6
Fax, Internet, e-mail … what next?
Textbook: pp. 12–13
GoalComparing ways of communicating (quickest, cheapest, easiest) and making predictions about the future with will + verb.
New words
network · tarmoqelectronic mailbox · elektron pochta qutisirecipient · qabul qiluvchifax machine · faks apparati
Explanation
To compare three or more things we use the superlative: the + -est for short adjectives (the quickest, the cheapest) and the most + adjective for long ones (the most convenient). E-mail is often the quickest and cheapest way, while a fax sends a copy of a page along a telephone line. The Internet began in the late 1960s in the USA as a network: in 1969 it joined four big computers. To make predictions about the future we use will + infinitive: People will live longer. When we are not sure we use may / might / could: Robots might do the housework. The negative is won’t (will not).
Worked examples
Of all the ways to send a message, a text message is the quickest, but a letter is the most personal. – E-mail is cheaper than a phone call to another continent.
In 2100 many cars will drive themselves. Doctors will use robots in operations. Schools will not disappear, but pupils might study at home more often.
Class activity
“The world in 100 years”: groups write five predictions (will / won’t / might) on a poster and read them out.
Practice
1
Complete: E-mail is (cheap) way to write to a friend abroad.
the cheapest
2
Make a prediction with will: In 2100 cities / have / more parks.
In 2100 cities will have more parks.
3
When did the Internet begin and how many computers were joined in 1969?
In the late 1960s; four computers.
4
Why do we sometimes use might instead of will in predictions?
Because we are not sure: might means “perhaps”, while will shows a confident prediction.