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This is a fun speaking activity in the form of a game. It can be used with most levels and most age groups. Students practise presenting their opinions and reaching agreement. There is an initial group work activity and extension speaking and writing activities.
Activity: Inventions
Activity type: Group work
Level: Up to B2.
Age: Adults or Senior YLs
No materials required
Preparation
Write these inventions on the board in a random order:
braille
the internet
light bulb
telephone
refrigerator
thermometer
microscope
wheel
paper
printing
Procedure
- Put students into groups of 3 or 5. Students should work together in their groups, checking that everybody knows what each word means. Help with understanding if necessary.
- Explain that these are 10 important inventions. Students should work together in their groups to compile a list of the inventions in chronological order. They should talk about each invention and reach a majority decision regarding the order. If necessary explain to students BC and AD.
- Elicit the lists from each group and write them on the board. Alternatively, invite a student up to the board from each group to write their list.
- Write the answers on the board (see below) for students to check.
the internet (most recent)
light bulb
telephone
refrigerator
braille
thermometer
microscope
printing
paper
wheel
- Get groups to copy the correct list.
- Explain that you are going to play a game. Students have to guess the year of each invention. They have to work together in groups to reach a majority decision.
- Explain that you will award 1 point for the group that writes the nearest year. You will award 2 bonus points for an exact year. Explain the meaning of BC and AD.
- Give students a limited time to do this part. (10 mins)
- Draw this grid on the board (below). Complete the grid by eliciting answers from each group. Alternatively, invite a member of each group up to the board to write in their information.
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Group 1
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Group 2 (etc)
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Answers
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the internet
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light bulb
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telephone
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refrigerator
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braille
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thermometer
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microscope
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printing
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paper
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wheel
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- Complete the answers column (see below) and award points to find the winning group.
Answers
the internet 1969
light bulb 1906
telephone 1876
refrigerator 1850
braille 1829
thermometer 1593
microscope 1590
printing 1440
paper 100
wheel 3,500 BC
Extension
Writing: Students write a short text (100 words) about the positive and negative effects of one of the inventions named.
Speaking: Put students into pairs; A and B. Students take turns to choose an invention from the list and to talk about its positive and negative effects. They should speak for about 2 minutes about each invention.
By Katherine Bilsborough
This article was taken from:
http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/try/activities/inventions-1
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