Science & technology

Speaking

Look at the photos of students studying for an exam. Describe each photo.

Answer the following questions out loud.

• How do you prefer to study? Why?
• How often do you take breaks when you are studying?
• When you are writing an essay do you prefer to use pen and paper or a computer?
• Do you use the spelling check on your computer?
• Do you get more distracted when you are using a computer?

Reading

Read the sentences below about an inventions show.

Read the text and decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

If it is correct, mark A. If it is incorrect, mark B.

The British Inventions Show

General information

The British inventions show takes place every October in London. The competition looks at inventions from all over the world. A team of 25 judges look for the best inventions in each of the three categories: invention, innovation and technology. There are prizes for the best British inventions and the best international inventions.

The three-day show gives inventors the opportunity to meet new people. Each year a large number of investors, designers and manufacturers attend the show with the aim of looking to work directly with new inventors and promoting their products. The inventors that win are often promoted by the British Inventors Association.

The competition first started in 2001. It has been very successful and for this reason, it now takes place every year. The 25 judges consist of inventors, manufacturers, academics, investors and designers. During the three day event, they look at each invention and rank them against each other. There is an awards ceremony on the last day where prizes are given to the best in each category.

Previous winners

Last year, one of the winners was ‘the beach bag plus’. This invention is a bag which can convert into a sun lounger, a picnic bag and also a chair. It was considered the most useful invention for people that like outdoor summer living. You can now buy this product online for £55. The inventors are looking to invent a new product and are going to enter it in this year’s competition.

Another invention which won a prize was the human sleeping bag. This sleeping bag comes in various adult and child s and can be bought in many different colours. The sleeping bag looks like a coat and a pair of trousers but they are joined together. The inventors say that it keeps whoever is inside very warm.

Sign up to the event

If you would like to enter in the future then you can. All stands are £1295 for the three days. But, if you book before the end of May, you will receive a 25% discount. All you need to do is fill out the online application form and pay a 25% deposit. The cancellation policy is fairly straightforward. If you cancel three months before the event then you will get your deposit back. If you cancel 30 days prior to the show, you will be charged 100%.

Vocabulary – Inventions

Name the inventions below.

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
Corregir   Ver Solución   Limpiar

B. Match each of the inventions to one of the categories:

C. One invention does not fit any of the categories, which one is it?

D. Add two more inventions to each category.

E. In your opinion, rank the inventions in order of importance. 1 is the most important and 8 is the least important.

1.

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6.

7. 

8. 

State why you think 1 is the most important and 8 is the least important.  

Grammar – Conditionals (i)

Las frases condicionales tienen dos partes: una condición y un resultado:

Condición resultado

• If you enter the competition, you will win.

Resultado condicion

• You will win if you enter the competition.

Como formar el condicional:

*Notarás que podemos poner la condición primero y luego el resultado o el resultado primero y luego la condición.

1. Si el ‘if’ va primero y ponemos una coma después de la cláusula ‘if’
2. Si el ‘if’ va en la mitad de la frase y no ponemos una coma

(Ver ejemplos arriba)

A. Complete the second sentence so it means the same as the first.

Zero conditional

Form:

• If + subject + present + present (Condición + resultado)
• Present + if + present (Resultado + condición)

Por ejemplo:

• If you go to a science fair, you see science exhibits.
• You see science exhibits if you go to a science fair.

Use

Utilizamos esta estructura para hablar de las cosas que son verdades.

First conditional

Form.

• If + subject + present tense + subject + will/modal verb + verb (Condición + resultado)
• Subject + will/modal verb + verb + if + subject + present tense (Resultado + condición)

Por ejemplo:

• If I enter the competition, I may win.
• If we win, we will travel to New York.

• We might win £500 if we win the competition.
• You will pay less if you sign up today.

Use.

1. Utilizamos esta estructura para expresar una condición posible.

• If they go to Rio de Janeiro they will go up Sugar Loaf mountain (es posible que suban la Montaña Sugar Loaf).

Complete each sentence with your own idea.

1. Shopping is fun if __________________
2. I always phone my mum if __________________
3. People go to prison if __________________
4. Ice cream tastes good if __________________

Listening

You will hear a woman talk about a global science competition.

For each question, fill in the missing information.

Global Science Competition

Entry requirements

Timeline

Prizes

Writing

Here are some sentences about going to a science fair.

For each question, complete the second so that it means the same as the first.

Use no more than three words.

Recording

This year’s worldwide science competition is now open. We are accepting entries from children ages 13-18 from any country in the world. All you need to do is write a brief description of 500 words of what your science project is all about, why you should win and a picture of your project by 30^th April. You can enter the competition individually or as a team. The maximum team is 5.

The 30^th April is the deadline and from this date, we will not accept any more projects after this date. Approximately one month later on 11^th June, we will announce 90 worldwide finalists. Then two months later, in August, the 90 worldwide finalists will face the public vote. Anyone around the world will be able to view each project online and be able to vote for their favourite online. The winner of the public vote will be announced on 4^th September. All of the finalists will be invited to our headquarters in New York on 23^rd September where the panel of judges will announce the winner of each category.

There are prizes to choose from. Each winner or winning team can choose from 1. a 10 day trip to the Galapagos island, 2. £5000 to use towards studying at college or university or 3. 10 day’s work experience at an inventor’s laboratory.

Make sure you enter on time, there are only 2 weeks left!