WONDERFUL NATURE
Unit 5:
Part 3: READING
INVENTIONS
Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
Knowledge
get some information about inventions inspired by nature
enrich vocabulary related to the topic
Skills
Develop reading micro-skills: Scanning, skimming
Attitude
Enhance love of nature, have great respect for inventions imitating nature and be more aware of using them effectively.
INVENTIONS INSPIRED BY NATURE
What can the animals or the leaves in the pictures do that people can’t?
Name some things people have invented to make up for what they cannot do?
1. Activity 1
What can the animals or the leaves in the pictures do that people can’t?
a
c
b
A bird can fly.
A dolphin can swim and stay underwater for a long time.
A lotus leaf does not get wet. It washes water away.
Name some things people have invented to make up for what they cannot do?
Name some things people have invented to make up for what they cannot do?
People have invented the aeroplane, the submarine, and the raincoat/ umbrella to make up for what they cannot do as well as these animals or leaves.
What is the most suitable title of the text?
a. Mother Nature
b. Imitating Nature
c. Greatest Inventions
2. Activity 2
Text
3. Activity 3
Match the words with their meanings
inspire /ɪn’spaɪə(r)/(v)
inspiration /,ɪnspə’reɪʃn / (n)
inspirational /,ɪnspə’reɪʃənl  / (a)
hook-and-loop fastener (n.ph)  Velcro
/hʊk ənd lu:p ’fɑːsnə(r)/ /’velkrəʊ/
fabric /‘fæbrɪk / (n)
spacesuit /’speɪssu:t/ (n)
Give SHORT ANSWERS to the following questions
1. What are the inventions that imitate animals?
2. What are the inventions that imitate plants?
3. Why is the aeroplane considered one of the greatest inventions in our history?
4. What can help scientists to learn about life under the sea?
5. How can a glass window clean itself?
6. Find the words or phrases in the text that can describe an aeroplane, a submarine, and Velcro.
4. Activity 4
1. What are the inventions that imitate animals?
2. What are the inventions that imitate plants?
 The aeroplane and the submarine.
 Velcro, the self-cleaning glass window and umbrella fabric.
3. Why is the aeroplane considered one of the greatest inventions in our history?
 Because it helps us travel long distances in the air and encourages the development of tourism and trading.
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
4. What can help scientists to learn about life under the sea?
5. How can a glass window clean itself?
 Submarines.
 The material that makes up the glass window has the ability to wash away dirt in the rain.
6. Find the words or phrases in the text that can describe an aeroplane, a submarine, and Velcro.
An aeroplane
A submarine
Velcro
‘its wings and shape imitating those of a bird’
‘two fabrics sticking together thanks to the hooks on one surface and the loops on the other’
‘imitates a dolphin’s shape’
‘hook-and-loop fastener’
WORK IN PAIRS
Practise asking and answering questions about inventions inspired by nature.
Which of the four inventions mentioned in the text is the best imitation of nature? State your reasons.
5. Activity 5
INVENTIONS
imitating nature
LESSON OUTCOME
I have learnt about how animals and plants in nature can inspire inventors to create useful devices or equipment to make our life easier and more comfortable. I have practised reading for the main idea and specific information about inventions inspired by nature.
What have you learnt today?
Learn the new words by heart
- Take the quiz UNIT – INVENTIONS on www.proprofs.com
- Complete the following table
5 most important inventions of all time
1. Telephone:
2. Electricity:
3. Airplane:
4. Light Bulb:
5. Worldwide Web: