Fill in the blank

1. era

2. future

3. then

4. taken

5. imagination

6. upper

7. seat

8. away

9. itself

10. reminisce (=to think, talk or write about a happy time in your past)

We live in an 1)___era___ dominated by an increasing dependence on technological innovations. It is for this reason that younger generations find it virtually impossible to imagine a 2)___future____ without the convenience and comfort they provide us with. Small wonder 3)___then____ that when asked to forecast what life will be like in the future, they come up with something that sounds as if it’s been 4)____taken___ out of a science-fiction book. But this description is actually not the product of an unbridled 5)___ imagination____. Based on the present speed at which breakthroughs are being made, it’s actually a fairly accurate prediction. It looks as if technology will have the 6)____upper___ hand, and in all likelihood, fully automated systems will substitute for people in all areas. People will take the back 7)___ seat____ and instead of beavering 8)___ away____ at work we will be able to take advantage of the time made available to us to engage in more recreational activities. Utilising this time constructively will be a feat in 9)____itself___. Perhaps a care of too much of a good thing. Things might just come to the point where, from time to time, we will 10)____ reminisce___ about the good old days.