Unit-1 Current Affairs & Issues

1.1 How Driverless Cars Will Change Our World

A. Vocabulary Matching

Show Vocabulary Answers

• glare: ii. an intense blinding light
• curb: i. a stone edging to a pavement or raised path
• hail: i. to call somebody in order to attract their attention
• commute: ii. to travel regularly between workplace and home
• serene: i. calm and peaceful
• liability: ii. the state of being legally responsible for something
• deploy: ii. to use something effectively
• autonomous: i. a vehicle that has the technology to drive itself
• perception: ii. the ability to understand the true nature of something

B. Choose the Correct Alternatives

• a. One features of automated cars: iii. They have their own voice to welcome people.
• b. Driverless technology is widely used in: i. the USA.
• c. Positive impact on the environment: ii. it reduces carbon production.
• d. Problem with driverless technology: ii. it cannot deal with human drivers.
• e. One of the biggest challenges: i. its safety from the human environment.
• f. Automated technology developed so far: ii. partly trustworthy.

C. Question and Answers

a. Mention any three features of the driverless car.

Answer: Three features of the driverless car mentioned in the text are:
i. It can sense the surrounding environment through sensors and cameras.
ii. It can make decisions on its own based on the data it collects.
iii. It can communicate with other vehicles and infrastructure to optimize driving.

b. Describe the benefits of driverless technology.

Answer: Driverless technology has several benefits, including reducing accidents caused by human error, improving traffic flow and reducing congestion, and making transportation accessible to people who cannot or should not drive themselves. In addition, driverless cars have the potential to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption. They can also increase productivity by allowing people to work, read, or relax during their commutes. Overall, driverless technology has the potential to revolutionize transportation and improve our daily lives.

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 have the potential to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by road accidents.

d. What are the problems with driverless vehicles in David Hynd’s view?

Answer: In David Hynd’s view, the problems with driverless vehicles include:
– The technology is not yet advanced enough to handle all situations, such as adverse weather conditions or unexpected obstacles.
– There is a lack of public trust in the technology, which may lead to resistance to its implementation.
– The potential for job loss in the transportation industry.

e. What are scientists doing to make driverless technology safer?

Answer: Scientists are working to make driverless technology safer by improving the sensors and algorithms used by the vehicles, as well as conducting extensive testing to ensure their reliability and safety.

f. Do you think driverless technology is safer than human-controlled driving? Why?

Answer: The safety of driverless technology compared to human-controlled driving is a topic of debate. While the technology has the potential to reduce accidents caused by human error, it is not foolproof and can still encounter unexpected situations that it may need help to handle. Additionally, public trust in the technology is still developing, and until widespread adoption occurs, it may be difficult to determine its overall safety compared to human-controlled driving.

AI Applications in Different Areas

Area 1: Healthcare

AI has been used in healthcare for diagnosing diseases, predicting patient outcomes, and recommending treatments. AI-powered tools can analyze vast amounts of medical data and assist doctors in making more accurate and informed decisions. It helps in disease diagnosis, drug discovery, and personalized medicine.

Area 2: Finance

AI has been used in finance for fraud detection, credit scoring, and investment analysis. AI algorithms can identify patterns that humans might miss. They automate tasks such as loan approvals and management, making predictions about market trends which save costs and reduce risk.

Area 3: Transportation/Logistics

Self-driving cars use AI algorithms to process sensor data to navigate roads. AI is also used in logistics to optimize shipping routes and reduce delivery times, which improves safety and reduces traffic congestion, saving lives and reducing carbon emissions.

Reported Speech

A. Matching Direct to Reported Speech

Direct Speech	Reported Speech
Khushi said, “I go to school every day by bus.”	Khusi said that she went to school every day by bus.
Karma said to me, “I am sorry for coming late.”	Karma apologised for coming late.
Susan says, “I will leave for Bhanu next week.”	Susan says that she will leave for Bhanu the following.
Tshering said, “I will surely meet you this Saturday.”	Tshering promised me to meet that Saturday.
“The bus leaves at six,” said the agent.	The agent informed us that the bus left at six.
“I have already finished my project work,” said She.	She said that she had already finished her project work.
“I work from home these days,” said Yanjal.	Yanjal said that he worked from house those days.

B. Complete with Correct Reporting Verbs

1. “I broke the mirror.” He admitted that he had broken the mirror.
2. “I’d go and see a doctor if I were you,” Pemba advised me to see a doctor.
3. “I will send you out if you make a noise again,” said the librarian. The librarian warned me not to make a noise again.
4. “I can come and help you plant rice,” said Raman. Raman offered to help me plant rice.
5. “The classes start from next week,” said the assistant. The assistant informed us that the classes start from the following week.
6. Sonam said to me, “Thank you so much for your help.” Sonam thanked me for my help.
7. “OK, I will return your money by Saturday,” said Prakriti. Prakriti promised to return my money by Saturday.
8. “I will really work hard and score good grades,” said Anupam. Anupam agreed to work hard and get good grades.
9. “I am sorry for coming late,” said the speaker. The speaker apologised for coming late.

Conclusion:AI and driverless technology have the potential to transform our daily lives by improving efficiency, accuracy, and safety across various industries.

1.2 Open Letter To Un Secretary-General Antonio

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.

corporate

b. According to Greta, the leaders are failing to ……. the key issues.

tackle

c. Some viruses ….. the step in the production of other viruses.

catalyse

d. His ….. in business helped him greatly to run the company.

expertise

e. Nepal governing plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to …….

net-zero

f. He does not have good knowledge of the business. So, he has put his investment …..

at stake

g. His controversial remarks caused public ……

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. – Not Given

b. The Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change was announced at the request of children between 18-21 years of age. – False

c. The dissatisfaction is that the representation of children is not inclusive. – True

d. Greta Thunberg protested for the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.  – True

e. The children demand their physical safety in the UK and Italy.- Not Given

f. The children think that they can participate in decision-making to fight against the climate crisis.-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.

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 him to include children and adolescents younger than 18 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 Antonio Guterres on accelerating global action and the ambition to tackle the worsening climate crisis.

d. What roles have children played in the time of climate crisis?

Answer: Children have played the role of agents of change in the climate debate using their channels of influence – schools, social media, and street protests – to catalyze global activism on the climate crisis.

e. Describe Greta Thunberg and Fabrizio’s contributions.

Answer: Greta Thunberg sparked the global movement through an inspiring solo protest in 2018 and children like Fabrizio are vocal in their anxiety that our dash to economic recovery will scupper climate change and net-zero commitments.

f. What is the final demand of the children?

The final demand of the children is to make the Youth Advisory Group on climate change inclusive of children and adolescents younger than 18, respecting their right to be heard and to contribute their children a safe space to influence these upcoming preparatory events.

D. As a student, what roles can you play to control climate change and its effects?

To control climate change and its effects, we can play the given roles:

– Reducing the carbon footprint by using public transport, walking or cycling instead of driving, and consuming less meat and dairy.

– Conserving energy by turning off lights and unplugging electronics when not in use, and using energy-efficient appliances.

– Using less water by taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and using refillable water bottles instead of single-use plastic bottles.

– Educating others about climate change and its impacts, and advocating for policy changes at the local, national, and international levels.

– Supporting renewable energy and other sustainable practices by investing in green technologies and supporting businesses and organizations that prioritize sustainability.

Grammar II

A. Choose the correct alternatives to complete the sentences.

a. Abhilasha said that she witnessed the accident.

b. The teacher explained that the earth revolves round the sun.

c. Smarika says that she can’t stay here anymore.

d. Sachita says that she loves to listen to music.

e. My brother reported that he had completed his homework.

f. My father said that the sun is very hot.

g. Jenifer said that she wants to be a nurse.

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 said that she would meet her friends the following day.

c. “I can’t come to school tomorrow,” Chandani said.

Answer: Chandani said that she couldn’t come to school the following day.

d. Dorje said, “Sorry, I cannot lend you any money today.”

Answer: Dorje said that he could not lend me any money that day and apologized for it.

e. The teacher said, “Now, you can solve the remaining problems yourselves.”

Answer: The teacher said that we could solve the remaining problems ourselves then.

f. The police said, “The incident probably took place yesterday.”

Answer: The police said that the incident probably took 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 the coal gave off thick smoke.

j. Resham said, “I have never seen such a strange animal anywhere else.”

Answer: Resham said she had never seen such a strange animal anywhere.

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

Write a letter to the Mayor of your municipality or the Chairperson of your rural municipality requesting him/her to involve the representatives of children in the decision-making process related to children’s issues in your municipality/rural municipality.

Lalitpur
March 3, 2023,

The Mayor

Lalitpur Metropolitan City

Lalitpur, Nepal

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter to express my concern regarding the lack of representation of children in decision-making processes related to issues affecting them in our metro politant city.

As a responsible citizen and a student, I feel it is imperative that we involve children in these discussions as they are the ones who are most affected by the decisions that are taken.

I would like to request you to kindly consider involving representatives of children in decision-making processes related to children’s issues in our municipality/rural municipality. Children are often the most vulnerable members of our community, and their needs and concerns must be taken into account while making decisions that affect them. I believe that this would not only help in creating a more inclusive decision-making process but also foster a sense of responsibility and ownership among the children.

As we all know, climate change is a growing concern globally, and children are among the most affected by its consequences. Therefore, it is imperative that we listen to their voices and take steps to mitigate their effects. By involving them in the decision-making process, we will be able to come up with more effective solutions to the problems that we are facing.

I would be grateful if you could consider my request and take the necessary steps to involve representatives of children in decision-making processes related to children’s issues in our municipality/rural municipality.

This would be a positive step towards creating a more inclusive and sustainable community.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Ramji Acharya

Extra Bit

1. Skimming: Skimming is a technique used to quickly read through a text to get a general idea of the content. This involves reading quickly and not worrying about understanding every word. Skimming can be useful when you need to get an overview of a long text or when you are looking for specific information. Examples of when you might use skimming include reading a newspaper or magazine article to get an idea of the content or reading a chapter in a textbook to get an overview of the material.
2. Scanning: Scanning is a technique used to quickly find specific information in a text. This involves looking for keywords or phrases that are related to the information you need. Scanning can be useful when you need to find specific information quickly. Examples of when you might use scanning include looking for a phone number in a directory or searching for a specific word or phrase in a document.
3. Intensive reading: Intensive reading is a technique used to thoroughly understand and analyze a text. This involves reading slowly and carefully, focusing on understanding the meaning of each word and sentence. Intensive reading can be useful when you need to fully understand complex or difficult material, such as academic articles or technical manuals.
4. Extensive reading: Extensive reading is a technique used to read a large amount of material quickly, without necessarily understanding every word. This involves reading at a comfortable pace and not worrying about understanding every detail. Extensive reading can be useful when you need to get an overview of a subject or when you are reading for pleasure. Examples of when you might use extensive reading include reading a novel or browsing the internet for information.

Reading comprehension is the process of understanding the meaning and significance of written words and ideas. It is a vital skill for success in many academic and professional fields, as well as in daily life. Here are some reading comprehension techniques that can help you better understand what you are reading:

1. Previewing: Previewing involves looking at the material before reading it. This can include reading the title, subtitle, and any headings or subheadings. Previewing helps you get an idea of what the reading is about, and can help you focus your attention on the most important information.
2. Skimming: Skimming is a technique for quickly reading through a text to get a general idea of its content. Skimming involves reading quickly and not worrying about understanding every word. This technique can be useful when you need to get an overview of a long text.
3. Scanning: Scanning is a technique for quickly finding specific information in a text. Scanning involves looking for keywords or phrases that are related to the information you need. This technique can be useful when you need to find specific information quickly.
4. Summarizing: Summarizing involves restating the main points of a text in your own words. This technique can help you understand and remember the most important information from a text. Summarizing is also useful for studying and reviewing information.
5. Visualizing: Visualizing involves creating mental images of the information you are reading. This technique can help you remember the information better and make it more meaningful. Visualizing is particularly useful for remembering complex or abstract concepts.
6. Questioning: Questioning involves asking yourself questions about the text as you read. This technique can help you engage with the material and focus your attention on important information. Asking questions can also help you identify areas where you need more information or clarification.
7. Making connections: Making connections involves relating the information in the text to your own experiences, knowledge, or interests. This technique can help you understand the material better and make it more relevant to your life. Making connections can also help you remember the information better.

These are just a few of the many reading comprehension techniques that can help you better understand what you are reading. By using these techniques and practicing them regularly, you can improve your reading comprehension skills and become a more effective reader