English For Today chapter 22: Wonders of the World-2

Lesson 22 Wonders of the World-2

After completing the lesson students will be able to

• read and understand texts
• write short paragraphs

A. Nira and Mong Pru are excited! They are waiting eagerly for their teacher to come and start the lesson. They are going to read about the wonders of the modern world. Read the text below:

People often speak about the wonders of the past. Mostly they were huge buildings and constructions. They are awesome and fabulous, no doubt. But the wonders of the present world are also unbelievable. Read about the following recent inventions.

Computers

The invention of the computer is very important in human life. It has changed the life style of people in the world. We use it in every sphere of our life. We can use it for studies, communication, watching movies, listening to music, playing games, etc. In a moment we can get information from any part of the world on the computer. People do not feel lonely as they can send emails to their friends and relatives. Some of their friends and relatives also live in far off countries. Even they can talk to them face to face on different social media. With computer a person can always keep himself updated. Everybody should learn to use the computer. In fact, the computer has made people's work easier and faster. At present, it has become a part of our daily life.

Space travel

Just a hundred years ago, people dreamed of having wings like birds to fly high in the sky. That dream came true when the Wright brothers built the first aeroplane that could fly. Now, people can

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travel much faster and higher than birds. Not only do we travel from one country to another, but we have also invented spacecraft that can travel from one planet to another Humans have set foot on the moon, and are even exploring Mars! Advancements in space travel technology have enabled scientists and astronauts to explore distant planets and moons.Who knows, maybe one day we'll be able to spend a vacation on a planet in a different galaxy, several thousand light-years away!

Mobile phones

Mobile phone is another useful invention of the world. Like computers mobile phones help us greatly in our daily life. Through mobiles we can connect the whole world. Only a few years ago we had difficulty to contact our near and dear ones. That was very costly too. Mobile phones are very handy and we can use them for communication with people at a very low cost. Mobile phones have different functions such as making calls, listening to music, taking photographs, storing information, etc. Even it can be used for distance learning.

A1. Read the words in Column A and match them with the meanings in Column B.

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A2. Read the words in Column A and match the opposite meanings given in Column B.

B. Now, read the following dialogue and fill in the gaps with suitable words. You can use some of the words from the earlier excercises in activity A1 & A2

Nira: Have you finished reading, Mong Pru? What do you think?

Mong Pru: Thank you, Nira. I must say they are really ………….

Nira: Mong Pru, you see, most of the time we have access to mobile phones or computers. But perhaps we often do not feel the ………. of these ………..s.

Mong Pru: You are right. By the way, do you have a computer?

Nira: Sometimes I use my parents' laptop. I play games, or watch movies or browse the internet. I must say it is a good way to avoid ………...iness.

Mong Pru: So do you agree that it is not a luxury?

Nira: Oh, no! Not at all! Anyway, what's your opinion about mobile phones and spacecraft?

Mong Pru: Well, I always ………. how this tiny device works without any cable and do so many things! It's a ………. surprise for us, isn't it?

Nira: No doubt about it! And spacecraft?

Mong Pru: After reading the article we must say that it's .................!

C. What innovation around you surprises you the most? Write a small paragraph stating what it is, how it benefits you, and why you are surprised.