Unit 5 — Advances in Science and Technology

• OFWT = Observe, Form, Watch, and Test (steps scientists follow in their work)
• benefits = advantages
• events = happenings
• on your own = independently
• pseudo = false, fake, not genuine
• breakthrough = advance
• fundamental = important
• headways = progress, strides
• perseverance = determination

Scientific Literacy: One of the advantages of being scientifically literate is that you can ask and find answers to questions derived from curiosity about everyday happenings. Another advantage is that you can understand how the world works and think critically and independently. A third is that scientific literacy allows us to identify pseudo-scientific claims.

Technology vs. Science: Technology is applied science — it focuses on designing tools and systems for practical purposes, whereas science focuses on general knowledge by investigating natural phenomena.

Extended expressions:

• …for the purpose of: An investigation is carried out for the purpose of determining the cause.
• …with the aim of: Research is being done with the aim of developing a cure for bird flu.
• …with the objective of: The association is raising money with the objective of building a street children's centre.
• …with the intention of: He went to the clinic with the intention of doing a general check-up.

To respond that you are sure:

• I'm absolutely sure / quite sure / certain / positive they will.
• Yes, definitely. / Yes, certainly. / Of course.

To respond that you are sure something will NOT happen:

• I'm absolutely sure they won't.
• No, definitely not. / No, certainly not. / Absolutely not.

• bump up: increase
• turn down: (1) refuse an offer / reject — (2) lower volume
• put down: insult, make someone feel stupid
• ease off: reduce pressure
• look forward to: be excited about the future

Form: If + past perfect → would have + past participle
Use: Hypothetical conditions in the past

Student: Could you give me an idea about biotechnology, please?
Teacher: Yes, of course. Biotechnology (or bioengineering) refers to any change in an organism's genes for practical purposes like disease control, better crops, cloning of plants and animals. Biotechnology is closely related to genetics, which can be defined as the scientific study of genes — i.e., variations in the characteristics of organisms, and how these characteristics are inherited from generation to generation.

Thanks to biotechnology, farmers are able to get rid of unwanted characteristics of plants and keep the ones they desire — one example is the new type of potatoes that resist dangerous insects.

Advances in genetic engineering have made it possible to decrease the need for fertilisers by breeding plants that produce their own efficient fertilisers. However, there are some negative side effects: for example, a decline in the quality of taste, which could outweigh the benefits of a long shelf life.

The use of genetic engineering in humans promises extraordinary benefits — one of which is the cure and prevention of many types of diseases that come from faulty genes.

• Although the school is far away, Zahra attends all afternoon classes.
• Although he is rich, Adil does not give alms to the poor.
• Though the school is very far from her village, Fatima insists on attending all her lessons.
• In spite of his wealth, Adil does not give alms to the poor.
• In spite of the fact that he is wealthy, Adil does not give alms to the poor.
• She gets higher marks despite studying in difficult conditions.
• In spite of being illiterate, some women use the magazine's pictures as resources.
• Despite spending much time at work, working women manage their households perfectly.
• It's true that a lot of women have access to education. Yet, their situation is far from perfect.