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Inventions
(96 votes)

Activity type: Group work
Level: Up to B2
Age: Adults or senior YLs
Preparation
There are no materials required. Just write these inventions on the board in a random order:
- the Internet (most recent)
- light bulb
- telephone
- refrigerator
- braille
- thermometer
- microscope
- printing
- paper
- wheel
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.
- 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.
Group 1 | Group 2 (etc.) | Answer | |
the Internet | |||
light bulb | |||
telephone | |||
refrigerator | |||
braille | |||
thermometer | |||
microscope | |||
printing | |||
paper | |||
wheel |
- Finally, 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 around 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.
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