UNIT 8: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Key unit competence: To use language learnt in the context of Science
and Technology
Introductory activity
Picture observation and interpretationPicture observation and interpretation
Observe the above pictures then answer these questions
1. Discuss the use of the device in fig.1.
2. The people in fig.2 are around the table sharing a drink but they are
not talking to one another because they are busy chatting with their
smartphones. Do you think it is a good practice? Explain.
3. Explain the use of the device in fig.3.
4. Explain the use of the device in fig.4.
5. Explain how a disabled child can benefit the same education as thosewithout disabilities.
8.1. Talking about words and expressions used in the
context of science and technology8.1.1. Learning activity: Reading and analysis of texts
Text 1: Technology and Medicine
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:
A large number of digital innovations are revolutionizing healthcare and
technology in medicine is here to stay. Numerous innovations and new
solutions are already on the market and they have all improved healthcare
drastically. Today, multiple medical issues such as congestive heart failure,
diabetes, medication noncompliance, even stressful isolation, are researched
and solved with remarkable new technologies. The following are some areas
researchers are targeting: The first area targeted by researchers is heart failure.
One of the most common and costly diagnoses is that of heart failure, with a
mortality rate closer to cancer. It includes three types of sensors – wristband,
necklace and watch – which are used for testing. This type of diagnosis gives
both patients and doctors continuous information on how a compromised heartis functioning.
The second area targeted by researchers is 3D printing. These days, medical
researchers are considering the potential of 3D printing in medicine. For
example, Kaiser Permanente’s Los Angeles Medical Center is perfecting theuse of 3D printers to replicate multidimensional models of problematic areas
inside patients. Surgeons can handle the models and simulate a variety of
possible operation replicas before performing the actual surgery. Alternatively,
3D printing can be used in reproducing bones or other organs in the humanbody.
The second area targeted by researchers is the area of mobile applications.
Today, mobile applications are available for everything. In the healthcare sector,
this is especially true. Doctors and patients are discovering new ways to use
technology to monitor personal health. Nowadays, tracking daily sleep patterns,
counting calories, researching treatment options, and even monitoring heartrate is possible.
Thirdly, remote monitoring technology is one of the most useful and practical
innovations in recent years. The systems can be used by patients in the comfort
of their homes to reduce the time and financial cost of recurring visits to the
doctor. By using a small device designed to measure a particular health issue,
doctors can analyze a patient’s data remotely without the need for them to comedown to the hospital.
This must be the reason why the Government of Rwanda recognized that there
is a need to strengthen science, technology and research and is engaged in
many National and Regional initiatives to help build this capacity.Adapted from (Humanitas University, 2016)
Comprehension questions
1. State four medical issues that are researched and solved with remarkable
new technologies.
2. What are the three areas targeted by researchers mentioned in the
passage?
3. State and explain the use of the three types of sensors mentioned in the
passage.
4. Explain how 3D printing technology helps surgeons in their work.
5. Evaluate the use of mobile applications in healthcare sector.
6. Assess the importance of remote monitoring technology in healthcaresector.
Application activity 8.1.2
Vocabulary
1. Vocabulary activity
Use a dictionary and thesaurus to look up the missing meanings of the
words/phrases in the table below. Copy the table into your book and fill inthe blank spaces.
Text2: Body systems
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:
Our bodies consist of a number of biological systems that carry out specific
functions necessary for everyday life.
The job of the circulatory system is to move blood, nutrients, oxygen, carbon
dioxide, and hormones, around the body. It consists of the heart, blood, blood
vessels, arteries and veins.
The digestive system consists of a series of connected organs that together,
allow the body to break down and absorb food, and remove waste. It includes
the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and
anus. The liver and pancreas also play a role in the digestive system because
they produce digestive juices.
The endocrine system consists of eight major glands that secrete hormones
into the blood. These hormones, in turn, travel to different tissues and regulate
various bodily functions, such as metabolism, growth and sexual function.
The immune system is the body’s defense against bacteria, viruses and
other pathogens that may be harmful. It includes lymph nodes, the spleen,
bone marrow, lymphocytes (including B-cells and T-cells), the thymus and
leukocytes, which are white blood cells.
The lymphatic system includes lymph nodes, lymph ducts and lymph vessels,
and also plays a role in the body’s defense. Its main job is to make and move
lymph, a clear fluid that contains white blood cells, which help the body fight
infection. The lymphatic system also removes excess lymph fluid from bodily
tissues, and returns it to the blood.
The nervous system controls both voluntary action (like conscious movement)and involuntary actions (like breathing), and sends signals to different parts of
the body. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. The
peripheral nervous system consists of nerves that connect every other part of
the body to the central nervous system.
The body’s muscular system consists of about 650 muscles that aid in
movement, blood flow and other bodily functions. There are three types of
muscle: skeletal muscle which is connected to bone and helps with voluntary
movement, smooth muscle which is found inside organs and helps to move
substances through organs, and cardiac muscle which is found in the heart
and helps pump blood.The reproductive system allows humans to reproduce. The male reproductive
system includes the penis and the testes which produce sperm. The female
reproductive system consists of the vagina, the uterus and the ovaries which
produce eggs. During conception, a sperm cell fuses with an egg cell, whichcreates a fertilized egg that implants and grows in the uterus.
Our bodies are supported by the skeletal system, which consists of 206
bones that are connected by tendons, ligaments and cartilage. The skeleton not
only helps us move, but it’s also involved in the production of blood cells and
the storage of calcium. The teeth are also part of the skeletal system, but they
aren’t considered bones.The respiratory system allows us to take in vital oxygen and expel carbondioxide in a process we call breathing. It consists mainly of the trachea, the
diaphragm and the lungs.The urinary system helps eliminate a waste product called urea from the body,which is produced when certain foods are broken down. The whole system
includes two kidneys, two ureters, the bladder, two sphincter muscles and the
urethra. Urine produced by the kidneys travels down the urethras to the bladder,
and exits the body through the urethra.The skin, or integumentary system, is the body’s largest organ. It protects
us from the outside world, and is our first defense against bacteria, viruses and
other pathogens. Our skin also helps regulate body temperature and eliminate
waste through perspiration. In addition to skin, the integumentary system
includes hair and nails.Adapted from (Rettner & Dutfield, 2021)Comprehension questions
1. What biological systems are mentioned in the passage?
2. Which biological system helps oxygen to move around in the body?
3. What is the role of the liver and pancreas in the digestive system?
4. Which biological system regulates metabolism, growth and sexual
function?
5. Which biological system protects from falling sick?
6. Do you think our nervous system has anything to do with our sight? Justify
your answer.
7. State the three types of muscles and explain their functions.
8. What is the role of urinary system?
9. What is the body’s largest organ?10. Hair and nails belong to which biological system?
Application activity 8.1.2Vocabulary and composition writing
1. Vocabulary
i) Use a dictionary, thesaurus or Internet to look up meaning of the
following words/phrases as they are used in the above passage. (The
words are highlighted in the text)
a) Hormones
b) Metabolism
c) Bacteria
d) Viruses
e) Pathogens
f) Leukocytes
g) Tissues
h) Spinal cord
i) Cardiac
j) Conception
k) Perspiration
ii) Use each of the above words in your own sentence
2. Composition writing
i) Have you ever been in a hospital? Write a short composition describing
a technological tool you saw there. If you never went there, you can
describe a tool you have heard of or read about.
ii) Write a short composition on the importance of physical exercise forour body systems.
8.2. Describing the role of ICT devices and their side effects
8.2.1 Learning activities: Reading and text analysis
Text1: The positive and negative impacts of ICTRead the passage below and answer the questions that follow:
As it is known from time immemorial that everything in life is like the two sides of
a coin, there is always a positive and negative side of every phenomenon. But
whether the effect is positive or negative the effects of Information Communication
Technology (ICT) is far reaching and cannot be overemphasized. The effects
of ICT lens looks at how our lives have been changed, for better and for worse,by the impact of ICT. It includes both positive effects and negative effects.
One of the positive effects of ICT is access to information. Possibly the greatest
effect of ICT on individuals is the huge increase in access to information and
services that has accompanied the growth of the Internet. Some of the positive
aspects of this increased access are better, and often cheaper communications,
such as phone calls and Instant messaging. In addition, the use of ICT to accessinformation has brought new opportunities for leisure and entertainment.
Another positive effect of ICT is easy access to education. With ICT there are
new ways of learning, such as interactive multi-media and virtual reality. ICT
has also created new job opportunities, such as flexible and mobile working,
virtual offices and jobs in the communication industry among others.ICT can be used for processes that had previously been out of the reach of
most individuals, such as photography, where digital cameras, photo-editing
software and high-quality printers have enabled people to produce results that
would previously require a photographic studio.ICT can be used to help people overcome disabilities. For example, screen
magnification or screen reading software enables partially sighted or blind
people to work with ordinary text rather than Braille.As far as negative effects are concerned, ICT has caused Job loss, reduced
personal interaction and reduced physical activity.As for job loss, one of the largest negative effects of ICT can be the loss of a
person’s job. This has both economic consequences, loss of income, and social
consequences, loss of status and self-esteem. Job losses may occur for severalreasons, including the replacement of manual operations by automation.
This can happen when, for example, robots replace people on an assembly line.
People can also lose jobs due to job export. This is when Data processing work
is sent to other countries where operating costs are lower. Multiple workers can
also be replaced by a smaller number of people who are able to do the sameamount of work using machines.
Personal interaction and physical activity have also been negatively affected by
ICT. Being able to work from home is usually regarded as being a positive effect
of using ICT, but there can be negative aspects as well. Most people need some
form of social interaction and physical exercise.Adapted from (Ajahana, 2012)
Comprehension questions
1. What do you understand by “everything in life is like the two sides of a
coin”?
2. What strengthened the huge increase in access to information?
3. Explain how ICT has created new job opportunities.
4. Using an example, explain how ICT has enabled people to do processes
that had previously been out of the reach of most individuals.5. In which ways can ICT make people lose their jobs?
Application activity 8.2.2
Vocabulary, Sentence writing, Composition and Debate
1. Vocabulary
Use a dictionary, thesaurus or Internet to look up the meaning of the
following words/phrases as they are used in the above passage. (The
words are highlighted in the text)a) phenomenonb) Overemphasizedc) Lensd) Informatione) Internetf) Leisureg) Entertainmenth) Virtual realityi) Manual operationsj) Automationk) Job export2. Sentence writing
Use each of the above words in a sentence of your own to illustrate how
they are used.
3. Composition writing
Writer a 100-word composition on smartphone addiction.
4. Debate
Debate on the following motion:
“This house believes that ICT has done more harm than good.”
8.3. Language structure: Word formation
Introduction:In linguistics (particularly morphology and lexicology), word formation refers
to the ways in which new words are made on the basis of other words or
morphemes. This is also called derivational morphology.
Most English vocabulary arises by making new lexemes out of old ones. This
can be done either by adding an affix to previously existing forms, alteringtheir word class, or combining them to produce compounds. Below are some
types of word formation processes.8.3.1. Derivation
Derivation is the creation of words by modification of a root without the addition
of other roots. Often the effect is a change in part of speech.
Example:
– Empty-emptiness (adjective was changed into a noun)
8.3. 2. Affixation
(This is like a subtype of derivation)
Affixation is the process of adding a morpheme or affix to a word to createeither a different form of that word or a new word with a different meaning;
affixation is the most common way of making new words in English. An affix is a
word element of English grammar used to alter the meaning or form of a word
and comes in the form of either a prefix or a suffix. There two primary types
of affixation that are prefixation (the addition of a prefix) and suffixation (theaddition of a suffix).
8.3.2. Prefixation
Prefixation is a morphological process whereby a bound morpheme is attached
to the front of a root or stem. The kind of affix involved in this process is calleda prefix. Prefixes include examples like “un-,” “self-,” and “re-,”
Example:
– The prefix un- attaches to the front of the stem selfish to form the wordunselfish.
Think of the 26 common suffixes in the table as clues to the meaning of words.
Keep in mind, though, that the meaning of words is best determined by studyingthe contexts in which they are used as well as the parts of the words themselves.
8.3.4. Noun Suffixes
8.3.5. Verbs suffixes
Verbs can end with either -ize (the American spelling) or -ise (the British
spelling). Examples include finalize/finalise and realize/realise.
Adapted from (Nordquist, 2020)
Application activityApplication activity on language structure2. Complete the sentences by writing the correct prefix from the table
1. Use prefixes to find the opposite of these verbs:
a) Use
b) Agree
c) Engage
d) Behave
e) Understand
f) Fold
g) Spell
h) Connecti) Close
below in the blank space. You can use a dictionary to help you.
a) I just can’t believe it! The story is _____believable!
b) No, that answer is _____correct. It is wrong.
c) Let’s look at this information again. We should _____view it before
the test.
d) I saw Kalisa just a moment ago, but now I can’t find him! It seems
that he _____appeared!
e) Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you correctly. I _____understood you.
f) The subway does not go over the land like a normal train. It moves_____ground.
3. Put the words in brackets in the appropriate form (use prefixes or
suffixes):
a) He was acting in a very… way. (child)
b) She looked … She started to cry. (happy)
c) He passed his exam. He was…for the second time. (succeed)
d) The team that he supported was able to win the…(champion)
e) I couldn’t find any…in his theory. (weak)
f) He wants to be a…when he grows up. (mathematics)
g) There were only a…of people at the match. (hand)
h) The road was too narrow, so they had to…it. (wide)
i) I think that you should…your decision. It may not be the best
thing to do. (consider)
j) You need a…of motivation, organization and hard work to realize
your dreams. (combine)End of unit assessment 8.4
1. Use a prefix or a suffix to make a new word out of the word inbrackets. Complete the sentence with it.
a) I can’t answer this question. It’s…(possible).
b) Don’t stand near the water. It’s too… (danger).
c) I don’t like this fish. It’s not very well… (cook).
d) Kate started crying because she was so…(happy)
e) If you have a haircut it will change your…(appear)
f) Paul never waits in queues. He is too…(patient)
g) Thank you for your advice. You have been very…(help).
h) Stealing other people’s money is…(honest)
i) Our science … is very young. (teach)
j) Harry didn’t think the book was very…(interest).
k) A million Rwandan Francs was given to the hospital by an…
person (known)
l) When you…this paragraph, make it a bit shorter (write)
m)That was a great film. It was really…(enjoy)
n) Mary was wearing a/an…hat (usual)
o) I like this town. The people are very…(friend)p) I don’t think you’re right. I…with you completely (agree)
2. Identify at least five words formed through the process of affixation
in the following paragraph.
One of the positive effects of ICT is access to information. Possibly the
greatest effect of ICT on individuals is the huge increase in access to
information and services that has accompanied the growth of the Internet.
Some of the positive aspects of this increased access are better and
often cheaper communication means, such as phone calls and instant
messaging. In addition, the use of ICT to access information has brought
new opportunities for leisure and entertainment.
3. Write a short composition on advantages and disadvantages ofsocial media in society.
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