B. Comprehension Tasks

1. Read each statement and decide, strictly on the basis of the text, whether it is true or false, or whether there is insufficient evidence to decide and prove the conclusion you come to, using the following expressions: I'm afraid, I disagree; on the contrary, vice versa, according to; in fact; that's true/right; in fact; on the one hand on the other hand, etc.

1. Einstein proved that light could behave only like a wave.

1. This wave-particle duality provided theoretical foundation for advances as television, lasers and semiconductors.

2. His second paper confirmed the existence of molecules and atoms.

3. It was his third paper that upended the universe.

4. His third paper was based only on experimental research.

2. His special theory of relativity states that the speed of a light beam depends on how fast one is moving towards or away from a source of light.

3. As a train accelerates to near the speed of light, the time on the train will accelerate too from the perspective of a stationary observer.

4. His famous equation describes the relationship between energy and matter

5. He also resolved the mystery why the sky is blue.

9. His earlier work paved the way to the understanding of the largest of all things in the universe.

10. He showed photons to have momentum only decades later after devising general relativity.

D. Vocabulary Development

1. Look at paragraphs 1 and 2 and say which words have the same

meaning as:

• dominant

• dismiss

• confuse

• penetrating

2. Look at paragraph 3 and 4 again and try to explain the words:

• advance

• collision

• upend

3. Look at paragraphs 5, 6 and 7, and find the following phrases and make up sentences that show you know their meaning:

• no matter

• that's why

• different faces of the same thing

• a recipe for

4. Look at paragraphs 8 and 9 and try to match the nouns with the appropriate adjectives:

• crowning experience

• beautiful black holes

• enclosed works

• different theory

• earlier glory

• mysterious forces

• subatomic lab

5. Look at paragraphs 10 and 1 I and say which words have the same meaning as

• put forward a question

• crucial or central role

• create a theory

• suggest a theory

• show characteristics

• search for

• casual

6. Look at paragraphs 12 and explain the meaning of the following words:

• decipher

• harness

• touchstones

• bear fingerprints

• cover story

• blend

• inevitable

• foremost

E. Summary

1. Write the summary of the text. Remember that the summary should be written in your own words

Appendix: VOCABULARY

Arise v elastic adj map out v resistance n

Compensate v encapsulate v over-joy v retrograde v

Compress v essence n overall adj, adv, segment n

Confine v friction v peer v scale up v

Constituent adj hurl v pendulum n stationary adj

Contentious adj inertia n profound adj still adj

Convert v intrinsically adv projectile n swap v

Cube n, v inverse adj propel v sweep out v

Decelerate v invisible adj proportional adj tenet n

Dimension n loop n,v reason v vague adj

Disentangle v manifest v recoil v whizz v

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