Prime Time 4, Coursebook

l = This is easy m = This is okay n = This is difficult Speaking: Everyday excellence a) You and your partner have to do a presentation on an invention most people need every day. Read the short descriptions of the inventions you can choose from. Hedy Lamarr: GSM cell phone system This Hollywood actress, who was born in Austria, developed a system for radio communica- tion. The idea is still used in the GSM cell phone system. William Addis: toothbrush When Addis was in prison, he only had some salt and coal dust to clean his teeth. He invented a toothbrush and made lots of money once he was out. Florence Parpart: fridge Parpart invented the first fridge that used electricity. She was also very successful at selling the product. Joseph Friedman: straw When Friedman watched his little daughter try to drink a milkshake, he got an idea. It would be far easier to drink through a straw that could be bent. Friedman started a company to produce his invention. Margaret Knight: paper bag Knight invented a machine that folded paper to make a bag you could use to take small things with you easily. When someone tried to steal her idea, she showed her original plans to the judges, and she won her case. Garrett Morgan: traffic light After seeing a terrible traffic accident, Morgan invented a system with colours for “Stop”, “Go” and “Stop everyone”. His idea was later used for the electronic traffic light. b) Choose an invention you would like to do a presentation on. You have got three minutes to prepare. Think about these questions: • Which invention seems the most interesting for your presentation? • What wouldn’t you have been able to do this morning if it had not been invented? c) Now talk to your partner. You have to agree on one invention. 8 l m n I can talk with a partner and show that I am interested in what others say, e.g. about which invention they would like to present. 110 13 Unit Incredible inventions Show what you can do x8mj3t one hundred and ten Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv