Ann: I couldn't imagine my life without my phone.

A high-tech life: pros and cons

Today we continue speaking about modern inventions. What is good about them? And what is bad?

Study the vocabulary

go on foot – ходить пешком

pollution - загрязнение

accident - авария

central shopping area – территория, в которой расположено много магазинов и ТЦ.

public transport – общественный транспорт

rush hour – час-пик

dependent on – зависимый от

rely on – полагаться на, доверять

lifeless – бездушный, неживой

break down - сломаться

dangerous - опасный

rays – лучи

Read the texts and fill in the table below.

John: I couldn't possibly live without my car.

To start with, convenience seems to be the most common and most logical answer: cars take you where you want to go and when you want to go there. I can travel freely and comfortably wherever I want.

Besides, it allows me to live where I want as I can easily get to the place I need with the help of the car.

Moreover, a car is a way of self-expression. I really hate to be without it. I think a car is a necessity rather than a luxury.

But my wife thinks there are too many cars in our cities some people use them in cases when they could go on foot for example when going to buy a newspaper in a kiosk. It’s necessary to give thought to problems caused by cars - pollution, accidents and so on.

She says that cars are useful but not essential and it’s nice when cars are banned from the central shopping areas. I don't agree with such situation but I have to accept it. My wife prefers to go to work using public transport. She says that during the rush hour a trip from our home to her work by car takes much more time than a trip on foot. But I prefer to use my car. It suits me.

Kate: I couldn't live without my computer at home.

I use it all the time. Firstly, it is like a typewriter and address book for me and it is also used for checking my spelling.

Secondly, I can go on the Internet and discover everything about anything; it's a brilliant source of information. I've designed my own website and I'm getting loads of information for school.

Thirdly, some web-sites are packed with Quizzes, games and competitions; it's all you need for hours of fun on your computer. You can play and learn on it. It is absolutely essential. I don't know how I ever managed without it.

But my elder sister thinks people are getting a bit too dependent on computers. She thinks that we rely on them too much. My sister says, you can't rely on all the information, you don't know who it has been written by or where it’s coming from. To be dependent on anything, especially a lifeless machine, that can quite easily break down, is not good. Besides computers shouldn't replace seeing your friends."

Ann: I couldn't imagine my life without my phone.

Or I should say phones because I've got a mobile, too.

First of all, I need a telephone to keep in touch with my friends or to call the police or an ambulance. It is almost impossible for me to live without my phones.

Also, I think a cordless telephone saves time when you have a receiver just at hand.

But my mum was against buying a cordless phone because if there is some problem with electricity it won't work and you'll be totally lost. She also thinks that it is a luxury to have a mobile, it is too expensive, it is more trouble than it's worth. Besides she says that mobiles are dangerous for health. The rays may cause headaches and even more dangerous diseases. I don't believe her. For me my telephones are really invaluable.

Fill in the table