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LESSON 1: SCIENCE IS KNOWING
Lesson 1
UNIT 5
SCIENCE IS KNOWING
– What is science? What branches of science do you know? – Do you study sciences at school?
Which ones?
VOCABULARY
1. Look at the first column with the list of sciences. Have you ever heard of any? Match the sciences to their definitions.
1) cybernetics 2) cryogenics 3) astrophysics 4) geopolitics 5) genetic engineering 6) nuclear engineering a) the study of the behaviour of substances below – 1830c b) the application of physics to stars and galaxies c) the study of the way information is processed by the brain or by machines d) the artificial reproduction of genetically identical descendants of a simple plant or animal e) the study of the peaceful applications of nuclear power f) the study of the effect on a country’s politics and population
2. Choose the name of the science that fits the description the best.
1) Genetics/biology may explain why Stella and her sister have the same disease. 2) Ecology/geography is the study of how living things relate to their environment. 3) In our geography/chemistry class, we are learning about rivers. 4) A team of scientists has been studying the physics/chemistry of the ozone layer. 5) It is a fact of history/astronomy that near the equator, the earth receives more energy from the sun. 6) The purpose of architecture/archaeology is to understand the past by studying material culture. 7) In biology/genetics class we had to dissect a frog. 8) Yesterday is history/archaeology.Tomorrow is a mystery. But today is a gift. 9) I studied electrical engineering/physics, but after university I didn’t want to work as an engineer. 10) Einstein’s theory marked a new epoch in mathematics/physics. 11) Quantum astronomy/physics is too difficult for a mere mortal to understand.
3. Fill in the blanks, using the words below to complete the definition of science and technology.
knowledge / facts / phenomena / creation / hand-in-hand / practice / experimentation / powerful / tools / method
Dictionaries give the definition of science as a system of getting 1)______ attained through study or 2)______ , or knowledge covering general 3)______, especially as obtained and tested through scientific 4)______ concerned with the physical world. The knowledge generated by science is 5) ______ and reliable. This system uses research and 6) ______ to describe and explain natural 7)______.
The term science also refers to the organized body of knowledge people have gained. While technology is the branch of knowledge that deals with the 8)______ and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment. Technology is a human knowledge which involves 9)_____, materials, and systems. It is also an application of science used to solve problems. But technology and science are different subjects which work 10) ____ to accomplish specific tasks.
4. Look at the following vocabulary. Which branch of science do the words refer to?
Tell which of them you use in your science lessons at school and how. Make up as many sentences as possible. galaxy / meteorite / organism / motion / DNA / watch glass / test tube / gene / condense / chemical element / ecosystem / observatory / gravity / atom / cell division / evolution / hypothesis / datum / measure / molecule / bacteria / radiation / microscope / big bang theory / telescope / solar power / electric current
LISTENING & SPEAKING
5. Read the questions carefully and give the answers. Listen to the recording and check yourself.
1) Which British naturalist wrote The Origin of Species? 2) What do you call the arrangement of elements started by
Mendeleyev? 3) Which are the smallest parts of elements: cells or atoms? 4) What part of the body pumps blood to every other part? 5) How many degrees does the Earth turn in 24 hours? 6) What are the two main gases in the air that we breathe? 7) Which do not feed their young: mammals, birds, or reptiles? 8) A brother and sister can be identical twins. True or false? 9) Which cells receive and carry messages in your body: nerve cells or muscle cells? 10) What colour does litmus paper turn when it’s dipped in a base solution? 11) What do we call a scientist who studies the formation of the earth? 12) What do you call the branch of science that deals with the design, construction, and operation of robots?
READING
6. What is your opinion about science? Can you tell the difference between a curse and a gift? Read the posts with opinions about science, then give your opinion on the question below.
IS SCIENCE A BOON OR A BANE?
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a) Science is the biggest curse of this era, people are so engaged with these technological gadgets that they have forgotten that they have a life aside from virtual reality. Science has made people socially and morally ill. It spread violence and other harmful materials in the younger generation and destroyed their abilities. To me, science is the biggest curse of our time.
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b) Wherever we go we see science, experience science, and apply science. Life without science is not possible at all! Today without cell phones, computers, televisions, and electricity no one can lead a happy life. We are able to know the upcoming disasters and take preventive steps accordingly only through science. Therefore, science is important.
Lesson 1
UNIT 5
Lesson 1
UNIT 5
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c) People say that science has helped to cure many diseases and increase the life span. However, think about those being killed by radiation, cancer, world wars, respiratory and cardiac disorders, and finally, countless accidents. Of course, science may have raised the so-called status of our living, but not everything is so rosy about it. Science only has given the way to harm people by one method or another.
d) Why do people think science is a curse? The people who said “yes” have you not thought of yourself? Are you not angry at science and you are taking your anger out on this website created by science? Don’t you people have cars, scooters, or even cycles created by science or don’t you even take a bus or a taxi to get somewhere? The persons who believe science is a curse; you should not use phones, PCs, laptops, conveniences, etc. Moreover, leave your jobs if related to science. Do not accept money either that is from science. If you can do it, then yes, I believe science is a curse.
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e) Science, like any other thing, can be a boon as well as a curse depending on its usage. Bombs were invented as an aid in constructing tunnels and clearing paths. However, you know man is the cruellest animal and had to lay his dirty hands on it. He used this bomb for mass destruction and to hurt others. Thus they are right when say that science is a gift and a curse!
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f) Science is a gift, not a curse. So, many discoveries have been made using science, and people who are knowledgeable in science are very talented and gifted. Without science, we would not have found cures for many diseases out there and we would not have a lot of the technology we do today.
g) Whether it is finding cures to diseases, to save lives, or exploring the outer reaches of space, science has, repeatedly, been used to accomplish wonders to benefit humankind. However, we must be careful as to how science is used, and whether the result will be positive or negative. Will it be used to find a cure for cancer, or will it be used to engineer bombs and weapons to kill thousands? As many wise men have said: “With great power comes great responsibility”.
7. Read the posts again and match them to the correct titles. There is one title you don’t need to use.
1) SCIENCE CAN BE A GREAT GIFT, BUT ONLY IF IT IS
USED THAT WAY 2) SCIENCE IS ABOUT FACTS, NOT THEORIES 3) UNIMAGINABLE WORLD WITHOUT SCIENCE 4) SCIENCE IS THE GREATEST BANE 5) SCIENCE IS DESTROYING HUMANIYY 6) SCIENCE IS A BOON AND CURSE 7) SCIENCE IS A GIFT 8) WHY...?
8. Read the posts again and fill in the table with the arguments for and against science.
SCIENCE IS A BOON SCIENCE IS A CURSE
GRAMMAR
GRAMMAR BANK
NOUN FORMATION
Nouns describing people doing or experiencing some activity (often an occupation)
Suffix Meaning Examples
-(e)er engineer, manager, writer -ician -or -(i)cist things or people who do a particular job, professions mathematician, politician supervisor, decorator physicist, pharmacist
Nouns describing abstract things
Suffix Meaning Examples
-ery state or quality of machinery, bravery -ing act, process, state ending, blessing, writing -sion state or quality of conclusion, explosion -ment action, process agreement, statement -tion/ation action, process consumption, solution, information, transformation -age action, state, process breakage, marriage -ence/ance action, state, condition,quality acceptance, preferance -ure action or resulting state pressure, departure
9. Form nouns from the following verbs. Refer to the Grammar Bank above if necessary.
invent achieve discover educate collect consider confuse create develop explore research know destroy innovate fail exist
10. Use the suffixes -er/-or/-ician/-ist to give the names of the following.
1) A person who studies or does research in the science. 2) A person who is a specialist in cybernetics. 3) A person who invent, design, analyze, build, and test machines, systems, structures and materials. 4) A person who travels in search of geographical or scientific information. 5) A person who tries to find out the facts in order to learn how it happened, who did it. 6) A person who creates something useful for the first time. 7) A person who has knowledge and training in a technical process. 8) A member of an academy for promoting science, art, or literature. 9) A person who deals with the relationships between groups of living things and their environments. 10) A person who practises medicine and helps restore health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment.
