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VII. COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE / CLIL
Everyday English
Expressing certainty and uncertainty
1. Listen and complete the conversations with the expressions in the box. Then practise them in pairs. 🎧
A. I'm not really sure about it
B. I have no doubt about it
1.
Minh: I heard that in the future people will build cities on the ocean. Do you think that will be possible?
Anna: (1) _____. With the help of modern technologies, we can build cities on water, and people can live there safely.
2.
Mike: Do you think the government can build our first smart city in this area?
Long: (2) _____. Smart technologies are very expensive. We don't have Al experts either.
2. Work in pairs. Use the models in 1 to make similar conversations about these predictions for the future. One of you is Student A, the other is Student B. Use the expressions below to help you.
1. Student A thinks we'll use driverless buses and flying cars. Student B expresses certainty or uncertainty, and gives reasons.
2. Student B thinks Al robots will do all the household chores. Student A expresses certainty or uncertainty, and gives reasons.
| Useful expressions |
| Expressing certainty | Expressing uncertainty |
| I'm sure about it. I'm absolutely sure about it. There can't be any doubt that... | I don't know for sure that... I'm not sure this is true. There's some doubt in my mind that.... |
Culture
1. Read the text on page 36 and decide in which city you can do the following.
| 1. book a parking space via a mobile app | Singapore |
| 2. have a medical check-up online | |
| 3. use your bank card to pay for travelling on the bus or underground | |
| 4. unlock your bike from one station and return it to any other station in the city | |
| 5. use a mobile app to help you choose the best route to cycle in the city |
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SMART CITIES AROUND THE WORLD
Cities around the world are becoming smarter and you can do many things that seemed impossible in the past.
In Singapore, the mobile app Parking.sg allows you to locate a nearby car park easily, book a parking space, and make a payment. You can also extend your booking or receive a refund if you leave early.
New York City (US) has one of the largest bike-sharing systems called Citi Bike. Using a mobile app, you can unlock bikes from one station and return them to any other station in the system, making them ideal for one-way trips.
In Copenhagen (Denmark), you can use a mobile app to guide you through the city streets and tell how fast you need to pedal to make the next green light. The app can also give you route recommendations and work out the calories you burn.
In London (UK), you don't have to buy public transport tickets. You can just touch your bank card on the card reader when you get on and off the bus or the underground to pay for your trip.
In Toronto (Canada), you can book an appointment and see a doctor online from your own home. You can also receive prescriptions and any other documents you need, all online.
2. Work in groups. Discuss the following questions.
Which of the technologies in the text would you like to have in your city or neighbourhood? Why?
