1、Listening and Speaking P18-19 Unit 2 Looking into the Future 新新人教选择性必修人教选择性必修Book 1 Warming up What do you think of the life in the future? Predict about future changes 1. What do these pictures show? Match the words with the pictures. Before-listening _ automation _ nanobots _ global warming _ arti
2、ficial intelligence (AI) _ cloning 2. Discuss these questions in groups. How do you think these events or such technology might develop in the future? What challenges might they bring? What opportunities might they bring? Listen for predictions When listening for predictions, you should listen for t
3、he use of the future tense, in particular the future tense with will or will be doing. Words such as predict, prediction, and forecast, are also used quite often when making predictions. How do you think these events or such technology might develop in the future? No doubt, AI will develop to the po
4、int that humans and computers will be able to interface effortlessly. With the development of AI, there may come a time when it becomes a real issue as to whether a computer or machine has in fact achieved consciousness, and whether, as a conscious being, it deserves the same rights as a human being
5、. What challenges might they bring? What opportunities might they bring? AI may help us solve problems that are currently too big and overwhelming for us to solve on our own. For example, complex AI models may be able to use given data to develop a workable solution to global warming. 3. Listen to a
6、 radio interview with Dr Han and Vincent Black giving their predictions about the future, and then fill in the table below. NameOccupationPrediction Dr Han Vincent Black While-listening computer scientist Computers will be cleverer than us in the future; people will also be programming computers to
7、think like humans; well be programming them to not think in ways that may harm humans; well also be creating machines to help people internally. architect There will be cities floating on water and people could move into housing in cities that float. Tapescripts Host: On todays episode of “Future Ch
8、anges”, we talk with two experts from different fields, Dr Han and Vincent Black, to hear their predictions about the future. First, Dr Han, could you please tell our audience what you do? Dr Han: Certainly. Im a computer scientist. Host: And could you please tell us your prediction? Dr Han: Yes, we
9、ll, I forecast that computers will be cleverer than us in the future. I think that people will also be programming computers to think like humans. Host: Thats very interesting, but arent you worried that such computers would be dangerous? Dr Han: Not at all. This is because well be programming them
10、to not think in ways that may harm humans. In fact, well also be creating machines to help people internally. For example, I think scientists will put some small intelligent machines, called nanobots, inside our bodies to increase our abilities. Host: Wow! That would make each one of us superhuman!
11、And Vincent, could you please tell us about your job? Vincent Black: Certainly. Im an architect, I design buildings. Host: And what is your prediction about the buildings of the future? Vincent Black: Its about the cities of the future, actually. I believe that cities floating on water are part of t
12、he worlds future. Host: Oh, really? What might make us want to do that? Vincent Black: Yes. With global warming causing polar ice to melt, the sea level rising by many metres is a very realistic prospect. Instead of moving people away from the sea, I think that people could move into housing in citi
13、es that float. Host: That sounds very innovative. Could you please give us more details? Vincent Black: Sure. Well, Ive developed a plan by designing a city that borrows many ideas from the giant water lily, a flower that floats on water. Moreover. 4. Discuss whether you think Dr Han and Vincent Bla
14、cks predictions are possible. Why or why not? Post-listening Suggested Answers: I agree on Dr Hans idea that computers will be cleverer than us in the future. Actually there are already computers, like AlphaGo, that are smarter than most people. I dont agree on Vincent Blacks idea about floating cit
15、ies, because I doubt that sea levels will rise that much. 5. In groups, brainstorm about the future. Discuss these points. future events or problems the world might face future technologies how these things will change the way we live the challenges and opportunities these things might bring F U T U
16、 R E 6. Imagine that you have a job that makes you an expert in the future. In pairs, interview each other about your jobs and predictions. Use the expressions to help you. Making predictions I think/believe/predict that in the future . My prediction is that . By 2030, we will . In the (distant) fut
17、ure there will . I can imagine / forecast . I doubt / dont think that . One challenge will be. We will have the opportunity to . We will be doing We are going to . Sample Dialogue A: Good afternoon, Ms Zhang. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview. B: Id love to. A: First, could you please tell
18、 our audience what you do? B: Certainly. Im a doctor. I perform transplant surgery every week. A: That sounds like a very high-tech job. How do you think the surgery will be operated in the future? Do you have any predictions about that? B: Yes, well, I believe that doctors in the future will have m
19、uch better means to help people. I can imagine that nanobots will be put in patients body to detect the illness. Sample Dialogue And in the future, there will be adequate suppl of organs for patients who need transplant. A: Well, that would be really good news for all of us. Could you please explain how this will be possible? B: Well, it will be possible because of special 3D printers. In the future, doctors will be using them in hospitals regularly to create healthy copies of peoples organs. Then they will replace the unhealthy organs with the healthy copies.
