Answer the questions alongside the texts. 1 Does this mean batteries:

Answer the questions alongside the texts. 1 Does this mean batteries: a) producing a good result? b) working well without wasting time, money, energy? 2 Which of the Russian equivalents suits the context best: a) обычный? b) обыкновенный? c) удобный? 3 What do these devices have in common? 4 Which is a better translation: a) регулировать? b) настроить? c) приспособить? 5 What do you think it means? Find two more words close in meaning in these five texts. 6 What sort of person is this? 7 Which is the best translation for this word: a) использовать? b) применить? c) other? A. Powerful but cordless Cords and wires are likely to disappear from our homes after 2015. Extremely efficient batteries will provide cable-free operation of many household devices, including vacuum cleaners, computers and irons. For this reason plug sockets will be replaced by battery re-charging stations. Most of the electricity required in such wireless power networks will be generated by conventional technology, although advanced solar panels, wind and wave power generators will become quite common. Some high-tech homes will use other alternative energy sources. B. User-friendly space Movable walls made of lightweight sound-proof materials will allow us to section off another bedroom for a visitor or create a large single space C. Who39;ll dean the house? By 2050 computers will be almost in complete control of our homes. Small and cheap, they will sense changes outside and inside and adjust light, temperature and humidity levels automatically. They will check efficient use of energy for heating and cooling and operate numerous electromechanical devices, e.g. they will immediately detect litter dropped on the floor and send a robot vacuum cleaner to clean it up. D. My home is my castle Sophisticated networks of small TV cameras linked to sensors will make our homes safe and secure. Police will be automatically alerted if an unauthorised visitor tries to enter. You will never lose your key, as biometric locks will replace traditional ones. To get in, a sensor will scan your хэнд or eye. E. Kitchens will bo smart too Kitchens filled with vegetable peelings, dirty dishes and unpleasant smells will become things of the past. Advances in both microchip and biotechnology will change them completely. A smart fridge will keep an eye on the quantity and quality of the food stored in it and automatically notify the nearest shop if you are short of fruit or milk. Cookers will scan cooking data on the food and apply the right amount of heat for the right amount of time. Electric dish-washers will probably become outdated too as dirty dishes мейд of biodegradable materials will be used to fertilise the soil in the garden.