Multiple choice

Read the text. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

The genre of science fiction has always been the source of all sorts of weird and wonderful ideas
about what life might be like in years to come. Writers, film-makers and video game-designers have
all turned their imaginations to the effects technology might have on our future. Now it seems like
we're finally catching up with some of these futuristic ideas thanks to nanotechnology.

Our knowledge and understanding of scientific matters is constantly evolving and perhaps nowhere
more so than in the field of nanoscience. Nanoscience focuses on the study of tiny molecules - only
one billionth of a metre in size. It can be difficult to imagine something so small but as an example, a
strand of human hair is somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000 nanometres thick! For years,
nanoscience has explored ways of applying this research to different types of technology, and
recently it has begun to yield more and more diverse and fascinating developments.

Imagine a substance with the ability to heal any wound almost instantaneously. This is a common
feature in video games; when characters suffer injuries, a gel is applied which heals them and
prolongs their lives. Not long ago, it seemed impossible to recreate this in real life. But now, by
extracting polysaccharide polymers from the cell walls of plants, veterinary scientists have
synthesised a gel which will hold a wound together and rapidly stop any bleeding without the need
for pressure to be applied. Although not yet available in hospitals, this gel is likely to help medical
professionals treat patients with serious injuries more effectively, and could save many lives.

And it is not just living tissue that nanotechnology can heal. In addition to research into health care
innovations, other nanotechnology researchers are looking into developing self-repairing materials.
One example is self-healing carbon fibre polymers. They break under stress, and release a special
resin and a catalyst, which combine to produce a strong plastic material. This technology could be
used in aircraft, to seal tiny cracks that form while they are in flight. And for anyone who drops their
smartphone on a regular basis, it will be a revelation!

While some advances in nanotechnology might improve our health and safety, others could have the
opposite effect. In theory, some nanoparticles are designed to make us healthier. An Australian
bakery has recently developed a way of adding omega-3 oil to bread, without an unusual taste, as
nanocapsules inside the bread store the oil and only release it in the correct environment, in this case,
the stomach. The bread is popular, but critics argue that not enough research into the long-term
effects has been carried out. In the food industry, nanoparticles are already in use to improve the
appearance and texture of products, for example in glazing agents, and donut frosting. The problem
is, nanoparticles are more reactive in the body, and no tests have been done to check their safety. In
effect, we are all part of a real-life experiment. Will they help or hurt? Nobody knows.

Indeed, nanotechnology can be applied to all aspects of life, some less serious or helpful than others.
A number of research groups are working to build what could be described as the smallest cars ever,
constructed out of a single molecule. Except, of course, they are not really cars, although they do
have four structures that can rotate like wheels when they are zapped with electrons and exposed to
exactly the right temperature. They are not fast either; it takes 10 pulses of electrons to move the
vehicle 6 nanometres, and the head of a pin is about a million nanometres wide. Nevertheless, the
researchers are planning to hold a nanocar race, where teams will compete on a track made of gold,
while judges observe using a special microscope. Other than that, what they hope to achieve with
their molecular cars is not entirely clear.

What is clear is that nanotechnology has huge potential for shaping our lives in the coming decades.
Even if we can’t see it with the naked eye, we will surely see the impact on our surroundings, and
perhaps our bodies. In the future, the lines between reality and science fiction are likely to become
even more blurred.
1 The healing gel in the second paragraph was designed

1. A to be used on animals.
2. B for high-pressure situations.
3. C by a video game developer.
4. D to be used in emergency departments.

2 Which of the following phrases in the second paragraph is used to suggest a repeated action?

1. A looking into
2. B under stress
3. C combine to produce
4. D on a regular basis

3 In the fourth paragraph the writer suggests that the effects of nanotechnology in food

1. A are surprisingly beneficial.

2. B are frightening for consumers.
3. C are currently unclear.
4. D are most likely dangerous.

4 What point is made about nanotechnology research in the fifth paragraph?

1. A It is sometimes highly technical.

2. B It is not always addressing a need.
3. C It is often extremely competitive.
4. D It has the potential to entertain the public.

5 Overall, the writer’s opinion about nanotechnology

1. A is negative because of potential complications.

2. B is that it is generally a waste of time and resources.
3. C is dependent on how the technology is applied.
4. D is overwhelmingly positive.

Answer ADCBC
Level C1