IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS
SCENARIO
7.3
PREPARATION
1
a
Which of these things did someone invent, and
which did someone discover?
electricity the internet the printing press
DNA the telephone nuclear energy
global warming the car
1
b
Can you think of other important discoveries and
inventions from the history of science and technology?
Do you know who invented or discovered them?
When and how? Why do you think they are important
inventions or discoveries?
SITUATION
Ideas and Innovations
is an intellectual discussion
programme on the radio. For a special programme,
they are choosing the most important inventions and
scientific discoveries of the last thousand years.
2
7.4
Listen to an extract from the discussion.
Julian Blake thinks the printing press is one of the
most important inventions. Which of these reasons
does he mention?
1
People could make books and communicate ideas
quickly.
2
Education became possible for everyone.
3
Libraries and universities increased in number.
4
Writing became a way to earn money.
3
a
Read these notes. What do the different
abbreviations mean, e.g.
PP
,
pdctn
? What is the
purpose of the arrows (
L
,
J
,
I
,
K
)?
Gutenberg invented PP in
1
L
revolution in knowledge, society, etc.
Why?
THE FIRST REASON
PP
J
books, large
2
, quickly
J
ideas spread quickly
L
great
3
in society
THE SECOND REASON
PP
J
4
for all
I
schools
I
fast pdctn of books
K
reading skills v.imp.
I
written word imp. at
5
THE THIRD REASON
PP
J
6
can make money
J
7
writers and journalists
L
good for
8
CRITICISM
Did PP
J
educ. for all?
9
years between PP and schools
G
r
TT
T
TT
C
58
3
b
Listen again and complete the notes. Write one
word or number in each gap.
3
c
Work with a partner and discuss these questions.
1
Which of Julian’s points are strongest?
2
Do you think there are any weak points?
3
Can you think of more reasons which support
his claim?
KEY LANGUAGE
DEVELOPING AN ARGUMENT
4
a
7.5
In the notes in Exercise 3a, each arrow
(
L
,
J
,
I
,
K
) shows a connection between two ideas.
The arrows represent certain words and phrases
like
caused
,
means that
,
so
, etc. Listen and complete
the sentences below. Use the words and phrases
in the box.
caused is connected to led to
means that meant that so
1
I think this
a revolution in
knowledge …
2
This
ideas could spread much more
quickly than before.
3
It
education for everyone.
4
This
the fast production of books.
5
The written word became important at work and
people had to read.
6
The printing press
writers can
make money.
