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Not long ago computers were considered an amazing
invention. Today they form part of our everyday lives. The
latest thing today is Virtual Reality. A Virtual Reality system
can transport the user to exotic locations such as a beach in
Hawaii or the inside of the human body.
The Virtual Reality system is still in the early stages of its development. At the moment it is necessary to put a large helmet on your head to see the simulated world and you have to wear a special glove on your hand in order to manipulate the objects you see there. Lenses and two miniature display screens inside the
helmet create the illusion that the screen surrounds you on
every side. You can "look behind" computer — generated
objects, pick them up and examine them, walk around and see
things from a different angle
Already today Virtual Reality is used in medicine. In
hospitals, surgeons could plan operations by first "travelling"
through the brain, heart or lungs without damaging the body
It is also used in police training schools. In schools pupils
could explore the Great Pyramid or study molecules from the
inside. Developers of Virtual Reality say its potential is
powerful.
The word which comes closest to describing Virtual Reality
is "simulator". Virtual Reality technology resembles the flight
simulators that are used to train pilots. But of course there
are dangers as well as benefits. In the wrong hands Virtual
Reality can be used for power fantasies and pornography.
Questions:
1. What is Virtual Reality?
2. Why do you need to wear helmet and special glove?
3. What are the possible uses of Virtual Reality?
4. What are some of the disadvantages of Virtual Reality?
5. Do you think Virtual Reality is an important invention
or not?
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