UNIT 9 Improvement in Appliances

EXPLORING 1.The following are some “smart” appliances: A microwave oven that can cook a delicious dish according to your order. A refrigerator that can know when it’s out of bread. A computer that can operate according to oral instrument. 2. Do you think the “smart” appliances would be available in the near future? 3.Do you think the “smart” appliances are good or not?

SECTION A I’m Toast in the Battle Against “Smart” Appliances

Language Points 1. likewise adv. 1. also; in addition [ 例 ] Pack plenty of food. Likewise, you'll need warm clothes. 2. in the same way; similarly [ 例 ] The stockbroker bought shares in the company and advised his clients to do likewise. 2.disturb vt. 1. make (somebody) anxiously dissatisfied; worry [ 例 ] We were rather disturbed by the way the government tried to cover up the truth.

2. interrupt (especially a person who is working) or break (a person's sleep) [ 例 ] I'm sorry to disturb you, but could you tell me how this machine works? 3.feature n. 1. [C] a (typical or noticeable) part or quality [ 例 ] The town's main features are its beautiful buildings and ancient marketplace. 2. (plural) the parts of the face [ 例 ] Paul's features are very much like his father's.

4.remote adj. 1. distant in space or time [ 例 ] His stories are too remote from everyday life. 2. quiet and lonely; far from the city [ 例 ] The film is set in a remote village. 5. figure v. (especially AmE) consider; believe [ 例 ] I figured (that) you'd want to see me about it. n. 1. [C] any of the number signs from 0 to 9 [ 例 ] The steel output in that plant has reached a total figure of ten million tons.

1. be toast be or be likely to become finished, or dead [ 例 ] He was toast in the exam because he had not worked hard. 2.drive somebody up the wall drive somebody into a state of great anger or near madness [ 例 ] I just can't live with Bob, who always drives me up the wall. 3.be faced with be forced to meet or deal with [ 例 ] If the rain doesn't stop, people will be faced with serious flooding.

4.figure out come to understand or discover by thinking [ 例 ] My father's computer suddenly stopped working and he asked me to figure out the problem. 5.at random aimlessly [ 例 ] The people for the experiment were chosen [ 例 ] Dirty dishes were piled at random. 6. come to concern [ 例 ] When it comes to repairing cars, I know nothing.