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the Russian equivalent.
4. Read the text “Argument” and discuss this problem in group.
Argument
An argument is not a quarrel. Originally to argue meant to
make clear, and thus to show, to prove, to give evidence. An argument
is a presentation of reasons for or reasons against something; it
means that the person who states an argument has tried to
understand the matter in question and that he is using his powers of
reasoning to show how the evidence supports his position.
In an argument one person may win, if he wins, he wins
because his evidence is greater in quantity or superior in importance
to the evidence of the other persons or because he reasons better,
shows more clearly the logical conclusions that must be drawn from
the material. Even the opponent may be completely convinced by the
winning argument - particularly if he had not thought very much or very
deeply about the subject before. To win an argument properly, then,
one should have both knowledge that gives evidence and good
powers of reasoning.
One must remember that mere assertion has no value in
argument. There is any number of assertions which people make, and
their statements may represent very strong belief, yet such
statements, without evidence, will not convince another person that
they are true. People disagree on a great many questions, but often
they disagree because they have not thought enough about these
questions, because they have not gathered evidence or have not
analyzed the evidence (From “A Writing Apprenticeship” by Norman
Brittin).
Discuss the following questions in group:
a) Do you agree with the first statement? Is it positive and
emphatic?
b) What did "to argue" originally mean? What is an argument?
What does it mean?
c) How many people may win an argument? What are the
ways to win an argument? What does the victory depend
on: on the strength of the evidence or the personality of the
speaker?
d) Are opponents easy to convince? Why? Why not?
e) Has mere assertion any value in an argument? Will it
convince another person without evidence? Why not?
f) Give 3 possible reasons why people may disagree on some
35
Computers
50 years ago, people hadn’t even heard of computers, and
today we cannot imagine life without them.
Computer technology is the fastest-growing industry in the
world. The first computer was the size of a minibus and weighed a ton.
Today, its job can be done by a chip the size of a pin head. And the
revolution is still going on.
Very soon we’ll have computers that we’ll wear on wrists or
even in our glasses and earnings. Such wearable computers are being
developed now.
Japan’s biggest mobiles-phone company has just released its
cleverest product - a mobile phone that allows you to stuff the Internet
as well as make calls. People are already using the phone to check
the news headlines, follow the stock market and download the latest
jokes. Soon they will be able to buy cinema tickets and manage their
bank accounts.
The next generation of computers will be able to talk and even
think for themselves. They will contain electronic ‘neural networks’. Of
course, they’ll be still a lot simpler that human brains, but it will be a
great step forward. Such computers will help it diagnose illnesses, find
materials, understand and control the world’s money markets, identify
criminals and control space travel.
Computer revolution is changing our life and our language,
too. We are constantly making up new words or giving new meanings
to old ones. Most of computer terms are born in Silicon Valley, the
world’s top computer-science center.
Chose an answer – a or b.
1. A mouse is
a) a small furry animal with a long tail
b) a small box used to operate a computer
2. To surf is
a) to ride on a board of the waves of the sea
b) to move around the Internet
3. A bug is
a) a small insect
b) an error in a computer program.
4. A flame is
a) a red or yellow burning gas seen when something is on fire
b) an unfriendly or rude e-mail
5. To boot is
a) to kick
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