Task 1: Replace the words and expressions in bold in sentences 1 - 18 with a word or expression from the box.

analysed • genetic engineering • breakthrough • molecular biology a technophobe • safeguards • development • cybernetics • invented nuclear engineering • combined • life expectancy • discovered a technophile • innovations • react • an experiment • research

1. The company is carrying out scientific study to find a cure for Aids.

2. The planning and production of the new computer system will take some time.

3. Modern home entertainment systems and other modem inventions are changing everyone's lives.

4. Some elements change their chemical composition when mixed with water.

5. The scientists have created a new machine to automate the process.

6. Who was the person who found penicillin?

7. When the food was examined closely and scientifically, it was found to contain bacteria.

8. Ram joined together with CO2 gases produces acid rain.

9. Ron is terrified of modern technology.

10. Geoff is very interested in modem technology.

11. Protection against accidents in this laboratory are minimal.

12. Scientists conducted a scientific test to see how people react to different smells.

13. Brian is studying the techniques used to change the genetic composition of a cell so as to change certain characteristics which can be inherited.

14. Sarah is studying the things which form the structure of living matter.

15. Christine is studying now information is communicated in machines and electronic devices in comparison with how it is communicated in the brain and nervous system.

16. Neil is studying the different ways of extracting and controlling energy from atomic particles.

17. There has been a sudden success in the search for a cure for cancer.

18. The number of years a person is likely to live has increased a great deal thanks to modern medicine and technology.

Task 2: Read this description of a computer. Unfortunately, the person who is describing it is not very familiar with their computer vocabulary and cannot remember all the words.

Help them by using the appropriate word or expression in the box to give a more scientific definition of their explanation.

log on • keyboard • load • e-mail • download hardware • crashed» software • the Internet • scanner mouse • base unit / disk drive • web site • printer • monitor

OK, here's my new computer. As you can see, there are five main parts. Now this large box with the slots and sliding disc carrier is the most important part …. It carries all the, eh, stuff that makes the computer work …. You can also put in … your own games and other things …. Next to it there is the thing that looks like a small television … so that you can see what the computer is doing. To the right of that, there is the machine that lets you make black and white or colour copies of the documents that you create on the computer …. You can control the computer by using that rectangular flat thing with all the letters and numbers on … or that funny little object with the long lead which you can move across your desk …. The large flat thing to the left of the computer is something you can use to make copies of your photographs or other documents onto the computer, a bit like a photocopier ….

It's a very useful machine, of course. Once you, eh, get it up and running …, you can do lots of things on it. You can create documents, play games or get information from this fantastic thing that links computers from around the world …. A lot of companies and organizations have their own special computer page … which you can look at, and you can transfer the information … to your own computer files. Or, if you like, you can send messages to other people with computers by using this special facility called, eh, um, something I can't remember ….

Unfortunately, I can't let you use it as it stopped working … last night. I think I must have done something wrong, but I can't imagine what. I've got a typewriter you can borrow if you like.