Вы услышите интервью. В следующих заданиях выберите правильный ответ.
1. Daniel says that today’s gadgets
1) are cheaper than they used to be.
2) are less advanced than computers 20 years ago.
3) regularly need to be connected to sources of power.
4) do not charge up quickly.
2. What does Daniel believe is a benefit of the new technology?
1) The electricity generated is not harmful to our bodies.
2) The generators are small enough to fit in your hand.
3) It costs less than using fossil fuels.
4) They are good for the environment.
3. Daniel thinks that body-powered generators
1) need to be researched more before going on sale.
2) would appeal to one age group more than others.
3) could be shared between friendship groups.
4) will be too expensive for most people to buy.
4. The backpack American scientists have created
1) converts a person’s body warmth into electricity.
2) can be worn comfortably for long periods.
3) is currently on sale.
4) is still in development.
5. The Canadian knee-brace device
1) is implanted into people’s knee joints.
2) connects directly to the wearers mobile phone.
3) does not work if the wearer walks slowly.
4) aids people with physical disabilities.
6. What does Daniel say about this technology?
1) It can be used in many different situations.
2) It is being given for free to people in poorer countries.
3) It can even cure some health problems.
4) It doesn’t work on every type of gadget.
7. In the future, Daniel predicts that body-powered generators
1) will only be used indoors
2) will encourage people to be more active
3) won’t require people to use a lot of energy
4) will only be used by athletes.
1 – 3
2 – 4
3 – 2
4 – 4
5 – 4
6 – 1
7 – 3
Presenter: Hello and welcome to this week’s Science Watch, where we talk about how to solve common problems using technology. With us, we have Daniel Stapleford, our gadgets reporter to tell us about a new solution to a common problem. So, Daniel, what problem will we be talking about today?
Reporter: Good morning Jim. Today I want to talk about a cheap way to generate power. The technology we carry around in our pockets today, like smartphones and MP3 players, can do more than a computer the size of a large room could do twenty years ago. However, the more we use these devices the more often they need to be charged, usually by connecting them to plug sockets. In the future, though, we may not need mains power to keep our devices running.
Presenter: What do you mean?
Reporter: Well, scientists are currently working on ways to convert the energy generated by our bodies as we move around into electricity that we can use to power our portable devices. This would mean we could always have a power source close at hand to charge our devices – plus, in an age when our fossil fuel resources are quickly diminishing, it would be a very environmentally friendly way to produce power.
Presenter: But do you think that consumers would be interested in buying one of these products?
Reporter: Oh, absolutely, Studies have shown that young people in particular are interested in gadgets and electronic devices. People today want to be connected to their friends and family all day every day, so running out of charge is a real problem. I predict that such devices would be hugely popular and that the companies that produce them would make a lot of profit – assuming they will be reasonably priced.
Presenter: So, how would they work?
Reporter: Basically, it would involve wearing some sort of electricity generator. For instance, some American scientists have developed a backpack that can convert the movement of it bouncing up and down into stored power. At the moment, this device is quite bulky and not yet ready to be put on the market. However, these scientists are currently working on ways to make it smaller and lighter so that it can be worn throughout the day.
Presenter: That sounds fascinating. Is it the only product of its kind out there?
Reporter: Not at all! Another invention, created in Canada, is a brace which fits over the knees and generates power as the wearer moves their legs. It can create enough electricity for a 30 minute mobile phone call from a minute of jogging. Again, it’s a rather large piece of equipment, but for now, the main focus is not on comfort. This knee brace helps continually power prosthetic limbs worn by people who are missing a leg.
Presenter: That’s incredible!
Reporter: Yes, I know. The applications for this technology are very wide. From people in third world countries who don’t have reliable access to electricity, to people with disabilities who need help to move. It means that everyone will have equal access to all their gadgets, no matter who or where they are.
Presenter: I see. Well, all this gives a whole new meaning to ‘people power’. But do you think that our increasingly sedentary lifestyles will make these devices obsolete?
Reporter: You’ve got a point, Jim, but I don’t think that body-powered generators will require wearers to run a marathon every day. Even just by walking around the house we would produce enough energy for these generators to store a considerable amount of power.
Presenter: Daniel, it’s been fantastic talking to you. Thanks for coming in.
