Ex. 5. Describe your favourite piece of technology.

 

You should say:

• what it is

• how expensive it is and where you can buy it

• what it does

and why you like it so much.

 

Follow-up Questions:

 

1. What piece of technology do you think, would be hardest to live without?

2. What are the most popular technological devices with young people nowadays?

3. Is surfing the internet more or less popular today than it used to be, in your opinion?

4. What would you say are the main reasons people use the internet?

5. Do you agree with people who say the internet is addictive?

6. Do you think it is healthy when people spend a lot of time online?

7. What are the dangers people using the internet face?

8. The internet is very important to the way we live our lives in the 21 st century Do you agree?

9. Are we influenced by what we read and see on the internet?

10. Do you think the internet is a reliable source of information?

READING

Ex. 6. A) Read the text and say why video and computer games are so popular nowadays.

Video and Computer Games

Video and computer games are extremely popular nowadays. A lot of people play computer games in order to escape dull reality and to fight with horrible monsters or to save the world from hostile aliens. Video and computer games give one the opportunity to plunge into exciting adventures: to explore complicated mazes, to combat frightful dragons, to overcome obstacles, to operate various vehicles, to fly an aircraft or to pilot a spacecraft, to solve different puzzles, to look after a virtual pet, to build cities, to play sport games and even to control the lives of people.

Video games are constantly becoming more life-like and complex. New styles and genres appear. The development of a computer game demands the work and skills of quite a large group of people including programmers, graphic designers, sound designers, musicians, and other technicians. Modern video games contain a unique synthesis of 3D art, sound effects, real-life environment, people-like characters, architecture, artificial intelligence, dramatic performances, music, storytelling, and interactivity (the ability to communicate directly with a computer programme which does things in reaction to your actions).

Video game developers have been accused of the depiction of graphic violence, sexual themes, advergaming (a form of advertising in games), consumption of drugs, alcohol or tobacco, bad language, propaganda, or profanity in some games. Many games encourage violent behavior, blur the difference between right and wrong and cause addiction. Some people say that video and computer games make children unsociable and passive. They are absorbed in games without speaking to each other for a long time. Children and teenagers who are fond of computer games are not interested in reading. Some researchers proclaim that playing computer games stunts brain growth. Children can play for hours without eating, sleeping or learning. They sit in front of the computer screen exercising their fingers instead of playing outside or training themselves physically. That's why the levels of obesity among children and teenagers are rising. The vast majority of computer games are made for male game players, but nowadays more and more games are produced for girls and women. Small amount of young females play aggressive games and it has a negative influence on their psyche.

But video and computer games have advantages as well. Most games require a great deal of patience and focus from the player so video games may even increase players' attention capacities. They may also improve a child's visual skills and develop coordination. Certain types of video games can improve gamers' dexterity as well as their ability to solve problems.

Video games are meant not only for entertainment. Some video games are made for other reasons. Educational games attempt to teach players using the game as a vehicle. They help children develop maths, reading skills and spelling through play. Computer games can promote the development of strategic thinking and planning skills. It has been noticed that gamers don't realize they are learning. So if educational games could be used at school, education would enjoy significant benefits.

All we should do is to control the playing, distribution, purchase, or sale of video and computer games. Violent games must be banned and the time of playing games should be strictly limited. Instead of killing and injuring people the aim of the game can be to save somebody or to make peace.

(‘Открывая мир с английским языком. Современные темы для обсуждения. Готовимся к ЕГЭ’ Юнёва С.А.)

B) Read the following sentences and circle TRUE or FALSE.

1) Video and computer games are not so popular nowadays as they used to be 10 years ago.
2) Some people say that video and computer games make children sociable and hyperactive.
3) The levels of obesity among children and teenagers are rising.
4) The vast majority of computer games are made for female game players.
5) Most games require a great deal of patience and focus from the player.
6) Video games are meant only for entertainment.
7) It has been noticed that gamers don't realize they are learning.

C) Complete each sentence (A-H) with one of the endings (1-8).

A. Video games are constantly becoming
B. The development of a computer game demands the work and skills of quite a large group of people including
C. Modern video games contain a unique synthesis of
D. Many games encourage
E. Some researchers proclaim that
F. Educational games attempt to teach players
G. Computer games can promote the development of
H. All we should do is to control

1. violent behavior, blur the difference between right and wrong and cause addiction.
2. strategic thinking and planning skills.
3. more life-like and complex.
4. 3D art, sound effects, real-life environment, people-like characters, architecture, artificial intelligence, dramatic performances, music, storytelling, and interactivity.
5. the playing, distribution, purchase, or sale of video or computer games.
6. playing computer games stunts brain growth.
7. programmers, graphic designers, sound designers, musicians, and other technicians.
8. using the game as a vehicle.

 

D) Give the definitions of the following words.

• interactivity
• advergaming
• propaganda
• profanity
• obesity
• coordination

E) Answer the questions.

1) Why are many people fond of playing computer games?
2) What are the opportunities of computer and video games?
3) What have game developers been accused of?
4) Why can we say that the influence of computer games on children and teenagers is mostly negative?
5) What skills can computer games develop?
6) How can education benefit from computer games?
7) What is your attitude to violent and destructive games? Do you think that they must be banned?
8) What kinds of games promote more positive values?

 

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