Part 1
World Trade Organization membership involves both rights and obligations. The most important of them are probably best illustrated by its three main principles: non-discrimination, reciprocity, and transparency. Non-discrimination is the most important principle of the WTO. This is encapsulated in the well-known most favoured nation clause (MFN). The MFN ensures that any trade concessions offered to one country are extended to all WTO member states automatically in a non –discriminatory fashion.
There are exemptions to the MFN principle in the case of a free trade agreement (FTA) or a customs union. Reciprocity is introduced in order to avoid the free-rider problem under the MFN. It requires that any country receiving trade concessions from another country should offer something comparable in return. This requirement is not normally imposed in the case of developing countries, a status Kazakhstan will probably ask for within the context of WTO accession. Transparency refers to the use of different barrier to international trade.
The WTO regards tariffs as more transparent devices than non-tariff barriers (NTBs) such as quotas and voluntary export restrains (VERs). Therefore the most acceptable method of protection under the WTO is tariffs. The use of NTB should be prohibited wherever possible. The WTO has also established a Dispute Settlement Mechanism, whereby a member country can establish whether another member has been unfair in its trading practices in ways that harm that member.
The benefits of WTO membership are therefore potentially very substantial, even if attention is confined to the basic principles of MFN treatment. Developing countries commonly enjoy these preferences without having to offer the same range of concessions to other countries. This is also true for the Uruguay Round agreements covering agriculture and services, as developing countries have much longer transition periods than the developed countries. For countries in transition, accession to the WTO also means that they are able to enjoy important benefits which were not previously available to them.
But the WTO emphasizes that WTO membership is not only about rights, but also about obligations. Unless the acceding country is judged to be ready and capable of taking on the challenges and obligations of membership (possibly after an initial transition period), then it is unlikely to gain entry to the ‘club’.
WTO accession will provide the country with better market access and protection against unfair treatment. It will make it more attractive for FDI, and it will stimulate medium and long-term development of manufacturing. Anticipating WTO accession will also require legal amendments in a number of areas, including agriculture, finance, and intellectual property rights.
The fresh impetus of the last few years to the accession process in Kazakhstan can be explained in terms if idea of making accession a tool of the competitiveness strategy. It is a signal given to markets and investors, as well as to domestic economic interests, that competitive pressure will increase in the country. Governmental authorities responsible for policy planning for each industry sector need to understand and utilize the provisions of the relevant WTO Agreements and to plan appropriate policies for the revitalization of respective industries. At the same time, protection of domestic industries is also important. And it is essential to find an appropriate way of guiding domestic industries along the road to adaptation to the global economy.
The question of what is to be expected from WTO accession remains open, because the answer depends on the conditions of accession, on how the strategic issues will be managed in the discussion, and on the strategies of adaptation developed in each sector and the region of the economy. Three major policy areas will be transformed with accession: market access, export subsidies, and internal support (subsidization). In addition, technical barriers to trade (TBT-standards), and sanitary and phyto-sanitary regulations (SPS) and food security will have to be harmonized.
Economic opening-up and WTO accession are good for Kazakhstan because it already has rather low average tariffs, but it still facing some quantitative restrictions on the export of steel, etc. There are several reasons to think that in the short term the export effects of accession will be less important than the import and domestic policy effects. However, in the medium term, the basic principle of non-discrimination among countries is a very good lever for developing a market economy free from obstacles to fair competition.
In addition, as Russia and Ukraine are negotiating WTO accession, it is wise for Kazakhstan to do the same. All in all, competition is likely to become more intense for Kazakh products. This will foster economic restructuring, and some activities and regions will inevitably suffer from this. However, this could be a win-win process if it is well prepared and implemented.
The WTO is currently going through a difficult phase in its development, with implementation of the ‘Doha Development Round’ stalling repeatedly. Behind these difficulties lie a range of issues, including reluctance on the part of some leading developing countries to open up their economies further to trade with, and investment from, the developed countries.
The Government of Kazakhstan has made World Trade Organization (WTO) accession one of the priority objectives in its economic policy. Kazakhstan applied to the WTO in 1996. The negotiation process has clearly intensified since 2002 along with the increasing political emphasis on WTO accession in the Government’s discourse. As Kazakhstan is involved in a process of customs integration with the Russian Federation and Belarus (the Single Economic Space), it aims at entering the World Trade Organisation simultaneously with them or at least shortly after them.
President Nazarbayev decided, after his recent election victory, to launch ambitious new policies. He offered an upgraded economic blueprint with a longer view ahead, to make Kazakhstan one of world’s top 50 most competitive nations within the next 10 years. Kazakhstan is currently ranked 61st out of 117 economies of the world in the World Economic Forum’s Growth Competitiveness Index rating. The accession to the WTO is part of this strategy.
The process of harmonization with the WTO agreements is underway and significant progress is expected in the course of 2007, since the government is increasing human and financial resources in this area. The appointment of a Vice-Minister responsible only for WTO Accession (within the Ministry of Industry and Trade) as well as the gradual increase in the size of the Kazakh permanent delegation in Geneva are clear indications of the country’s commitment.
Part 2
The issues that Kazakhstan will have to deal with implementing WTO Agreements are the following: (1) to respect WTO principles and rules and domestic policies, (2) to participate in multilateral negotiations based on the analysis of its own industries and domestic policies, and (3) to prepare domestic laws which are consistent with WTO principles and rules. In this regard, it is essential for Kazakhstan to plan and undertake its national policy by having a good understanding of the present situation and future prospects on its own industries.
WTO Agreements cover a broad and wide array of areas, while Kazakhstan finds itself in a variety of situations. To be effective it is necessary to identify issues and needs with regard to each area to be supported. Governmental authorities responsible policy planning for each industry sector need to understand and utilize provisions of the relevant WTO Agreements and to plan policies for revitalization of respective industries. At the same time, protection of domestic industries is also important. And it is essential to find an appropriate way of guiding domestic industries to adapt to the global economy.
From on EU perspective, it is noteworthy that the WTO accession of Kazakhstan is one of the key objectives of bilateral cooperation, as reflected in the EU-Kazakhstan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (the “PCA”), signed in 1999. The harmonization towards market economy principles, and in particular towards WTO core principles, shall however be done according to the EU legislative approach.
In this framework, the European Commission of the European Union has launched a 22-month project aimed at supporting WTO accession for Kazakhstan. It is being implemented in partnership with the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Kazakhstan Institute for Standardization and Certification. The project team, consisting of four long-term legal and economic experts, are providing assistance to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in particular to the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology, the Kazakhstan Institute for Standardization and Certification and other relevant state organs.
The main goal of the project is to support WTO Agreement for Kazakhstan by harmonizing Kazakhstan’s legislation on technical regulation and standardization with the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, and with the corresponding EU legislation, and to provide support to the Government of Kazakhstan on the most effective implementation of measures in accordance with WTO requirements.
The specific objectives include bringing the present legal framework on technical regulation and standardization in compliance with the WTO TBT Agreement and corresponding EU legislation; upgrading the professional expertise of the staff of the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology, Kazakhstan Institute for Standardization, Department of WTO; building the capacity of the Information Centre (enquiry point) under the Committee; and promoting cooperation between Kazakhstani and European standards, accreditation, metrology and conformity assessment bodies. In addition, the project will run an extensive awareness raising campaign on WTO-related issues and the process of WTO accession for Kazakhstan.
The European Commission has allocated 1,000,000 euro for the project under the Action Program 2003 for Central Asia, which is designed to transfer European expertise to the region. The project will be implemented by a consortium of European consulting firms. 10% of this budget is dedicated to supplying of IT equipment to the Ministry of Industry of Trade, for the creation of an Information Centre under Kazakh Institute for Standardization. As of 1 July 2006, the Delegation of the European Commission is providing an additional two hundred thousand euro (? 200,000) for a series of initiatives designed to help Kazakhstan prepare to help Kazakhstan to enter the World Trade Organization. This brings total funding for the Project to one million two thousand euro (? 1,200,000).
The additional support is being used for:
· a series of training seminars and events that provide high-level technical expertise concerning legislative harmonization, European Union Directives on key subjects, standardization, certification, and conformity assessment. So far this year, the Project has organized fifteen training seminars and events;
· technical assistance and support for Kazakhstan’s participation in several international organizations that promote cooperation for product safety and the qualifications of entities that test products. These incline the European Committee for Standardization (CENELEC), the International Accreditation Forum, Inc. (IAF), and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC);
· a Public Awareness Campaign, which will start during the Fall of 2006. In cooperation with its Partners, the Project Team will hold a series of events in different locations of Kazakhstan, and a number of brochures and publications. The events publications will provide important information for officials, industry representatives, and the public;
· the review and utilization of harmonized and international standards in Kazakhstan, so that Kazakh products can be accepted and compete in the international marketplace.
The European Commission also finances support to the Government of Kazakhstan on preparing analysis of the economic consequences of WTO accession for the national economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the most effective measures to be implemented in order to achieve compliance with the requirements of WTO Agreements.
This project started early this year. The budget of this project is 200,000 euro, and its main beneficiary ix the Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning. The objectives of the project are the following:
- to make an analysis of the current status of the selected sectors of the national economy with a view to their compliance with the relevant requirements of WTO Agreements;
- to forecast the economic consequences of WTO accession for the selected sectors of the national economy including identification of the required measures to be taken to achieve their compliance with WTO requirements;
- to make recommendations for medium-term planning of the possible development of the selected sectors of the national economy during the post-accession period.
The selected sectors where the European Commission will provide assistance to the Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning are: agriculture, transport and roads, and the issue of Local Content.
5. Match the following abbreviations with corresponding full phrases:
| 1. WTO | a) the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation |
| 2. MFN | b) most favoured nation |
| 3. FTA | c) voluntary export restraints |
| 4. NTBs | d) free trade agreement |
| 5. VERs | e) the International Accreditation Forum, Inc. |
| 6. TBT | f) non-tariff barriers |
| 7. SPS | g) Partnership and Cooperation Agreement |
| 8. EU | h) the European Committee for Standardization |
| 9. PCA | i) the European Committee for Electro-technical Standardization |
| 10. CEN | j) European Union |
| 11. CENELEC | k) technical barriers to trade |
| 12. IAT | l) sanitary and phyto-sanitary (regulations) |
| 13. ILAC | m) World Trade Organization |
6. Translate into Russian:
to involve both rights and obligations free trade agreement
to avoid the free rider problem a customs union
voluntary export restraints to regard smth as
WTO accession / accession to WTO substantial benefits
to offer the same range of concessions to enjoy preferences
(not) to be previously available to smb WTO membership
protection against unfair treatment anticipated WTO accession
medium and long-term development to require legal amendments
to utilize the provisions of the relevant agreements to develop strategies of adaptation
the revitalization of respective industries major policy areas
the appropriate way of guiding domestic industries market access
to be free from obstacles to fair competition export subsidies
to foster economic restructuring food security measures
to face quantitative restrictions to negotiate WTO accession
on the part of smth customs integration
7. Reproduce sentences with the following:
trade concessions to offer smth in return
to ask for a status within the context
transparent devices to confine attention to smth
transition period countries in transition
to enjoy important benefits better market access
upgraded economic blueprint the accession process
a tool of the competitiveness strategy domestic economic interests
competitive pressure adaptation to the global economy
8. Translate into English:
приоритетные цели подать заявление о вступлении в ВТО
процесс переговоров в правительственном контексте
быть вовлеченным в процесс нацелить на вступление в ВТО
одновременно с распространяться на другие государства
с дальним прицелом 50 наиболее конкурентоспособных наций в мире
набирать обороты / силу свободное торговое соглашение
членство в ВТО обеспечить стране лучший доступ на рынок
таможенный союз защита от несправедливого обращения
вряд ли получит доступ средние тарифы
9. Make up word combinations with the following:
| 1. responsible for policy planning ____________ ____________ | 2. protection of domestic industries _______________ _______________ |
| 3. to harmonize ____________ ____________ ____________ | 4. ___________ tariffs ___________ ___________ |
10. Translate the following passages:
1. The issues that Kazakhstan will have to deal with …….. to each area to be supported.
2. The European Commission has allocated ……… one million two hundred thousand euro.
11. Match lines in both columns to form word partnerships:
| 1. increasing 2. permanent 3. clear 4. free 5. transparent 6. acceptable 7. substantial 8. longer 9. initial 10. market 11. unfair 12. anticipated 13. legal 14. fresh 15. competitiveness 16. competitive 17. governmental 18. major 19. food 20. low 21. face 22. fair 23. foster 24. significant | a) benefits b) devices c) trade agreement d) indications e) delegation f) human and financial resources g) progress h) method i) transition periods j) transition period k) WTO accession l) treatment m) access n) impetus o) amendments p) authority q) pressure r) strategy s) policy areas t) quantitative restrictions u) security measures v) economic restructuring w) average tariffs x) competition |
12. Answer the following questions:
1. What are the three principles of WTO? 2. What does the term “non-discrimination” mean?
3. Why is reciprocity introduced? 4. Why do members of WTO try to avoid the free-rider problem? 5. What do they do to get rid of this problem? 6. Is the requirement to offer something comparable in return to receiving trade concessions imposed in any case? 7. What are the non-tariff barriers?
8. What does WTO regard as more transparent devices in trade? 9. What are the benefits of WTO membership? 10. Will our country benefit from joining the WTO? 11. Does each WTO member gain enough from the system?
13. Fill in the gaps with prepositions:
1. harmonization ___ market economy principles 2. to be illustrated ___ smth
3. to be encapsulated ___ smth 4. to be extended ___ smth
5. ___ a non-discriminatory fashion 6. exemptions ___ smth
7. to confine attention ___ smth 8. ___ a longer period ahead
C. to be transformed ___ accession
14. Make up sentences of your own with the following:
to be transformed with accession the acceding country
to negotiate WTO accession conditions of accession
to export effects of accession in the short term
in the medium term with a longer view ahead
within the next 10 years
15. Render the second half of the article using the following:
to implement agreements to participate in multilateral negotiations
to prepare domestic laws to be consistent with WTO principles
to undertake national policy to cover a broad and wide array of areas
to identify issues precisely policy planning
to plan policies for the revitalization of respective industries
to find an appropriate way to guide domestic industries
to adapt to the global economy the key objective of bilateral cooperation
the EU legislative approach to launch a project
the project team to provide assistance / support to
the main goal of the project in compliance with
to promote cooperation with to be dedicated to supplying smth
16. Sort out each item accordingly:
integrating into the global trading system increasing domestic tariffs for gas
trading on equal terms with other countries acquiring better access to overseas markets
reducing governmental support in some areas lowering tariffs on our products
boosting a country’s economic growth lowering barriers imposed on import of goods
losing sovereignty in policy-making increasing investments
killing the local competition destroying jobs
creating new jobs participating in elaborating trade regulations
| advantage | disadvantage |
17. Translate the following excerpts into Russian:
1. Political interests of any state are directly related to its economic ones. For Kazakhstan with its large reserves of oil and gas it is necessary to master market as well as political mechanisms for strengthening its positions on the world market for energy resources. This will require flexibility and a comprehensive approach in analyzing the dynamic processes in the world energy space.
The national interests of Kazakhstan in the international sphere include the whole complex of the country's interests and consist in strengthening the economic position of the Republic and developing equitable and mutually beneficial relations with all countries and integration unions.
2. In compliance with the Message of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev "Kazakhstan on the way to accelerated economic, social and political modernization"; and also with the purpose of increasing transparency and accountability of companies operating in the oil, gas and mining sectors Kazakhstani specialists work on implementation initiatives stimulating efficient use of resources.
The realization of the initiatives and sensible use of natural resources may become an important instrument of sustainable economic growth, contributing to the stability of the state as a whole and reduction of poverty. However we clearly understand that an absence of appropriate management can lead to a negative influence on the economy.
3. Energy resources and access to export routes are the priority of domestic and foreign policy of the country, one of the most significant components of national security. Thus energy resources are one of the long-term priorities of Kazakhstan's development. The strategic goal is seen in their efficient use so that the revenues are used to achieve sustainable economic growth and improve the quality of people's lives.
The main orientations of the energy policy of Kazakhstan are energy security, energy efficiency and environmental safety. Therefore, the long-term governmental energy policy is built on:
· clear-cut and consistent activities made by the Government of Kazakhstan on realization of energy policy;
· commitment to establishing strong and sustainable companies open to constructive dialogue;
· adherence to predictable and transparent investment policy.
The oil and gas sector, in particular oil production, is one of the most dynamically developing strategic industries of our economy. Tax revenues from oil and gas account for one third of total budget revenues.
4. The EU and the world need reliable, affordable and sustainable flows of energy. This is a key element for economic development and the achievement of the Lisbon goals. There is an obvious link between energy security, sustainability and competitiveness.
Increasing dependence on imports from unstable regions and suppliers presents a serious risk. Some major producers and consumers have been using energy as a political lever. Other risks include the effects on the EU internal energy market of external actors not playing by the same market rules nor being subject to the same competitive pressures domestically.
A secure energy supply requires a combination of internal and external policies. The legitimate right of individual Member States to pursue their own external relations for ensuring security of energy supplies and to choose their internal energy mix is not in question. Nonetheless, the development of a coherent and focused external EU energy policy, drawing on the full range of EU internal and external policies, would enhance the collective external energy security of the Union. It would also help the EU face more effectively possible strategies by major external energy suppliers to adversely influence market fundamentals.
EU external relations can be used more effectively to pursue the common objective of securing reliable flows of affordable and environmentally sustainable energy. A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy (March 2006), is a document which the energy policy the EU and its Member States want. A more fully developed internal policy is a pre-condition for delivering the EU’s external energy interests, and for better judging what leverage the EU is able to bring to bear in its external relations for furthering these interests. In order to enhance the external security of energy supplies of the EU, it is important that a coherent approach be adopted that pursues the following objectives:
- promoting transparency and improved governance in the energy sector through energy partnerships with third countries, the objective being to create mutually beneficial, open, transparent, non-discriminatory and stable legal conditions for energy investment and trade;
- improving production and export capacities in producer countries and developing and upgrading energy transportation infrastructure in producer and transit countries;
- improving the climate for European companies’ investments in third countries and opening up the production and export of energy resources to EU industry;
- improving conditions for trade in energy through non-discriminatory transit and third party access to export pipeline infrastructure;
· enhancing physical and environmental security as well as the energy infrastructure safety.
18. Fill in the gaps with one of the given phrases:
| destruction, exhaustion, pollution / long-term tendency/ environment quality improvement / social and economic problems / economic well-being / flexible variations of purification / atmospheric emissions purification / reliable and economically viable technologies; |
The ___ (1) of growing planet pollution is one of the main factors influencing human health. Any type of activity will negatively affect the environment. However, at the same time it is also a guarantee of ___ (2). Therefore, people should make balanced decisions on ___ (3) and protect the environment from ___ (4) and irrational use. If we want to obtain ___ (5) we must introduce effective technologies which include ___ (6) complying with set standards. We should also make use of new ___ (7) of ___ (8), waste management and recycling.
19. Fill in the gaps with prepositions:
We hope that users of nature will support our actions ___ (1) prevention of environmental damage and ___ (2) implementation of actions directed ___ (3) the improvement of the environmental quality as a whole. At the same time, we see our mission ___ (4) implementation of ideas of sustainable development in each region of Kazakhstan and each industrial enterprise. Now, according ___ (5) the index of ecological stability on environmental legislation and policy, developed in the Yale center, the republic of Kazakhstan is in the 78th place with the estimated score ___ (6) 43.5 points. We should raise our ecological stability level ___ (7) at least 60-70 points. We should be ___ (8) the level of developed countries of the world. And for this purpose, we should renew our approach ___ (9) our positioning in the world economic system. We should use alternative power potential and diversify the national economy by widely introducing new “breaking-through” technologies that minimize waste. The essential tasks set by the President of Kazakhstan are to establish environment protection practice ___ (10) accordance ___ (11) the world’s standards.
20. Fill in the gaps with the article where necessary:
We have achieved significant mutual understanding with ___ (1) business community, and with users of ___ (2) nature concerning ___ (3) maintenance of sustainable development. The project of the Environmental Code was frequently discussed with all interested parties and users of nature. I consider that we have achieved ___ (4) certain consensus on all ___ (5) key issues. We have ___ (6) mutual goal with ___ (7) business community of Kazakhstan. It is clear that Kazakhstan needs eco-technological progress in order to become one of the world leaders. Everyone who is interested in ___ (8) prosperity of Kazakhstan and preservation of native nature needs to cooperate more closely.
21. Fill in the gaps with one of the given adjectives:
| bilateral / perspective / international / environmental / rational / low-waste / energy-savings |
The European Union is a strategic partner for Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is developing ___ (1) cooperation with the European States and such organizations as the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Council of Europe and TACIS. The ___ (2) directions of such cooperation are: improvement of ___ (3) agreements on ___ (4) protection and ___ (5) use of nature, introduction of alternative ___ (6) and ___ (7) technologies.
22. Translate the text paying attention to topical vocabulary:
The Republic of Kazakhstan is open to new fields of cooperation with the EU, such as development of joint projects in the field of preservation of biodiversity, development of new methods for environmental decontamination and introduction of more effective systems of monitoring. Kazakhstan is ready to support international efforts in climate preservation. It will work with Carbonic Funds of the EU on effective decrease of negative burden on environment. Carrying out complex comparative research on the influence of environmental factors on human health in EU and Kazakhstan looks interesting. It is important to strengthen cooperation in environmental protection issues in the course of oil operations in the Caspian Sea. Kazakhstan is really interested in developing energy-savings and alternative power programs.
Notes:
Keys Ex 18: 1. long-term tendency; 2. economic well-being; 3. social and economic problems; 4. destruction, exhaustion, pollution; 5. environment quality improvement; 6. flexible variations of purification; 7. reliable and economically viable technologies; 8. atmospheric emissions purification.
Keys Ex 19: 1. on; 2. on; 3. to; 4. in; 5. to; 6. of; 7. to; 8. at; 9. to; (10) in; (11) with
Keys Ex 20: 1. the; 2. 0; 3. the; 4. a; 5. the; 6. a; 7. the; 8. the.
Keys Ex 21: 1.bilateral; 2. perspective; 3. international; 4. environmental; 5. rational; 6. low-waste; 7. energy-savings.
Unit 7
Technology
1. Do you agree or disagree with these statements? Give reasons:
1. Nowadays technology is an essential part of our lives.
2. Modern technology is making us ruder.
3. A lot of modern technology is designed for individual use.
4. Mobile phones are useful but they can also be very annoying.
5. We can not live without the Internet or an MP3 player.
6. Young people are better at using technology than older people.
7. Everyone should know how to use a computer.
8. Our whole way of life depends on us having electricity and oil.
9. Some modern technology is unnecessary.
10. We are comfortable using mobile phones or fax machines.
2. Answer the questions:
1. How long have you had your mobile? Do you remember your life without it? 2. How often do you change ring tones? 3. What do you use it for apart from talking? 4. Do you ever use it “hands free”? 5. Do you use a voice mail? 6. Is speed dialing necessary? 7. Where and when do you normally switch off your mobile? 8. How often do you text? 9. Does it annoy you when people talk loudly on their mobile phones in a bus? 10. What do you think about people using mobiles on social occasions?
3. Do you know how people in different countries say ‘mobile phone’? Match the country with the word:
| 1. France 2. Germany 3. Italy 4. the USA 5. the UK 6. Spain 7. Argentina | a) cell phone b) telefonino c) cellular d) movil e) portable f) mobile g) Handy |
4. Sort out the given items accordingly:
play noisy games on a mobile phone in public use your phone on a plane
switch off your mobile phone on social occasions rely too much on technology
use a hand-held mobile while driving a car make very personal calls in public
talk really quietly if you are in a public place switch off your mobile phone in class
expect major technological advances in the near future switch off your mobile phone on a plane
| You should | You should not |
5. Use a word or phrase from the box to complete the text:
| usage / online / overtake / download / predict / literate |
Technology is changing so fast that it is impossible to ___ (1) what is going to happen even as soon as next year. More and more of us are becoming computer ___ (2) and spending more of our lives ___ (3). Internet ___ (4) is still rising, and the number of people who ___ (5) music will soon ___ (6) the number who buy music in the shops – if it hasn’t already.
6. Match the sentence halves:
| Industrial technology | will be using automatic payment systems instead of cash. |
| Scientists are developing | our school will have installed iris sensors in the library. |
| In some years we | is really very exciting. |
| One day | will be wireless. |
| By this time next year, | many machines will use sensors to recognize people. |
| Pretty soon scientists | new technologies every day. |
| Pretty soon all computers | people will communicate without using mobile phones. |
| In the nearest future | will make even more advances in technology. |
7. Use the words from the box in an appropriate tense to complete the text:
| be / do / drive / find / get / implant / introduce / leave / live |
I wonder what the world ___ (1) like in ten year’s time. I ___ (2) twenty-five years old. I ___ (3) school by then, of course, and I ___ (4) probably my degree. I have no idea if I ___ (5) still in the same city. Maybe. If I am, I ___ (6) here for twenty years. That’s a long time! ___ (7) I a job? I hope so! I don’t think robots ___ (8) everything. There ___ (9) still jobs, won’t there? A lot of new technology ___ (10) between now and then, of course. Perhaps we all ___ (11) around in electric cars, and there ___ (12) not so much pollution. I don’t think doctors ___ (13) mobile phones in everyone’s teeth by then. That sounds like a silly idea to me.
8. Speak on:
1. How much do we depend on the new technology?
2. What are some of the drawbacks of relying on technology?
9. Read this article and underline any of the drawbacks you mentioned:
Why I'm not a fan of modern technology? Are you worried about how much we rely on technology? I am, and the situation's getting worse every year. Technology makes us lazy. I've got friends in my class who can't do simple maths - they have to use a calculator just to work out six times seven! And many teenagers I know would rather spend their free time in front of their computer than meet their friends. That's not healthy! What's more …
What will life be like in a hundred years? Will everyone be unemployed because robots will be doing all the jobs? Will the environment be completely polluted? Will...? I think that's a possibility, and it's frightening.
Technology is here to stay, and some of it is very beneficial, but we have to be careful. We should use technology to make our lives easier, not let it destroy our way of life.
10. Read the article again and answer these questions:
1. Does the writer use
· contractions (I've, I'll, etc);
· formal expressions like 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', etc;
· very formal, semi-formal, or very informal language;
2. Find two examples that the writer gives to illustrate a point.
3. Find an expression that means the same as 'Moreover'.
4. Why does the writer ask questions in the article?
5. Where do you think you would find an article like this?
a) in a scientific journal;
b) in a magazine for teenagers;
c) in a physics textbook;
6. If the article appeared in either of the other two options how would it be different?