Inventions

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.

• 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.