John OReilly (simplified by Andreea Pulpea)

Activity 1

Before you read， match the word or phrase to a definition.

1. assisted-living 2. environment

3. monitor 4. project

5. revolution 6. supervise

7. wander 8. wristband device

a. a piece of electronic equipment we wear just above our hand

b. a carefully planned piece of work that has a special purpose

c. an unexpected and complete change in the way people live or work

d. housing for old or disabled people that provides care and help

e. move around without direction

f. watch someone to make sure they are safe

g. the conditions that you work or live in

h. to watch and check a situation carefully over a period of time

Assisted-Living Home

By John OReilly （simplified by Andreea Pulpea）

In the future those who are taking care of old or sick people may get help from the house itself.

a.

Over the last few years， new technology， such as the Internet， Wi-Fi and flat TV screens， has changed our homes and the way we live. Now， another technology revolution is happening. A new project at the University of Hertfordshire wants to create a home that supervises people living in it who are weak or elderly.

b.

The researchers have developed a wristband device which helps us watch the elderly person who is wearing it. The device collects information to see if the person has fallen or has wandered away from where they should be.

c.

The assisted-living project is part of the universitys wider Interhome project， which is the development of a smart-house. The house remembers the habits of the person who lives there and it uses very low amounts of energy. The Interhome team hope that offering this service will help care for the elderly. They say， ‘Its very important that these technologies are there to help and support and not replace any of the existing services.

d.

The Interhome is not just a research method. Its also a way for students from different scientific backgrounds to learn and develop technology. The university uses the latest technology to help students get experience by developing new hardware and software themselves. The team includes design， engineering and computer science students working together.

e.

‘We are working on a smart home project in Watford with some companies at the moment， says the project leader. ‘We are looking at how a smarter home can provide even more services. This could help millions of old people around the world have a better， safer life in the future.

Activity 2

The text has five sections， a–e. Which heading matches each section？ There is one heading you do not need to use.

1. A special bracelet

2. Helping students develop

3. Homes are changing

4. Spending money on the environment

5. A better future for old people

6 .The Interhome project

Activity 3

A. Look at the two sentences below. Which one refers to an action in progress now and which one refers to a fact or routine？ How is the verb form different？

a. We are working on a smart-home project at the moment.

b. The house remembers the habits of the person who lives there.

B. Complete the sentences below with the correct form （present simple or present continuous） of the verb in brackets.

1. At the moment， we ______ （work） on a new project on the environment.

2. The world ______ （change） very quickly due to new technology.

3. My university ______ （publish） a monthly science and technology newsletter.

4. The president ______ （give） a speech every year， on New Years Eve.

5. There are new job opportunities in my city so more and more people ______ （come） from the villages around.

Activity 4

Do you think its better for old people to live with family or in assisted-living homes？ What are the advantages and disadvantages？

Nowadays people are living longer than they used to. What are the effects on society？

Answers

Activity 1

1. d; 2. g; 3. h; 4. b; 5. c; 6. f; 7. e; 8. a

Activity 2

a3; b1; c6; d2; e5

Activity 3

A

Sentence a—action in progress now （verb form： be + ‘-ing form of verb， e.g. ‘working）

Sentence b—fact or routine （verb form： base verb， e.g. ‘remember/remembers）

B

1. are working

2. is changing

3. publishes

4. gives

5. are coming