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Section 3

1) The document discusses predictions made by Lord Kelvin in 1895 that heavier than air flying machines were impossible and by Thomas Watson in 1943 that there would only be a market for 5 computers. 2) It notes that while predictions can be wrong, scientists and politicians make predictions to shape the future through their inventions and decisions, though in the past they did not consider impacts on the natural world. 3) The document suggests we must now live sustainably within nature's rules of limited resources so that what is used today is available for future generations.

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Jorge Ponciano Angeles
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185 views2 pages

Section 3

1) The document discusses predictions made by Lord Kelvin in 1895 that heavier than air flying machines were impossible and by Thomas Watson in 1943 that there would only be a market for 5 computers. 2) It notes that while predictions can be wrong, scientists and politicians make predictions to shape the future through their inventions and decisions, though in the past they did not consider impacts on the natural world. 3) The document suggests we must now live sustainably within nature's rules of limited resources so that what is used today is available for future generations.

Uploaded by

Jorge Ponciano Angeles
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Section 3

Read the text below. For questions 21 to 25, choose the best answer (a, b, c or d).
Heavier than air flying machines are impossible, said the well-known scientist Lord
Kelvin in 1895. Thomas Watson, the chairman of IBM in 1943, was wrong too when he
said that he thought there would be a world market for only five or so computers.

Predictions can, of course, be wrong, and it is very difficult to predict what the world
will be like in 100, 50, or even 20 years from now. But this is something that scientists
and politicians often do. They do so because they invent things and make decisions that
shape the future of the world that we live in.

In the past they didnt have to think too much about the impact that their decisions had
on the natural world. But that is now changing. An increasing number of people believe
that we should live within the rules set by nature. In other words, they think that in a
world of fixed and limited resources, what is used today will not be there for our
children. We must therefore look at each human activity and try to change it or create
alternatives if it is not sustainable. The rules for this are set by nature, not by man.

(21) What was Lord Kelvin suggesting?


a) It is difficult to make accurate predictions.
b) It would be possible for people to fly.
c) It would be impossible for people to fly.
d) There would only be a few computers.

(22) According to the text, which of the following statements is TRUE?


a) Lord Kelvin and Thomas Watson were good friends.
b) The world does not have unlimited natural resources.
c) Our children will not make predictions about the future.
d) It is easy to predict what the world will be like 20 years from now.

(23) shape (line 6) is closest in meaning to:


a) do
b) create
c) look at
d) move

(24) The article suggests we should live in a _____ way.


a) selfish
b) sustainable
c) predictable
d) scientific

(25) Choose the best title for the article.


a) Predictions and more predictions!
b) Politicians and scientists
c) A sustainable future for our children
d) New inventions

Section 4 (26 to 33)


Write a letter or email to your new pen-friend from abroad and introduce
yourself. Say where you come from, where you live and give a little information
about your family and friends as well as your hobbies and interests. Say how long
you have been learning English and how you would like to improve your English.
Write 80-100 words.

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