Science and Technology | Unit 8 | English

Reading 1

Humanoid Robot Sophia

A. Match the following words with their meanings.

a. humanoid- viii. a machine or creature that looks and behaves like a human

b. awe- iii. feelings of respect and slight fear

c. revolution – vii. a great change in conditions, beliefs, etc.

d. celebrity- i. a famous person

e. enthusiast vi. a person who is very interested in a particular activity or subject

f. applaud- ii. to clap in approval

g. takeover- v. an act of controlling somebody or something

h. prototype- iv. the first design of a device or machine

B. Fill in the blanks with suitable words/phrases from the text above.

a. Sophia greeted the audience in Kathmandu with a ‘Namaste’.

b. She presented her keynote speech about the importance of technology.

c. The Innovation Conference and Fair was organised by UNDP

d. Sophia was built two and a half years ago.

e. According to Sophia, technology can transform state institutions.

f. Using artificial intelligence could bring a revolution in the agriculture sector.

g. According to the robot, the news of a robot taking over humans was fake.

h. In the opinion of Valerie Julliand, technology is giving us solutions to various problems.

C. Answer the following questions on the basis of the text: Humanoid Robot Sophia

a. Who is Sophia?

⇒ Sophia is a social humanoid robot and the world’s first robot citizen.

b. What was the main highlight of the conference ?

⇒ The main highlight of the conference was the importance of technology in the development of human lives.

c. How can artificial intelligence be useful in Nepal, according to Sophia?

⇒ According to Sophia, artificial intelligence can be useful in Nepal as we can ensure better public services, a revolution in the agriculture sector, make better use of limited resources, protect the environment and make the world a better place.

d. Who was the audience comprised of?

⇒ The audience was comprised of government officials, private sector representatives, civil servants and tech enthusiasts.

e. How long did Sophia speak for?

⇒ Sophia spoke for three minutes.

f. Why are innovative project models being developed in Nepal, according to UNDP?

⇒ According to UNDP, innovative project models are being developed in Nepal to connect remote areas and people with solutions which were impossible earlier.

Grammar I

Relative Clause

A. Complete the following sentences with relative clauses.

a. Manju works for a company which is owned by my father.

b. The story is about a girl who is blind.

c. What was the name of the dog which used to be your favourite pet?

d. The police have caught the criminals who broke into my house.

e. Gram Bell was the man who invented the telephone.

f. What happened to the painting which was gifted on your birthday

g. An encyclopedia is a book which gives information about all areas of knowledge

h. I hate people who lie about their age

i. The Earth seems to be the only planet where life is possible.

j. A detective is a person whose job is to examine crimes and catch criminals.

k. Can you tell me the name of the book which you bought yesterday?

Writing

Write a news story using the outlines.

Nepal’s Yantrika Robot Displayed at Online Exhibition

Kathmandu, June 24– Yantrika, the human-shaped and advanced robot developed by a team led by Engineer Roshan Pandey from Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), has been put on the international online robot exhibition.

The exhibition, titled Smart Maker Festival 2020, is being jointly organized by Smart Society of Canada, Business Upside, USA and IEM America Corporation from December 5. The best innovative technologies from America, Canada, Germany, India, UK, among other countries, are being displayed in the exhibition.

Yantrika is based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and can identify mask-wearing people from the ones who aren’t wearing. In addition to giving the masks and sanitisers, it measures their body temperature. The main objective of the technology is to disseminate information regarding wearing a mask, using sanitiser, among other things, to the general public.

Engineer Pandey said that Yantrika is one of its kind in Nepal and it looks like a lady. He is confident that the robot will be able to compete with the best robots from other countries in the exhibition.

The exhibition will continue till the December end.

Reading 2

The Alternative Energy Sources

A. Match the words with the meanings.

a. fleet- iii. a group of something

b. inflatable – iv. capable of being filled with air

c. harness- vii. to control and use the force or strength of something

d. vane -i. a flat plane that is moved by the wind

e. skyscraper- ii. a very tall building

f. fission- v. the act or process of splitting the nucleus of an atom

g. bountiful -vi. in large quantities

B. Find the antonyms of the following words from the text.

a. endless-finite

b. modern – traditional

c. covered- revealed

d. fragrant- odor

e. bound – separated

f. inadequate- bountiful

B. Match the idea numbers with the correct idea.

Idea I- iv. solar energy

Idea II- v. energy through body movement

Idea III- i. wave energy

Idea IV – ii. hydrogen energy

Idea V – vi. alters energy

Idea VI- iii. energy through the fusion process

C. Answer the following questions.

a. How did JAXA prove the viability of the idea of space-based solar energy?

⇒ JAXA proved the viability of the idea of space-based solar energy by converting 1.8 kilowatts of electricity into microwaves, after which they wirelessly beamed them a distance of 50 meters.

b. What do we need to generate energy through our body movement?

⇒ To generate energy through our body movement, we need to wear a system that collects and converts it.

c. In what way are Idea III and V similar?

⇒ Idea III and V are similar as both ideas suggest we can generate energy with winds.

d. How can hydrogen be used as a source of energy?

⇒ Hydrogen can be used as a source of energy by separating it from the other elements.

e. Why do floating turbines seem more effective than tower-mounted turbines?

⇒ Floating turbines seem more effective than tower-mounted turbines because these turbines produce double the energy of similar-sized tower-mounted turbines.

f. Why is the fusion process environmentally friendly?

⇒ The fusion process is environmentally friendly because this process emits no pollutants or greenhouse gases and has no threat of nuclear meltdown, unlike current nuclear fission reactors.

g. What does ITER stand for?

⇒ ITER stands for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor.

Grammar II

A. Fill in the gaps with suitable relative pronouns.

a. Is that the spot where you had the accident?

b. The photograph which you saw was taken a long time ago.

c. Are those the students who you were talking about?

d. Last week, I went to visit the town where my friend lives.

e. This is the house where my uncle and aunt live.

f. These are the girls who work hard.

g. Krishna was the boy whom everyone appreciated.

h. This is the judge who is known for her wise decisions.

i. This is the site where. I intend to build a house.

j. The tiger which terrified the villagers was sent to the zoo yesterday.

k. The tree which he cut down was not a large one.

l. Mt. Everest which is the highest peak in the world, lies in Solukhumbu district.

B. Rewrite the following pairs of sentences using who, whom, whose, which/that, or where.

a. Are these the keys? You were looking for the keys.

⇒  Are these the keys which you were looking for?

b. Unfortunately, we couldn’t attend the wedding. We were invited to the wedding.

⇒  Unfortunately, we couldn’t attend the wedding which we were invited to.

c. What is the name of the hotel? Your brother works in the hotel.

⇒  What is the name of the hotel where your brother works?

d. The party wasn’t enjoyable. We attended the party last Saturday.

⇒  party which we attended last Saturday wasn’t enjoyable.

e. What is the name of the boy? The boy’s father is a dentist.

⇒  What is the name of the boy whose father is a dentist?

f. Who was the man? You talked to the man in the restaurant.

⇒  Who was the man to whom you talked in the restaurant?

g. What is the name of the shop? They sell medicine in the shop.

⇒  What is the name of the shop where they sell medicine?

h. Is this the man? The man donated all his property to a hospital.

⇒  Is this the man who donated all his property to a hospital?

Writing

Write a news article about Green Energy.

Harnessing the Power of Green Energy for a Sustainable Future

Renewable Sources Take Center Stage in the Global Shift Towards Clean Energy Solutions

Date: 06/22/23

In recent years, the world has witnessed a remarkable surge in the adoption of green energy as nations and communities unite to combat the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. From innovative solar farms to towering wind turbines, the utilization of renewable energy sources has emerged as a pivotal solution in the quest for a sustainable future. Today, we delve into the remarkable progress and promising advancements in the realm of green energy.

Green energy, also known as renewable energy, refers to energy generated from sources that are naturally replenished and have a minimal impact on the environment. These sources include solar power, wind power, hydropower, geothermal energy, and bioenergy. Unlike traditional fossil fuels, green energy does not release harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, making it a crucial component in mitigating climate change and achieving carbon neutrality.

One of the key players in the green energy revolution is solar power. The use of photovoltaic panels to harness the sun’s rays has seen a tremendous increase in recent years. Solar farms, consisting of vast arrays of panels, are being constructed across the globe, transforming previously unused land into clean energy powerhouses. Moreover, advancements in solar technology have made it more accessible to individuals and businesses, with rooftop solar installations becoming a common sight in many communities.

Another prominent contender in the green energy landscape is wind power. Gigantic wind turbines, towering over landscapes both onshore and offshore, are rapidly becoming symbols of a sustainable future. These turbines capture the power of the wind and convert it into electricity, providing a renewable and clean source of energy. Wind farms are being established in regions with strong and consistent wind patterns, ensuring optimal energy generation while minimizing the ecological footprint.

Hydropower, generated from the force of moving water, has long been recognized as a reliable source of green energy. Dams and hydroelectric power plants harness the energy of flowing rivers and convert it into electricity. This renewable energy source has the added advantage of being able to store energy, allowing for a consistent power supply even during periods of high demand.

Geothermal energy, derived from the heat within the Earth’s core, is yet another exciting avenue for green energy. By tapping into the natural heat reservoirs beneath the Earth’s surface, geothermal power plants produce electricity and heat without relying on fossil fuels. This clean and renewable energy source has immense potential, particularly in regions with abundant geothermal resources.

Bioenergy, derived from organic matter such as plants and agricultural waste, is also making strides in the transition to green energy. Biomass power plants and biofuel production facilities are utilizing organic materials to generate electricity, heat, and transportation fuels. By harnessing the energy stored in these bioresources, we reduce dependence on non-renewable fuels and contribute to a more sustainable energy ecosystem.

The shift towards green energy is not only driven by environmental concerns but also by economic opportunities. Investments in renewable energy technologies have surged in recent years, creating job opportunities and driving economic growth. The renewable energy sector offers vast potential for innovation, research, and development, positioning countries at the forefront of the clean energy transition.

As the world recognizes the urgent need to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions, the adoption of green energy has become paramount. Governments, businesses, and individuals are embracing renewable energy solutions to not only reduce their environmental impact but also to secure a cleaner and brighter future for generations to come. The ongoing advancements in green energy technologies, coupled with growing public awareness, are paving the way for a sustainable global energy landscape.

In conclusion, green energy has emerged as a beacon of hope in the fight against climate change. The harnessing of renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and bioenergy is transforming the way we power our world. With each solar panel installed, each wind turbine erected, and each innovative green energy project undertaken, we move one step closer to a sustainable future. Together, let us embrace the power of green energy and strive towards a cleaner, greener, and more resilient planet.