topic specific vocabulary Science & technology

Task 1: Replace the words and expressions in bold in sentences 1 - 18 with a word or
expression from the box.

analysed • genetic engineering • breakthrough • molecular biology

a technophobe • safeguards • development • cybernetics • invented
nuclear engineering • combined • life expectancy • discovered
a technophile • innovations • react • an experiment • research
research
1. The company is carrying out scientific study to find a cure for Aids.
development
2. The planning and production of the new computer system will take some time.
innovations
3. Modern home entertainment systems and other modem inventions are changing everyone's lives.

4. Some elements change their chemical composition when mixed with water.
comebined

invented
5. The scientists have created a new machine to automate the process.
discovered
6. Who was the person who found penicillin?

analysed
7. When the food was examined closely and scientifically, it was found to contain bacteria.
combined
8. Ram joined together with CO2 gases produces acid rain.

a technophobe
9. Ron is terrified of modern technology.

a technophile
10. Geoff is very interested in modem technology.
safeguards
11. Protection against accidents in this laboratory are minimal.

an experiment
12. Scientists conducted a scientific test to see how people react to different smells.

13. Brian is studying the techniques used to change the genetic composition of a cell so as to change
certain characteristics which can be inherited. cybernetics

14. Sarah is studying the things which form the structure of living matter.

15. Christine is studying now information is communicated in machines and electronic devices in
comparison with how it is communicated in the brain and nervous system.

16. Neil is studying the different ways of extracting and controlling energy from atomic particles.

a breakthrough
17. There has been a sudden success in the search for a cure for cancer.

18. The number of years a person is likely to live has increased a great deal thanks to modern medicine
life expectancy
and technology.

70
Peter Collin Publishing. 6 2001. For reference, see the English Dictionary for Students (1-901659-06-2)
 topic specific vocabulary
Science & technology
Task 2: Read this description of a computer. Unfortunately, the person who is describing
it is not very familiar with their computer vocabulary and cannot remember all the words.
Help them by using the appropriate word or expression in the box to give a more scientific
definition of their explanation.

log on • keyboard • load • e-mail • download

hardware • crashed » software • the Internet • scanner
mouse • base unit / disk drive • web site • printer • monitor

OK, here's my new computer. As you can see, there are five main parts. Now this large box with
the slots and sliding disc carrier is the most important part (1) . It carries all

the, eh, stuff that makes the computer work (2) . You can also put in

(3) your own games and other things (4) . Next to

it there is the thing that looks like a small television (5)_ so that you can see
what the computer is doing. To the right of that, there is the machine that lets you make black and white
or colour copies of the documents that you create on the computer (6) . You

can control the computer by using that rectangular flat thing with all the letters and numbers on
(7 ) or that funny little object with the long lead which you can move across
your desk (8 ). The large flat thing to the left of the computer is something

you can use to make copies of your photographs or other documents onto the computer, a bit like a
photocopier (9) .

It's a very useful machine, of course. Once you, eh, get it up and running (10) ,
you can do lots of things on it. You can create documents, play games or get information from this

fantastic thing that links computers from around the world (11) . A lot of
companies and organizations have their own special computer page (12)
which you can look at, and you can transfer the information (13) to your own
computer files. Or, if you like, you can send messages to other people with computers by using this special

facility called, eh, um, something I can't remember (14) .

Unfortunately, I can't let you use it as it stopped working (15) last night. I

think I must have done something wrong, but I can't imagine what. I've got a typewriter you can borrow

if you like.

Don't forget to keep a record of the words and expressions that you have learnt, review
your notes from time to time and try to use new vocabulary items whenever possible.

71
Peter Collin Publishing. © 2001. For reference, see the English Dictionary for Students (1-901659-06-2)
topic specific vocabulary Science & technology
Task 3: Now look at this essay and fill in the gaps with one of the words or expressions from
Tasks 1 and 2. In some cases, more than one answer may be possible. You may need to change
some of the word forms.

Technology has come a long way in the last fifty years, and our lives have become better as a result. Or
have they?
The second half of the twentieth century saw more changes than in the previous two hundred years.
Penicillin has already been 1 and used to treat infections; there have been
many remarkable advances in medicine that have helped to increase our average
2 way beyond that of our ancestors. Incredible 3
such as television have changed the way we spend our leisure hours. Perhaps the most important
4 , however, has been the microchip. Nobody could have imagined, when it
was first 5 , that within a matter of years, this tiny piece of silicon and circuitry
would be found in almost every household object from the kettle to the video recorder. And nobody
could have predicted the sudden proliferation of computers that would completely change our lives,
allowing us to access information from the other side of the world via the 6
or send messages around the world by 7 at the touch of a button.
Meanwhile, 8 into other aspects of information technology is making it
easier and cheaper for us to talk to friends and relations around the world. Good news for
9 who love modern technology, bad news for the
10 who would prefer to hide from these modern miracles.
But everything has a price. The development of 11 led to mass automation
in factories, which in turn led to millions losing their jobs. The genius of Einstein led to the horrors of the
atomic bomb and the dangerous uncertainties of 12 (we hear of accidents
and mishaps at nuclear power stations around the world, where 13 to prevent
accidents were inadequate). The relatively new science of 14 has been seen as
a major step forward, but putting modified foods onto the market before scientists had properly
15 them was perhaps one of the most irresponsible decisions of the 1990s.
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies continue to 16 on animals, a move
that many consider to be cruel and unnecessary.
Of course we all rely on modern science and technology to improve our lives. However, we need to
make sure that we can control it before it controls us.

Don't forget to keep a record of the words and expressions that you have learnt, review
your notes from time to time and try to use new vocabulary items whenever possible.

72
Peter Collin Publishing. (c) 2001. For reference, see the English Dictionary for Students (1-901659-06-2)