Preface Unit 1 Computers and Network 1 Part I Listening for technology 1 Part II Reading for exploration 2 Passage A The New Old Thing 2 Passage B Network Security 10 Part III Watching for discussion 15 Part IV Testing for consolidation 17 Unit 2 Automation and Robotics 19 Part I Listening for technology 19 Part II Reading for exploration 20 Passage A The Function and ELS Issues of a Robot 20 Passage B Dyson’s Robot Vacuum Has 360-Degree Camera, Tank Treads, Cyclone Suction 27 Part III Watching for discussion 32 Part IV Testing for consolidation 33 Unit 3 Energy 36 Part I Listening for technology 36 Part II Reading for exploration 37 Passage A Capturing Value in Global Gas: Prepare Now for an Uncertain Future 37 Passage B Fact or Fiction: Energy Can Neither Be Created Nor Destroyed? 43 Part III Watching for discussion 46 Part IV Testing for consolidation 48 Unit 4 Environmental Science 50 Part I Listening for technology 50 Part II Reading for exploration 51 Passage A What Do We Know about Wildfires and Climate Change 51 Passage B Tropical Forests May Not Combat Climate Change 60 Part III Watching for discussion 64 Part IV Testing for consolidation 65 Unit 5 Materials Engineering 67 Part I Listening for technology 67 Part II Reading for exploration 68 Passage A “Miracle Material” Graphene One Step Closer to Commercial Use 68 Passage B Laser-Generated Surface Structures Create Extremely Water- Repellent Metals 75 Part III Watching for discussion 79 Part IV Testing for consolidation 80 Unit 6 Civil Engineering 82 Part I Listening for technology 82 Part II Reading for exploration 83 Passage A The Business Case for Smart Building Technology 83 Passage B Speedy Analysis of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete 91 Part III Watching for discussion 94 Part IV Testing for consolidation 96 Unit 7 Communication Technology 98 Part I Listening for technology 98 Part II Reading for exploration 99 Passage A Alexa, What Are You Doing with My Family's Personal Info? 99 Passage B Wireless Companies Put up More “Stealth” Towers 106 Part III Watching for discussion 110 Part IV Testing for consolidation 111 Unit 8 Optimizing Health 113 Part I Listening for technology 113 Part II Reading for exploration 114 Passage A The World Is Richer, Fatter, and Not Much Happier 114 Passage B The Science of Sleep 122 Part III Watching for discussion 127 Part IV Testing for consolidation 129 Appendix Reference Answer 131