Unit 16 Are You Ready for Extended Reality? 

Are You Ready for Extended Reality?

5

The Internet came into existence in the 1990s. Cellphones were not common until the early 2000s. So, what’s next? It is believed that extended reality will have the next big technological impact on human society. “It’s not an ‘if’ ― it’s a ‘when’,” says Amy Peck, an extended reality (XR) expert and entrepreneur, at Lethbridge College.

Extended reality is an umbrella term referring to all real-and-virtual combined environments and human-machine interactions generated by computer technology and wearables. 1. Virtual reality (VR) provides a fully digitally immersive experience where you enter a computer-generated world that blends in with the real world. Augmented reality (AR) overlays digital objects onto the real world via smartphone or computer screens. And mixed reality (MR) is the result of blending the physical world with the digital world. With this technology, users can interact with digital objects placed in the real world.

So far, these technologies have been mostly confined to the world of entertainment and smartphone features. 2. Extended reality is making a huge difference in a number of industries as businesses get to grips with the exciting possibilities offered by XR. To begin with, XR brings immersive experiences to the entertainment world, and offers consumers an opportunity to virtually experience live music and sporting events from the comfort of their VR headsets. 3. What’s more, extended reality also opens new avenues for training and education. People who work in high-risk conditions―like chemists and pilots―can train in

10

15

20 25

30 safety from a more conventional classroom setting.

The opportunities brought by XR seem boundless. 4. The spread of data poses a threat of cyberattacks, while the high cost is a barrier to entry for many companies. But even these challenges can’t slow the progress of XR. The question remains: how will the world define reality ten years from now?

AHowever, all of that is expected to change.

BIn addition, extended reality has offered new ways for brands to interact with consumers and connect them with new products.

CMore specifically, it refers to virtual, augmented, and mixed reality.

DBut, like all new technologies, extended reality is not without its problems or challenges.

Words and Idioms

1. existence [Ig ` zIstEns] n. 存在

It is believed that this charity organization was brought into existence in 1982.

2. virtual [` vQtSUEl] adj. 1虛擬的 2實質上的

The website allows visitors to take a virtual tour of the museum.

3. generate [`dZHnEcret] v. 產生；引起

The new power plant may be able to generate enough electricity for the whole city.

4. confine [kEn `faIn] v. 把⋯侷限在；限制

Due to time limit, let’s confine our discussion to the major issue only.

5. avenue [` AvEcnju] n. 1途徑 2林蔭大道

Leaders of those countries are trying to explore every avenue towards peace in the region.

6. conventional [kEn ` vHnSEnB] adj. 傳統的；依照慣例的

For patients of different needs, the hospital provides both conventional and alternative medical treatments. 7. setting [` sHtIN] n. 1環境 2（小說、戲劇等的）情節背景

As a counselor, Max has to work with children in various settings, mainly in high schools.

8. boundless [`baUndlIs] adj. 無窮的；無邊無際的

Taking care of young children is a job that requires boundless energy and patience. 9. progress [prE

` grHs] v. 進步；進展

Judging from the students’ compositions, they are making great progress in their English writing.

10. remain [rI ` men] v. 仍然是

Passengers on board are advised to remain seated until the seat belt sign has been turned off. 11. blend in with ph. 融入；混入

Hard as the transfer student tries to blend in with the class, she just doesn’t feel accepted by her classmates. 12. get to grips with ph. 開始理解並著手處理

To the citizens’disappointment, the mayor failed to get to grips with the two major problems at issue.

Words for Recognition

★ entrepreneur n. 企業家 ★ umbrella term n. 概括的總稱

★ wearable n. 穿戴式裝置 ★ digitally immersive experience n. 數位沉浸式體驗 ★ augment n. 擴增 ★ overlay v. 在⋯上鋪（或蓋、塗） ★ via prep. 經由

Vocabulary Exercises

I. Words in Context: Fill in each blank with a word or an idiom from the box. Change the word form if necessary.

generate confine virtual remain conventional blend in with boundless setting avenue existence progress get to grips with

1. After a long discussion, the research team decided to their study of bears to those in NorthAmerica. 2. How long will it take for LED lights to replace UV light in all households? 3. Scientists have different theories about how the universe first came into . 4. The hotel is a perfect place for a wedding for its magnificent garden . 5. One of the main tasks of the government is to the poor economy in the country. 6. When the class size increases, effective student-teacher becomes a lot more difficult. 7. According to the report, the establishment of the new company will hundreds of jobs. 8. Learning how to calm in times of stress is an important lesson for modern people.

II. Cloze Test: Choose the correct answer to each question.

When it comes to improving your English writing, there are basic rules and guidelines you can follow. First of all, you need to 1. the problems you have with your writing. And it is always a good idea to turn to your teacher for advice on how to get rid of those bad habits so as to write better. Next, you should not only think critically and creatively but also try to avoid 2. yourself to traditional ideas and thoughts. Instead of looking at everything in a 3. perspective, you can try to analyze issues in a new way. Finally, if you really want to make significant 4. in English writing, you had better 5. hardworking by writing constantly. After all, practice makes perfect. 1. Ablend in with Bcatch up with Ccome to grips with Dget along with 2. Acombining Bconfining Cconflicting Dconfusing 3. Aconventional Bvirtual Cdigital Dboundless 4. Ascandal Bdiagnosis Cdonation Dprogress 5. Aregain Brefer Cremain Dreserve