Outside View

Part 1

Computers are a very important part of our lives. They tell us about delays to transport. They drive trains, analyze evidence and control buildings. Did you know that 60 per cent of homes in Britain have got a PC (a personal computer)? 

For many young people, playing computer games is their favourite way of spending spare time. Computers are a very important part of most areas of life in Britain – libraries, the police and in school. But they are becoming more important in our homes as well. They'll even control the way we live – in "smart homes" or computer-controlled houses. The smart home is now a real possibility. It will become very common. 

A central computer will adjust the temperature, act as a burglar alarm and switch on lights, ready for you to come back home. And of course you will be able to give new instructions to the computer from your mobile phone. So if your plans change, your home will react to match. Many homes have got lots of televisions and several computers. The smart home will provide TV and Internet sockets in every room, so you'll be able to do what you want wherever you want. If the temperature outside changes, the smart home will adjust the temperature levels inside. The computer will also close the blinds when it gets dark or to stop too much sun from entering a room. And if you want to eat when you get home, the computer will turn the oven on for you! 

Are computers taking over our lives? In a survey, 44 per cent of young people between 11 and 16 said their PC was a trusted friend. Twenty per cent said they were happier at their computer than spending time with family or friends. Another survey found that people in Britain spend so much time on the phone, texting and reading emails that they no longer have time for conversation. What do you think about that?

Answers

3 

Users of computers mentioned: to operate trains, to analyze evidence, to control buildings, to switch on lights, to provide entertainment, to control the temperature and close blinds.

Places where computers are mentioned: home, police stations, libraries and schools.

4 

  1 (a)  2 (d)  3 (c)  4 (a)  5 (d)

5 

  (1) areas of life

  (2) in our homes

  (3) computer-controlled houses

  (4) adjust the temperature

  (5) give new instructions

  (6) react to match

  (7) TV and Internet

  (8) outside changes

  (9) stop too much sun from entering

  (10) turn the oven on

7. Computers play a major role in the daily lives of people in Britain. They are important for the operation of the transport network, assist the police in their duties, and control many buildings. They young are very keen on computers, and particularly enjoy computer games, their number one leisure activity. 

Soon computers may even run the homes of ordinary people. In smart homes, a central computer, which can be accessed through a mobile phone, will control the temperature, maintain security, and operate electrical appliances throughout the building. Blinds will be lowered, when it gets dark or to reduce the amount of light, and it will be possible to have dinner prepared ready when one gets home after work.

This worries some people who think the British spend too much time on their electronic devices, but the young are happy with their computers, and indeed cannot go without them.