Plugging Into Future NCERT Solutions | Main Course (Communicative English) Book Class 10 PDF Download

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B1.  In this section you will read about the old gizmos, which your father or grand-father would have used. Try to compare these gizmos with the ones you have been using. Work in pairs and discuss the change.
Sunday Times of India, New Delhi, January 02-2011
(Article by B. Pradeep Nair)
Yesterday's gizmo is today's junk
More things have changed in the last few decades than in any other period of time. Many common-place utility gadgets have been dying off faster than one would have imagined. In fact, in the past few decades, a number of technologies have become so obsolete that it is difficult to even imagine we were, once upon a time, so contended with them.
Here are five of those which have vanished without a trace:
Floppy disks: Computer CPUs had a slot where this could be inserted. Text and pictures could be copied on it and carried. It was notorious for its susceptibility to get infected by viruses that got passed on to PCs when it was inserted. The most common 3-1/2 disk had a storage capacity of 1.44MB. Now, these have been replaced by CDs DVDs and pen-drives that have higher capacity to carry. Of course, with cloud computing catching on at a fast pace, even these face extinction.
Pager: The user had a number to which someone could send a short message via the paging company. It became very popular in the 1990s because it was the first portable communication device for the ordinary consumer. Typically the message sent on pagers were like. "call me on (some landline number )" or "reached home" etc. Pagers soon lost out to mobile phones once they became affordable. Valve radio: One 'got stations' by turning the tuning knobs. The concept of fine tuning never existed. Like a refrigerator, a radio had its place in a house; it was too
Ans: The comparison between the gizmos used by grand parents and the gadgets used by the modern generation is apparent by the pair discussion given below :
Student A : The gramophone which my grandpa used is kept in the living room. It is there along with the phone that used to operate on wire system.
Pupil B: Same at my grandfather’s house. The gramophone and the table phone are now just showpieces.
Pupil C: They must have been filed in the condemnation registers.
Pupils A and B: Come on ! They are the envoys of celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar who can buy them at exorbitant rates. But yes, now we are addicted to iPods and iPhones. They are trendy and just incredible.
Pupil A: I feel that the function of Gramophones had a limited range.
Pupil C: An iPod is a fancy piece of music playing technology. It has a nice music ; delivery mechanism for business communication ; educational module ; on and so forth.
Pupil B: Even the iPhone 4 has two cameras. It can function as a video camera and a camera phone with text messaging and visual voice mail. This is simply incredible. Due to these features it has become very popular with the youth.
Pupil C: I am amazed at the speed of the technology being changed. Everyday there are new gadgets. Take mobile; now it is a mini computer. It is replacing desktops and laptops.

B2. Work in groups of four and give a one minute presentation on the latest gadgets that you have been using or your parents are using at home. Write any two advantages and disadvantages the new gadget has over the old one.
Ans: The life-style of a modern family unit has undergone a desired change. The latest gadgets that they use are given below :

1. 3G, 4G Mobile phone
2. Compact disk
3. iPod
4. iPhone

1. (a) The advantages and disadvantages that a ‘mobile phone’ has over the ‘pager’ are given below :
Pager versus Mobile Phone
(b) The one-minute presentation on the ‘Nokia Craze’ is given below :
Respected teacher and friends
I present before you the latest craze of the new generation. The teenage addiction today is the mobile-phone. Let me share my opinions about the Nokia craze.
The market is flooded with numerous brands of mobile smart phones. These are like Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Blackberry, Motorola. But the overwhelming response of Nokia dominates the gadget world. The multi-purpose handset is the pulse of the new generation. Easy internet access services, data interpretation, video calling and video conferencing prove a boon to their hectic life-style. These also allow them to be in touch with the social network. They tend to get lost in its absence. It really comes in handy during emergent times ; nonetheless, leisure is also best utilised by playing games and listening to music, even FM. It has indeed become a vital part of their lives.
Thank you.
2. (a) The advantages and disadvantages that a Compact Disk has over the Floppy Disk are listed below :
Floppy disk versus CD (Compact Disk)

(b) The one-minute presentation on the Compact Disk is given below :
Respected teacher and friends
Let me share my views on the Compact Disk.
A CD is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed for storing digital audio. It is a standard physical medium for commercial audio recordings.
CD-Rs rewritable media remain widely used technologies in the computer industry. CD-RW disks need to be blanked before reuse. Full blanking removes traces of the former data. But CDs are susceptible to damage both from normal use and environmental exposure. However, the scratches on the clear side can be repaired by refilling them with similar refractive plastic, or by careful polishing. It can write data to multiple times. It is, in fact, a media storage solution of highest quality and compatibility.
Thank you.
3. The one-minute presentation on the iPod is given below :
Respected teacher and friends
Another gadget that has swept off the feet of the modern generation is the iPod
I wish to share my views on the latest gadget, iPod. iPod is the latest craze designed and marketed by Apple. Being a portable media player, everyone wants to get their hands on this fancy piece of music playing technology. Well! that seems quite fine and dandy. But they are really a good gift idea for a teenager. Listening to an MP3 player is extremely exciting. You find people listening to some nice music, learning new languages through MP3 recordings. It is just thrilling to own it. You can listen to music while you study, travel to and from school, when you exercise or before you go to sleep, to relax. This list goes on. Besides earning a reputation as a respected entertainment device, the iPod is also accepted as a business device. It is used as a delivery mechanism for business communication and training. iPods have also gained popularity for their use in education though they have been criticized for their short life span and fragile hard devices.
Thank you.
4. The one minute presentation on the iPhone is given below :
Respected teacher and class-fellows
Advancement is the vogue of the day. There are four generations (4G) of iPhone models. The first iPhone was unveiled on January 9, 2007 and released on June 29, 2007. The original iPhone was a GSM phone. It established design precedents like screen size and button placement that have persisted through all models. The iPhone 3G added 3G cellular network capabilities and A-GPS location. The iPhone 3GS added a compass, faster processor, and higher resolution camera, including video. The iPhone 4 has two cameras for Face Time video calling and a higher-resolution display. It was released on June 24, 2010. On January 11, 2011, Apple and Verizon together launched a CDMA 2000 compatible iPhone 4. It was launched specifically for the Verizon network in the US, released on February 10, 2011.
An iPhone can function variously. It can function as a video camera, camera phone with text messaging and visual voicemail, a portable media player, and an Internet client with e-mail, web browsing, and both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity. The user interface is built around the device’s multi-touch screen, including a virtual keyboard rather than a physical one. Third-party as well as Apple applications are available from the App Store. These launched in mid-2008 and now has well over 300,000131 “apps” approved by Apple. These apps have diverse functionalities, including games, reference, GPS navigation, social networking, security and advertising for television shows, films and celebrities.
Thank you.

B3. Here is a list of innovative inventions. Read them and match them with the visuals by writing the correct numbers in the blanks given by the side of the visuals.
1. If you're looking to uncover a hidden treasure, then put your conventional metal detector to the side, and replace it with this pair of metal detecting sandals. Not exactly a trend setter, but a lot more practical than carrying a large pole around with you. The sandals are attached to a small black box, which can be strapped around one of your legs, concealed under your trouser leg. The right sandal has an inbuilt copper coil, which is powered by the battery pack, which straps around your leg. Once the sandals approach within 2 inches of a metal object, you will be alerted in one of two possible ways. A light is flashed, and then either a vibration or a buzzing noise is emitted. The metal detecting sandals require a 9V battery, which does not come included, but which will supply 6 hours of detecting time. The sandals come in different sizes, to fit both men and women 
2. Occasionally a product comes along that simply blow our minds. We get to see a lot of crazy and sometimes brilliant inventions, but Laser Cosmos is without a doubt the most superb one we've seen. There is no product out there that comes even close to the sheer excellence of this galactic wonder - sorry to sound quite so effusive, but really, it's staggering. Imagine lying in your room, and having the ceiling whipped away to reveal the vast outreaches of the cosmos whirling overhead, complete with misty blue nebulae (which you can turn on and off!) and the occasional shooting star. Fully adjustable and requiring no set up, this super powerful space projector scatters a random panoply of sparkling green stars that will fill any room from the tiniest bedroom to the largest warehouse with a crystal clear animated star display. What's so clever about this (apart from everything of course) is that it seems so three-dimensional, that the varying brightness of different stars makes some seem closer and others appear as if from distant galaxies. Created from powerful green laser and holographic technology, such bright and clear display has never been available before. It's utterly mesmerising, and had us transfixed for hours (literally). Whether you're zoning out to music, throwing a party or just chilling, this stunning cosmic light show is like nothing we've ever seen before. Truly one of the most amazing light shows you will see anywhere. 
3. Power naps are fantastic, and also proven to rejuvenate a person during the day. We all long for these power naps, but unfortunately there is never a bed around at the time, especially in the work place that leaves you nodding off with your nose pressed hard down against the desk. Did you ever dream of a portable bed which you could quickly assemble and then catch up on some much needed sleep? Well, the solution to such problems has finally arrived. A German study which was undertaken in 2004 concluded that a daily power nap can be beneficial in the workplace as it would improving efficiency as well as the morale. Designed by four students to demonstrate these findings, the Nappak was invented. The Nappak is essentially an inflatable bed which comes complete with an air compressor and rollers, but it is at this moment merely a concept. Adding such beds into the workplace will be rewarding for both the employees and employers, if these findings are correct - since efficiency and morale are the basis of any successful business organisation. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to take a power nap. 
4. Introducing the new LED umbrella. This new device comes equipped with a built in LED light which illuminates in the dark. At the touch of a button the light shines into action offering a safe and secure passage to your destination. The light is embedded inside the handle to lighten the area under the umbrella hood. Be it day or night, this gadget has got you covered despite looking like a Star Wars light saber. So for those of you who can't handle a long walk home in the dark, this LED umbrella is sure to make that walk a little bit brighter. 
5. This alarm clock will be sure to wake even the heaviest of sleepers. The idea is simple; when the alarm is triggered, part of the alarm will fly and land at some random location in your room. Only when the an object is placed back on the stationary alarm piece will the alarm cease. The flying piece takes to the air via rotating propeller blades which allows it to take off. The only way to silence the alarm is to physically find the propeller and position it back on the alarm, thus forcing the scope of bed. A strange concept, but one which might just prove helpful to those who find it difficult on those Monday mornings. 
6. Dragging your luggage around with you is a mundane and painful task, especially on the way back from an action-packed, or relaxing holiday. Well now you can stop pulling around your luggage and wheeling it back home, thanks to this new invention. This luggage bag is also a mini scooter, allowing you to scoot around with your luggage safely tucked away. Just imagine a scenario when everyone else is carrying around their luggage, whilst you just jump on your scooter and pass them by, shortening your trip back home, and also making it a lot more fun. It's a simple idea, but an extremely effective product, which we think will be immensely popular in the future, so look out in airports near you for scooters gliding past you from all directions. The scooter also folds up, allowing you to use it as a normal luggage carrier, but why minimise the fun? The bag itself is rather small, so you may very well be able to use this for your on-board luggage bag. Details about where this product is available and how much is it going to cost are currently unknown, but expect them to hit the market pretty soon.
Ans: Please do it on your own.

B4. Your teacher will divide you into groups of four. Pick any one of the inventions that you read about in B.3 and create an advertisement for it. 
Keep the following points in mind while preparing the advertisement.

• l Create a catchy slogan to attract the attention of the reader, Example – Use Solar Energy to Reduce Your Electrictiy Bills!
• l Highlight the main features of the product and the benefits of using it
• l Offer discounts/schemes
• l Mention the name of the manufacturer/company, website and other contact details
• l Design the advertisement in a way that the information is properly spaced and does not appear crowded
• l Draw a box around your advertisement

Ans: Please do it on your own.

B5. In groups of four describe an innovative invention that you could make to lighten your burden at home or in school and present it to your class.
Ans: Please do it on your own.