The World Today
READING
1 Look at the pictures in the newspaper below. What do the pictures show?
This one shows a building in the future.
The WORLD TODAY
22nd July 2042
TRAVEL
Moon hotel to welcome first guests
History will be made today when the Titan Moon Hotel finally opens its doors to welcome the first tourists to the moon. The $36 billion project, which has been delayed for three years, hopes to receive more than 50 guests a week before too long.
The first tourist shuttle leaves for the moon from the London Space Port later this evening. Guests on it include the Internet billionaire Mira Xin and her new husband Bob Latchford. They are spending a three-day honeymoon there.
ENTERTAINMENT
Actors call for Star Client ban
Angry actors are calling on people not to go and see the latest Interflix film Star Client because they fear it could be the end of their profession. The film features an entire cast of robots playing human roles. Interflix producers have responded saying that the enormous fees that Hollywood stars are asking for make it impossible for studios to produce films. Maybe actors need not worry too much because early reviews of the film have been terrible. The film opens in the UK on Friday.
SPORT
Shirley’s Helsinki Happiness
Doctors have told Shirley Williams that she will be able to compete in the European Championships in Helsinki next month. The 28-year-old boxer had a complete hand transplant after being involved in a car accident in July 2040. Doctors told her that her career was over. But a two-year intensive recovery programme means that she now has the chance to compete again. ‘I never thought this day would arrive’, she told reporters. ‘After Helsinki I’m going to start training for Lima 2044,’ she added.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
3D holograms a reality, scientists say
Imagine sitting in a business meeting in New York while also sitting in your pyjamas back home in London. According to scientists at the United European University in Zurich, this will be a reality sometime in the near future. Dr Miriam Jameson, head of the science and computing department, held a press conference yesterday to announce a major breakthrough in hologram technology. She promised that two years from now it will be possible to send 3D images of yourself anywhere in the world. Full-body transportation though, she explained, is still just a dream for the future.
2 SPEAKING Work in pairs. Think of a current news story for each section of the newspaper.
sport
entertainment
travel
science and technology
3 Look at the pictures again. What do you think the stories are about?
4 Read and check your ideas. What is ‘different’ about this newspaper?
5 Read and listen to the stories again. Decide if the sentences are correct or incorrect. Correct the incorrect sentences.
THINK VALUES
Believe in a better future
1 What kind of future do you think these stories show?
:) – a positive future
:| – not positive or negative
:( – a negative future
[latex]\Box[/latex] Robot film
[latex]\Box[/latex] 3D holograms
[latex]\Box[/latex] Moon hotel
[latex]\Box[/latex] Miracle boxer
2 SPEAKING Work in pairs. Compare your ideas with your partner. Give your reasons.
3 SPEAKING Think of a positive future. What things do you see? Think about these areas.
technology
world peace
sport
medicine
poverty
weather
GRAMMAR
Future forms
1 Complete the example sentences with the verbs in the list. Check your answers with the newspaper stories above. Then match the sentences in Exercise 1 with the rules.
2 Complete the sentences. Use the present simple form of the verbs in the list.
3 Read the sentences. For each sentence choose Prediction, Intention, Arrangement or Fixed event.
4 Choose the best future form to complete the dialogue.
VOCABULARY
Future time expressions
1 Complete the time expressions with the words in the list.
2 Complete these sentences with your own ideas. Think about your family, friends, school, town, country.