Are computers a necessity?
(1)Almost every home, office or school has a computer of some kind these days. (2)Many people feel that these machines who are surely useful tools have become an essential part of modern life.(3)Some, however, are beginning to doubt their necessity what arises heated arguments, especially, among educationists.
(5)In the first place, computers can save a lot of storage space.(6)Storing information on computer disks, one of whose can hold the same amount of information as several books, is one of the most efficient ways of keeping data.(7)The second advantage is the time what can be saved by using a computer.(8)This is particularly beneficial in the workplace, on which employees can do their work far faster than they could in the past.(9)In addition to this, information what is stored on computers can be found at the touch of a button, while searching for it manually takes much longer.(10)Therefore, everyday life is made easier-from going to the bank to going shopping.(11)Futhermore, computers can be educational and fun.
(12)From a very young age, children get basic computer skills through programmes they allow them to learn, draw, paint and play.(13)In today’s world, when people should be technologically educated, this knowledge can only help children in the future.
(14)However, there are various negative aspects to using computers what encourage those claim that computers are unnecessary and make people’s life more complicated. (15)Firstly, they argue that many jobs have been lost due to the fact that computers do a lot of tasks more efficiently than humans, what has led to high unemployment in many countries.(16)Secondly, in the past people managed very well using other methods, and now they have become too dependent on computers.(17)What is more, computers can actually cause health problems.(18)Sitting endless hours in front of a screen can cause eye strain and headaches, these are serious side-effects.
(19)To sum up, computers can be regarded as a useful addition to the modern fast-moving world of high technology.(20)The time saved by using computers for repetitive tasks enables people to use their own time more creatively and effectively.(21)There is no reason that people should not make them work to their advantage.(22)However, it must be remembered that they are here to serve people-not to replace them.
Practice 15
Fill in the gaps in the following passages with suitable words: relative pronouns and
topical vocabulary from the following list: to aim, academic, to solve, in depth, to equip, alumni, to address, to assess, to qualify, background(2), to emphasize, crucial skill, to regard as, achievement, regardless of, particularly, increase, funding, academic
Achievement.
1. The factor……… most affects school success is not race but socioeconomic status.
Poor students, ………….. …. their ethnic ……………… are the ones ……. are left behind. The Bush administration’s threats to pull …………… will affect schools in poor districts, …… need the money most, because the local tax pool cannot support a quality school. There is a direct causal relationship between the amount of money spent per student and his.................... ……………….
(J. Majerus, Education Assessment, U.S.News and World Report, April 19,2004)
2. Does it really need … … …………… that students bear some responsibility for achieving academic success? As a public educator, I start the beginning of the school year by telling my students that I’m not the baby sitter and our classroom is not day care. They are “on the job” and being a student is hard work.
(A.Lee, Unequal Education, U.S.News and World Report, April 23, 2004)
3. Few studies have ………………. the impact of games on the imagination. “It remains to be seen whether autonomous imagination can be stimulated by computers, or whether it’s limited by the fact that you have to sit in front of a screen with a mouse,”says Jerome Singer, professor of psychology at Yale University. Gaming may make kids smarter-or at least test better. Videogames may have contributed to an …………. in scores on IQ tests …… measure quickness in ………… pattern recognition problems. Perhaps the ……………. significant issue is the demands new media makes on kids’ minds. Multitasking-the practice of performing several tasks simultaneously-is a ……........ ………… for survival in today’s world. But there is a cost … …….. you do not go into any thing …. ……..
(F. Gutel, Youth and Technology, Newsweek, August 25, 2003)
4. The truth, …… Mr. Blair knows, is both complicated and dangerous. Mr.Blair was justified in …………… some changes in Britain’s schools as real ……………… -given a near doubling of funding since 1997 it would have been surprising if they hadn’t been. Firstly, there are lots of shiny new-…………… buildings and lots of well-…………… teachers. Secondly, despite grade inflation, the GCSE and A-level results have improved. Still, too many schools are plagued by low aspirations and depressing mediocrity ………… condemns poor children ……….. attend them never to escape their …………. …………….. (class, environment).
(J.Brown, For Whom the School Bell Tolls, The Economist, October 29, 2005)
5. Both Oxford and Cambridge say they need more money, and lots of it. Last month Cambridge launched its 800th anniversary campaign, which …….. to raise $1.8 billion by 2012. A reception for selected ……………. and VIPS was held in London with similar events to follow in San Francisco, New York and Hong Kong. Both Mr. Hood and Ms. Richard (vice-chancellors of Cambridge and Oxford), are focused on what they ………… … the real rivals: Harvard,Yale and Princeton ……….. have far larger endowments. While the public sees Oxbridge through the eyes of students, the students don’t see much … …… happens in a university. However, real life for many Oxbridge ……………. is much less rosy than the fantasy. For example, until recently, Cambridge mathematicians,……. hold eminent professorial chairs, had to work in horribly shabby departments. Fortunately, they have just moved to a smart new $60m Centre for Mathematical Sciences, more than half …. …….. was paid for by donations. Consequently, star scientists can’t be recruited and kept by picturesque colleges alone; they want excellent departmental and laboratory facilities and money some … ……… can come from previous students. “We need to educate our alumni about what we do,” says Ms. Richard ……… fund-raising campaign aims to establish new habits of giving. But to build new facilities they need, two universities must woo large donors, …….. want to see convincing plans and tend to be unimpressed by the anti-business rhetoric …….. academics sometimes indulge in. Hence, they expect something in return for their cash, for example, having a building named after them.
(J. Sobel, Dons Go A-begging, The Economist, October, 29, 2005)
Practice 16