28 Read the text and think of the role a chance plays in inventing.

The invention of the phonograph happened quite by accident. Thomas Edison moved to Menlo Park, New Jersey, in 1876, where he established an industrial research laboratory. There Edison worked on a carbon telephone transmitter to improve the existing Bell system. In that laboratory a year later Edison invented the photograph while trying to improve & telegraph, repeater. He attached a telephone diaphragm to the needle in the telegraph repeater to produce a recording that could be played back. After some improvements to the machine, he recited "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and played the recognizable reproduction of his voice back to an astonished audience.

29 What do you know about Nobel Prize? Look up some new information in the text.

After inventing dynamite, Swedish-born Alfred Nobel became a very rich man. However, he foresaw its universally destructive powers too late. Nobel preferred not to be remembered as the inventor of dynamite, so in 1895, just two weeks before his death, he created a fund to be used for awarding prizes to people who had made Worthwhile contributions to mankind. Originally there were five awards! literature, physics, chemistry, medicine, and peace. Economics was added in 1968, just sixty-seven years after the first awards ceremony.

Nobel's original legacy of Mine million dollars Was invested» and the interest on this sum is used for the awards Which Vary from $30,000 to $125,000. Every year on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death, the awards (gold medal) illuminated diploma, and money) are presented to the winners. Sometimes politics plays an important role in the judges' decisions. Americans have won numerous science awards, but relatively few literature prizes. No awards Were presented from 1940 to 1942 at the beginning of World War II. Some people have won two prizes, but this is rare; others have shared their prizes.

Oral practice

30 Topic. One of the greatest inventions of the mankind.

The film studio is going to make a documentary film about the greatest inventions of the mankind. You are invited to the studio as an expert to decide what inventions should be included in the film. You are supposed to speak about one invention only. Present information on:

1) the invention you consider to be one of the greatest in the world;

2) the name of the inventor;

3) the country this invention was made in;

4) what the thing was made for;

5) how it is used now;

6) how it influenced our life;

7) why you are sure that it should be included in the film.

31 Pairwork. Students and teachers from the usa visit the institute where our friends study. One of the students, William, speaks to Michael.

a) listen to their conversation:

WILLIAM: Are there any clubs and societies at your institute?

MICHAEL: Quite a lot. As for me I've joined the student research society. We are having our institute conference in a month and I'm going to contribute a paper to it.

WILLIAM: What problems are you interested in?

MICHAEL: I'm working on the defects of metal units.

WILLIAM: Do you use computers?

MICHAEL: Certainly. It is impossible to do without them today.

WILLIAM: Does your research work take much of your time?

MICHAEL: Yes, quite a lot.

WILLIAM: Do you work alone?

MICHAEL: Of course not. We are six in the group. We have a very good and patient adviser who helps us a lot;

b) сomplete the dialogues:

1. A.: ………

B.: We are busy with designing

some engine parts.

A.: ………..

B.: Certainly.

2. A.: Do you work alone?

В:………….

A.: Does it take much time, I mean, your work in the research society?

В.: ………...

3. A.: Are there many clubs and societies at your institute?

В.: ………

A.: What problems are you interested in?

В.: ……….

c) think of some good questions for the following answers:

1 Only once in my life. 6 Almost everybody.

2 My job. 7 Nothing.

3 From time to time. 8 Anywhere.

4 It is wrong. 9 Excellent.

5 At about 5 o'clock. 10 His own;

d) а report of the journal "Science of the 20th century" published in New Zealand meets a young Russian engineer and inventor Michael Shutin. Michael was awarded the prize of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

REPORTER: You are going to interview the inventor. Here are some questions you can ask:

Were you surprised when you won the prize?

What field of science do you work in?

What can you say about your invention?

Did you work alone? What are your plans for the future?

Think of some other questions.

MICHAEL SHUTIN: You are eager to answer the reporter's questions. You work in the field of chemistry. You invented a new construction material. It has some very useful properties.