9. Read the article and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

Servants of our century – Robots

In the past, there (1) .............. (be) thousands of servants in great empires like ancient Rome, Egypt or Greece. There were slaves doing all the work for their masters and mistresses so rich people (2) .................. (spend) their time for travel, sports, leisure activities and education.

Today the slaves (3) ................ (not be) human – they are machines which (4) .................. (call) ‘robots’. The word ‘robot’ (5) .................... (come) from Czechoslovakia. They are machines which can be (6) ..................... (teach) or programmed to do useful work. They mostly (7) ................... (work) in factories, especially on production lines. That’s where something like a TV or a car is put together piece by piece. For years, this work (8) ................ (be) very boring and tiring for human workers.

Today’s robots (9) .................... (be) more intelligent than ever before. They may even have mini TV cameras which (10) ................ (make) them able to see. In the future, they (11) ................. (be able to / work) at homes, offices, shops almost anywhere. Since they were invented, they (12) ................. (also / do) other jobs apart from working on production lines. They can help to defuse bombs, work underground helping to find metals and minerals, control flying weapons, take photos and collect rocks on planets like the Mars without risking human life. Robots (13) .................. (also / work) under the sea as robot divers and submarines to repair oil-rigs and find wrecks. Robots are clever but still not clever enough to do some tasks like washing the dishes, making beds, cleaning floor or cutting grass. But it is a fact that robots will help to create a leisure society for the next generation and they may increase unemployment. So this (14) ................... (depend) on us. Only we can decide whether we control the robots or they (15) ................... (control) us.

• What do you think is the most important invention of our time?

• Would you feel comfortable with a robot inside your house? If so, why / why not?

10. Read each of the following statements indicating your response by checking “I agree” / “I disagree”. Try to give your reasons.

Statement	I agree	I disagree
Technological advances make life better for everyone.
It’s important for adults to find out where their children are going online and who they are talking.
Computer technology makes finding information faster and easier.
If people let machines do too much for them, eventually people will no longer be able to do things for themselves.
Children should be given more freedom in deciding what they do online.
It is dangerous to place too much faith in technology.
It is impossible to become addicted to the Internet.
Children who play computer games often believe that the violent games they play portray life as it actually is.
Most teenagers are online too much.
Those who worry about the negative effects of technology should think about the modern conveniences available today.
Adults too often use the computer games as a kind of babysitter for their children.
Having the latest technology is important to success.

HUMOUR TIME

How do you stop your laptop batteries from running out?

Hide their trainers.

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Computer programmers never die, they just get lost in the processing.

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An elephant is a mouse with an operating system.

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“Do you turn on your computer with your left hand or your right hand?” “My right hand.” “Amazing! Most people have to use the on / off switch.”

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A customer called to complain that his keyboard no longer worked. He had cleaned it by filling up his tub with soap and water and soaking the keyboard for a day, then he removed all the keys and washed them individually.

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Computers manufacturer is considering changing the command “Press Any Key” to “Press Return Key” because of the flood of calls asking where the “Any” key is.

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Does your mum like shopping on the Internet? No, the trolley keeps rolling off the top of the computer.

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Have you seen www.amnesia.com? Sorry, I just can’t remember.