Much has been said about how anti-social the Internet and mobile phones are. The truth is however, according to new research, communication technology is bringing people closer together. A study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project found family members were keeping in regular contact today more than ever before. And this is all down to e-mail, chat, our cellphones and SMS messaging. It makes sense. Years ago, it took a long time to write a letter, then find an envelope and go to the post office to buy a stamp and post it. Today we write mails while we wait for our change in the convenience store and they are sent in an instant. Having free Internet telephone calls also helps us to stay in touch more often and for longer. Everyone is at it, from five-year-olds to tech-savvy grandparents.

According to the Pew survey, technology has a very positive effect on communication within families. Researchers asked 2,252 adults whether new technologies had increased the quality of communication with their family. Fifty-three percent said it increased communication with family members they did not live with; two per cent said technology decreased this. Numbers were similar for those living in the same house as their family. The project director Lee Rainey said: "There's a new kind of connectedness being built inside of families with these technologies”. Survey co-author Barry Wellman agreed: "It used to be [that] husbands went off to work, wives went off to a different job or else stayed home…and the kids went off to school…and not until 5:30, 6 o'clock did they ever connect," he said.

Задание 2. Воспроизведите письменно высказывания на английском языке. 5 – 7 предложений, содержащих изученный лексико-грамматический материал (время выполнения - 45 мин.).

1. Мой родной город небольшой, но очень уютный. Он был основан в 17 веке и имеет очень интересную историю.

2. Томск известен своими старинными деревянными зданиями, украшенными резьбой, называемой «деревянными кружевами».

3. История Томска неразрывно связана с легендой города о татарских племенах и их вождях Басандае и Тояне.

5. Я люблю свой дом. Он такой уютный и просторный. В нем три спальни, гостиная, кухня и кабинет.

6. Я заказал билеты и забронировал гостиницу еще зимой, потому что летом туристические агентства и гостиницы обычно поднимают цены.

7. В детстве мы часто играли с детьми наших соседей в их просторном доме на двух хозяев с садом и внутренним двориком, но десять лет назад они переехали в Москву, и мы больше не виделись.

Задание 3. Используя полученные знания о лексико-грамматическом, фонетическом строе английского языка, норм коммуникации обсудите с преподавателем ситуации по теме семестра.

1. Your foreign friend came to see you. You are going to show Tomsk to him.

2. You want to introduce your girl - friend to your family

Задание 4. На слух определите содержание высказываний на английском языке и устно воспроизведите его на русском языке. 4-5 предложений, содержащих изученный лексико-грамматический материал.

1. In bus, train and airplane you should come at specific time, but when you travel by car you are free to start at any time you want, so you can sleep well without any worries about the time of the trip.

2. Although the nuclear family unit is economically independent of the rest of the family, members of the whole family maintain close kinship ties.

3. Tomsk has become a very attractive place because offers people not only jobs and work but also many things they can do in their free time.

4. The modern large apartment building emerged in the early 20th century with the incorporation of elevators, central heating, and other conveniences.

Экзамен:

Задание 1. Определите на слух содержание аутентичной записи на английском языке и на основании этого вставьте пропущенные слова. Время звучания – 2 мин. Вы можете прослушать запись дважды. Время на выполнение 20 мин.