LESSoN A P r E PA r I N g T o r E A D

A | Building Vocabulary. Find the words and phrases in blue in the reading passage on pages
105–106. Read the words around them and try to guess their meanings. Then match the
sentence parts below to make definitions.
Word
Partners E 1. If things adapt to you, a. you tell people what you think
Use intelligence
with adjectives: D 2. You use “entire” they should do.
human intelligence, B 3. You say “for instance” b. to give an example.
ambient intelligence,
artificial intelligence. A 4. If you suggest something, c. it can understand and learn things.
C 5. If something has intelligence, d. to describe all of something.
e. they change in order to deal with you.

B | Building Vocabulary. Find the words and phrases in blue in the reading passage on pages
105–106. Read the words around them and try to guess their meanings. Then complete
the sentences.

keep track of link network pattern temperature

1. The Temperature on Mars is much lower than on Earth.

2. A Link connects all the computers in a computer lab.
3. Some people use the calendar in their phone to Keep track of their appointments.
4. Some people prefer a striped Pattern on their walls; others prefer
plain walls instead.
5. You can Network your computer with the Internet using a cable, or you can
connect wirelessly.

C | Using Vocabulary. Answer the questions. Discuss your ideas with a partner.

1. What do you think the temperature outside is today?

2. How do you keep track of news events?
3. What patterns can you see around you (for example, on people’s clothes or on book covers)?

D | Brainstorming. List some technologies that make life easier or more fun today than in the past.

Technologies That Make Life Easier Technologies That Make Life More Fun

high-speed trains 3-D movies

Internet videogame
artificial intelligence social networks

E | Predicting. Scan the reading passage on pages 105–106 quickly. Underline five
sentences with will.
What do you think the passage is about?
a. schools in the future b. offices in the future c. homes in the future
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 rEADINg

How Will
We Live ?

s.

Will the homes of the future be located in tall skyscrapers like these
n in Dubai? And what will life inside the home really be like?
track 2-01

Picture this: You wake up in the morning. A soft light turns on in your room. You go into the
bathroom and the shower starts. The water is the perfect temperature. After your shower, you go into
A the kitchen. Your favorite breakfast is already cooked, and it’s on the table, ready to eat. Now it’s time
to go to work. It’s a rainy day. You live alone, but you find that your umbrella and hat are already by
the door.
)?
How is all this possible? Welcome to your future life!
st.
Appliances That Talk
Technology will allow homes in the future to be “smart.” Appliances will communicate with each
B other—and with you. Your stove, for instance, will tell you when your food is cooked and ready to eat.
Refrigerators will suggest recipes based on food items you already have.
The technology is possible because of tiny information-storing devices called RFID1 chips. People
already use them to keep track of pets and farm animals. Future RFID chips will store information
C about all the items in your cabinets.2 For example, they will record the date that you bought each
item. Other devices will “read” this information using radio waves. When you need more food, your
cabinets will tell you to buy it.

1
RFID is “radio-frequency identification.”
2
A cabinet is a type of cupboard used for storing medicine, drinks, and other items.
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 LESSoN A rEADINg

Houses That Think

Are you tired of the color or pattern of your walls? In a smart home, you won’t have to repaint
them. The walls will actually be digital screens, like computer or TV screens. The technology is
D called OLED,3 and it’s here already. OLEDs are tiny devices that use electricity to light things.
You can find the same technology in today’s thin TV screens. OLED walls will become clear, like
windows, or display colors and patterns, like walls.
A computer network will link these walls with everything else in your house. Called “ambient4
intelligence,” this computer “brain” will control your entire house. It will also adapt to your
preferences. Your house will learn about your likes and dislikes. It will then use that knowledge
E
to control the environment. For example, it will set the heat in the house to your favorite
temperature. It will turn on the shower at the right temperature. It will also darken the windows
at night and lighten them when it’s time to wake up.

Robots That
Feel?
But how about your cooked breakfast,
and the umbrella and hat you found by
the door? For those, you can thank your
robot helper. Futurologists predict that
many homes will have robots in the future.
F Robots already do many things such
as building cars and vacuuming floors.
But scientists today are starting to build
friendlier, more intelligent robots—ones
that people will feel more comfortable
having around in the house.
Sociable5 robots will be able to show
feelings with their faces, just like humans.
They will smile and frown, make eye
G contact, and speak. These robots will do
work around the house such as cooking
and cleaning. They will even take care of
children and the elderly.
How soon will this smart home be a
reality? There’s a good chance it will be a
H part of your life in 25 or 30 years, perhaps PR2
sooner. Much of the technology is Developer: Willow Grange, USA
already here. Abilities: cooks breakfast; takes care of elderly
people; delivers mail

3
OLED means “organic light-emitting diode.” 5
If you are sociable, you are friendly.
4
Ambient refers to what is around you.

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 U N D E r S TA N D I N g T h E r E A D I N g

A | Understanding the Gist. Look back at your answer for exercise E on page 104.
Was your prediction correct? YES

B | Identifying Main Ideas. Look back at the reading on pages 105–106. Match each
main idea below to a paragraph from the reading (A–H).

E 1. An electronic system called “ambient intelligence” will control an entire house.

C 2. RFID technology will allow parts of the house to communicate with us.
D 3. OLED screens will change the way your walls look.
H 4. Intelligent homes may be a part of our everyday life within 30 years.
G 5. Robots that act like humans will do housework and take care of people.

C | Identifying Key Details. Read each statement below. Then circle T for true and F for
false, according to the reading. Correct the false statements.

Appliances That Talk

1. Someday, kitchen cabinets will tell you it’s time to buy more food. T F
2. RFID chips are already used today for keeping track of children. T F

Houses That Think

3. People will change their wall patterns using RFID technology. T F
4. Darkening windows at night is an example of ambient intelligence. T F

Robots That Feel?

5. Scientists are building robots that can help take care of elderly people. T F
6. Robots will soon be more intelligent and sociable than humans. T F

D | Critical Thinking: Evaluating Attitude. Work with a partner. First, circle the words
to complete this sentence. CT Focus
The author of the reading passage on pages 105–106 seems positive (optimistic) / Evaluating a
negative (pessimistic) about the future. writer’s attitude
means thinking
about how they
Find examples that support your answer. Look for words and phrases the writer uses feel about the
to describe the scene in the opening paragraph. Does the description make life sound subject. Ask
pleasant or unpleasant? yourself: Is the
author generally
positive or
Look at how the writer describes appliances, houses, and robots. Does the writer negative? Do I
make these devices sound practical (useful) or impractical (not useful)? agree or disagree
with his or her
Now discuss this question with your partner: Do you agree with the writer’s attitude attitude?
about the future? Why, or why not?

E | Personalizing. Discuss answers to these questions in a small group.

1. Which future technologies in the reading would you like to have in your home?
2. Are there other household technologies you would like to have?

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