1d : Marvellous machines

A. Complete the sentences with the words in the box.

1. These machines exist to make our lives easier.

2. My father works in a(n) factory that makes chocolate.

3. I predict there will be flying cars in our cities in the future.

4. Just because an animal has a big brain doesn’t mean it’s clever.

5. Did Captain James Cook discover Australia?

6. I don’t really enjoy reading factional stories.

7. Travelling to Italy was a(n) marvellous opportunity for Tom to practise his Italian.

8. Frank, could you mow the lawn this afternoon?

9. Scientists say that dolphins are one of the most intelligent animal species.

B. Complete the sentences with the Present Simple Passive or the Past Simple Passive of the verbs in brackets.

1. No animals are harmed (harm) during this project.

2. This robot is controlled (control) by this little machine here.

3. These laws weren't written (not write) 200 years ago, but much earlier than that.

4. The telephone was invented (invent) by Alexander Graham Bell.

5. After I finished the race, I was given (give) a medal.

6. The Science Museum is visited (visit) by millions of people every year.

7. Bamboo plants are grown (grow) in many Asian countries.

C. Write sentences for the quiz using the Present Simple Passive or the Past Simple Passive and the prompts given. Then choose a, b or c and check your answers.

1. Many / world’s / bananas / produce / India

Many of the world's bananas are produced in India.

But what percentage?

a. 23% b. 43% c. 63%

2. Dolphins / write / Cousteau / 1988

Dolphins was written by Cousteau in 1988

But who is Cousteau?

a. A scientist b. A teacher c. A robot

3. Pluto / discover / Claud Tombaugh but when?

Pluto was discovered by Claud Tombaugh.

But when?

a. in 1730 b. in 1830 c. in 1930

4. Arabic / speak / in many parts of the world

Arabic is spoken in many parts of the world.

But where is it not spoken?
a. Saudi Arabia b. Lebanon c. India

5. Traffic lights / invent / 1868

Traffic lights were invented in 1868

But who invented them?
a. Thomas Edison b. J.P. Knight c. Karl Benz

6. Volleyball / play / all over / world

Volleyball is played all over the world.

But how many players are there in a volleyball team?
a. 6 b. 8 c. 10

D. Read the text and answer the questions.

1. What does ASIMO mean?

It means Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility.

2. Why is ASIMO not like other robots?

Because it can do things that other robot can't and because it looks amazingly similar to a human.

3. How long did it take for ASIMO to be created?

It looks 15 long years.

4. How tall and heavy is ASIMO?

ASIMO is 1.30m tall and weighs about 55kg.

5. What can ASIMO do?

ASIMO can walk like a human, can climb up and down stairs and run at 6km/hour. It can also understand and react when humans order it to do something.

6. Why was ASIMO created?

ASIMO was created to help people, especially those with disabilities.

7. How can ASIMO understand movement?

With its two camera eyes.