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Speaking English Course B
Lesson B4

Society and Science

Click and listen to each sentence as many times as you like

Say each sentence as many times as you like

Practise saying each sentence until it sounds right

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Listen to this television debate about medical progress

The Miracles of Medicine? A studio debate.
Mark:	Good evening, my name's Mark Barks. Tonight we are going to look at the question of whether advances in technology and medicine really are the 'miracles' that we would all like them to be. Our two guests from the audience are Mohammed and Akiko. So, Akiko, are the miracles of modern medicine and technology really improving life for everyone?
Akiko:	Well of course they are! You only have to look at the amazing progress over the last hundred years or so to see that! We now have antiseptic, anaesthetic, antibiotics, vaccines and hundreds of other drugs. We can prevent diseases such as smallpox and other viruses which were responsible for wiping out whole populations in the past. Surgical techniques and survival rates after operations have improved beyond recognition. We can now do organ transplants and even diagnose illness before it occurs by using genetic screening. Our knowledge of diet and general health has also greatly improved, and the average life expectancy has risen from about forty a hundred years ago to possibly over a hundred in the coming century.
Mark:	Yes, it does seem from what you say that medical and scientific progress has been almost miraculous! What do you think Mohammed?
Mohammed:	Of course, I'm not saying that there hasn't been progress in medicine, but it isn't all as great as you might think. For example, there are still major diseases, such as AIDS and cancer that we still can't cure. Other things such as malaria still kill thousands of people each year, and in some parts of the world, infant mortality is still high. Life expectancy has not risen and has even declined in some countries. Also, many drugs have serious side-effects, and viruses are becoming resistant to many current antibiotics. We are also discovering and creating new diseases and some illnesses, which we thought had gone forever have returned, such as Cholera, TB and Diphtheria. What also concerns me is that in modern medicine we seem to be forgetting the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and their overall quality of life, in the rush to use the latest techniques.
Mark:	Well, thank you Akiko and Mohammed. Now over to the rest of the audience for their views.

	Listen to these words and phases. Practise them until they sound right.
		Advances in technology
		Medicine
		Antiseptic
		Anaesthetic
		Antibiotics
		Vaccines
		Drugs
		Surgery / surgical
		Operation
		Infection
		Transplants
		Diagnose
		Illness
		Life expectancy
		Health
		Diet
		Scientific
		Disease
		Experiment

We are going to look . . .
Are they improving?
Viruses are becoming . . .
We seem to be forgetting . . .

We use the present continuous tense to talk about the future:
For example:

Future plans:
I'm going to Australia next year.
I'm working there tomorrow.

The immediate future (going to):
Come inside, it's going to rain!

Things happening over a period of present time:
Is medicine improving?
House prices are rising.   

Survival rates after operations have improved.
Life expectancy has improved.
Scientific progress has been miraculous.

We use the present perfect when we want to talk about changes or states from some time in the past up to now.
We can often use either the present perfect simple OR the present perfect continuous.

For example:

I've lived in Delhi for five years / I've been living in Delhi for five years.
Life expectancy has improved over the last 50 years / Life expectancy has been improving over the last 50 years.

For longer time periods we usually use the present perfect simple.
For example:

This vineyard has been in my family for six generations.

For shorter time periods we usually use the present perfect continuous.
For example:

I've been visiting him in hospital for the last 3 weeks.   

Complete the paragraph below, using the verbs in the list. You will need to put the verbs in the present continuous, present perfect simple, or present perfect continuous.

Live
Improve
Build
Study
Finish

I ____(1)____in this village all my life. When my parents were young, there was only one doctor for all the villages in the area. Since then, medical facilities ___(2)___ steadily_____(3)_____, and we now have a small hospital 5 kilometres away. Drugs such as antibiotics and vaccines are much easier to get and if someone is seriously ill, it doesn't take long to get to the hospital. At the moment we ________(4)_______an extension to the hospital. I __(5)__also ____(6)____ medicine. I _____(7)_____my exams next year and hopefully will be able to practice as a doctor in my own community.   

Click 'Answers' to see if you were right!

Listen to this short written essay about Genetically Modified foods.

Most people have heard of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). But what does it mean exactly, and what are the possible implications of this new scientific development? Genetic modification means that plants have been altered at the genetic level to bring about changes in these organisms, giving them characteristics such as delayed ripening and modified composition. Although American farmers have been using this technology for many years, it is still an extremely controversial issue that most people in the rest of the world seem to have a point of view on. Indeed the debate goes further than the food safety arguments - the battle seems to be one of politics and the power of huge multinational corporations who own this Biotechnology. These multinationals, mostly based in the United States, have been quick to argue the advantages of GM food against the suspicions of some consumers and organisations which promote organic produce. On the one hand GM food products appear to be of great benefit. Genetic modification has the potential to raise the nutritional content of food, offer better insect resistance for some crops, give higher yields, and some plants can be modified to last longer after harvesting. On the other hand farmers may cease to grow traditional crops, resulting in less bio-diversity. The technology is also expensive and the question is whether advantages of GMO's are offset by potential risks. Many people and some governments argue that not enough research has yet been done on the possible current and future effects of GM foods on people and the environment. They argue that it should be the responsibility of those that want to sell us GM food to prove it is safe. Some scientists and environmentalists have called for a ban on GM foods, and a moratorium on growing GM crops. In a world of globalisation, the corporate sector, especially in a strategically sensitive and vital sector such as food and agriculture, has a responsibility to society to ensure that it operates in a transparent and ethical manner. Hopefully we will all make the right choices.

   Vocabulary and Pronunciation: useful words and phrases

Listen to how these words and phrases are pronounced and practise them until they sound right.

Use your dictionary to find out the meanings of the words, and also of related words. For example: controversial / controversy and responsibility / response / responsible What are the possible implications? Scientific development Organisms Consumers Controversial issue Debate Suspicions A great benefit Potential Resistant Environmentalists Consequences Strategically sensitive A vital sector Agriculture Responsibility Transparent Ethical Benefit Ban Diversity

although / though / however / nevertheless / but / yet

Look again at this sentence from the text:

'Although American farmers have been using this technology, it is still a controversial issue.'

The word 'although' is used to show 2 contrasting ideas. The word 'although' can also be put in the middle of the sentence.

For example:

American farmers have been using this technology, although it is still a controversial issue.

We can also use other words to show a contrast of 2 ideas.

For example:

American farmers have been using this technology, but it is still a controversial issue.
American farmers have been using this technology, yet it is still a controversial issue.
American farmers have been using this technology. Nevertheless, it is still a controversial issue.
American farmers have been using this technology. However, it is still a controversial issue.

'Nevertheless' and 'However' must start a new sentence and be followed by a comma.
'Though' is used more in writing than in speech.   

Although GM foods appear to be of great benefit, some scientists have called for a ban on GM foods.

Click 'Samples' to see some sample sentences.

Grammar Revision: linking words for similar ideas. and . . as well / as well as . . . also / in addition / moreover.

Look at this sentence from the text: 'GM foods have the potential to raise the nutritional value of food and some crops can be modified to last longer after harvesting.' The word 'and' is used to join two positive or two negative ideas. We can use the words 'and . . . as well / as well as . . . also / in addition / moreover' to connect similar pairs of ideas. For example: GM foods have the potential to raise the nutritional value of food and some crops can be modified to last longer after harvesting as well. GM foods have the potential to raise the nutritional value of food, as well as modifying crops to last longer after harvesting. GM foods have the potential to raise the nutritional value of food. Also, some crops can be modified to last longer after harvesting. GM foods have the potential to raise the nutritional value of food. In addition, some crops can be modified to last longer after harvesting. GM foods have the potential to raise the nutritional value of food. Moreover, some crops can be modified to last longer after harvesting. 'As well / as well as' are less formal than 'also / in addition / moreover'. 'As well as' is followed by a gerund. 'Also / in addition / moreover' need their own sentence.

Genetic modification has the potential to raise the nutritional content of food and to offer better insect resistance.

Click 'Samples' to see some sample sentences.

  Conversation between friends - The Human Genome Project

Angela:	Wow! Have you heard the news today ? A group of scientists say they've mapped the human genome!
Morris:	What on earth are you talking about ?
Angela:	You must have heard something about it! Scientists have been working for years to find out how our genes are constructed and at last they've completed their first 'map'. They've got a record of the sequence of the chemicals that make our DNA - it's like having the recipe of human life!
Morris:	So what!
Angela:	Well, just think! People will be able to have a genetic test to find out whether they're likely to get things like cancer or have a heart attack!
Morris:	Really? I don't think I'd want to know! Live life for the moment, that's what I say!
Angela:	I know what you mean. But if you knew your weak spots, you could maybe help prevent the disease, and you'd probably live a little longer.
Morris:	I suppose so. But I just hate the idea of scientists and organisations having so much information about us. It could be bad news, especially if other people get the information about your genetic health test. I've heard that insurance companies might refuse to give you insurance if they know you're likely to get ill.
Angela:	Yes, we'll have to wait and see, but it's amazing to think what life in the 21st century is going to be like.
Morris:	I'm still sceptical. I can imagine people being discriminated against for jobs, bank loans, marriages - I don't like it at all! I mean, who's going to have control of all this amazing technology - what rights will we have?
Angela.	Yeh, that makes me feel nervous too, but world leaders are emphasising the importance of using the information wisely. We need to make sure it benefits everyone, not just a privileged few. We'll have to see how things develop.
Morris:	Yes - let's keep our fingers crossed!

	Listen again to the sentences below. Notice how the unstressed words ( you / on / are / have / to / you) are not pronounced clearly.
		Sentence	Pronunciation of the unstressed word
		Have you heard the news today?	you = 'y'
		What on earth are you talking about?	on = 'n' / you = 'y'
		You must have heard about it!	you = 'y' / have = 'uv'
		I don't think I want to know	to = 't'
		I know what you mean!	you = 'y'
Don't try to practise the unstressed words! Practise saying these sentences with the word stress on the words in bold until they sound right. Just remember when speaking that sentences have a rhythm like beats in music.

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Answers

   Answers to completing the paragraph

1.	have lived	I have lived in this village all my life.
2 & 3.	have . . . . improved have been . . . improving	Since then, medical facilities have steadily improved, and we now have a small hospital 5 kilometres away. Since then, medical facilities have been steadily improving, and we now have a small hospital 5 kilometres away.
4.	are building	At the moment we are building an extension to the hospital.
5 & 6.	am . . . studying	I am also studying medicine.
7.	am going to finish am finishing	I am going to finish my exams next year and hopefully will be able to practice as a doctor in my own community. I am finishing my exams next year and hopefully will be able to practice as a doctor in my own community.

Click BACK to get back to where you were in the lesson.

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Sample Sentences

	Original sentence:-Although GM foods appear to be of great benefit, some scientists have called for a ban on GM foods.
	Samples of sentences using the words - however / nevertheless / but / yet / though.
	1.	GM foods appear to be of great benefit. However, some scientists have called for a ban on GM foods.
	2.	GM foods appear to be of great benefit. Nevertheless, some scientists have called for a ban on GM foods.
	3.	GM foods appear to be of great benefit but some scientists have called for a ban on GM foods.
	4.	GM foods appear to be of great benefit, yet some scientists have called for a ban on GM foods.
	5.	GM foods appear to be of great benefit, though some scientists have called for a ban on GM foods.

Click BACK to get back to where you were in the lesson.

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	Original sentence:- Genetic modification has the potential to raise the nutritional content of food and to offer better insect resistance.
	Samples of sentences using the words:- and . . as well / as well as . . . also / in addition / moreover.
	1.	Genetic modification has the potential to raise the nutritional content of food and to offer better insect resistance as well.
	2.	Genetic modification has the potential to raise the nutritional content of food as well as offering better insect resistance.
	3.	Genetic modification has the potential to raise the nutritional content of food and also to offer better insect resistance.
	4.	Genetic modification has the potential to raise the nutritional content of food. In addition, it may offer better insect resistance.
	5.	Genetic modification has the potential to raise the nutritional content of food. Moreover, it may offer better insect resistance.

Click BACK to get back to where you were in the lesson.

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Tailpiece

Look before you leap.

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Course  B End of Lesson B4

(Play the Song)

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Link to Introduction

Links to other Lessons in Course B : 1   2   3  *  5   6   7   8   9   10

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