雅思阅读UNIT 14 Technology

UNIT 14 Technology Warm up - Thinking about the Topic Look at these images. Talk about them with your partner. 1 What is the English name for each item?2 How are these items changing?3 What will happen to the way these items work in the future?Examples - The TV might show movies from the internet. The fridge might be connected to the supermarket.Beginning to ReadScanning to Find Specific WordsTechno-wizardry in the Home Techno-wizardry sounds like something for the future, but actually homes with advanced technological ability are already in existence. If you want a home that is not only convenient but far safer than a conventional one, then a techno-savvy home is for you. A techno-savvy house is basically a network of appliances, light switches and various assorted items which intercommunicate, so that the whole house operates a lot more efficiently and smoothly. Cutting edge technology is being integrated into homes everywhere. In simple terms, a techno-savvy house has a 'brain'. Techno-savvy systems rely on a control panel, switches or a touch screen to access the desired function. The connections are made using cabling within walls, ceilings and under floors of the house, or an internal wireless system or a combination of both of these. ABIn order for the system to meet the needs of the home's occupants, it should notbe too complex; it must be both convenient and time saving. This means the architect, developer and home owner have to co-plan very carefully in order to achieve a truly integrated, easy-to-use system. An integrated house system operates and manages all the electrical equipment in a home to increase comfort, flexibility, communication, safety and security, and also to reduce energy consumption.A techno-savvy home can have a tremendous impact on the occupants' lives. Many chores or jobs can be done more simply, as it allows all sorts of electronic gadgets and appliances to perform a variety of tasks. For example, an alarm clock can be programmed to send a message to the coffee maker to begin brewing the morning coffee. In another example, the refrigerator can suggest what could be eaten as a snack based on what it has inside. It then communicates with the microwave or oven to suggest a cooking time. It seems hard to believe that these types of refrigerators already exist. They can talk to the Internet and download recipes; they can even order new groceries as required, because they are able to scan and log bar codes of food items taken from inside.Although there are many smart appliances available on the market and many more becoming available, probably one of the first aspects that is fully automated in a home is the entertainment system. While it is not necessarily making the lives of the occupants easier or making them any safer, it is fun being able to change channels by speaking to the TV , and to use the Internet in conjunction with the television.A techno-savvy house can save energy by lowering the temperature setting and switching off appliances and lights that are not required. It can also manage heaters, the air conditioning and fans in such a way as to save energy. For example, if the outside temperature is only slightly more than the setting on the thermostat then a smart home will use fans instead of the air conditioner, which uses a lot more energy. Also, if the television is not in use, then it will completely turn off the energy outlet, which also saves a small amount of energy. Over an extended period of time these actions can mean a considerable saving.Being able to monitor security from a central system makes the home a safe haven for all occupants. With a single push of a button an alarm system puts the entire home into security mode. All the windows and doors close and lock, and the security systems are activated. Absent owners can check their security system via the Internet, due to hidden surveillance cameras around the house which send information.A further useful feature is that lights can be programmed to go on and off at random times when nobody is at home to make it look like somebody is there. This feature acts as a major deterrent to criminals.In an emergency, people can panic and not react in the best possible manner, However, a techno-savvy house can help here, For example at the time of a fire, C D E F G Hthe fire alarm would activate and the techno-savvy house's 'brain' immediately calls the fire brigade. It would also turn on the lights that lead to an exit and unlock all the windows and doors to make the escape route easier,IHowever, any techno-savvy home has a major vulnerability; it relies on a power supply. If this were to be interrupted, chaos would prevail. Being connected to a battery system is essential, so there is a back up energy supply should there be a power cut. It is essential, that safe entry and exit points to the home are always available. Provided the system is safe, it will save power and increase security and pleasure for house occupants of the future.4 Here is a list of key words from the IELTS type questions you are going to answer shortly. Find these words in the reading passage underline them and write which paragraph they are found inNote: Some words may be mentioned more than once.a. brain Paragraph (s) _____________-b. security Paragraph (s) _____________c. energy Paragraph (s) _____________d. Internet Paragraph (s) _____________e. entertainment Paragraph (s) _____________f emergency Paragraph (s) _____________Predicting Content from Topic Sentences5 Look at the FIRST sentence of paragraph 1 - what is the topic of this article? Para A - MAIN topic ________________________Now, look at the FIRST sentence if EACH paragraph, and write down ONE OR TWO WORDS which give the topic of that paragraph.Write the topics on the lines below.Para B - topic _________________________Para C - topic _________________________Para D - topic _________________________Para E - topic _________________________Para F - topic _________________________Para G - topic _________________________Para H - topic _________________________Para I - topic _________________________Skimming to Summarise the Reading passage6 Work with a partner to complete a brief summary of this reading reading passage. Speak, do not write.This passage is about.... It describes....IEL TS Type Questions: Reading for Details and for Main Ideas Now, you should be able to read this passage quickly to find details and answer the following questionsLabeling a DiagramChoose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer. Matching Headings to ParagraphsThe reading passage has nine paragraph, A-I Choose the correct heading fir each paragraph from the list if headings below. Write the correct number, i-x, next to the appropriate paragraph. There are more headings than paragraphs.List of Headingsi. Saving Power for the Home 10) _________Paragraph Aii. Entertainment Management 11) _________Paragraph Biii. Planning and Integration 12) _________Paragraph Civ. Techno-Savvy Homes of the Future 13) _________Paragraph Dv. Emergency Management 14)_________Paragraph Fvi. Power Failures 15) _________Paragraph Gvii. Techno-savvy Homes at Present 16) _________Paragraph Iviii. The Central Systemix. Managing Home Securityx. Kitchen WizardrySentence Completion-Type BComplete each sentence with the correct ending (A -G) below. There are more endings given than beginnings.17) To be convenient for the home owner the central system ________________18) One of the main functions of the central system ________________19) The central system ________________20) Connecting items to the system ________________21) Surveillance cameras ________________22) A back up power supply ________________A. is to reduce energy consumption.B. is very important for safety reasons.C. should be simple and easy to use.D. provide home owners with a means of checking security.E. can be done by switches or touch screen.F. manages all the electrical equipment in a techno-savvy house.G. can be done by wireless or cables or a system of both.After You ReadThis section of the reading units will include some activities to help you to understand and practice reading and language skills that will help you with the IEL TS test. Vocabulary –Word Groups7 Look at the words below. Write the words into the correct box.Work with a partner, if necessary. The first one has been done for you.8 Match a word from Exercise 7 with a meaning below.a. someone who designs and supervises the construction of a building ___________b. something which regulates the temperature of a house _____________________c. something which keeps food at a cool temperature ________________________d. someone who breaks the law _______________________e. someone who lives in a place or house ___________________________9 Choose one of the following words to add to each of the word groups below.a. security safe ____surveillance___b. consumption _________________c. power battery _________________d. groceries recipe _________________e. command push operate _________________f. smart techno-savvy _________________g. refrigerator air conditioner _________________h floor walls _________________i. fire alarm _________________ Complete the Table: Word Forms10 Write the correct word forms into the boxes below.Expressing Purpose [to + infinitive]Example: We need improved systems to save power Saving power isthe purpose of the improvedsystems.11 Which of the following sentences use 'to + the infinitive' to express purpose?a. Techno-savvy systems rely on a control panel, or touch screen to access the desiredfunction.b. This means the architect, developer and home owner have to co-plan very carefully.c. In order to achieve a truly integrated system there must be careful planning.d. It allows all sorts of electronic gadgets and appliances to perform a variety of tasks.e. An alarm clock can be programmed to send a message to the coffee maker.f. It seems hard to believe that these types of refrigerators already exist.g. They can talk to the Internet.h. They are able to scan and log bar codes of food items.i. The system can manage heaters and air conditioning in a way as to save energy.j. One way to make the home a safe haven is to monitor security.k. When nobody is at home the lights randomly turn on and off to make it look like someone is there.l. Home owners can check their security due to hidden surveillance cameras.m. The system turns on lights that lead to an exit and unlocks the windows.n. If the power supply was to be interrupted, chaos would prevail.。