Page 130 - Grasp English C1+ (Student Book)
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9       Cosmology






























                 Grammar        Reporting with passive words


              A. Read the statements about space travel and discuss the questions with a partner.
                • A shuttle launch is estimated to cost anywhere between $500 and $700 million.

                • Space tourists are rumoured to have spent $20 million to fly to the International Space Station.
                • The ISS is believed to have cost more than $60 billion so far.
                • The cost of ISS operations is alleged to be around $3 billion per year.


                1.  If you were a multi-millionaire, would you be tempted by a trip to the ISS?
                2.  If you were an American citizen, would you call for the government to cut spending on space exploration?
                   Why/Why not?
                3.  What do you think this money could be better spent on?


              B.  Complete the tech rumours with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

                                                Five tech rumours in early 2019


                1.  Sony will be back soon with the PlayStation 5 and it’s rumoured       (include) a solid-state
                   hard drive to reduce loading time and 8K graphics. The PS5 controller is also alleged
                   (design) with touchscreen capabilities.
                2.  Meanwhile, if you’re a Nintendo fan, the company is currently rumoured        (improve)
                   their Switch console. The new version is believed         (be) smaller and cheaper, though
                   the company has yet to confirm the claims.
                3.  Amazon are reported               (develop) wireless Alexa-powered earbuds to be in direct
                   competition with Apple’s Airpods. Amazon’s option, which would work well with their Kindle with built-in
                   Bluetooth, are expected              (cost) less than $100 when they hit the market.
                4.  Apple is believed to            (launch) three new iPhone models in the later part of the year,
                   with an improved FaceID system. The new models are also expected            (feature)
                   enhanced wireless charging, enabling owners to charge compatible devices using their iPhone’s
                   power.
                5.  And finally, Twitter is alleged        (decide) to do away with the heart icon. At a 2018
                   conference, the company’s founder was claimed              (admit) his own dislike of the button.
                   Getting rid of the button is hoped           (improve) the quality of discussion on the platform.



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