LESSON 12 • CHANGE: AN ONGOING PROCESS
History begins with writing. It is this invention which allowed man
to advance at a rate that would have been unthinkable in prehistoric times! The oldest known writing in the world are carvings and marks on a limestone tablet which was found in Mesopotamia and is estimated to be about 5,500 years old. Sumerian scribes slowly developed these symbols into a kind of writing which is known as cuneiform. This writing spread widely in the Near East, while the ancient Egyptians developed a type of picture-writing: the hieroglyphic script. The first writing, however, to be written consistently in horizontal lines, were two forms of syllabic script used by the Minoans on the Greek isle of Crete in 1500 BC. Because of this, these two forms are known as Linear A and Linear B. Another important early syllabic script was that used in the Phoenician city of Byblos – from which comes the word ‘Bible’, meaning ‘book’! ![]()
The most important invention of the Middle Ages was printing. Until
the 15th century, all European books were either copied by hand or printed from wooden blocks that had been carved with the text of an entire page. Both these methods were extremely time-consuming and books were very expensive. Johann Gutenberg, who was a German goldsmith, was the first European to produce movable, metal letters, which could be used again and again. He converted a wine press into the first printing press and found a durable metal to make the letters from. Gutenberg’s invention turned out to be revolutionary: books could now be printed cheaply and in great numbers. Mankind began to rush forwards! ![]()
In our days, electronic books, better known as e-books, have begun to
revolutionise the way people read. What are e-books? They are books in digital format, meaning that they can be viewed on a computer screen, or even the latest cell phones! Like traditional books, they have titles, pages, chapters, and illustrations. Unlike traditional books, they can be ordered on-line and they are delivered electronically to your computer. They are more convenient than books, since it is much easier to carry around a laptop rather than dozens of heavy books… They are also cheaper than conventional books, which makes them an attractive alternative to consumers. As we sail towards a society that will surely be based on electronic information, e-books will undoubtedly take on a more important role in our lives. ![]() Adapted from: Reader's Digest History of Man, "The Last Two Million Years" and www.en.wikipedia.com
UNIT 4
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LESSON 12 • CHANGE: AN ONGOING PROCESS
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![]() UNIT 4
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LESSON 12 • CHANGE: AN ONGOING PROCESS
A relative clause gives extra information about the people or things we are talking about.
which to refer to ………………………. that to refer to ………………………….
Grammar Reference, p. 172
UNIT 4
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LESSON 12 • CHANGE: AN ONGOING PROCESS
Do you know what a debate is? It is a
Look at this statement:
“Teachers cannot be replaced by computers”
Speech 1: The team who is in favour of the issue speaks first (proposition team). A speaker from this
team introduces the topic and analyses the team’s first arguments.
Speech 2: The team who is against the issue goes next (opposition team). A speaker from this team
states and analyses their first arguments.
Speech 3: The second speaker of the proposition team states and analyses the rest of the arguments.
Speech 4:The second speaker of the opposition team states and analyses the rest of the arguments.
There is a 5-10 minute break for each team to prepare their final speech.
Speech 5: The opposition team opposes the proposition team’s arguments and summarises their
own speech to show why their point of view is better.
Speech 6:The proposition team, in turn, opposes the opposition team’s arguments and summarises
their own speech to show why their position is better.
UNIT 4
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SELF-ASSESSMENT
UNIT 4
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SELF-ASSESSMENT
4. Writing Write a short report for a teen magazine on what facilities there are in your local sports centre and what you think should be done to improve those facilities (about 100 words). .............................................................................................................................................................… .............................................................................................................................................................… .............................................................................................................................................................… .............................................................................................................................................................… .............................................................................................................................................................… .............................................................................................................................................................… .............................................................................................................................................................…
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Listening When doing a listening activity in English,
Look back at the listening work you did in Unit 4. Was it difficult or easy to do? Did you enjoy it?
Reflecting on your Learning Tick the sentences that are true for you.
UNIT 4
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