1Look at the four pictures representing current issues and talk about them.
2What do you know about artificial intelligence (AI)?
3How do you think AI has changed the world?
4Match each word with the meaning used in the driverless cars article: glare, curb, hail, commute, serene, liability, deploy, autonomous, perception.
5Choose the correct alternatives. (a) One of the features of automated cars is that: they wait for the passengers / they approach slowly / they have their own voice to welcome people. (b) Driverless technology is being widely used particularly in: the USA / the UK / the UAE. (c) The positive impact of such technology on the environment is: it prevents road accidents / it paves the way to sustainable life / it reduces carbon production. (d) One of the problems with driverless technology is that: it cannot deal with the traffic system / it cannot deal with human drivers / it cannot cope with other cars. (e) One of the biggest challenges of the automated cars is: its safety from the human environment / human safety from it / its durability in the human environment. (f) The automated technology developed so far is: completely trustworthy / partly trustworthy / not trustworthy at all.
6Mention any three features of the driverless car.
7Describe the benefits of driverless technology.
8What, according to Camilla Fowler, is the special advantage of automated vehicles?
9What are the problems with driverless vehicles in David Hynd's views?
10What are scientists doing to make driverless technology safer?
11Do you think driverless technology is safer than human-controlled driving? Why?
12Think of any three other areas where artificial intelligence (AI) has been used. What are the benefits of using AI in these areas?
13Consult a dictionary and transcribe these words, then pronounce them correctly: glare, curb, junction, carbon, car, president, hurdle, exterior, driver, traffic.
14These statements come from the driverless cars article. Find who made each remark and report it in your own words: “Good evening, this car is all yours, with no one upfront.” “Driverless vehicles should be a very calm and serene way of getting from A to B.” “It's got to be able to cope with human drivers speeding.” “The whole insurance industry is looking into how they're going to deal with the change from a person being responsible and in charge to the vehicle doing that.”
15Report these remarks made to you this morning. (a) Teacher: I am very busy now. (b) Sister: The cows have been fed. (c) Sohan: I know your address. (d) Ramila: I don't believe you. (e) Alice: I am too late to go out. (f) Sophie: My family is very supportive to me.
16Work in threes. Student A whispers something to student B, and student B reports it to student C in a whisper, using the prompts: go to the market, eat Chinese food, buy a new mobile phone, play games on the computer, watch a horror movie, paint a scene, visit a new park.
17Match the statements with the correct reported speech. (a) Khushi said, “I go to school every day by bus.” (b) Karma said to me, “I am sorry for coming late.” (c) Susan says, “I will leave for Bhanu next week.” (d) Tshering said, “I will surely meet you this Saturday.” (e) “The bus leaves at six,” said the agent. (f) “I have already finished my project work,” she said. (g) “I work from home these days,” said Yanjal.
18Complete the sentences with the correct reporting verbs: advised, admitted, warned, offered, thanked, informed, agreed, apologised, promised. (a) “I broke the mirror.” He ... that he had broken the mirror. (b) “I'd go and see a doctor if I were you,” Pemba said to me. Pemba ... me to see a doctor. (c) “I will send you out if you make a noise again,” said the librarian. The librarian ... me not to make a noise again. (d) “I can come and help you plant rice,” said Raman. Raman ... to help me plant rice. (e) “The classes start from next week,” said the assistant. The assistant ... us that the classes start from the following week. (f) Sonam said to me, “Thank you so much for your help.” Sonam ... me for my help. (g) “OK. I will return your money by Saturday,” said Prakriti. Prakriti ... to return my money by Saturday. (h) “I will really work hard and score good grades,” said Anupam. Anupam ... to work hard and get good grades. (i) “I am sorry for coming late,” said the speaker. The speaker ... for coming late.
19The use of AI in technology is not only making people's lives easier but bringing new challenges. Write a newspaper article about the challenges brought by the advancement of AI in technology.
20Look at the picture of children with placards. (a) Who do you think these people are? (b) What are they doing?
21Fill in the blanks with these words: tackle, corporate, outrage, catalyse, at stake, net-zero, expertise. (a) The ... headquarters of the company is in Dubai. (b) According to Greta, the leaders are failing to ... the key issues. (c) Some viruses ... the step in the production of other viruses. (d) His ... in business helped him greatly to run the company. (e) Nepal government plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to ... . (f) He does not have good knowledge of business. So, he has put his investment ... . (g) His controversial remarks caused public ... .
22Write True, False or Not Given. (a) Save the Children congratulates Antonio Guterres on his recent appointment as the General Secretary of the UN. (b) The Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change was announced on the request of children between 18 and 21 years of age. (c) The dissatisfaction is that the representation of children is not inclusive. (d) Greta Thunberg protested for the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. (e) The children demand their physical safety in the UK and Italy. (f) The children think that they can participate in decision making to fight against the climate crisis.
23Where is the office of the UN Secretary General?
24What is the purpose of writing this letter to Antonio Guterres?
25Why was the Youth Advisory Group announced?
26What roles have children played in the time of climate crisis?
27Describe Greta Thunberg's and Fabrizio's contributions.
28What is the final demand of the children?
29As a student, what roles can you play to control climate change and its effects?
30Look at the picture of the Earth, the Sun, cars and factories. (a) What does the picture depict? (b) What are the effects of this situation?
31Listen and complete the sentences with the correct words or phrases. The sentences cover: a second human activity that raises the Earth's temperature, what greenhouse gases stop heat from doing, what the burning of fossil fuels causes to rise, something else besides oceans, weather and food that climate change affects, a further extreme weather condition, when ozone particles increase quickly, and examples of renewable energy sources.
32Listen again and answer in not more than three words. (a) What is the major cause behind the rise in the temperature of the Earth? (b) Name any three gases that trap the heat on the surface of the Earth. (c) What causes weather extremes? (d) What causes health problems such as asthma, heart disease and lung cancer? (e) What is the alternative to fossil fuels?
33How can human beings minimise the effects of climate change? Discuss.
34Choose the correct alternatives. (a) Abhilasha said that she ... (witnessed, has witnessed, was witnessed) the accident. (b) The teacher explained that ... (the earth revolves round the sun, the earth revolved round the sun, revolve round the sun). (c) Smarika says that ... (she could not stay there anymore, I can't stay here anymore, she can't stay here anymore). (d) Sachita says that ... (she loves to listen to music, she loved to listen to music, I love to listen to music). (e) My brother reported that ... (he had completed his homework, I have completed my homework, he has done his homework). (f) My father said that the sun ... (is, are, was) very hot. (g) Jenifer said that she ... (want, wants, wanted) to be a nurse.
35Rewrite in indirect speech. (a) Raima said, “We had to cross the river and go ahead.” (b) Smarika said, “I will meet you tomorrow, friends.” (c) “I can't come to school tomorrow,” Chandani said. (d) Dorje said, “Sorry, I cannot lend you any money today.” (e) The teacher said, “Now, you can solve the remaining problems yourselves.” (f) The police said, “The incident probably took place yesterday.” (g) I said to him, “I live in Changunarayan these days.” (h) They said to us, “We would like to join you too.” (i) The Science teacher said, “The coal gives off thick smoke.” (j) Resham said, “I have never seen such a strange animal anywhere else.” (k) “I love my children more than wealth,” the father said.
36Write a letter to the Mayor of your municipality or the Chairperson of your rural municipality requesting him or her to involve the representatives of children in the decision making process related to children's issues.
37Collect at least five news items related to current affairs. Design the first page of a newspaper, write your news items on it and stick it on the notice board of your classroom.
38Why do tenses usually move back in reported speech?
39What is the difference between skimming and scanning? Give an example of each.
40Why does the driverless cars article begin with a night scene in Phoenix instead of with facts?
41How is the open letter organised to persuade the Secretary-General?