technology
a. changed people’s life.
b. increased people employment.
c. provided additional resources.
d. stimulated the development of economy.
3. Some technological processes can bring negative effects as
a. they are very expensive to be introduced.
b. they produce some unwanted by-products which cause pollution.
c. they are often not thoroughly tested.
d. they demand a lot of production facilities changes.
4. The most significant role of technology is that
a. it gives additional profits.
b. with its help people can improve their life.
c. it facilitates society development.
d. it reduces resources depletion.
1-…; 2-…; 3-…; 4-…
