REFLECTION TASK 2A

Hi folks! :) Today, I wanna talk about technology which has taken over our lives and is now in everywhere of our lives. The reason why I chose this topic is that technology has changed numerous things: our habits, way of living, hobbies, and even  our impressions. When did sayings such as “I am following you”, “I added you”, “I ‘shared’ your photo” start to be used? Just imagine someone saying these things to another person decades ago. The people saying these would either be labelled pervert or a psychopat, right?  It does not sound weird now though. And that is because technology introduced us new sayings, a new way of expressing ourselves. That can either be considered positive or negative. In my opinion, it is not so bad. I mean, what is wrong with widening our knowledge of vocabulary and having changes in our lives? Yes, it could mean taking the easy way out from time to time. However, I think technology provides us with a lot of opportunities such as improving ourselves and having easy access to information and these are not just things to overlook. Another thing technology has brought about is that we are more socially connected than we were. It may not be true for everyone. Yet, it is obvious that social websites such as facebook and twitter actually connect people, enabling them to share photos and stuff with others. And these are not the only things that technology has provided us with. By means of the internet, we can cook whatever we desire at any time by just checking out the recipe online. What is more, we don’t have to wait in line at banks thanks to online banking. Same goes for online shopping, saving us from the long lines of the stores. In conclusion, there may be people against technology and they may even support the idea that it changed our lives in a negative way. However, considering all these advantages it presents us, I think technology is one of the biggest gifts that our age has ever offered us.

EXERCISE FROM PAGE 9

Although the numbers of death caused in traffic accidents in the EU is going down, experts are still trying to find ways of reducing the number throughout the EU to around fatalities per year by 2010. Traffic safety is improving but experts believe that achieving the 2010 goal will prove difficult. Recent statistics show that in 2005 in the EU 41.600 people were killed in road accidents. Although progress has been made, most experts agree that this figure will have fallen to only around 32.000 by 2010, which means that the EU target will be missed by about 7.000. On the other hand, as the amount of traffic is increasing it is possible to argue that the situation is not as bad as it looks. However one interprets the statistics, it remains true that as times goes on.It is becoming harder and harder to reduce the figures especially accident-reduction schemes cost a lot of money. Many have tried and failed to reduce the number of accidents, and in the UK as a whole, only Sweden is pursuing the goal of zero accidents. Accident reduction is more difficult for newer EU member who are currently facing very rapid growth in traffic and are having difficulty in building new roads and introducing safety measures at a fast enough rate. To complicate matters, most new members have very little experience in dealing with the demands of heavy traffic. Experts suggest that any programme must also set about changing the way drivers behave. Despite what people often say it seems to be the younger generation that cause most accidents. In line with this research, many countries are introducing tougher driving tests, and are concentrating on the main causes of accidents; speed, reckless overtaking, alcohol, and over-confidence.

EXERCISES FROM PAGE 169

1. 

a) As it was a public holiday, there was a lot of traffic on the roads.

- It being a public holiday, there was a lot of traffic on the roads.

b) When I opened the letter, I realized it was from Professor Alton.

- On opening the letter, I realized it was from Professor Alton.

c) The palace was destroyed by fire during the war but later reconstructed.
- Though destroyed by fire during the war, the palace was later reconstructed.
d) As Carol walked from the room, tears streamed from her eyes.
- Carol walked from the room, tears streaming from her eyes.
e) I broke the camera as I tried to remove the memory card.
- In trying to remove the memory card, I broke the camera.

f) My hair has become soft and shining since I've used Glosso shampoo.

- Since using Glosso shampoo, my hair has become soft and shining.

g) Jan was taken to hospital after she was knocked down by a car.

- Jan was taken to hospital after being knocked down by a car.

h) After he had been shown to his room, George lay down on the bed and slept.

- Having been shown to his room, George lay down on the bed and slept.

2. 

Restoring the sight of people blinded by macular degeneration, a condition of the eye, could start within five years, according to a British team developing human eye stem cell implants. More than 500.000 people in the UK have blindness caused by macular degeneration, a disease marked by a loss of central vision due to degeneration of the macula, a spot at the back of the eye. Having been given almost €4 million towards the cost of developing a stem cell therapy by an anonymous philanthropist, a team from two British universities are starting to conduct trials. Commenting on the project, a spokesman for the team told us affecting up to one third of the population, this condition is a major cause of blindness, so a new kind of treatment is vital. In previous operations, having transplanted tissue from patient's own eye, we have seen about %25 of patients report improvement. However, creating new eye cells grown in the laboratory from human embryos will be much more effective.

EXERCISES FROM PAGE 8

15 Tiptree
Warwick
CV29 7AL

Friday, 15th October

Hi everyone,

  I'm having problems getting a new phone connection were, so instead of sending e-mails as usual, I'm actually sitting down to write a letter.
  I imagine you'll be surprised to get this as I've never been much of a letter-writer. I am putting the return address in big letters at the top, because to tell you the truth I am beginning to feel quite lonely here.
  Well, perhaps I don't mean that exactly . There are plenty of people for me to talk to. In fact, I am settling in to student life quite well, but I don't really know anyone yet. I've got a room in a house a long way from college, and I seem to spend a long time on the bus. A lot of students here cycle, so I'm trying to find a cheap bike, and I'm also thinking of moving nearer to college when I find somewhere. Sorry - an interruption , someone is knocking at the door. More later. Later. One of the girls downstairs is having a party, and I'm invited. And the phone line has been fixed, so I expect you'll get an e-mail from me very soon! In fact, I'm considering tearing up this letter, so just ignore everything I've said...

EXERCISES FROM PAGE 168

1. a) Not knowing the way, I got lost several times. (True)

b) After leaving the room, the telephone rang. (After I had left...)

c) Having lost my money, the conductor wouldn't give me a ticket. (As I had lost...)

d) While falling asleep, there was a loud knock at the front door. (While I was falling asleep...)

e) By forcing open the window, I was able to get into the house. (True)

f) Not wishing to be a nuisance, I left as early as I could. (True)

g) Having opened the box, it turned out to be empty. (When I opened the box...)

h) Though feeling tired, Helen went out clubbing with her friends. (True)

i) Having asked my name, I was taken to meet the prime minister. (After I had been asked for my name...)

j) On arriving the station, the train had already left. (When I arrived...)

2. a) Although feeling dizzy, Sarah managed to play on until the end of the match.

b) Being a powerful swimmer, George reached the island in less than an hour.

c) Without waiting for a reply, the mysterious stranger vanished into the night.

d) It being a Friday, everyone in the office was in a good mood.

e) While walking across the field, Kita noticed something glittering by the path.

f) Abandoned by its owner, the old dog sat by the side of the road.

g) Though shocked by what he had seen, Martin tried to keep calm.

h) There being no chance of escape, the two men gave themselves up to the police.

i) If using a fan-assisted oven, reduce cooking time by half an hour.

j) By signing your name here, you agree to the conditions listed below. 

3. Located near the equator, the Galapagos islands are a group of islands of the coast of Ecuador. Found by Spanish colonists in 1535, and first illustrated on maps in about 1570, the islands were rarely visited being a haven for pirates. Having developed their own specializations and escaped the attentions of predators common elsewhere, the Galapagos species had became unique and unafraid for people. Passing ships hunted seals giant tortoises. Once caught the tortoises were kept alive on ships for long periods and later eaten. After facing near extinction, few of these creatures remain today, visited by the naturalist Charles Darwin in 1835, the islands still have a close association with Darwinian theory. Being the home to many species isolated from the main island. Discovering later that birds which differed from island to island were in fact the same species, Darwin used evidence from the Galapagos in the development of his theory of natural selection. Now, protected as part of a national park, the island are popular with 'eco-tourists'. Efforts are continuing to save their wildlife.

EXERCISES FROM PAGE 23

THE AGEING POPULATION 

The number of men and women in the US aged 60 or over still in work has been rising for more than a decade. Economists have given a number of reasons for this trend. First, since 1985 the US economy has been expanding, so there has been an increased demand for labour. At the same time, the cost of some services, such as health care, has been increasing so workers need to earn more money in later life. In addition, changes in social security benefits and rules have had a considerable effect on labour patterns. First, in 1977 and 1983 changes to the Social Security Act raised the full-benefit age from 65 to 67 and introduced other changes that make delaying retirement more attractive. Then, in 1986, the Age Discrimination Act ended compulsory retirement for all workers, allowing them to work later in life. Changes to pension laws have also encouraged workers to stay in employment longer, as this gives them more chance of a larger pension when they retire.