Unit 1 · Current Affairs and Issues
Current Affairs and Issues
Reading I: How Driverless Cars Will Change Our World
A. The following words have two different meanings. Match each word with the meaning used in the context of the text above.
a. glare → an intense blinding light
b. curb → a stone edging to a pavement or raised path
c. hail → to describe somebody or something as being very good or special
d. commute → to travel regularly between workplace and home
e. serene → calm and peaceful
f. liability → the state of being legally responsible for something
g. deploy → to use something effectively
h. autonomous → a vehicle that has the technology to drive itself
i. perception → a belief or an image about how you see or understand something
B. Choose the correct alternatives to complete the sentences below.
a.One of the features of automated cars is that…
Answer: they have their own voice to welcome people into them.
b.Driverless technology is being widely used particularly in…
Answer: the USA
c.The positive impact of such technology on the environment is…
Answer: it reduces carbon production.
d.One of the problems with driverless technology is that…
Answer: it cannot deal with human drivers.
e.One of the biggest challenges of automated cars is…
Answer: its safety from the human environment.
f.The automated technology developed so far is…
Answer: partly trustworthy.
C. Answer the following questions.
a.Mention any three features of the driverless car.
Answer: Three features of the driverless car are that it uses active sensors which radiate a low hum to navigate, it has a green and blue light glowing from the windscreen, and it can park itself and greet passengers through its sound system.
b.Describe the benefits of driverless technology.
Answer: Driverless technology can transform how people commute and travel long distances. It can take people out of dangerous work environments and make industries more efficient. It also helps lower carbon emissions and supports more sustainable ways of living.
c.What, according to Camilla Fowler, is the special advantage of automated vehicles?
Answer: According to Camilla Fowler, the special advantage of automated vehicles is that they can provide safer roads and fewer deaths from traffic accidents.
d.What are the problems with driverless vehicles in David Hynd's views?
Answer: In David Hynd's views, the problem with driverless vehicles is that they must be able to handle human drivers who speed or break road rules. Not every human driver will behave calmly around an automated car.
e.What are scientists doing to make driverless technology safer?
Answer: Scientists are testing driverless cars at special facilities like the Mcity Test Facility. This place is like a small town where they can test how cars react to children playing or cars merging at junctions.
f.Do you think driverless technology is safer than human-controlled driving? Why?
Answer: Yes, I think driverless technology can be safer because human drivers get tired, distracted, and emotional which causes accidents. Machines stay focused all the time and can react faster to dangers on the road.
D. Think of any three other areas where artificial intelligence (AI) has been used. What are the benefits of using AI in these areas? Share your ideas with the class.
Answer: Artificial intelligence is used in healthcare, finance, and education.
In healthcare, AI helps doctors find diseases early by reading X-rays and scans faster and more accurately than humans. This saves lives and reduces mistakes.
In finance, AI watches for unusual transactions to stop fraud before it happens. It also helps people manage their money better through smart banking apps.
In education, AI creates personalized lessons for students based on their learning speed. It helps teachers grade papers faster so they can spend more time teaching.
In healthcare, AI helps doctors find diseases early by reading X-rays and scans faster and more accurately than humans. This saves lives and reduces mistakes.
In finance, AI watches for unusual transactions to stop fraud before it happens. It also helps people manage their money better through smart banking apps.
In education, AI creates personalized lessons for students based on their learning speed. It helps teachers grade papers faster so they can spend more time teaching.
Grammar I: Reported Speech
A. Match the following statements with the correct reported speech and notice how the statements are changed.
a. Khushi said, "I go to school every day by bus." → Khushi said that she went to school every day by bus.
b. Karma said to me, "I am sorry for coming late." → Karma apologised for coming late.
c. Susan says, "I will leave for Bhanu next week." → Susan says that she will leave for Bhanu the following week.
d. Tshering said, "I will surely meet you this Saturday." → Tshering promised me to meet that Saturday.
e. "The bus leaves at six," said the agent. → The agent informed us that the bus left at six.
f. "I have already finished my project work," said She. → She said that she had already finished her project work.
g. "I work from home these days," said Yanjal. → Yanjal said that he worked from home those days.
B. Complete the following sentences with the correct reporting verbs.
a."I broke the mirror." → He ______ that he had broken the mirror.
Answer: admitted
b."I'd go and see a doctor if I were you," Pemba said to me. → Pemba ______ me to see a doctor.
Answer: advised
c."I will send you out if you make a noise again," said the librarian. → The librarian ______ me not to make a noise again.
Answer: warned
d."I can come and help you plant rice," said Raman. → Raman ______ to help me plant rice.
Answer: offered
e."The classes start from next week," said the assistant. → The assistant ______ us that the classes start from the following week.
Answer: informed
f.Sonam said to me, "Thank you so much for your help." → Sonam ______ me for my help.
Answer: thanked
g."OK, I will return your money by Saturday," said Prakriti. → Prakriti ______ to return my money by Saturday.
Answer: promised
h."I will really work hard and score good grades," said Anupam. → Anupam ______ to work hard and get good grades.
Answer: vowed
i."I am sorry for coming late," said the speaker. → The speaker ______ for coming late.
Answer: apologised
Writing I: Newspaper Article
Challenges Brought by the Advancement of AI in Technology
Artificial Intelligence is changing the world very fast. It makes our phones smarter and helps businesses run better. But this new technology also brings many challenges that we cannot ignore.
One big challenge is keeping our personal information safe. AI systems need lots of data to learn and work well. If these systems are not protected properly, our private details could be stolen or misused. Another problem is that AI can make mistakes that humans would not make. A self-driving car might not understand a hand signal from a traffic officer. AI also lacks feelings and moral judgment which can lead to unfair decisions.
Money is another challenge. Building and running AI systems costs a lot. Only big companies can afford the best technology which creates inequality. Also AI learns from data and if that data is wrong or biased, the AI will make wrong decisions. This is dangerous in areas like healthcare or hiring people for jobs.
We need to find ways to use AI responsibly. Companies must focus on security and fairness. Governments need to create rules for how AI should be used. If we do this carefully, AI can help us without causing harm.
One big challenge is keeping our personal information safe. AI systems need lots of data to learn and work well. If these systems are not protected properly, our private details could be stolen or misused. Another problem is that AI can make mistakes that humans would not make. A self-driving car might not understand a hand signal from a traffic officer. AI also lacks feelings and moral judgment which can lead to unfair decisions.
Money is another challenge. Building and running AI systems costs a lot. Only big companies can afford the best technology which creates inequality. Also AI learns from data and if that data is wrong or biased, the AI will make wrong decisions. This is dangerous in areas like healthcare or hiring people for jobs.
We need to find ways to use AI responsibly. Companies must focus on security and fairness. Governments need to create rules for how AI should be used. If we do this carefully, AI can help us without causing harm.
Reading II: Open Letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct words given below.
[tackle, corporate, outrage, catalyse, at stake, net-zero, expertise]
a.The ______ headquarters of the company is in Dubai.
Answer: corporate
b.According to Greta, the leaders are failing to ______ the key issues.
Answer: tackle
c.Some viruses ______ the step in the production of other viruses.
Answer: catalyse
d.His ______ in business helped him greatly to run the company.
Answer: expertise
e.Nepal governing plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to ______.
Answer: net-zero
f.He does not have good knowledge of business. So, he has put his investment ______.
Answer: at stake
g.His controversial remarks caused public ______.
Answer: outrage
B. Write whether the following sentences are 'True' or 'False'. Write 'Not Given' if the information is not found in the letter.
a.Save the Children congratulates Antonio Guterres on his recent appointment as the General Secretary of the UN.
Answer: Not Given
b.The Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change was announced at the request of children between 18-21 years of age.
Answer: False
c.The dissatisfaction is that the representation of children is not inclusive.
Answer: True
d.Greta Thunberg protested for the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
Answer: True
e.The children demand their physical safety in the UK and Italy.
Answer: Not Given
f.The children think that they can participate in decision making to fight against the climate crisis.
Answer: True
C. Answer the following questions.
a.Where is the office of the UN Secretary-General?
Answer: The office of the UN Secretary-General is in New York at the United Nations Secretariat.
b.What is the purpose of writing this letter to Antonio Guterres?
Answer: The purpose of writing this letter to Antonio Guterres is to request that children younger than 18 years old be included in the Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change.
c.Why was the Youth Advisory Group announced?
Answer: The Youth Advisory Group was announced to advise the UN Secretary-General regularly on how to speed up global action against the worsening climate crisis.
d.What roles have children played in the time of climate crisis?
Answer: Children have organized school strikes and street protests. They have used social media to raise awareness and push leaders to act faster on climate change.
e.Describe Greta Thunberg and Fabrizio's contributions.
Answer: Greta Thunberg started the global climate movement with a solo protest in 2018. Fabrizio has spoken about how the future of children is at risk and called for a green recovery.
f.What is the final demand of the children?
Answer: The final demand of the children is that the Youth Advisory Group include children under 18 years old and that they be given a safe space to influence important climate meetings like COP26.
D. As a student, what roles can you play to control climate change and its effects?
Answer: As a student, I can do several things to help control climate change. First, I can save electricity at home and school by turning off lights and fans when not needed. Second, I can reduce waste by using fewer plastic items and recycling paper and bottles. Third, I can plant trees in my community and care for them as they grow. Fourth, I can talk to my friends and family about why climate change matters and what they can do. Fifth, I can walk or use a bicycle for short trips instead of asking for a car ride. Small actions by many people add up to big change.
Grammar II: Indirect Speech
A. Choose the correct alternatives to complete the sentences.
a.Abhilasha said that she ______ the accident.
Answer: witnessed
b.The teacher explained that the earth ______ round the sun.
Answer: revolves
c.Smarika says that she ______ stay here anymore.
Answer: can't
d.Sachita says that she ______ to listen to music.
Answer: loves
e.My brother reported that he ______ his homework.
Answer: had completed
f.My father said that the sun ______ very hot.
Answer: is
g.Jenifer said that she ______ to be a nurse.
Answer: wanted
B. Rewrite the following sentences in indirect speech.
a.Raima said, "We had to cross the river and go ahead."
Answer: Raima said that they had to cross the river and go ahead.
b.Smarika said, "I will meet you tomorrow, friends."
Answer: Smarika told her friends that she would meet them the following day.
c."I can't come to school tomorrow," Chandani said.
Answer: Chandani said that she could not come to school the following day.
d.Dorje said, "Sorry, I cannot lend you any money today."
Answer: Dorje apologized and said that he could not lend me any money that day.
e.The teacher said, "Now you can solve the remaining problems yourselves."
Answer: The teacher said that then we could solve the remaining problems ourselves.
f.The police said, "The incident probably took place yesterday."
Answer: The police said that the incident probably had taken place the day before.
g.I said to him, "I live in Changunarayan these days."
Answer: I told him that I lived in Changunarayan those days.
h.They said to us, "We would like to join you too."
Answer: They told us that they would like to join us too.
i.The Science teacher said, "The coal gives off thick smoke."
Answer: The Science teacher said that coal gives off thick smoke.
j.Resham said, "I have never seen such a strange animal anywhere else."
Answer: Resham said that she had never seen such a strange animal anywhere else.
k."I love my children more than wealth," the father said.
Answer: The father said that he loved his children more than wealth.
Writing II: Letter to the Mayor
Pokhara
March 3, 2023
To
The Mayor
Pokhara Metropolitan City
Pokhara, Nepal
Dear Sir,
I am writing to ask you to include children in decisions that affect their lives in our city.
Children are the future of our community. Yet when decisions are made about parks, schools, or public safety, children rarely get a chance to speak. This is not fair because these choices affect children the most.
Climate change is a good example. Young people will face the worst effects of a warming planet. They have shown through protests and school strikes that they care deeply about this issue. Their energy and fresh ideas should be welcomed, not ignored.
Having child representatives would also teach young people about civic responsibility. They would learn how local government works and feel more connected to their community. Their ideas might even lead to better solutions that adults have not thought of.
I request that you create a children's advisory group or invite student representatives to relevant meetings. This small step would show that our city values every voice regardless of age.
Thank you for considering this request.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
March 3, 2023
To
The Mayor
Pokhara Metropolitan City
Pokhara, Nepal
Dear Sir,
I am writing to ask you to include children in decisions that affect their lives in our city.
Children are the future of our community. Yet when decisions are made about parks, schools, or public safety, children rarely get a chance to speak. This is not fair because these choices affect children the most.
Climate change is a good example. Young people will face the worst effects of a warming planet. They have shown through protests and school strikes that they care deeply about this issue. Their energy and fresh ideas should be welcomed, not ignored.
Having child representatives would also teach young people about civic responsibility. They would learn how local government works and feel more connected to their community. Their ideas might even lead to better solutions that adults have not thought of.
I request that you create a children's advisory group or invite student representatives to relevant meetings. This small step would show that our city values every voice regardless of age.
Thank you for considering this request.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]