Internet Access

Question 1
1. True. “Finland and Estonia have laws saying access is a human right.”
2. True. “Over 75 per cent of Japanese, Mexican and Russian people said they could not live without it.”
3. False. “Other people were worried about the dangers of using the Internet.”
4. True.”….the majority of Germans felt it was not safe for them to express their opinions online.”

Question 2
1. According to the text, nowadays the Internet is essential for communication, learning, entertainment, studying, and working. It also gives people a feeling of freedom that they wouldn’t have without it.
2. Without Internet access people would feel weaker and unable to manage independently.

Question 3
a) chief b) powerless c) to express

Question 4
1. Dr. Toure said that the right to communicate couldn’t be ignored. The Internet was the most powerful potential source of enlightenment ever created.
2. If they didn’t have Internet access, they couldn’t do so many things.
3. Internet access is believed to be a basic human right.

Internet Access

Question 1
1. True. “Finland and Estonia have laws saying access is a human right.”
2. True. “Over 75 per cent of Japanese, Mexican and Russian people said they could not live without it.”
3. False. “Other people were worried about the dangers of using the Internet.”
4. True.”….the majority of Germans felt it was not safe for them to express their opinions online.”

Question 2
1. According to the text, nowadays the Internet is essential for communication, learning, entertainment, studying, and working. It also gives people a feeling of freedom that they wouldn’t have without it.
2. Without Internet access people would feel weaker and unable to manage independently.

Question 3
a) chief b) powerless c) to express

Question 4
1. Dr. Toure said that the right to communicate couldn’t be ignored. The Internet was the most powerful potential source of enlightenment ever created.
2. If they didn’t have Internet access, they couldn’t do so many things.
3. Internet access is believed to be a basic human right.

Computers

Caroline
Where would we be without computers? I’d be (1) __________ without mine. As I run a small business from home I’m always writing all sorts of (2) __________, and I can’t imagine doing them by hand or using a typewriter, but that’s what people had to do in the (3) __________, isn’t it? Then there are the business accounts, which I couldn’t keep track of without spreadsheets. As for email, there’s no way I could have built up my business without it, as it’s (4) __________ for me to be able to communicate quickly with my customers and suppliers.
It’s weird to think that until the early 1980s hardly anyone had a computer at home, as most computers were so big and expensive that they belonged to (5) __________ rather than individuals.
I’d say my computer is on for most of the time I’m in the house – if I’m not using it for work I’m probably surfing the internet, downloading music, or (6) __________ other stuff online.

Bob
Basically I’m a bit of a technophobe. There’s a lot of modern (7) __________ I don’t like using, and a lot I don’t really see the point of. I can’t believe how people think they have to get the latest (8) __________ gadgets, even though most of them are so obviously unnecessary.
As for computers, I use one at work, but that’s only because everyone in my
(9) __________ has to have one. I suppose computers help workplaces function more efficiently, but I don’t think they’re as (10) __________ as most people think they are. Email, for example, probably wastes as much time as it saves, as most of my colleagues seem to spend half the day (11) __________ to pointless messages. I also have a computer at home, but I haven’t used it for ages. I made an effort with it for a little while, but found it very frustrating – I got fed up with all those ‘error’ messages appearing on the (12) __________ whenever I tried to do something.


Fill the twelve gaps in the text with the correct words from the box below.
There are four words that you will not need to use.

organisations
price
past
office
electronic
documents
screen
replying
essential
technology
people
buying
top
happy
useful
lost


KEY

1. lost
2. documents
3. past
4. essential
5. organisations
6. buying
7. technology
8. electronic
9. office
10. useful
11. replying
12. screen

Computers

Caroline
Where would we be without computers? I’d be (1) __________ without mine. As I run a small business from home I’m always writing all sorts of (2) __________, and I can’t imagine doing them by hand or using a typewriter, but that’s what people had to do in the (3) __________, isn’t it? Then there are the business accounts, which I couldn’t keep track of without spreadsheets. As for email, there’s no way I could have built up my business without it, as it’s (4) __________ for me to be able to communicate quickly with my customers and suppliers.
It’s weird to think that until the early 1980s hardly anyone had a computer at home, as most computers were so big and expensive that they belonged to (5) __________ rather than individuals.
I’d say my computer is on for most of the time I’m in the house – if I’m not using it for work I’m probably surfing the internet, downloading music, or (6) __________ other stuff online.

Bob
Basically I’m a bit of a technophobe. There’s a lot of modern (7) __________ I don’t like using, and a lot I don’t really see the point of. I can’t believe how people think they have to get the latest (8) __________ gadgets, even though most of them are so obviously unnecessary.
As for computers, I use one at work, but that’s only because everyone in my
(9) __________ has to have one. I suppose computers help workplaces function more efficiently, but I don’t think they’re as (10) __________ as most people think they are. Email, for example, probably wastes as much time as it saves, as most of my colleagues seem to spend half the day (11) __________ to pointless messages. I also have a computer at home, but I haven’t used it for ages. I made an effort with it for a little while, but found it very frustrating – I got fed up with all those ‘error’ messages appearing on the (12) __________ whenever I tried to do something.


Fill the twelve gaps in the text with the correct words from the box below.
There are four words that you will not need to use.

organisations
price
past
office
electronic
documents
screen
replying
essential
technology
people
buying
top
happy
useful
lost


KEY

1. lost
2. documents
3. past
4. essential
5. organisations
6. buying
7. technology
8. electronic
9. office
10. useful
11. replying
12. screen

Internet Access is a Human Right

Most of the world’s Internet users believe Internet access is a basic human right. This is according to a new poll conducted for the BBC. A survey of more than 27,000 adults in 26 different countries found four out of five people believed access to the World Wide Web was a right everyone in the world needs and should have. The chief of the International Telecommunication Union, Dr. Hamadoun Toure, told the BBC World Service: "The right to communicate cannot be ignored. The Internet is the most powerful potential source of enlightenment ever created." Dr. Toure believes online access should be available everywhere, just like roads and water. In some countries, this has already happened. Finland and Estonia have laws saying access is a human right.

The survey also showed how the Internet is quickly becoming a vital part of our life, all across the world. Over 75 per cent of Japanese, Mexican and Russian people said they could not live without it. It is easy to see why. Almost everything we do in our life today, from communication, study, work and leisure needs the Internet. Without access to the Web, many people would feel helpless and powerless. Almost 80 per cent of those who took the survey believe the Web had a positive impact, with nearly four fifths saying they have greater freedom. Other people were worried about the dangers of using the Internet. One big surprise was that the majority of Germans felt it was not safe for them to express their opinions online.

Enlightenment: learning


Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.
a) There are at least 2 countries with laws saying the Internet is a right.
b) Three-quarters of Mexicans cannot live without the Internet.
c) Nobody is concerned about the possible risks of the Internet
d) Most Germans surveyed were worried about freedom of expression..

Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) Why is the Internet so necessary according to the text?
b) How would many people feel if they didn’t have access to the Internet?

Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as
a) head (par.1) b) weak (par.2) c) to talk about (par.2)

Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) "The right to communicate cannot be ignored. The Internet is the most powerful potential source of enlightenment ever created." Dr. Toure said
Dr. Toure said that ________________________________
b) People who have Internet access can do a lot of things.
If they ___________________________________________
c) Most people believe Internet access is a basic human right.
Internet access is _________________________________

Question 5. Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
Advantages and disadvantages of the Internet

Self-Access Group CEP Santander

Internet Access is a Human Right

Most of the world’s Internet users believe Internet access is a basic human right. This is according to a new poll conducted for the BBC. A survey of more than 27,000 adults in 26 different countries found four out of five people believed access to the World Wide Web was a right everyone in the world needs and should have. The chief of the International Telecommunication Union, Dr. Hamadoun Toure, told the BBC World Service: "The right to communicate cannot be ignored. The Internet is the most powerful potential source of enlightenment ever created." Dr. Toure believes online access should be available everywhere, just like roads and water. In some countries, this has already happened. Finland and Estonia have laws saying access is a human right.

The survey also showed how the Internet is quickly becoming a vital part of our life, all across the world. Over 75 per cent of Japanese, Mexican and Russian people said they could not live without it. It is easy to see why. Almost everything we do in our life today, from communication, study, work and leisure needs the Internet. Without access to the Web, many people would feel helpless and powerless. Almost 80 per cent of those who took the survey believe the Web had a positive impact, with nearly four fifths saying they have greater freedom. Other people were worried about the dangers of using the Internet. One big surprise was that the majority of Germans felt it was not safe for them to express their opinions online.

Enlightenment: learning


Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.
a) There are at least 2 countries with laws saying the Internet is a right.
b) Three-quarters of Mexicans cannot live without the Internet.
c) Nobody is concerned about the possible risks of the Internet
d) Most Germans surveyed were worried about freedom of expression..

Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) Why is the Internet so necessary according to the text?
b) How would many people feel if they didn’t have access to the Internet?

Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as
a) head (par.1) b) weak (par.2) c) to talk about (par.2)

Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) "The right to communicate cannot be ignored. The Internet is the most powerful potential source of enlightenment ever created." Dr. Toure said
Dr. Toure said that ________________________________
b) People who have Internet access can do a lot of things.
If they ___________________________________________
c) Most people believe Internet access is a basic human right.
Internet access is _________________________________

Question 5. Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
Advantages and disadvantages of the Internet

Self-Access Group CEP Santander

Gold Nintendo Wii (5 Photos)

This Gadget (Gold Nintendo Wii), was an unusual, glittering gift to the Queen of England.The Gold Nintendo Wii is a gold plated Wii.See the pictures:For more info about the "gift to the Queen of England": (Link)