Japanese technology giant softbank unveil егэ ответы

Упражнение на грамматическое преобразование слов. Рекомендуем всем, кто готовится к сдачи ЕГЭ по английскому языку.

Прочитайте приведённый ниже текст. Образуйте от слов, напечатанных заглавными буквами, однокоренные слова, так, чтобы они грамматически соответствовали содержанию текста.

ЗаданиеОтвет

Japanese ‘robot with a heart’ will care for the elderly and children

Japanese technology giant SoftBank ( UNVEIL ) a robot they claim is capable of understanding human emotions using an ‘emotional engine’ and cloud-based AI.

Standing roughly a meter tall with a tablet computer fixed to its chest, ‘Pepper’ will go on sale to the public next year, with its creators hoping it ( USE ) for caring from the elderly to baby-sitting.

‘Pepper’ has fully articulated arms and hands but moves about on wheels ( HIDE ) under a curved plastic skirt.

Japan’s robot market is expected to triple to 2.85 trillion yen by 2020, with the country’s rapidly ( AGE ) population and falling birth rate increasing demand for workers, especially in the care industry.

‘People describe others as being robots because they have no emotions, no heart. For the first time in human history, we’re giving a robot a heart,’ SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son ( SAY ) at a news conference.

Over 22 per cent of Japan’s population is currently aged 65 or older and many companies are working on robots that can assist the elderly. Although some have human-like limbs to help move and carry objects, others ( DESIGN ) to offer therapeutic care instead.

SoftBank’s ‘Pepper’ seems designed to offer both types of helping hand — the mechanical and the emotional. One of the most popular robots in the country is Paro, a furry, seal-like bot programmed to bond with ( IT ) owners and show emotions such as happiness and surprise.

Japanese ‘robot with a heart’ will care for the elderly and children

Japanese technology giant SoftBank HAS UNVEILED a robot they claim is capable of understanding human emotions using an ‘emotional engine’ and cloud-based AI.

Standing roughly a meter tall with a tablet computer fixed to its chest, ‘Pepper’ will go on sale to the public next year, with its creators hoping it WILL BE USED for caring from the elderly to baby-sitting.

‘Pepper’ has fully articulated arms and hands but moves about on wheels HIDDEN under a curved plastic skirt.

Japan’s robot market is expected to triple to 2.85 trillion yen by 2020, with the country’s rapidly AGEING population and falling birth rate increasing demand for workers, especially in the care industry.

‘People describe others as being robots because they have no emotions, no heart. For the first time in human history, we’re giving a robot a heart,’ SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son SAID at a news conference.

Over 22 per cent of Japan’s population is currently aged 65 or older and many companies are working on robots that can assist the elderly. Although some have human-like limbs to help move and carry objects, others ARE DESIGNED to offer therapeutic care instead.

SoftBank’s ‘Pepper’ seems designed to offer both types of helping hand — the mechanical and the emotional. One of the most popular robots in the country is Paro, a furry, seal-like bot programmed to bond with ITS owners and show emotions such as happiness and surprise.

1) Вставьте слово, которое грамматически будет соответствовать содержанию текста.

Japanese ‘robot with a heart’ will care for the elderly and children

Japanese technology giant SoftBank ___ (UNVEIL) a robot they claim is capable of understanding human emotions using an ‘emotional engine’ and cloud-based AI.


2) Вставьте слово, которое грамматически будет соответствовать содержанию текста.

Standing roughly a meter tall with a tablet computer fixed to its chest, ‘Pepper’ will go on sale to the public next year, with its creators hoping it ___ (USE) for caring from the elderly to ba- by-sitting.


3) Вставьте слово, которое грамматически будет соответствовать содержанию текста.

‘Pepper’ has fully articulated arms and hands but moves about on wheels ___ (HIDE) under a curved plastic skirt.


4) Вставьте слово, которое грамматически будет соответствовать содержанию текста.

Japan’s robot market is expected to triple to 2,85 trillion yen by 2020, with the country’s rapidly ___ (AGE) population and falling birth rate increasing demand for workers, especially in the care industry.


5) Вставьте слово, которое грамматически будет соответствовать содержанию текста.

‘People describe others as being robots because they have no emotions, no heart. For the first time in human history, we’re giving a robot a heart,’ SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son ___ (SAY) at a news conference.


6) Вставьте слово, которое грамматически будет соответствовать содержанию текста.

Over 22 per cent of Japan’s population is currently aged 65 or older and many companies are working on robots that can assist the elderly. Although some have human-like limbs to help move and carry objects, others ___ (DESIGN) to offer therapeutic care instead.


7) Вставьте слово, которое грамматически будет соответствовать содержанию текста.

SoftBank’s ‘Pepper’ seems designed to offer both types of helping hand — the mechanical and the emotional. One of the most popular robots in the country is Paro, a furry, seal-like bot programmed to bond with ___ (IT) owners and show emotions such as happiness and surprise.


8) Вставьте слово, которое грамматически и лексически будет соответствовать содержанию текста.

Digital media could harm moral values, as it doesn’t allow time for compassion or admiration

Today’s fast-paced media could be making us ___ (DIFFER) to human anguish and should allow time for us to reflect, according to researchers.


9) Вставьте слово, которое грамматически и лексически будет соответствовать содержанию текста.

In the time it takes to fully reflect on a story of ___ (SUFFER), the news bulletin has already moved on or the next Twitter update is already being read.


10) Вставьте слово, которое грамматически и лексически будет соответствовать содержанию текста.

As ___ (ACTIVE) such as reading books and meeting friends, where peo- ple can define their morals, are taken over by news snippets and fast-moving social networking, the problem could become widespread, researchers warn.


11) Вставьте слово, которое грамматически и лексически будет соответствовать содержанию текста.

Children could be particularly vulnerable because their brains are still developing. If things are happening too fast, you may not 29 ever fully experience emotions about other people’s ___ (PSYCHOLOGY) states.


12) Вставьте слово, которое грамматически и лексически будет соответствовать содержанию текста.

The researchers are most concerned about fast-moving TV or virtual games. In a media culture in which violence becomes an ___ (END) show a cold attitude to the vision of human pain gradually sets in.


13) Вставьте слово, которое грамматически и лексически будет соответствовать содержанию текста.

Using brain imaging, the scientists found that people respond in fractions of a second to signs of physical pain in others, but admiration and compassion — two of the social emotions that define ___ (HUMAN) — take much longer.


14) Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Virtual teacher

Eurotalk is a London-based company that makes language-learning software. ___, their Onebillion project has been in the news, especially since their maths learning app for children in the Republic of Malawi (Africa) was shown to improve learning.

1) subsequently
2) increasingly
3) respectively
4) recently


15) Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

It turned out that children using the app tripled their knowledge of maths ___ just eight weeks.

1) for
2) in
3) over
4) at


16) Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

The name Onebillion ___ from the goal of reaching one billion children. This is more or less the number of children who don’t have the opportunity to learn basic skills.

1) arrives
2) departs
3) comes
4) goes


17) Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Primary education has been free in Malawi since 1994, and the one million increase in student enrolment has put ___ on teachers, classrooms and resources.

1) pressure
2) weight
3) difficulty
4) force


18) Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Children are put in groups of 30 or even 60 and taken to a special classroom to spend 30 minutes every other day with the device. One tablet device can be used by ten or twelve children each day. Each Oneclass is managed by an international volunteer and there is a virtual teacher guiding the student through the app. All of the children in Oneclass are learning at their own pace. The apps are designed to be as culturally friendly as possible. The project works closely with the education ministry in Malawi to ___ sure there are no cultural misunderstandings.

1) do
2) make
3) appear
4) emerge


19) Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

The project is funded by people in wealthier countries who buy their own language version of the app. Every single penny that the company earns from selling those apps goes towards developing literacy material in Malawi. The key to the success of the app is how it takes ___ of the enthusiasm of young children to learn.

1) chance
2) opportunity
3) benefit
4) advantage


20) Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

The children are like sponges, they absorb so much information at this age and this is why they are getting ___ a good learning result.

1) such
2) that
3) so
4) what

Japanese technology giant SoftBank has unveiled a robot they claim is capable of understanding human emotions using an “emotional engine” and cloud-based AI.

Standing roughly a metre tall with a tablet computer fixed to its chest, ‘Pepper’ will go on sale to the public next year for 198,000 yen (£1,150), with its creators hoping it will be using in a range of roles from caring from the elderly to baby-sitting.

«People describe others as being robots because they have no emotions, no heart. For the first time in human history, we’re giving a robot a heart,» SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son said at a news conference.

Pepper reportedly learns from human interactions, with each experience helping to teach a cloud-based AI shared by all units. It has fully articulated arms and hands but moves about on wheels hidden under a curved plastic skirt.

Japan has one of the world’s largest robot markets worth about 860bn yen (£5bn) in 2012. This is expected to triple to 2.85 trillion yen by 2020, with the country’s rapidly ageing population and falling birth rate increasing demand for workers, especially in the care industry.

Over 22 per cent of Japan’s population is currently aged 65 or older and many companies are working on robots that can assist the elderly. Although some have human-like limbs to help move and carry objects, others are designed to offer therapeutic care instead.

One of the most popular robots in the country is Paro, a furry, seal-like bot programmed to bond with its owners and show emotions such as happiness and surprise. SoftBank’s Pepper seems designed to offer both types of helping hand – the mechanical and the emotional.


Charlotte R. Fortune

Jul 16, 2014
0

Japanese tech giant SoftBank has unveiled a robot it says is capable of understanding human emotions using an «emotional engine» and cloud-based AI.About three feet tall with a tablet attached to his chest, «Pepper» goes on sale to the…

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Key to Tests

Key to Tests

ENTRY TEST

1

C

17

C

33

C

49

B

65

C

2

B

18

B

34

C

50

B

66

A

3

A

19

B

35

B

51

C

67

B

4

A

20

A

36

A

52

C

68

A

5

C

21

C

37

A

53

A

69

C

6

B

22

C

38

B

54

A

70

B

7

C

23

C

39

A

55

B

71

A

8

A

24

A

40

B

56

B

72

A

9

C

25

B

41

C

57

C

73

C

10

B

26

C

42

A

58

A

74

A

11

B

27

A

43

B

59

B

75

B

12

A

28

C

44

B

60

C

76

A

13

C

29

B

45

C

61

C

77

C

14

A

30

B

46

C

62

B

78

C

15

C

31

B

47

A

63

A

79

B

16

B

32

A

48

C

64

C

80

B

TEST 1

A

1

raised

5

bright

9

spare

2

make

6

strong

10

street

3

display

7

contest

4

life

8

transformed

B

11

blows out

15

annual

19

throw

12

exchange

16

remind

20

patiently

13

decorate

17

entering

14

attracts

18

made

C

21

B

23

C

25

A

27

B

29

C

22

A

24

B

26

C

28

C

30

B

D

31

whose

33 where

35 which

32

when

34 who

E

36

C

37

D

38

A

39

E

40

B

F

41

NS

42

T

43

F

44

T

45

NS

G Suggested Answer

In Kovran, Siberia, we have a week-long celebration called the Alkhalalalaj Harvest Festival. It takes place every third week in September. The festival celebrates the end of the harvest after a long summer of working in the fields.

People prepare for this festival by carving a wooden pole. The male villagers walk for 70 km to place the

56 beautiful carved pole on top of Mount Elvel. They also leave food for Kamuli, the mountain god. When the men

return from the mountain, the villagers prepare for the more fun-packed activities.

When the big day comes, school children sing to open the festival. The enthusiastic crowds cheer excitedly while watching a display of fire dances, music, and singing. There is a festive atmosphere, with people in colourful clothes dancing the evening away. We all stay up all night eating and drinking along the brightly decorated village streets.

The Harvest Festival is truly a fantastic event. We all feel tired but very happy after the week-long activities. What I love most about it is the music and dancing that continues all through the night.

H 46 B 47 C 48 E 49 A 50 D

TEST 2

A

1

dust

3

take

5

do

7 makes

2

hang out

4

mopped

6

keep

B

8

spacious

12

nosy

16

extinct

9

went

13

vacuum

17

lack

10

household

14

sociable

18

do

11

isolated

15

pitch

C

19

getting off

23

to become

27

waking

20

shopping

24

turning

28

promise

21

to take

25

stay

29

tidy

22

living

26

to have

D

30

close enough

34

enough sleep

31

too forgetful

35

too busy

32

too noisy

36

big enough

33

modern enough

E37 Don’t worry about it.

38 I hope not.

39 Sorry! I didn’t realise it annoyed you.

40 That’s not very nice.

41 What have I done now?

F 42 F

43 A

44 D

45 E

46 B

GSuggested Answer

Hi Sue,

Thanks for your email. It was great to hear that you’re well. I’m doing OK too. Let me tell you about my new life!

Our new house in the country is amazing. It has four bedrooms and a big living room and kitchen. There’s also an attic, which Dad will change into a games room. What I love about it most is the garden. It’s huge!

Key to Tests

The town isn’t bad, either. I really like the wide, treelined streets. What I don’t like, though, is that it’s very quiet. Well, that’s it for now. Write soon.

Nancy

H 47 B 48 C 49 A 50 A

TEST 3

A

1

a) sights

5

a) glanced

b) sightings

b) spotted

2

a) existed

6

a) violent

b) survived

b) horrifying

3

a) staring

7

a) reflection

b) glaring

b) shadow

4

a) extinct

8

a) imagination

b) mythical

b) illusion

B

9

alike

13

giant

17

dull

10

human

14

appears

18

corridor

11

mind

15

impact

12

glimpse

16

fantasy

C

19

gasped

23

had been painting

20

was driving

24

hadn’t finished

21

was reading

25

found

22

had ever seen

D

26

When I was still at school, I would read a new ghost

story every week.

27In the past, my sister used to make fun of Surrealist paintings, but now she loves them.

28Eleanor’s parents never used to buy her books about monsters when she was a child.

29Sally would visit her grandparents quite often when she still lived in London.

E

30

can’t

32

may

34

must

31

must

33

may

35

can’t

F

36

b

37

a

38

b

39

a

40

b

G

41

B

42

D

43

E

44

A

45

C

H Suggested Answer

Last weekend, Dad and I went fishing on Lake Windermere. It was a beautiful sunny day and the water was very calm. Mum had made sandwiches for us to eat, and we were having a great time talking and laughing.

We had been fishing for about an hour when, all of a sudden, my fishing line started moving. Dad helped me

pull the line, but the fish was very strong and we had to pull for more than half an hour before we got it on board.

When we did, we saw the biggest fish we had ever caught!

We took the fish home and Dad started cleaning it. Mum and I were watching him when, suddenly, he cried out “Look! A ring!” We looked, and there inside the fish was the ring that Mum had lost when she and Dad were at the lake a few weeks before!

All of us were so surprised, we couldn’t stop laughing and shouting. Mum was so happy that she even gave me

£20 to buy myself a treat. I can’t wait to go fishing again!

I 46 D 47 B 48 E 49 C 50 A

TEST 4

A

1

emotional response

4

phone line

2

broadband connection

5

figurative speech

3

email account

6

artificial brain

B

7

become

11

caters

15

build

8

perform

12

exists

16

invented

9

subscription

13

modem

10

divided

14

overcome

C

17

starts

22

will have been working

18

Will you show

23

is giving

19

will pass

24

will have completed

20

’ll be attending

25

’ll install

21

is going to break

26

Are you buying

D

27

B

29

B

31

A

33

C

35 B

28

C

30

C

32

C

34

B

E

36

E

37

D

38

C

39

A

40

B

F

41

C

42

F

43

A

44

E

45

B

G Suggested Answer

Robotics experts predict that it will not be too long before robots become an ordinary part of most households. In my opinion, the presence of robots in homes will be a wonderful thing.

First of all, robots will be able to all the chores around the house. For example, they will be able to do the cleaning, the cooking, and maybe even the shopping. As a result, families will be able to spend more quality time together.

Secondly, robots will be able to act as carers. For instance, they will be able to babysit children and look after the elderly. Consequently, families will not need to

57

Key to Tests

spend extra money on expensive home help, so they will have more money to improve their lives.

On the other hand, people may come to depend on robots too much. This means that if their robot stops working they may find it especially difficult or tiring to do even the simplest of tasks.

All in all, it seems to me that robots will be extremely useful around the house, but no matter how helpful they may be, we should not rely on them completely.

H 46 B 47 C 48 A 49 E 50 D

MID TEST (MODULES 1-4)

A

1 C

7

C

13

B

19

A

25

B

2

C

8

B

14

A

20

B

26

A

3

B

9

B

15

B

21

A

27

C

4

B

10

B

16

C

22

C

28

A

5

A

11

A

17

B

23

A

29

B

6

C

12

B

18

C

24

C

30

C

B

31

C

32 D

33 A

34 F

35 B

CSuggested Answer

Dear Andrew,

Thanks for your email. It sounds like you have fun in your spare time. Let me tell you about myself.

When I have a day off school, I often hang out with my friends. We usually listen to music or go to the cinema.

At the weekends, I do my chores in the morning and I play football at the local pitch in the afternoons.

This weekend Dad and I have planned something special. We’ve decided to go fishing by the lake. We might even camp there overnight. I’m sure it’ll be a lot of fun! I have to go now.

Your friend,

Richard

D 36 C 37 A 38 B 39 B 40 C

TEST 5

A 1

remain

4

stunts

7

private

2

set

5

miniature

8

artistic

3

still

6

portray

9

plots

B 10

action-packed

13 special effects

11

all-star

14

box office

12

model making

15

potter’s wheel

C

16 most talented

20

more accurately

17

most famous

21

more, easier

18

better, better

22

interesting

19

worst

23

tiniest

D

24

extremely

29

very

25

would sooner

30

completely

26

totally

31

would prefer

27

slightly

32

rather

28

would rather

33

prefers

E34 I can’t make it, I’m afraid.

35 What sort of music do you like?

36 What do you think of Mozart?

37 I absolutely love it!

38 Sure, count me in.

F 39

B

41

C

43

C

45 B

40

A

42

B

44

A

GSuggested Answer

Dear William,

I’ve just received your mail and I think taking your brother and his friends to the cinema for his birthday is a great idea. I suggest you go and see Speed Racer, which is an action film based on a 1960s Japanese cartoon. It stars Emile Hirsch and Christina Ricci.

The film is about a brilliant racing car driver called Speed Racer. Speed Racer finds out that some powerful business people are making drivers cheat in races in order to make a lot of money. So he decides to do something to stop the bad guys. The plot is clever but a little hard to follow in the first 20 minutes or so, but keep going because the action is great! The characters are likeable and well-developed, while the ending is exciting, which the kids will love.

Well, that’s about it! I really recommend this film because 10-year-old boys will love all the amazing car races.

Let me know how it goes! Alex

H 46 D 47 E 48 A 49 C 50 B

TEST 6

A

1

B

3

A

5

B

7

C

9 B

2

C

4

A

6

A

8

A

10 A

B

11

station

13

cashier

15

neglected

12

involved

14

signs

16

skilful

58

Key to Tests

C 17

is visited

20

will be powered

18

be touched

21

has already been sent

19

was put out

22

was built

D23 is having her portrait drawn (by a professional painter).

24 has had her London flat designed by a famous architect.

25will have the handlebars on her bike fixed (by her father).

26had her arm examined (by a doctor) yesterday.

E

27

Whichever

29

wherever

31

whenever

28

Whatever

30

However

F

32

themselves

34

yourselves

36

himself

33

myself

35

ourselves

G37 About every ten minutes.

38 Go past the bank and turn left into Smith Street. 39 No, just a ten-minute walk away.

40 Yes, there’s one just around the corner.

41 Is it a long way from here?

H 42 E

43 C 44 A

45 B

46 D

ISuggested Answer

Dear Sam,

How are you? I’m sorry I haven’t written for some time, but I’ve been a bit busy lately. Let me tell you about my visit to the Moscow Zoo with my sister and her friends last weekend.

It’s an amazing place! It has more than 5,000 animals and birds, and different areas such as a Night Animal House and an African Animals section.

When we got there, we went straight to see the big cats. There are Siberian tigers and Snow leopards in the Moscow Zoo. Have you ever seen these incredible cats up close?

There are also aquariums with fish from all over the world. In the afternoon, we had lunch at one of the zoo’s cafes. I’m telling you, the whole experience was great. I can’t wait to go back there again because there is so much more to see and do at the Moscow Zoo!

Bye for now, Natasha

TEST 7

A

1

sip

5

teased

9

beat

2

home-made

6

cut

10

eating

3

irrational

7

burn

11

screamed

4

starving

8

shaking

12

chewing

B

13

took up

15

snacks

17

rich

14

going on

16

human

18

leads

C

19

were

23

had eaten

20

doesn’t grow

24

discuss

21

wouldn’t have scratched

25

exercised

22

take

26

will connect

D

27

had

29

had brought

31

were not

28

used

30

had taken

E

32

might

34

needn’t

36

shouldn’t

33

mustn’t

35

may

F

37

B

38

A

39

D

40

E

41

C

G

42

C

43

A

44

E

45

F

46

D

H Suggested Answer

A recent survey in the UK found that 6% of school children learn self-defence in schools. But the question is whether more children should be encouraged to learn self-defence.

There are some advantages to running self-defence classes in schools. Firstly, self-defence techniques teach children how to either avoid a threatening situation, or how to protect themselves against an attacker. Consequently, they learn how to use their common sense to stay out of trouble and also become more confident, as they are no longer vulnerable targets. Secondly, taking a self-defence class keeps children fit, as it is an excellent form of exercise. As a result, children get in shape and lead a healthier life.

On the other hand, there are some arguments against running self-defence courses in schools. To begin with, classes and equipment may be expensive. Because of this, it is not affordable for everyone. Moreover, some people may misuse the skills they have been taught. For instance, instead of running away in a threatening situation, children may try to put up a fight against a violent attacker and become seriously injured.

In conclusion, there are arguments both for and against children learning self-defence in schools. I strongly believe that self-defence should be taught in

59

Key to Tests

schools, as it is important that children know how to look after themselves. However, it should be up to parents to decide whether or not their children will take part.

I 47 C 48 A 49 A 50 B

TEST 8

A 1

rucksack

4

total

7

face

2

map

5

reflect

8

bruised

3

sprained

6

first aid kit

9

survived

B

10

burn

12

sling

14 positive

11

sunscreen

13

seriously

C

15

Joan asked Sam if he had ever travelled to a foreign

country.

16Mum told me not to be late for dinner.

17James and Lilly said that they couldn’t go whitewater rafting that weekend.

18Liz said that Andrew had taken up trekking three years before.

19Lee said that Mark would begin kitesurfing lessons in summer.

20Sandy told me that the children were going on a roller coaster ride the next/the following day.

D21 Bill explained that he couldn’t be at basketball practice because he had broken his arm.

22Anne refused to pay for Tom’s skydiving lessons.

23Mary offered to help Sarah with her application form.

24Dad warned the children not to play with the pen knife.

25Jennifer complained that her throat was feeling sore.

E

26

someone

28

everywhere

30

anyone

27

Everyone

29

nothing

F

31

doesn’t he

33

wasn’t it

35

shall we

32

has he

34

doesn’t it

G36 Yes, it really hurts.

37 Oh, that’s good.

38 Hmm … I don’t know.

39 Oh dear! What happened?

40 Get well soon.

H 41 Ns

42 F

43 Ns

44 T

45 T

ISuggested Answer

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing with reference to your advertisement in

Friday’s edition of the ‘Mirror Review’. I am interested in applying to be a volunteer at the local animal shelter.

I am fifteen years old and I am in my fourth year of high school. As for previous experience, I have worked as a volunteer at the local zoo feeding and cleaning the animals. In addition, last summer I worked part-time at my father’s animal clinic where I learned to deal with a variety of animals.

I am described by my teachers as cheerful, hardworking and reliable. Moreover, I am particularly good at languages. I have just taken the Lower English exam and passed with a grade A. My interests include football, tennis and trekking.

Please find my application form attached. I can be contacted at the number on my application form at any time. I would be very grateful if you would consider me as a volunteer. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Mary Smith

46 C 47 E 48 D 49 A 50 B

EXIT TEST

A

1

C

7

A

13

B

19

B

25

C

2

C

8

A

14

B

20

C

26

A

3

B

9

C

15

C

21

C

27

C

4

A

10

B

16

A

22

A

28

A

5

B

11

A

17

C

23

A

29

C

6

A

12

C

18

C

24

B

30

B

B

31 Ns

32 T

33 F

34

T

35

Ns

CSuggested Answer

Dear Robert,

Thank you for your letter. It was nice of you to drop me a line.

I like many different kinds of music, but I mostly listen to pop. I haven’t been to many concerts, but I actually had the chance to see Shakira live last year when I was in London, and she was really fantastic!

My favourite artist is Beyonce. I’d really like to see her perform live because she’s a fantastic singer and I love all her music. My favourite songs are ‘Irreplaceable and ‘Me, Myself and I’.

Well, that’s all for now. Write back soon.

Linda

D 36 C 37 B

38 E

39 A

40 D

60

Test 1 ― Listening

Interviewer: I asked some young people about special occasions in their country and how they celebrate them.

Speaker 1: (young woman)

In Bolivia, a girls’ sixteenth birthday is very important. The birthday girl wears a white dress and dances the first dance with her father or grandfather. She also dances with fifteen other partners, as each dance represents one year of her life. It is a sign of becoming a lady.

Speaker 2: (man)

Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colours takes place each year in India around the end of February or the beginning of March. Everyone throws blue, green and yellow powders at one another on the second day of Holi. In fact your clothing is never the same again! It’s all great fun and people believe that the powders will keep illnesses away.

Speaker 3: (man)

People in Thailand celebrate their new year by throwing water over one another. Songkran, the Thai New Year, happens each year in mid-April. The Thai people and visitors use buckets, bowls, garden hoses, water guns, and even elephants to carry the water.

Speaker 4: (woman)

Las Fallas Festival is a week-long festival in mid-March, which celebrates Saint Joseph’s Day with loud music, partying, and fire dances around huge open fires, where people tell stories from the past. Many people dress in traditional costumes, though modern costumes are also common. The festival ends with an amazing fireworks display.

Speaker 5: (man)

The Ivrea Carnival in Italy includes fantastic street parties and parades but what makes it different from other carnivals are the orange battles, where people separate into special teams and throw oranges at each other. This comes from a custom that started in the middle ages, when local residents threw the beans that the local ruler gave to the poor out onto the streets to express their dissatisfaction.

Test 2 ― Listening

Jeremy: Welcome to the show, Adam. We keep hearing that humans are destroying the different habitats on Earth. Could you tell us what this actually means?

Adam: Certainly! Man has been damaging the land, sea, and air around him and as a result he is also threatening the survival of plants and animals that live there.

Jeremy: Why is this happening?

Adam: One of the reasons is that we are increasing the world’s population by about one and a half billion people every ten years.

More people means we need more food and therefore more land to grow the food. So, in trying to feed all these people, we

Tapescripts

destroy the habitats of the animals and plants that live in the areas we transform into farms. Experts believe that over one hundred species become extinct every day because of us.

Jeremy: What are some other causes of habitat destruction? Adam: Scientists believe that the poisonous chemicals we throw in the sea will cause the sea life to change or die out. Also, they say that we are destroying the forests, which make half of the oxygen in the world. Of course we cannot live without oxygen, but a large number of us seem to believe that this problem isn’t so serious and hope that it will just go away by itself!

Jeremy: So how can we stop destroying natural habitats? Adam: There are dozens of things we can do, but I believe that we should first turn our attention to our seas, lakes and rivers. People keep throwing rubbish and poisonous chemicals into them, putting wildlife at risk. And this is one of the most serious problems that a huge number of plant and animal species face. Jeremy: Well, you’ve given all of us much to think about,

Adam, thank you for your time. Adam: Thank you.

Test 3 ― Listening

Interviewer: I’ve asked some people to talk about dreaming. Here’s what they said.

Speaker 1: (man)

The night before I went to school for the first time, I had dreamt that my teacher was going to be that big, green ugly monster! Naturally, the next day I was kicking and screaming and refusing to go to school. When my mother finally managed to drag me there and I met my teacher, I felt so relieved! She looked like an angel!

Speaker 2: (woman)

I think that what we see in our sleep tells us something important about us and that nightmares try to warn us of something bad. That’s why I always keep a dream dictionary by my bed, and I often look at it whenever I have had a particularly strange dream.

Speaker 3: (woman)

I was very upset when I lost my favourite pen that my granddad had given me. We searched the whole house but we found nothing. I went to bed worrying and dreamt that while I was walking in the garden, I saw a shiny object under the rose bush.

When I woke up the next morning, I went to that bush and my pen was there, exactly like in my dream!

Speaker 4: (young boy)

I keep dreaming about the same thing most nights. In my dream,

I am always waiting a long time for buses and trains. Therefore,

I am always late getting to school. When I get there, my teacher screams and shouts at me. I always wake up tired but relieved that it isn’t true.

Speaker 5: (young boy)

Last night, I went to bed after reading a horror book on mysterious monsters around the world. Later I dreamt about

61

Tapescripts

fighting and kicking a huge ugly sea monster that was trying to eat me! I woke up screaming and fell off my bed as I was trying to escape from the terrifying creature!

Test 4 ― Listening

Interviewer: We asked some people to tell us what they think about mobile phones, and this is what they said.

Speaker 1: (man)

Mobile phones are great, but there are some things about them that I don’t like. For example, I don’t like it that I always want to check my phone to see if I have a message. Also, I don’t like it when I panic if my phone isn’t near me. What I’m saying is I don’t think it’s good that I rely so much on a gadget!

Speaker 2: (woman)

I love my mobile phone. Mostly, I use it to send text messages to my friends. I probably send between 100 and 200 text messages a week. It’s expensive to send so many texts, though. I have a big phone bill every month. But I don’t care, because it’s worth the cost to stay in touch with my friends.

Speaker 3: (woman)

Some people say that mobile phones can cause illnesses. They say they are dangerous because of the radiation. I don’t know if this is true, but just to be on the safe side, I only use my mobile for quick conversations. If I know I am going to have a long conversation, I use a regular phone.

Speaker 4: (teenage girl)

Mobile phones are one of the best inventions. No matter where I am, I can always contact my parents if I need help. This makes me feel secure, and it makes my parents feel safe too. They worry about me less now because they know they can contact me at any time.

Speaker 5: (man)

There’s one thing that really annoys me about mobile phones. It’s to do with text messaging. I don’t like how people shorten every word they can, and spell words incorrectly. Sometimes you can’t even understand what someone has written, because there is not one word in their text message that is spelt how it should be!

Mid Test (Modules 1-4) ― Listening

Sam: Hi Anna! What are you doing?

Anna: I’m going into town to buy a present for my mum. It’s her birthday this weekend.

Sam: Oh. What are you going to buy her?

Anna: I’m not sure. I was thinking about getting her a book, but I’ve changed my mind. A book is a bit boring.

Sam: I agree. A book isn’t exciting at all!

Anna: I know. Oh dear … I’m no good at choosing presents!

Sam: Don’t worry! I love shopping for presents! I can come with you if you like and help you.

Anna: Really? Are you sure? Don’t you have hockey practice today?

Sam: Usually, yes. But our coach is ill today, so I’m free. Come on, let’s go!

Anna: OK. I was thinking of going to that huge store in the city centre, first.

Sam: Good idea. We’ll definitely find something there. Anna: I hope so. I want to buy Mum something really nice. What did you get your mum for her last birthday, Sam?

Sam: Well, I didn’t have much to spend, so I borrowed a video camera from a friend and made her a movie.

Anna: Wow! That was definitely a bright idea!

Sam: Well, I recorded everyone in my family and some of Mum’s friends. We all said what Mum means to us or told a funny story.

Anna: She must have loved it.

Sam: She did! In fact, she liked it so much she asked me to make another video for her next birthday.

Anna: Wow, you really do have good ideas! I’m glad you’re helping me today.

Test 5 ― Listening

Interviewer: I spoke to some people about music. Here’s what they said.

Speaker 1: (young man)

Both my parents and my older brother have a career in music, so our house has always been full of tunes and melodies. One of my first memories is sitting beside my mother at the piano listening to her play a beautiful piece of classical music. So it should come as no surprise that I’m following in their footsteps, and starting a career in the music industry too.

Speaker 2: (young woman)

I don’t know how they did it, but my friends have convinced me to join a local singing contest with them! I love singing, and I’m always the first to grab the guitar and start a singsong, but that’s only when I’m among friends. This time dozens of strangers will be listening to me, and I’m not so sure whether they’ll appreciate my voice!

Speaker 3: (young man)

For those of us who love music, I believe there’s nothing better than seeing your favourite singer or band perform live. For me, nothing compares to watching them on stage and sharing the thrill and excitement with the other members of the audience.

Of course I can’t afford to go to live shows all the time, but I do so whenever I get the chance!

Speaker 4: (teenage girl)

You couldn’t really say I have a broad musical taste … and it’s not that I haven’t tried to get into lots of different types of music, because I have. My brother and sister have completely different tastes to mine and I have to hear their music every day at home. So you couldn’t even say that I’m not exposed to different types. But the fact is, I only like pop. And if you like something, I don’t see anything wrong with sticking to it.

62

Tapescripts

Speaker 5: (young man)

I really want to become a professional musician, but I sometimes wonder whether I have a natural ability to create beautiful music. I mean, playing around on the piano and coming up with happy little tunes is one thing, but doing this professionally is not something I’m sure I’ll be able to do well. One thing is sure, though. I’ll give it a try!

Test 6 ― Listening

Alex: Hi Nathan! How was football practice? Ben: Great! What did you do this afternoon Alex?

Alex: Nothing. I don’t have anything to do after school on Wednesdays. My Art teacher suggested that I join an afterschool Art class. So I am thinking about doing that.

Ben: That’s a great idea! You’re really good at painting and drawing.

Alex: Thanks. Where are you going now? You look like you are in a hurry.

Ben: I am. I’m on my way to the hospital. I’m a volunteer there.

Usually, I only work on Saturday mornings. But today they called me and asked if I could help out this evening for a few hours. Alex: Oh. What’s it like being a volunteer?

Ben: It’s great! The patients are always happy to see me. It makes me feel really good to know that I am doing something to help people.

Alex: Wow. How long have you been a volunteer?

Ben: For one year. My Mum works at the hospital. She gave me the idea about volunteering. She thought I would like to do something worthwhile.

Alex: I think I would like to help people who are ill, too. Do you think I could go with you sometime to see what you do?

Ben: Of course. In fact, why don’t you come with me now? Alex: I would love too!

Ben: Great. Let’s go!

Test 7 ― Listening

Ian: Hi Claire! Guess what! Mum and Dad have finally agreed to let me have a pet!

Claire: Really? That’s great, Ian! What are you going to get? Ian: A dog! Definitely, a dog! I’m going to get one from an animal shelter. Do you want to come with me and help me choose one?

Claire: Sorry… No. I don’t like dogs.

Ian: You don’t like dogs! Why not! Everyone likes dogs!

Claire: Everyone but me. Don’t laugh … but … I’m really scared of them. I shake like a leaf even when I look at a picture of a dog, or see one on television.

Ian: But why? A dog won’t hurt you.

Claire: I don’t know why. My mum thinks it’s because a dog bit me on the hand when I was a baby.

Ian: What happens when you see a dog?

Claire: Well, I start shaking and sometimes even crying too. I can’t even run away if I see a dog, because I freeze on the spot and can’t move.

Ian: Wow. But you’re wrong to avoid dogs. You’ll never get over your fear if you keep avoiding them.

Claire: I’ve tried. But it’s no good. Ian: Poor you.

Claire: Yes. But my brother, John, says it’s worse for him!

Just like you, he really wants a pet dog. But of course there is no way we can have one in our house!

Ian: Oh well, you can tell him he can come and see my dog whenever he wants.

Claire: Thanks! I will.

Test 8 ― Listening

Interviewer: I spoke to some people about dealing with challenges, and here’s what they said.

Speaker 1: (young woman)

When my friends asked me to go rock climbing with them, I wasn’t sure, because I am scared of heights. But I decided to be brave and try it. It was scary, but when I got to the top, I felt a real sense of achievement. Next week, I am trying skydiving. I think it is important to face whatever it is that scares you.

Speaker 2: (man)

A serious injury really changes your life. I don’t remember much about the accident, but I remember waking up in a hospital room with two broken legs and a bruised spine. Now, six months later I have fully recovered, but I don’t think I could have done it without the support and encouragement of those close to me.

Speaker 3: (woman)

I am very close to my family. So close, in fact, that living in another country was something that I thought I couldn’t cope with. But when I was 18, I had to go overseas to study. I thought I would miss my family too much and have to leave university before I finished my degree. I’d just never imagined that I could make it on my own But, I did stay, and ended up loving it.

Speaker 4: (young man)

It’s very satisfying to do things that seem nearly impossible at first. That’s why, as soon as I finish one challenge, I’m off to face the next, more difficult one. For example, last year I ran half a marathon. This year, I am training to run the whole marathon. Next year, I want to climb the tallest mountain in the UK.

Speaker 5: (woman)

I’ve always believed that positive thinking plays an important role in a person’s life. I’ve had to face many difficulties and I’ve found that the best way to deal with them successfully is to have a positive attitude. The way we think about something has a strong impact on how we feel and how we behave, so if you believe in your ability to achieve something and hope for the best, good things will probably happen to you.

63

Tapescripts

Exit Test (Modules 1-8) ― Listening

Interviewer: I spoke to some young people about challenges, and here’s what they had to say.

Speaker 1: (young man)

When my friend first suggested we try skydiving, I thought that he was crazy! Why would I want to jump out of a plane, or do anything else that might put my life at risk? But now, four years later, not only do I go skydiving whenever I get the chance, but I also love kitesurfing, whitewater rafting and any other exciting activity that presents a real challenge for me!

Speaker 2: (young woman)

I’ve always thought that life’s difficult enough, without us trying to make it harder. That’s why I don’t understand people who put themselves in danger through various extreme sports, or any other activities that may cause injuries. It’s not that I’m afraid, but “better safe than sorry” is my motto!

Speaker 3: (teenage boy)

I think I am old enough to start working. I’ve discussed it with my parents and we’ve decided that I’ll be working part-time at my dad’s restaurant, after school. It’ll be a real challenge for me, trying to balance school and work. But I think I’ll be able to cope well.

Speaker 4: (young man)

Last year my friends persuaded me to go trekking in the mountains with them. It wasn’t that bad, but what I remember most about the experience are all the cuts and bruises I got! Sure, it was challenging enough for me to walk for hours through forests and up the mountainside, but I’d have to think twice before going with them next time.

Speaker 5: (young woman)

One of the things I enjoy most in life is to get involved in new and exciting things in the company of my friends. Unfortunately, my best friends are also my most boring friends! I can never seem to tear them away from their computers or TVs long enough for us to do something different, something thrilling. So, when it comes to kitesurfing or skydiving, I’m on my own!

64

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ЗаданиеОтвет

Japanese ‘robot with a heart’ will care for the elderly and children

Japanese technology giant SoftBank ( UNVEIL ) a robot they claim is capable of understanding human emotions using an ‘emotional engine’ and cloud-based AI.

Standing roughly a meter tall with a tablet computer fixed to its chest, ‘Pepper’ will go on sale to the public next year, with its creators hoping it ( USE ) for caring from the elderly to baby-sitting.

‘Pepper’ has fully articulated arms and hands but moves about on wheels ( HIDE ) under a curved plastic skirt.

Japan’s robot market is expected to triple to 2.85 trillion yen by 2020, with the country’s rapidly ( AGE ) population and falling birth rate increasing demand for workers, especially in the care industry.

‘People describe others as being robots because they have no emotions, no heart. For the first time in human history, we’re giving a robot a heart,’ SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son ( SAY ) at a news conference.

Over 22 per cent of Japan’s population is currently aged 65 or older and many companies are working on robots that can assist the elderly. Although some have human-like limbs to help move and carry objects, others ( DESIGN ) to offer therapeutic care instead.

SoftBank’s ‘Pepper’ seems designed to offer both types of helping hand — the mechanical and the emotional. One of the most popular robots in the country is Paro, a furry, seal-like bot programmed to bond with ( IT ) owners and show emotions such as happiness and surprise.

Japanese ‘robot with a heart’ will care for the elderly and children

Japanese technology giant SoftBank HAS UNVEILED a robot they claim is capable of understanding human emotions using an ‘emotional engine’ and cloud-based AI.

Standing roughly a meter tall with a tablet computer fixed to its chest, ‘Pepper’ will go on sale to the public next year, with its creators hoping it WILL BE USED for caring from the elderly to baby-sitting.

‘Pepper’ has fully articulated arms and hands but moves about on wheels HIDDEN under a curved plastic skirt.

Japan’s robot market is expected to triple to 2.85 trillion yen by 2020, with the country’s rapidly AGEING population and falling birth rate increasing demand for workers, especially in the care industry.

‘People describe others as being robots because they have no emotions, no heart. For the first time in human history, we’re giving a robot a heart,’ SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son SAID at a news conference.

Over 22 per cent of Japan’s population is currently aged 65 or older and many companies are working on robots that can assist the elderly. Although some have human-like limbs to help move and carry objects, others ARE DESIGNED to offer therapeutic care instead.

SoftBank’s ‘Pepper’ seems designed to offer both types of helping hand — the mechanical and the emotional. One of the most popular robots in the country is Paro, a furry, seal-like bot programmed to bond with ITS owners and show emotions such as happiness and surprise.

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

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Japanese technology giant SoftBank has unveiled a robot they claim is capable of understanding human emotions using an “emotional engine” and cloud-based AI.

Standing roughly a metre tall with a tablet computer fixed to its chest, ‘Pepper’ will go on sale to the public next year for 198,000 yen (£1,150), with its creators hoping it will be using in a range of roles from caring from the elderly to baby-sitting.

«People describe others as being robots because they have no emotions, no heart. For the first time in human history, we’re giving a robot a heart,» SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son said at a news conference.

Pepper reportedly learns from human interactions, with each experience helping to teach a cloud-based AI shared by all units. It has fully articulated arms and hands but moves about on wheels hidden under a curved plastic skirt.

Japan has one of the world’s largest robot markets worth about 860bn yen (£5bn) in 2012. This is expected to triple to 2.85 trillion yen by 2020, with the country’s rapidly ageing population and falling birth rate increasing demand for workers, especially in the care industry.

Over 22 per cent of Japan’s population is currently aged 65 or older and many companies are working on robots that can assist the elderly. Although some have human-like limbs to help move and carry objects, others are designed to offer therapeutic care instead.

One of the most popular robots in the country is Paro, a furry, seal-like bot programmed to bond with its owners and show emotions such as happiness and surprise. SoftBank’s Pepper seems designed to offer both types of helping hand – the mechanical and the emotional.

Business

A person walks by a SoftBank shop on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Tokyo. Japanese technology company SoftBank Group sank into losses for the first fiscal quarter as the value of its investments declined amid global worries about inflation and interest rates. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

TOKYO – Japanese technology company SoftBank Group posted a $23.4 billion loss in the April-June quarter as the value of its investments sank amid global worries about inflation and interest rates.

SoftBank Group Corp.’s loss of 3.16 trillion yen was a reversal from its 762 billion yen profit in the same quarter a year earlier. Quarterly sales rose 6% to 1.57 trillion yen ($11.6 billion).

“I must humbly and honestly acknowledge that things are really bad,” a somber Chief Executive Masayoshi Son told reporters Monday. “I must face up to this.»

Losses for the last six months totaled about 5 trillion yen ($37 billion), and the latest red ink was the worst quarterly loss since the company’s founding, he said.

For the fiscal year that ended in March, Softbank racked up losses of 1.7 trillion yen ($13 billion), a reversal from the 4.9 trillion yen profit for the previous year. Annual sales grew 10.5% to 6.2 trillion yen ($46 billion).

Although Softbank’s portfolio is not directly exposed to the war in Ukraine, the company warned that global uncertainty as well as inflation and soaring energy costs would likely hurt its profitability.

Much of the dip of the value in shares came from a drop in price of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, in which SoftBank is a major investor. The declining value of the yen also hurt Tokyo-based SoftBank’s bottom line because its borrowings must be repaid in yen.

How long the problems will persist is unclear, Son said, noting it could be months or even years because of global instability and inflation.

Softbank’s intended sale of British semiconductor and software design company Arm to Nvidia failed earlier this year. SoftBank is now promising lucrative future growth at Arm, including an initial public offering, although a date has not been announced for that offering.

SoftBank acquired Arm in 2016. Arm is a leader in artificial intelligence, IoT, cloud, the metaverse and autonomous driving. Its semiconductor design is widely licensed and used in virtually all smartphones, the majority of tablets and digital TVs. Such technology is considered key for autonomous driving cars.

Though Arm remains a bit of a positive for SoftBank, Son said he was not going to gloss over the overwhelmingly devastating results for the latest quarter.

Lower share prices might appear to be an opportunity to buy at bargain basement prices, but Son promised SoftBank will firmly hold back on new investments, cut costs and jobs, and instead focus on the more than 470 companies it’s already invested in, mostly companies focused on artificial intelligence.

He declined to say how many jobs were being reduced.

SoftBank also owns stakes in the SoftBank mobile carrier, Yahoo web services provider and vehicle-for-hire company Didi, which has suffered under a regulatory crackdown in China. SoftBank also has funds that include other global investors called Vision Funds.

Son stressed he still believes in the potential of the Vision Fund investments.

“We believe this is a source of future great wealth,” he said. “But we don’t really know for sure until it happens.”

He said some of the companies were exciting and may benefit humankind, but if dreams are pursued too recklessly, sometimes there is a risk of annihilation.

“And we must avoid annihilation at all costs,” said Son.

___

Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.


A person walks by a SoftBank shop on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Tokyo. Japanese technology company SoftBank Group sank into losses for the first fiscal quarter as the value of its investments declined amid global worries about inflation and interest rates. Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

Japanese technology company SoftBank Group posted a $23.4 billion loss in the April-June quarter as the value of its investments sank amid global worries about inflation and interest rates.

SoftBank Group Corp.’s loss of 3.16 trillion yen was a reversal from its 762 billion yen profit in the same quarter a year earlier. Quarterly sales rose 6% to 1.57 trillion yen ($11.6 billion).

“I must humbly and honestly acknowledge that things are really bad,” a somber Chief Executive Masayoshi Son told reporters Monday. “I must face up to this.”

Losses for the last six months totaled about 5 trillion yen ($37 billion), and the latest red ink was the worst quarterly loss since the company’s founding, he said.

For the fiscal year that ended in March, Softbank racked up losses of 1.7 trillion yen ($13 billion), a reversal from the 4.9 trillion yen profit for the previous year. Annual sales grew 10.5% to 6.2 trillion yen ($46 billion).

Although Softbank’s portfolio is not directly exposed to the war in Ukraine, the company warned that global uncertainty as well as inflation and soaring energy costs would likely hurt its profitability.

Much of the dip of the value in shares came from a drop in price of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, in which SoftBank is a major investor. The declining value of the yen also hurt Tokyo-based SoftBank’s bottom line because its borrowings must be repaid in yen.

How long the problems will persist is unclear, Son said, noting it could be months or even years because of global instability and inflation.

Softbank’s intended sale of British semiconductor and software design company Arm to Nvidia failed earlier this year. SoftBank is now promising lucrative future growth at Arm, including an initial public offering, although a date has not been announced for that offering.

SoftBank acquired Arm in 2016. Arm is a leader in artificial intelligence, IoT, cloud, the metaverse and autonomous driving. Its semiconductor design is widely licensed and used in virtually all smartphones, the majority of tablets and digital TVs. Such technology is considered key for autonomous driving cars.

Japan tech giant SoftBank posts $23 billion quarterly loss

People walk by a SoftBank shop on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Tokyo. Japanese technology company SoftBank Group sank into losses for the first fiscal quarter as the value of its investments declined amid global worries about inflation and interest rates. Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

Though Arm remains a bit of a positive for SoftBank, Son said he was not going to gloss over the overwhelmingly devastating results for the latest quarter.

Lower share prices might appear to be an opportunity to buy at bargain basement prices, but Son promised SoftBank will firmly hold back on new investments, cut costs and jobs, and instead focus on the more than 470 companies it’s already invested in, mostly companies focused on artificial intelligence.

He declined to say how many jobs were being reduced.

SoftBank also owns stakes in the SoftBank mobile carrier, Yahoo web services provider and vehicle-for-hire company Didi, which has suffered under a regulatory crackdown in China. SoftBank also has funds that include other global investors called Vision Funds.

Son stressed he still believes in the potential of the Vision Fund investments.

“We believe this is a source of future great wealth,” he said. “But we don’t really know for sure until it happens.”

He said some of the companies were exciting and may benefit humankind, but if dreams are pursued too recklessly, sometimes there is a risk of annihilation.

“And we must avoid annihilation at all costs,” said Son.


Japan tech giant SoftBank posts $23 billion quarterly loss

A person walks by a SoftBank shop on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Tokyo. Japanese technology company SoftBank Group sank into losses for the first fiscal quarter as the value of its investments declined amid global worries about inflation and interest rates. Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

Japanese technology company SoftBank Group posted a $23.4 billion loss in the April-June quarter as the value of its investments sank amid global worries about inflation and interest rates.

SoftBank Group Corp.’s loss of 3.16 trillion yen was a reversal from its 762 billion yen profit in the same quarter a year earlier. Quarterly sales rose 6% to 1.57 trillion yen ($11.6 billion).

«I must humbly and honestly acknowledge that things are really bad,» a somber Chief Executive Masayoshi Son told reporters Monday. «I must face up to this.»

Losses for the last six months totaled about 5 trillion yen ($37 billion), and the latest red ink was the worst quarterly loss since the company’s founding, he said.

For the fiscal year that ended in March, Softbank racked up losses of 1.7 trillion yen ($13 billion), a reversal from the 4.9 trillion yen profit for the previous year. Annual sales grew 10.5% to 6.2 trillion yen ($46 billion).

Although Softbank’s portfolio is not directly exposed to the war in Ukraine, the company warned that global uncertainty as well as inflation and soaring energy costs would likely hurt its profitability.

Much of the dip of the value in shares came from a drop in price of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, in which SoftBank is a major investor. The declining value of the yen also hurt Tokyo-based SoftBank’s bottom line because its borrowings must be repaid in yen.

How long the problems will persist is unclear, Son said, noting it could be months or even years because of global instability and inflation.

Softbank’s intended sale of British semiconductor and software design company Arm to Nvidia failed earlier this year. SoftBank is now promising lucrative future growth at Arm, including an initial public offering, although a date has not been announced for that offering.

SoftBank acquired Arm in 2016. Arm is a leader in artificial intelligence, IoT, cloud, the metaverse and autonomous driving. Its semiconductor design is widely licensed and used in virtually all smartphones, the majority of tablets and digital TVs. Such technology is considered key for autonomous driving cars.

Japan tech giant SoftBank posts $23 billion quarterly loss

People walk by a SoftBank shop on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Tokyo. Japanese technology company SoftBank Group sank into losses for the first fiscal quarter as the value of its investments declined amid global worries about inflation and interest rates. Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

Though Arm remains a bit of a positive for SoftBank, Son said he was not going to gloss over the overwhelmingly devastating results for the latest quarter.

Lower share prices might appear to be an opportunity to buy at bargain basement prices, but Son promised SoftBank will firmly hold back on new investments, cut costs and jobs, and instead focus on the more than 470 companies it’s already invested in, mostly companies focused on artificial intelligence.

He declined to say how many jobs were being reduced.

SoftBank also owns stakes in the SoftBank mobile carrier, Yahoo web services provider and vehicle-for-hire company Didi, which has suffered under a regulatory crackdown in China. SoftBank also has funds that include other global investors called Vision Funds.

Son stressed he still believes in the potential of the Vision Fund investments.

«We believe this is a source of future great wealth,» he said. «But we don’t really know for sure until it happens.»

He said some of the companies were exciting and may benefit humankind, but if dreams are pursued too recklessly, sometimes there is a risk of annihilation.

«And we must avoid annihilation at all costs,» said Son.

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