Unit 7

Unit 7

Vocabulary

Compound Nouns

1. Complete the sentences using the correct form of the words and phrases in the box. There are two extra.

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Grammar

Complex Sentences

Write the phrases in the correct order to complete the complex sentences.

Open Ended

The perfect computer would be one …

/ and light / that is so small / can open out /

it can fit comfortably in your pocket, /

to give you / but at the same time /

a full-size screen / .

Open Ended

I think speech recognition could …

/ with physical disabilities / do so many good

things, / to access / quickly and easily /

all the functions on their computer /

such as help people / .

Open Ended

I would love to have …

/ that can park itself, / in the parking lot /

by lining itself up / and doing / for me! /

all that awkward maneuvering / a car /

Reading

Read the text and choose the most appropriate answer.

Imagine the scene, sometime in the future. You’re driving home after a two-week vacation. You’ve been to Florida, and are feeling chilly in the northern winter. As you left your house two weeks ago, you pressed the “Away” button. This automatically turned off the lights, adjusted the temperature, turned off all electrical appliances throughout the house, closed the drapes or blinds, and activated the security system. Now, as you return home, you can use the “Home” button on your cell phone to reactivate the system. You have already used your cell phone to order a delivery of groceries to arrive later that evening. When you arrive home, the garage doors will open automatically, your favorite music will be playing, the hot water will be ready for a piping hot shower, the shade and temperature of your house will be perfectly set for your own personal preferences.

​Continue

The technology to provide this kind of integrated system already exists, and will become more affordable in years to come. It means that electronic controls for all aspects of the home, such as your music system, lighting, climate and shade control, TV, and security system, are centralized as one single system, operated through an LCD keypad, color touch screen or TV interface within the home, or from a cell phone from outside. From anywhere in the world you can alter the atmosphere of your home with one press of a button..So, what kinds of things can this state-of-the-art, high tech home actually do? To start with, for entertainment, it can provide a multi-room music system in your home. You can listen to different music in different rooms, and at different volumes; or flood the entire house with your favorite sounds. TV is accessed through cable or satellite, with flat-screen TVs which blend into the room or can be hidden. A painting hanging above the fireplace can, at the single touch of a button, reveal a TV, or one can appear from a piece of furniture or even drop down from the ceiling.

​Continue

For communication, an intercom system allows members of the family to talk to each other from different parts of the building. While you are cooking in the kitchen, you can let everyone know that dinner is ready, or remind your children to do their homework. It also allows each user to speak to callers at the front door. An integrated lighting system allows you to program your lighting to match your mood, from bright task lighting to a candlelit atmosphere for a romantic dinner. When you’re on vacation, you can set the lights to come on and off at random to make it look as though someone is at home. Lights can even come on automatically at night when movement is detected, to help a sleepy child find Mom and Dad, or a guest find the bathroom in the middle of the night. Heating and air conditioning can automatically adjust for morning, daytime, and nighttime settings. You can also program the thermostats to automatically close blinds or turn on ceiling fans when it gets too hot.

Multiple Choice

What can the home-control system do?

• It can change the temperature and light inside the house.

• It can order groceries from your cell phone.

• It can shut down while you’re on vacation.

Multiple Choice

What kind of people currently have an integrated home-control system?

• People who travel a lot

• People who are wealthy

• People who are interested in technology

Multiple Choice

How is the system operated?

• Just through your phone and a screen at home.

• By a centrally located keypad.

• Through a number of gadgets, including the TV and your cell phone.

Multiple Choice

What entertainment options does the system offer?

• Personalized TVs for every family member.

• A home movie theater.

• A music system customized to your own preferences.

Multiple Choice

What is special about the lighting system?

• You can program the lights to different settings.

• They automatically go off during the day.

• They come on automatically when you come home.

Listening

Track 14

Listen to an interview about some new gadgets. Are these sentences true (T) or false (F)?

Multiple Choice

Economic problems have led to fewer technological innovations.  

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The Fliptop 120 camcorder has some new innovative features.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The COMPACT 6-AZ cell phone has a big memory capacity.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Kevin couldn’t buy the mini-notebook because it was too expensive.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Most mini-notebooks allow you to compare two documents side by side.  

• True

• False