Exercise 2

Exercise 2

Complete this article with appropriate words and expressions from the box in Exercise 1. You may need to change the form of some of the words.

“Science and technology have come a long way in the last 60 years, and our lives have become better as a result. Do you agree with this statement?”

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 DVD 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 and cosmetic 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 (17) _____________ it rather than the other way round.

Exercise 3

Now try this essay. Use words and expressions from the vocabulary box in Exercise 1, and any other words or expressions that you think would be relevant.

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