Technology - Future Predictionslms.wiseman.com.hk/lms/user/secure/teacher/report/document/lesson... · Einstein had his palm read. ... Alexander the Great believed they could read

Technology - Future Predictions

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Level 1- The Future Is In Your Hands

[1] For thousands of years, philosophers, kings and leaders have all wanted to be able to know what is

going to happen in the future. Aristotle wrote about 'Palmistry', the art of reading palms; Julius Caesar

read men's palms to be able to judge their character. Einstein had his palm read. Napoleon and

Alexander the Great believed they could read palms to help them choose important officers.

[2] Aristotle was the first person to write about reading palms and using them to predict a person's

future. He thought there was a link between the soul of the person and how they were physically –

that is, what their body was like.

[3] Aristotle told Alexander the Great about his ideas. He used the ideas to help him run his armies and

his empire. Thanks to the very successful empire he created, palmistry moved quickly to other

countries like India, Tibet, China and Egypt.

[4] The ideas were eventually taken to Europe, too, including Romania and Hungary. This is where the

Roma originally come from, or Gypsies, and they adopted palm reading. It is one of the oldest and

most significant ways people have used to predict the future.

[5] There have been no scientific studies that prove palm reading really works. In 1964, James Randi

offered US$1,000 to anyone who could prove they were 'psychic' – for example, by accurately reading

palms. This prize money has now risen to US$1,000,000. Over one thousand people have applied, but

nobody has succeeded. Do you think they ever will?

Reading Questions

1. Who was the first person to write about reading palms?

� Aristotle

� Alexander the Great

� Julius Caesar

� James Randi

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 2: Aristotle was the first person to write

about reading palms and using them to predict a person's future.”


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2. Who is NOT mentioned as a type of person who has wanted to predict the future?

� philosophers

� leaders

� kings

� historians

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 1: “For thousands of years, philosophers,

kings and leaders have all wanted to be able to know what is going to happen in the future.”

3. Find words in paragraph 1 that could be replaced by the following:

− Skill... Art/art

− Personality... Character/character

− Figure out... Judge/judge

− Thought... Believed

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraph 3: “...art of reading palms.” “judege

their character...” “... believed they could read palms...”

4. What scientist had his palm read?

� Aristotle

� Edison

� Einstein

� Asimove

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 1: “Einstein had his palm read.”

5. Who does 'them' refer to in paragraph 2, “Aristotle was the first person to write about reading palms

and using them to predict a person's future”?

� people

� books

� futures

� palms

Explanation: This is a structural question. Refer to paragraph 2: “Aristotle was the first person to write

about reading palms and using them to predict a person's future.”


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6. What is the best definition of “link”, used in paragraph 2?

� connection

� key

� look

� line

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraph 2: “He thought there was a link

between the soul of the person and how they were physically – that is, what their body was like.”

7. Find words or phrases in paragraphs 3 and 4 that mean the opposite of the following:

− Unimportant... Significant/significant

− Failing... Successful/successful

− Slowly... Quickly/quickly

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraphs 3 and 4: “...most significant ways

people have used...” and “ ... very successful empire he created...” and “ ... palmistry moved quickly...”.

8. The style of this piece is...

� descriptive

� exciting

� how-to

� angry

Explanation: This is a thematic question. Refer to the whole piece.

9. What is the writer's main purpose in writing this piece?

� to argue

� to inform

� to list

� to debate



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10. Where would you probably see this piece?

� a storybook

� the front page of a newspaper

� a history book

� a sports magazine


11. Which word can best replace 'eventually' in paragraph 4, “The ideas were eventually taken to

Europe...”?

� similarly

� later

� never

� often

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraph 4: “The ideas were eventually taken to

Europe...”

12. Where do gypsies come from?

� Tibet

� India

� Romania

� Greece

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 4: “…including Romania and Hungary.

This is where the Roma originally come from, or Gypsies, and they adopted palm reading....”

13. Which word in paragraph 5 means the same as 'correctly'?

− accurately

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraph 5: “for example, by accurately reading

palms....”


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14. What four countries did palmistry travel to first?

− India

− Tibet

− China

− Egypt

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 3: “Thanks to the very successful empire

he created, palmistry moved quickly to other countries like India, Tibet, China and Egypt..”

15. What is the last paragraph mostly about?

� proving palmistry works

� beginning of palmistry

� spread of palmistry

� psychics

Explanation: This is a thematic question. Refer to all of paragraph 5.

16. Which word means the opposite of “adopted” in paragraph 4: “This is where the Roma originally

come from, or Gypsies, and they adopted palm reading”?

� rejected

� accepted

� chose

� found

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraph 4: “This is where the Roma originally

come from, or Gypsies, and they adopted palm reading.”

17. Decide if the following are true, false, or not given.

Statement TRUE FALSE Not Given

Someone has correctly predicted the future and

won the prize money.

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer

to paragraph 5: “Over one thousand people

have applied, but nobody has succeeded....”

X


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Napoleon believed palm reading worked.

Explanation: This is an inference question.

Refer to paragraph 1: “...Napoleon and

Alexander the Great believed they could read

palms to help them choose important officers.”

X

40% of people believe that the future can be

predicted.


to the whole passage.

X

Since ancient times, people have been

interested in telling the future.


to paragraph 1. “For thousands of years,

philosophers, kings and leaders have all wanted

to be able to know what is going to happen in

the future....”

X

18. What is the main theme of paragraph 2?

� Aristotle’s ideas

� Alexander the Great

� modern psychics

� spread of palm reading

Explanation: This is a thematic question. Refer to paragraph 2.

19. In what year, was the prize for proving psychic powers first offered?

− 1964

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 5: “In 1964, James Randi offered

US$1,000 to anyone who could prove they were 'psychic'.”


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20. Do you believe someone can predict the future? Why or why not?

− Sample answer: I don’t believe anyone can really predict the future. People have been trying for

years but no one has been successful yet.

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to the whole piece.


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Level 2- Paul the Octopus

[1] Paul the Octopus isn't the only creature who apparently has 'psychic powers'. The film Groundhog

Day starring Bill Murray has made that little animal famous, and over 30,000 people travel every year

to Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania to see the groundhog make his weather forecast. The idea is that if

the groundhog comes out of his home and stays out, the spring will come early – but if he goes back

into his burrow then winter will continue for another six weeks.

[2] In South Korea, there is a parrot who did well on the stock market. She picked better investments

than people did: her return on investment was 13.7%, better than all ten humans who achieved an

average of 4.6% loss. Does this say more about the stock market than parrots, though?!

[3] Many animals are believed to be able to predict earthquakes. In Japan, they took the legend of

catfish so seriously that scientists spend 16 years studying whether or not catfish could indeed predict

an earthquake. They decided that actually, the fish do become more active a few days before a

quake – but they are so sensitive that they react to even tiny quakes, and so can't really be used as a

warning system.

[4] Oscar the cat lives in a nursing home and, for the last five years, he has correctly predicted fifty

deaths. If he curls up next to a patient, staff know that the patient will die soon. The cat is very

determined: he will scratch at doors to get into particular rooms, and one evening he was put on a

patient's bed by a nurse but he left and sat with another lady. The lady died that evening.

[5] Do animals know things that we can't? Is it possible for them to feel things people don't?

Reading Questions

1. What does a groundhog predict?

� earthquakes

� the end of winter

� a new movie

� the beginning of summer

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 1: The idea is that if the groundhog

comes out of his home and stays out, the spring will come early – but if he goes back into his burrow

then winter will continue for another six weeks.”


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2. The little groundhog is __________

� scary

� clever

� disliked

� famous

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 1: “The film Groundhog Day starring Bill

Murray has made that little animal famous.”

3. Find words in paragraphs 1 and 2 that could be replaced by the following:

− Prediction... Forecast/forecast

− Tiny... Little/little

− Chose... Picked/picked

− Hole... Burrow/burrow

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraphs 1 and 2: “...make his weather forecast

for the year... made that little animal famous... She picked better investments... goes back into his

burrow...”.

4. How many people travel to Pennsylvania every year to see the groundhog?

� 300

� 3 million

� 300,000

� 30,000

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 1:” …over 30,000 people travel every

year to Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania to see the groundhog make his weather forecast.”.

5. Who does 'she' refer to in paragraph 2, 'She picked better investments…?

� groundhog

� parrot

� a woman

� South Korea

Explanation: This is a structural question. Refer to paragraph 2: “…a parrot who did well on the stock

market. She picked better investments...”


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6. What do people claim about Paul the Octopus?

− He has psychic powers.

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 1: “Paul the Octopus isn't the only

creature who apparently has 'psychic powers'.”

7. Find words or phrases in paragraphs 3 and 4 that mean the opposite of the following:

− Lightly... Seriously

− Lazy... Active/active

− Stayed... Left/left

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraphs 3 and 4: “...took the legend of catfish

so seriously.... the fish do become more active... ‘but he left...”

8. The best title for this piece would be...

� Animals Around the World

� Predicting Deaths

� Groundhog Day

� Psychic Animals



� to persuade

� to inform

� to argue

� to predict


10. Where would you probably find this piece?

� a science book

� the front page news

� a magazine

� an advertisement



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11. Which word can best replace 'actually' in paragraph 3, 'They decided that actually...'?

� in fact

� unfortunately

� incorrectly

� eventually

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraph 3: “They decided that actually, the fish

do become more active a few days before a quake...”

12. Why can’t fish be used as a warning system?

� They don’t do anything before earthquakes.

� They don’t tell how big or small an earthquake will be.

� They only react to big earthquakes.

� Their movements are not noticeable enough.

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to paragraph 3: They decided that actually, the fish

do become more active a few days before a quake – but they are so sensitive that they react to even

tiny quakes, and so can't really be used as a warning system.”

13. Which animal is not mentioned as predicting the future?

� a cat

� a parrot

� a dog

� a groundhog

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to the whole piece.

14. What was the parrot’s return on investment? Answer using a figure.

− 13.7 %

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 2: “…her return on investment was

13.7%, better than all ten humans who achieved an average of 4.6% loss.”


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15. What does it mean if Oscar curls up next to someone?

� The person will die.

� Oscar likes the person.

� Oscar doesn’t feel well.

� The person will get better soon.

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 4: “If he curls up next to a patient, staff

know that the patient will die soon.”

16. Compared to the parrot, how did people do at the stock market?

� They didn’t do well.

� They did about the same as the parrot.

� They did very well.

� not possible to say

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 2: “She picked better investments than

people did: her return on investment was 13.7%, better than all ten humans who achieved an average

of 4.6% loss.”



Tom Hanks was the star of Groundhog Day.


to paragraph 1: “The film Groundhog Day

starring Bill Murray has made that little animal

famous.”

X

Many cats have been shown to have a sense of

when someone will die.


Refer to the whole piece.

X

A fish is the only animal people believe can

predict earthquakes.

X


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to paragraph 3: “...Many animals are believed to

be able to predict earthquakes..”

The parrot lives in South Korea.


to paragraph 2 : “In South Korea, there is a

parrot who did well on the stock market....”

X

18. What is the main aim of paragraph 5?

� To persuade you

� To make you think of your own opinion

� To give information

� To get information

Explanation: This is a thematic question. Refer to paragraph 6.

19. Complete the sentence using appropriate words from paragraph 4:

− Oscar is very determined. He will scratch at doors and go into particular rooms.

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraph 4: “The cat is very determined: he will

scratch at doors to get into particular rooms, and one evening he was put on a patient's bed by a nurse

but he left and sat with another lady.”

20. Describe the FOUR ways the animals in the article use to predict the future.

− Sample answer: A groundhog decides whether or not to stay in his hole. A parrot chooses

investments. Fish become more active to show when there will be an earthquake. Oscar the cat

sleeps beside people to show when they are going to die.



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Level 3- Tea Leaves and Cheese

[1] There are some very strange ways of trying to predict the future. If you think reading palms or

trying to understand the hidden messages of tea leaves is odd, then look at these other ideas.

[2] Have you ever heard the idea that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck? That is a small part of

'ailuromancy', looking at the way your cat moves to predict the future. If your cat licks their ear three

times, someone is going to turn up where you are: on the right ear, it's a man who will appear, and left

ear-licking indicates a woman.

[3] Cromniomancy is the art of using onions to predict the future. You can also use it to see how your

loved ones are doing on the other side of the world (Facebook is so old now...). Write the name of a

person on an onion, plant it, and if it grows well and is big and strong, the person is having a good life.

You can also use cromniomancy to see get an answer to a 'yes or no' question: just write 'yes' on one

onion and 'no' on another, and whichever grows first is the right answer.

[4] In 1692, twenty women were executed in the US after being found to be witches; these are now

known as the Salem Witch Trials. One of the girls involved was accused of using 'oomancy', a method

still used today to predict the future. You take egg whites and put them into boiling water and then

read the shape they make. The girl was playing this game with her friends and they saw the egg white

take the shape of a coffin. Shortly after, 24 people died in their local community. The girl was judged to

be a witch and was hanged.

[5] Do any of these fortune-telling ideas work? Not really. Fortune-tellers failed to predict the 9/11

attacks, the 2011 Japanese tsunami, and many other major world events. Even The Complete Book of

Fortune admits it isn't that accurate, by saying that any results you get from the techniques should just

be used as an 'indication of what may happen', and mustn't be seen as evidence something will

definitely happen.

[6] Perhaps some people just want to know that things will be 'sort of okay' in the future in order to

feel better about themselves when their life is not going to plan. It is a comfort to them, to know the

future holds better things. But does anyone ever really believe what is said?


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Reading Questions

1-3. Complete the table about types of fortune telling.

Type of Fortune Telling What is Used

Ailuromancy Cats/cats

Cromniomancy Onions/onions

Oomancy Eggs/eggs


4. What do some say it means if a black cat walks across your path?

� Good things will happen.

� Bad things will happen.

� Someone will visit.

� You will meet a friend.

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 2: “Have you ever heard the idea that a

black cat crossing your path is bad luck?”

5. If your cat … a man will turn up soon.

� blocks your path

� licks their left ear three times

� licks their right ear three times

� licks your ear

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 3: “If your cat licks their ear three times,

someone is going to turn up where you are: on the right ear, it's a man who will appear, and left

ear-licking indicates a woman.”

6. In paragraph 3, the tone of ‘Facebook is so old now…’ is…

� sarcastic

� sincere

� enthusiastic

� informative

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to paragraph 1: “You can also use it to see how your

loved ones are doing on the other side of the world (Facebook is so old now...).”


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7. An onion can supposedly answer yes or no questions.

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 3: “You can also use cromniomancy to

see get an answer to a 'yes or no' question: just write 'yes' on one onion and 'no' on another, and

whichever grows first is the right answer.”

8. In what year were the Salem Witch Trials?

− 1692

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 4: “In 1692, twenty women were

executed in the US after being found to be witches; these are now known as the Salem Witch Trials.”

9. What happened to the girl playing a fortune telling game with her friends?

� Nothing happened.

� She died for unknown reasons.

� She was killed.

� She became a witch.

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 4: “The girl was judged to be a witch and

was hanged.”

10. What TWO major events did fortune tellers fail to predict?

− the 9/11 attacks and the 2011 Japanese tsunami.

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 5: “Fortune-tellers failed to predict the

9/11 attacks, the 2011 Japanese tsunami, and many other major world events....”.

11. What is The Complete Book of Fortune most likely about?

� how to become rich

� history of fortune telling

� introduction to different kinds of fortune telling

� examples of success in fortune telling

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to paragraph 5: “Even The Complete Book of Fortune

admits it isn't that accurate, by saying that any results you get from the techniques should just be used

as an 'indication of what may happen', and mustn't be seen as evidence something will definitely

happen..”


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12. Many people look to fortune telling for…

� religion

� freedom

� revenge

� assurance

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to paragraph 6: “It is a comfort to them, to know the

future holds better things.”


− means... indicates

− thought... idea

− large... big

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraphs 2 and 3.

14. Find words in paragraphs 4 and 5 that mean the opposite of the following:

− lived... unaffordable

− uninvolved... involved

− rejects... admits


15. What would be the best title for this piece?

� Cats Know the Future

� Dangers of Fortune Telling

� Odd Ways of Telling the Future

� Vegetables, Animals and the Future


16. What is the main idea of paragraph 5?

� accuracy of fortune telling

� Salem Witch Trials

� Onions

� Psychic Foods



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17. What is the main purpose of this piece?

� to persuade

� to describe

� to debate

� to criticise


18. Decide if the following are True, False, or Not Given.


The women executed in the Salem Witch

Trials really caused people to die.


Refer to paragraph 4: “The girl was playing

this game with her friends and they saw the

egg white take the shape of a coffin. Shortly

after, 24 people died in their local

community.”

X

Someone has accurately predicted a war.


Refer to the whole piec.

X

Some people think they can tell the future

using eggs..

Explanation: This is a reference question.

Refer to paragraph 4: “One of the girls

involved was accused of using 'oomancy', a

method still used today to predict the future.

You take egg whites and put them into

boiling water and then read the shape they

make.”

X


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19. What or who does 'them' refer to in paragraph 4, “…put them in boiling water...”?

� witches

� shapes

� methods

� egg white

Explanation: This is a structural question. Refer to paragraph 4: “You take egg whites and put them

into boiling water and then read the shape they make....”.

20. Why might someone who doesn’t believe in fortune telling use it?

− Sample answer: They might do it for fun. They might also try it when thinking about things that

might happen. They could think about possible future options even if they’re not sure anything

will really happen.



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Level 4- The World Is Ending

[1] December 21st 2012 was meant to be the day the world ended. It was the final day of the Mayan

long count calendar, and many people genuinely believed that thousands of years ago, the Mayans

had predicted the end of the world.

[2] In China, a farmer built seven 'survival pods', each with space for 14 people. He said they would

float above the rising oceans. Another Chinese man put his life savings, US$160,000, into building an

'indestructible' boat.

[3] In Russia, a newspaper article meant to have been written by a monk and confirming the end of

the world, saw people rushing to buy gas, salt, and other important supplies. Shopkeepers in Moscow

had the idea of selling 'doomsday kits' that included, to the amusement of most Russians, a bottle of

vodka and a piece of rope. Medvedev, the Russian prime minister, made a statement on TV: “I don't

believe in the end of the world”, he told the nation, “At least, not this year.”

[4] Most news sites in the UK used the 'apocalypse' to fill up space when not much else was

happening. A professor was brought out to reassure people that there were no 'celestial events due'

that could cause an apocalypse. A radio station played an 'end of the world party playlist', including

such doomsday delights as 'The End' by The Doors, and REM's, 'It's the end of the world as we know

it'.

[5] In Mexico, the homeland of the Mayans, the residents viewed the end of the world as an

opportunity to make a profit. Since everyone from the History Channel to National Geographic showed

up to make films, it is in their best interests to be predicting the 'end of the world' fairly regularly.

[6] Predictions are made, some people believe them, most people don't. Would you even want to

know if the world was ending? What could you even do with your last few weeks or days that would

have any particular purpose, if the world was going to end? There is a lot of profit to be made from

forecasting an apocalypse, that is for sure. And as long as this is the case, there will be people

predicting the end of the world.


21/39

Reading Questions

1. December 21st 2012 is the end of what calendar?

− Mayan

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 1: “It was the final day of the Mayan long

count calendar, and many people genuinely believed that, thousands of years ago, the Mayans had

predicted the end of the world.”

2. Which word can best replace 'genuinely' in paragraph 1: ‘…many people genuinely believed…’?

� falsely

� really

� lightly

� fortunately

Explanation: This is a structural question. Refer to paragraph 2: “But the reality is a little different.”

3. What did people in China think would happen at the end of the world?

� The world would burn up.

� They would need to hide underground.

� It would be impossible for anyone to survive.

� The world would be covered with water.

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to the whole of paragraph 2.

4. Which of these statements is true, according to paragraph 2?

� Many people got together and built a boat.

� A man spent all his money on an escape plan.

� Several people in China spent their life savings.

� There was a natural disaster in China.

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 2: “Another Chinese man put his life

savings, US$160,000, into building an 'indestructible' boat.”


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5. How many people would fit in a survival pod? Answer using a figure.

− 14

Explanation: This is a factual question. Refer to paragraph 2: “In China, a farmer built seven 'survival

pods', each with space for 14 people."

6. Find words in paragraph 3 that could be replaced by the following:

− asserting…confirming

− essential…important

− entertainment... amusement

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraph 3: “…confirming the end of the

world…other important supplies…to the amusement of most Russians…”

7. True or false? The Russian Prime Minister took the idea of the end of the world seriously.

� true

� false

� not given

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 3: “Medvedev, the Russian prime

minister, made a statement on TV: “I don't believe in the end of the world”, he told the nation, “At

least, not this year.”

8. The style of this piece is...

� persuasive

� academic

� literary

� informative


9. Where would you most likely find this piece?

� the front page news

� a magazine

� a storybook

� a geography textbook



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� Mayan Predictions

� Doomsday Party

� Is It the End Of the World?

� Be Prepared


11. What are TWO things are in a doomsday kit?

− a piece of rope and a bottle of vodka

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 3: “Shopkeepers in Moscow had the idea

of selling 'doomsday kits' that included, to the amusement of most Russians, a bottle of vodka and a

piece of rope.”

12. Why were people in Mexico happy about ‘the end of the world’?

� They knew the prophecy wasn’t true.

� They could make money from films.

� They knew they were well prepared.

� Mexico was going to be spared.

Explanation: This is a thematic question. Refer to paragraph 5: “Since everyone from the History

Channel to National Geographic showed up to make films, it is in their best interests to be predicting

the 'end of the world' fairly regularly.”

13. True or false? People wrote songs just for the end of 2012.

� true

� false

� not given

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to paragraph 4: “A radio station played an 'end of the

world party playlist', including such doomsday delights as 'The End' by The Doors, and REM's, 'It's the

end of the world as we know it'.” We don’t know if new songs were written.


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14. How could news reporters use ‘the end of the world’ idea?

� if there was a boring week in the news

� if something interesting just happened

� if it were proven

� It would not be very useful.

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to paragraph 4: “Most news sites in the UK used the

'apocalypse' to fill up space when not much else was happening.”

15. Which word in paragraph 5 could be replaced with ‘locals’?

− residents

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraph 5: “In Mexico, the homeland of the

Mayans, the residents viewed the end of the world as an opportunity to make a profit.”

16. What is NOT a way to make a profit from the apocalypse?

� selling Doomsday kits

� visiting Mayan sites

� writing about it

� making films and TV shows




Most people believe the end of the world

predictions.


to paragraph 6: “Predictions are made, some

people believe them, most people don't.

X

The first prediction of the end of the world was

about a hundred years ago.


to the whole piece.”

X


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The apocalypse costs people a lot of money.


Refer to paragraph 6: “There is a lot of profit to

be made from forecasting an apocalypse, that is

for sure.”

X

18. Find words in paragraphs 5 and 6 that mean the opposite of the following:

− loss... profit

− beginning... end

− unspecific... particular

− best…worst

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraphs 5 and 6: “…make a profit… end of the

world…. any particular purpose… in their best interest…”

19. What does ‘his’ refer to in paragraph 2: “…his life savings…”

� farmer

� man

� boat

� life

Explanation: This is a structural question. Refer to paragraph 2: “Another Chinese man put his life

savings, US$160,000, into building an 'indestructible' boat.”

20. Would you want to know if the world was really going to end? Why or why not?

− Sample answer: I wouldn’t want to know because it wouldn’t change anything about how I live

my life. I would rather enjoy life and not worry about the end of the world. If there isn’t

anything we can do about it, there’s no reason to waste time thinking about it.



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Level 5- Glowing Walls

[1] In August of 1964, Isaac Asimov – professor and author of science fiction novels – visited New

York's World Fair. He saw scenes that were set in the past, showing the advances of electrical

appliances and the changes they bring to everyday living, but he regretted that there were no scenes

predicting the future. He decided to guess what would be happening in 2014.

[2] Asimov thought that man would continue to withdraw from nature. He predicted that ceilings and

walls would glow softly in a variety of colours that could be changed by pressing a single button.

Although these aren't common in homes, it is certainly possible to buy lights that do the trick. One

company markets the 'Amirko', a series of LED lights that you can change at the spin of a wheel to suit

your mood.

[3] He thought that windows would be polarised to block out sunlight. Even better, he thought the

glass would automatically change to adapt to the intensity of light shining on it. We've actually gone

beyond this idea: it is possible to buy glasses that react to light and dark and change shade

accordingly.

[4] Asimov thought that 'complete lunches and dinner, with the food semiprepared, will be stored in

the freezer until ready for processing'. Wheel out the frozen ready-meals we see in every supermarket.

[5] He predicted 3D movies, with 'a three-hour wait in line to see the film, for some things never

change.' He thought that 'large solar-power stations will also be in operation'. He imagined bus lanes

on the highways, robots doing the cleaning, and cars that could be driverless. He thought there would

be 'moving sidewalks... raised above the traffic'. He guessed that we would be able to make phone

calls when we could both see and hear the other person, and that the screen we would use could also

be used for 'studying documents and photographs and reading passages from books'.

[6] Asimov described all these things – and they have all come true. He guessed that the population of

the world would be over six billion, and that is true. He said that the gap between the rich and the poor

would grow ever wider, resulting in us basically moving backwards.

[7] He ends his piece with a powerful paragraph that rings all too true. If someone could have

accurately predicted the future 50 years ago, could nothing have been done to prevent this?


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[8] “Mankind will suffer badly from the disease of boredom, a disease spreading more widely each

year and growing in intensity. This will have serious mental, emotional and sociological consequences,

and I dare say that psychiatry will be far and away the most important medical speciality in 2014. The

lucky few who can be involved in creative work of any sort will be the true elite of mankind, for they

alone will do more than serve a machine.”

Reading Questions

1. What TWO job titles did Asimov has?

� author

� inventor

� professor

� filmmaker

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 1: “In August of 1964, Isaac Asimov –

professor and author of science fiction novels – visited New York's World Fair.”

2. Asimov got the idea to predict what might happen in the future from an exhibit showing…

− scenes from the past

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 1: “He saw scenes that were set in the

past, showing the advances of electrical appliances and the changes they bring to everyday living, but

he regretted that there were no scenes predicting the future.”


− back off... Withdraw/withdraw

− usual... Common/common

− adjust... Adapt/adapt

− suitably... Accordingly/accordingly


4. What did Asimov think that humans would be farther from?

− He thought that people would stay indoors and be farther from nature.

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to paragraph 2: “Asimov thought that man would

continue to withdraw from nature.”


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5. What does 'they' refer to in paragraph 6, 'and they have all come true'?

� 3D movies

� population of the world

� things Asimov predicted

� people talking about the future

Explanation: This is a structural question. Refer to paragraph 6: “Asimov described all these things –

and they have all come true.”

6. What is something that doesn’t change over time?

� having to wait in line

� taking a long time to prepare food

� room lighting

� gap between rich and poor

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to the paragraph 5. “He predicted 3D movies, with 'a

three-hour wait in line to see the film, for some things never change.'”

7. Find words or phrases in paragraphs 5-6 that mean the opposite of the following:

− always... Never/never

− skimming... Studying/studying

− narrower... Wider/wider

− lowered... Raised/raised

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraphs 5-6.

8. Where would this piece likely be found?

� a front page of a newspaper

� a history book

� a fashion magazine

� a popular science website



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� to convince people to do something

� to make people think

� to inform

� to argue a point of view


10. Who is the writer's target audience?

� the general public

� psychiatrists

� travellers

� scientists


11. Which word can best replace 'moving backwards' in paragraph 6, ‘...resulting in us basically

moving backwards’?

� progressing

� proceeding

� reclaiming

� regressing

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraph 6: “He said that the gap between the

rich and the poor would grow ever wider, resulting in us basically moving backwards.”

12. Asimov predicted that in the future, people’s medical issues would be mainly…

� physical

� mental

� cancerous

� cured

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 8: “This will have serious mental,

emotional and sociological consequences, and I dare say that psychiatry will be far and away the most

important medical speciality in 2014.”


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13. What feeling did Asimov describe as a disease?

− boredom

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 8: “Mankind will suffer badly from the

disease of boredom, a disease spreading more widely each year and growing in intensity.”

14.Match the modern convenience with its description.

− 1.transition glasses A. ‘screen we would use could also be used for 'studying documents…’ 3

− 2.TV dinners B. robots doing the cleaning 4

− 3.smartphones C. food semiprepared, will be stored in the freezer 2

− 4.Roomba vacuum D. glass would automatically change 1


15. What did Asimov predict would get wider?

− the gap between rich and poor.

Explanation: This is reference question. Refer to paragraph 6: “He said that the gap between the rich

and the poor would grow ever wider, resulting in us basically moving backwards.”

16. Asimov’s view of people in the future is mostly…

� negative

� positive

� neutral

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to the whole passage, especially the last three

paragraphs.



Asimov thought that people would destroy the

environment.


Refer to the whole passage.

X


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The population is about the size Asimov

predicted it would be.


Refer to paragraph 6: " He guessed that the

population of the world would be over six

billion, and that is true.”

X

The World’s Fair had an exhibit predicting the

future.


to paragraph 1: “He saw scenes that were set in

the past, showing the advances of electrical

appliances and the changes they bring to

everyday living, but he regretted that there

were no scenes predicting the future.”

X

Asimov thought all cars would have drivers.


to paragraph 5: “He imagined bus lanes on the

highways, robots doing the cleaning, and cars

that could be driverless.”

X

18. What is the main purpose of the last two paragraphs?

� to show why we have to predict the future

� to consider problems of modern society

� to show that history repeats itself

� to ask which jobs are meaningful

Explanation: This is a thematic question. Refer to paragraphs 7-8.


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− Boredom is growing in intensity and it will have serious consequences. Psychiatry is an

important medical specialty in our modern society.

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 8: “Mankind will suffer badly from the

disease of boredom, a disease spreading more widely each year and growing in intensity. This will

have serious mental, emotional and sociological consequences, and I dare say that psychiatry will be

far and away the most important medical speciality in 2014.”

20. What did Asimov believe about work in the future? Summarize in your own words.

− Sample answer: He thought that the only meaningful work in the future would be creative

work. Everything else would be done by computers or by people mindlessly making the

machines run,

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to paragraph 8.


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Level 6- Technology Taking Over

[1] Ray Kurzweil, a Google expert in artificial intelligence, has predicted that by 2029 computers will

be smarter than humans: they will be able to make jokes, flirt, and tell stories.

[2] Kurzweil is regarded as the world's leading artificial intelligence – AI – visionary, known for coming

up with the idea of 'the singularity', the moment when men and machines will meet in the future.

Google hired him in 2012 to start work on the next great breakthrough: an artificially intelligent search

engine that knows us better than we know ourselves.

[3] The problem with searches at the moment as that they merely rely on words as individual entities.

But when you write something, you aren't just throwing words together – you are saying something

specific. Computers right now don't pick this up, but Kurzweil wants them to be able to read

everything and then 'engage in intelligent dialogue with the user to be able to answer their questions'.

In other words, you could ask Google about Shakespeare's attitude towards women, and Google

wouldn't just lead you to a group of websites that happen to use the words 'Shakespeare', 'attitude'

and 'women' but rather answer your question for you.

[4] Kurzweil has invented some important devices: the first flatbed scanner, the first text-to-speech

synthesiser, and in 1990 he predicted that a computer would defeat a chess champion by 1998. In

1997, Deep Blue beat Gary Kasparov.

[5] For years, he has been predicting that computers will be as intelligent as humans by 2029. Leading

psychiatrists say this just isn't possible. For computers to be as intelligent as us, we first need to

understand our intelligence – and we don't really have any idea how the brain works. We have ideas,

but they are just theories.

[6] A computer that can play a game of chess doesn't really have the equivalent knowledge that even

the most insignificant office worker has to keep their job. Computers can do what they have been told,

and only that. A Google-driven car, for example, couldn't also play chess.

[7] Dr John Grohol argues that, 'If you can design a computer to pretend to be a human in a very

artificial, lab-created task of answering random dumb questions from a human – that's not a computer

that's 'smarter' than us. That's a computer that's incredibly dumb, yet was able to fool a stupid panel

of judges judging from a criteria that's all but disconnected from the real world.' He goes on to say that

Kurzweil is wrong, and that until we understand our minds we cannot hope to create an artificial one

that works as effectively.


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[8] If computers could become as smart as humans, though, would they really want us around? We

have set about destroying the planet ever since we first set foot on it. Maybe it's time we

self-destructed by building computers so smart they forced us from the world. Perhaps Nature will

have the last laugh after all.

Reading Questions

1. What does Kurzweil want computers to do?

� have real feelings and emotions

� be as smart as people

� take over the world

� make friends with people

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to paragraph 5: “... For years, he has been predicting

that computers will be as intelligent as humans by 2029.”

2. Psychiatrists believe that Kurzweil’s idea is...

� likely

� possible

� incomprehensible

� not feasible

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to paragraph 5: “Leading psychiatrists say this just

isn't possible.”


− seen... regarded

− second... moment

− view... attitude

− interact... engage


4. What three things does Kurzweil think computers will be able to do in 2029?

− make jokes

− flirt

− tell stories


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Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 1: “Ray Kurzweil, a Google expert in

artificial intelligence, has predicted that by 2029 computers will be smarter than humans: they will be

able to make jokes, flirt, and tell stories.”

5. What does “this” refer to in paragraph 3: “Computers right now don’t pick this up...”?

� throwing words together

� writing something

� expressing a particular idea

� searching for something

Explanation: This is a structural question. Refer to paragraph 3: “But when you write something, you

aren't just throwing words together – you are saying something specific. Computers right now don't

pick this up...”

6. What kinds of questions does Kurzweil think computers should be able to answer?

� basic yes and no questions

� questions on the meaning of life

� broad search type questions

� all kinds of them, giving an analytical answer

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to paragraph 3: “Google wouldn't just lead you to a

group of websites that happen to use the words 'Shakespeare', 'attitude' and 'women' but rather

answer your question for you....”.

7. Find words or phrases in paragraphs 7-8 that mean the opposite of the following:

− clever... dumb

− connected ... disconnected

− constructing... destroying

− natural....artificial

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraphs 7-8.


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8. You would most likely find this piece in...

� a history textbook

� the business page of a newspaper

� an advertisement

� a popular technology magazine



� AI

� Talking With Robots

� Will Computers be Smarter than People?

� An Inventor’s Theory


10. Who is the writer's target audience?

� the general public

� technology workers

� university students

� robots


11. Which word or phrase can best replace 'for example' in paragraph 6, “A Google-driven car, for

example, couldn't also play chess”?

� on the contrary

� for instance

� because

� as such

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraph 6: “A Google-driven car, for example,

couldn't also play chess.”


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12. What does the last paragraph suggest might happen?

� that the world will go back to its natural state

� that humans and smart computers will get along well

� that computers will take over the world

� that computers will never be smarter than people

Explanation: This is an inference question. Refer to paragraph 8:” Maybe it's time we self-destructed

by building computers so smart they forced us from the world.”

13. What two things has Kurzweil invented?

− the first flatbed scanner

− the first text-to-speech synthesizer

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 4: “Kurzweil has invented some

important devices: the first flatbed scanner, the first text-to-speech synthesiser.”

14. What company does Kurzweil work for?

− Google

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 2: “Google hired him in 2012 to start

work on the next great breakthrough: an artificially intelligent search engine that knows us better than

we know ourselves.”

15. What did Kurzweil correctly predict would happen before 1998?

− a computer would beat a chess champion

Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 4: “…in 1990 he predicted that a

computer would defeat a chess champion by 1998.”

16. Why are psychiatrists sceptical of creating realistic artificial intelligence?

� because people are too intelligent

� because we can’t recreate something we don’t fully understand

� because the computer technology is not yet available

� because it is not ethical and may be dangerous


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Explanation: This is a reference question. Refer to paragraph 5: “For computers to be as intelligent as

us, we first need to understand our intelligence – and we don't really have any idea how the brain

works. '”



Computers are made for specific tasks.


Refer to paragraphs 6-7.

X

Kurzweil has been correct in all of his

predictions about technology thus far.

Explanation: This is a reference question. The

passage mentions that he has made a correct

prediction and what his prediction for 2029 is,

but we don’t know about all of his predictions.

X

A Google car would likely be able to play chess

well.


Refer to paragraph 6: “A Google-driven car, for

example, couldn't also play chess.”

X

Human activity is destroying the planet.


to paragraph 8: “If computers could become as

smart as humans, though, would they really

want us around? We have set about destroying

the planet ever since we first set foot on it.”

X


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18. What best summarizes Grohol’s argument?

� Computers should not be programmed to become too intelligent because they will overcome

humans.

� Computers may be programmed to perform and appear intelligent but can never compare to

humans.

� Computers may one day be more intelligent than humans.

� To be intelligent, it is necessary for computers to have emotions.



− A computer may be very good at one task but it will not even have the equivalent intelligence of

the most insignificant office worker.

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. Refer to paragraph 5: . “A computer that can play a game

of chess doesn't really have the equivalent knowledge that even the most insignificant office worker

has to keep their job.”

20. Based on the passage, how do you understand ‘intelligence’? You can look at both sides.

− Sample answer: I think Kurzweil defines intelligence as being able to put pieces of knowledge

together. Grohol sees it as a more complex process, the ability to think of many things at once

and be able to make decisions without being told or influenced.

Documents

Technology - Future Predictionslms.wiseman.com.hk/lms/user/secure/teacher/report/document/lesson... · Einstein had his palm read. ... Alexander the Great believed they could read