2. Unit 9 Improvement in Appliances

3. < Back Leading in Warming-up Activity Exploring the Topic Watching & Brainstorming Background Information Navigation for Unit Nine HomeNext >

4. < Back Warming-up Activity Directions: You will hear a short passage. Listen carefully and answer the following questions. 1. Do you agree that technology has improved people’s life? 2. Has technology brought any disadvantages to our life? key ReturnNext >

5. < Back Warming-up Activity Suggested answer: No doubt, technology has changed so much of today’s world and our life. Due to technology, we are now living more comfortable and convenient lives. The invention of computer had done great help in our daily work and study. With modern electric appliances our home life is much more enjoyable than ever. ReturnNext >

6. < Back Warming-up Activity Suggested answer: However, technology advances have caused some new, complicated, even dangerous problems. Cars and some household appliances are dangerous sources which damage our ozone layer ( 臭氧层 ). In our modern life, ironically we find ourselves being enslaved more and more by technology instead of being freed by it. ReturnNext >

7. < Back Exploring the Topic Questions & Answers 1.What “smart” appliances would you like to have? 2. Do you think “smart” appliances are good or not? key ReturnNext >

8. < Back Exploring the Topic Suggested answer: A housewife may want to have a microwave oven that can cook delicious dishes according to her order; an engineer may want a computer that can operate according to oral instructions. But I would like to have video camera to keep record of the beautiful things in my life. ReturnNext >

9. < Back Exploring the Topic Suggested answer: Different people have different views on this question. Some think that “smart” appliances are good because they make things convenient and save us labor and time and save our money by combining manyfunctions in one appliance. While others argue that “smart” appliances are not good because their new features are useless; they cost more than they are worth; they are easy to break down with so many functions and they are too difficult to operate. ReturnNext >

10. < Back Background Information The Washington Post is a morning daily newspaper published in Washington D. C., the dominant newspaper in the U.S. capital and usually counted as one of the greatest newspaper in the country, equaled or excelled only by The New York Times. The Washington Post Return < Back Next >

11. < Back Background Information IBM, short form for International Business Machines Corporation, was set up in 1911 in the state of New York, USA. After the development of over 80 years, it now has operations in more than 160 countries with its headquarters in Armonk, New York, USA and has become the world’s largest information technology company, business and technology services provider, and IT financier ( 金融家 ). The company is engaged in the invention, development and manufacture of information technologies, including computer systems, software, storage systems and microelectronics ( 微电子学元件 ), and provides professional solutions, services and consulting businesses to its customers worldwide. IBM Return < Back Next >

12. < Back Watching & Brainstorming Watch the Video and Brainstorm ReturnNext >

13. < Back Navigation for Unit Nine Practical Writing: UNDERSTANDING AND WRITING NOTICES (2) Section C A High-tech Woman Section BSection A I’m Toast in the Battle Against “Smart” Appliances Return