Exercise 14. Read the passage and answer the questions about it.

 

The world of telecommunications is changing rapidly. New devices become invaluable for both professionals and general public. Consider business travelers who must be able to maintain contact with the office, no matter what the time or place, since negotiations often involve decisions based on the latest figures. New telecommunications products and services on the market make staying in touch easier than ever before.

Personal portable products include calculators, portable radios and pocket telephones. The pocket telephone is really remarkable. The possibility to call or be called anyplace and any time permits the pocket telephone to be often considered as almost magic personal item. Another widespread device is cellular telephone. Car phones have proven indispensable for emergencies as well as for routine business. Pocket-size organizers — tiny computers that can store all kinds of information — may serve as phone and address directories, calculators and calendars. They help businessmen with heavy and hectic schedules.

Smaller, lighter fax machines allow instantaneous transmission of data to any location having a compatible fax machine. Faxing is becoming the primary means of sending and receiving short documents.

In the future we will see the explosive growth of communication services.

 

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1. What is the best title for the passage?

a. The business traveler

b. New telecommunications products and services

c. Everyday communications

d. Business negotiations

 

2. It can be inferred from the passage that business travelers need to maintain contact with the office because

a. there are many new products

b. they have to do it every day

c. they must have the latest information for negotiations

d. it is a company's requirement

 

3. According to the passage, mobile phone service

a. is very useful in case of accidents

b. costs too much

c. is not yet available on the airplanes

d. will soon appear on the market

 

4. It can be inferred from the passage that pocket-size computers are especially useful for businessmen who

a. have no cellular phones

b. have few/many clients

c. contact the office frequently

d. have very busy itineraries

 

5. It can be inferred from the passage that fax machines

a. cannot be used with phone service

b. will soon replace mail delivery of short documents

c. are of little use nowadays

d. are not small and light enough

 

Exercise 15.

 

1. These plants look like small roses.

a. resemble

b. turn into

c. behave

d. appear

 

2. Unfortunately, this property is almost completely lost.

a. very slightly

b. nearly entirely

c. not so much

d. forever

 

3. I'm at a loss for I don't know what to do.

a. that is

b. since

c. as if

d. when

 

4. These devices are extremely accurate.

a. safe

b. original

c. versatile

d. precise

 

Chapter 4

5. Because there is no exact definition for biological aging, it is difficult to determine when the phenomenon begins.

a. while

b. though

c. due to

d. since

 

6. Roget's Thesaurus, a collection of English words and phrases, is arranged by the ideas they express rather than by alphabetical order.

a. as well as

b. unless

c. together with

d. instead of

 

7. She got the job in that she was the best candidate.

a. although

b. as soon as

c. because

d. while

 

8. I succeeded because of your help.

a. since

b. in spite of

c. nevertheless

d. thanks to

 

9. Another indicator is provided by our committee.

a. a different

b. one more

c. other

d. the other

 

10. Despite our efforts, we failed.

a. because of

b. owing to

c. as opposed to

d. in spite of

 

11. These two concepts are different, even though they use the same word.

a. because

b. although

c. however

d. therefore

 

12. In an identical manner, we see that this law holds.

a. regularly

b. similarly

c. finally

d. gradually

 

13. In general, it is possible to be more specific.

a. furthermore

b. in short

c. for instance

d. on the whole

 

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14. The evidence is compelling, albeit indirect.

a. hence

b. although

c. on the other hand

d. because

 

15. The scope of application of photographic technigues has expanded tremendously.

a. diversely

b. obviously

c. gradually

d. enormously

 

16. He expressed it either with deliberate intent, or spontaneously.

a. on purpose

b. by contrast

c. with respect

d. on the other hand

 

17. This technique should be differentiated from the previous one.

a. be compared with

b. be opposed to

c. not be confused with

d. not be replaced by

 

18. Like everything else in office technology, telephone systems are getting smaller and more powerful.

a. smarter

b. more space-saving.

c. cost-effective

d. less expensive

 

19. In a broad sense, this application is quite possible.

a. alternatively

b. in general

c. on the contrary

d. from now on

 

20. I'm concerned solely for your future.

a. solitary

b. not only

c. somehow

d. only

 

21. For all its many problems, the United States system of education has achieved much.

a. still

b. as opposed to

c. in spite of

d. by turns

 

80 Chapter 4

Noteworthy

 

«When we begin the study of any science, we are in a situation similar to that of children; and the course by which we have to advance is precisely the same which nature follows in the formation of their ideas».

Antoine Lament Lavoisier

 

Antoine Laurent Lavoisier (1743 — 1794) in the preface to «Elements of Chemistry». (Lavoisier originated the oxygen theory of combustion and is considered the father of modern chemistry).

 

Chapter 5 81

 

Chapter 5

Focus on:

 

Of Truth and Theories Avoiding Sexist Language

 

Grammar: Mood.

 

Chapter 5