Module 2 Science and technology
Unit 4 Inventions
╰☆╮╰★╮╰☆╮╰★╮╰☆╮
Reading
Great inventions
Great inventions change the world. They help people live a better life. The following are three of the most important inventions in history.
-----------------------------------
The wheel
The wheel is perhaps the greatest invention in history. After its invention, travelling became faster and more comfortable. A few thousand years ago, people started to use wheels on carriages. In the early 19th century, the first trains began to carry passengers. At the start of the 20th century, cars became popular. Without the wheel, we would not have these inventions.
-----------------------------------
The telephone
Alexander Graham Bell invented one of the first practical telephones in 1876. Since then, people have been able to speak to each other over long distances. Today millions of people across the world own mobile phones. They allow people to keep in touch with each other anytime, anywhere.
-----------------------------------
The light bulb
Thomas Edison developed the first practical light bulb in 1879. Before the invention of the light bulb, people had to use oil lamps, gas lamps or candles to see at night. With light bulbs, people can do as many things in the evenings as they can in the daytime. Can you imagine living without them?
╰☆╮╰★╮╰☆╮╰★╮╰☆╮
Listening
Funny inventions
A Listen to advertisements for four funny inventions and complete their names. Write one word in each blank.
1 When it rains, do your shoes get wet? Of course, they do! But you can buy these clever Umbrellas For Shoes. They keep the rain off your feet.
2 Do you have to clean the floor at home? Perhaps your cat can do a better job than you. Buy these Cleaner Cat Brushes. Then you can sit back and relax!
3 Do you talk too long on the phone? Most people do! Save time—buy the Exercise Telephone! It weighs five kilograms. Then your calls will be less than five minutes long.
4 Do your friends sometimes come up behind you and make you jump? Do cars come around the corner when you try to cross the road? Well, it won't be a problem if you have Two-Way Glasses. You can look at things behind and in front of you at the same time.
B Listen to the recording again and circle the correct answers.
1 When it rains, do your shoes get wet? Of course, they do! But you can buy these clever Umbrellas For Shoes. They keep the rain off your feet.
2 Do you have to clean the floor at home? Perhaps your cat can do a better job than you. Buy these Cleaner Cat Brushes. Then you can sit back and relax!
3 Do you talk too long on the phone? Most people do! Save time—buy the Exercise Telephone! It weighs five kilograms. Then your calls will be less than five minutes long.
4 Do your friends sometimes come up behind you and make you jump? Do cars come around the corner when you try to cross the road? Well, it won't be a problem if you have Two-Way Glasses. You can look at things behind and in front of you at the same time.
1 The first invention can _____.
a make your shoes more beautiful
b keep the dust off your shoes
c keep the rain off your feet
2 You buy the second invention to _____.
a keep your cat's feet warm
b keep your cat's feet clean
c help you clean the floor
3 If you buy this telephone, you will _____.
a talk more
b talk less
c talk happily
4 With this pair of glasses, you _____.
a can look behind and in front of you at the same time
b can see things more clearly
c will look cool
╰☆╮╰★╮╰☆╮╰★╮╰☆╮
Speaking
A Talk time
Intonation (1): Rising intonation
When we ask a Yes/No question, we make our voice rise (↗) at the end.
Do you understand?↗
Can you repeat it?↗
Is it correct?↗
A1 Read the conversation below and practise it in pairs. Make your voice rise at the end of the Yes/No questions.
Wendy: I'm going to talk about an important invention. We use it almost every day. Can you guess what it is?↗
Tony: Can I ask you some questions?↗
Wendy: Sure. You can ask five Yes/No questions.
Tony: OK. Do we have it in the classroom?↗
Wendy: Yes.
Tony: Do I have it in my school bag?↗
Wendy: Yes.
Tony: Is it a pen?↗
Wendy: Yes, you're right.
B Speak up
In pairs, talk about one of the everyday inventions below or a choice of your own. Use the following questions to help you. Follow the example.
-----------------------------------
What is the most useful invention to you and your family?
What do you use it for?
How often do you use it?
Can you do without it?
-----------------------------------
S1: The computer is the most useful invention to me and my family.
S2: Why is that?
S1: My dad uses it for his job. My mum uses it to buy clothes. And my sister uses it to write emails to her friends.
S2: What do you use it for?
S1: I use it for my studies. At the weekend, I also use it to watch films. What's the most useful invention to you and your family?
S2: The mobile phone. I use it to …
╰☆╮╰★╮╰☆╮╰★╮╰☆╮
的图标>>英汉双语释义
