The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Two Swedish design students have invented a totally new kind of bicycle helmet. People are saying it's invisible because you cannot see it on a cyclist's head. The "invisible" helmet is really a kind of airbag. It is inside a large collar. People wear it around their neck like a scarf. When the cyclist falls off his/her bike, the collar quickly fills with gas and an airbag surrounds the head. The two students, Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin, wanted to change the way people cycle. They said: "Bicycle helmets have always been the same. They’re so bulky, like a hard mushroom on your head." They called their new invention the Hövding. The pair said it looks so fashionable that "people would be happy to wear it".

The inventors started research and development on the Hövding in 2005. They examined thousands of cycling accidents. They wanted to find out how to make the safest helmet. They then teamed up with a Swedish airbag company called Alva. Today, the Hövding company has a staff of 17 employees. They hope their helmet will change how people all over the world cycle. In their video, Haupt and Alstin said: "Cars are so yesterday. Bikes are the future." They also said their invention would make them millionaires. People can only buy the Hövding helmet online in Europe. It sells for around $530. The company did not say when it would be available in the rest of the world.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.hovding.com/en/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)



The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. BICYCLE HELMETS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about bicycle helmets. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

design / bicycle helmet / invisible / airbag / scarf / cyclist / bulky / mushroom / inventors / research / accidents / employees / cars / millionaires / online / available

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. TOTALLY NEW: How might inventors change these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Problems with them now

Changes

Mobile phones

 

 

Pens

 

 

Glasses

 

 

Jeans

 

 

Cars

 

 

Mirrors

 

 

4. FASHIONABLE: Students A strongly believe the invisible helmet will become more popular than normal helmets; Students B strongly believe not.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. INVISIBLE: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best things to be invisible at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • electrical wires

  • tanks

  • wrinkles

  • trash / garbage cans

  • insects

  • fat

  • e-mails sent by mistake

  • buildings

6. ACCIDENT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "accident". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.

The two inventors of the helmet are from Norway.

T / F

b.

The helmet is really a collar with an airbag inside it.

T / F

c.

When a cyclist falls off his/her bike, he/she quickly fills with air.

T / F

d.

The new helmet was designed to look like a bulky mushroom.

T / F

e.

The inventors started work on their helmet more than five years ago.

T / F

f.

The two women teamed up with a cycling goods company.

T / F

g.

The women believe they will become millionaires from their helmet.

T / F

h.

People in Europe can buy the helmet today, but not those in the USA.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.

invented

a.

collaborated

2.

quickly

b.

big

3.

surrounds

c.

on sale

4.

bulky

d.

created

5.

fashionable

e.

workers

6.

examined

f.

stylish

7.

teamed up

g.

speedily

8.

employees

h.

looked at

9.

buy

i.

encircles

10.

available

j.

purchase

3. PHRASE MATCH:  (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.

a totally new kind

a.

like a scarf

2.

it's invisible because

b.

rest of the world

3.

People wear it around their neck

c.

development

4.

the collar quickly fills with gas and an

d.

of bicycle helmet

5.

They're so bulky,

e.

accidents

6.

research and

f.

airbag surrounds the head

7.

thousands of cycling

g.

for around $530

8.

Cars are so

h.

you cannot see it

9.

It sells

i.

yesterday

10.

available in the

j.

like a hard mushroom

 

GAP FILL

Two Swedish design students have invented a (1) ____________ new kind of bicycle helmet. People are saying it's invisible because you cannot (2) ____________ it on a cyclist's head. The "invisible" helmet is really a kind of airbag. It is inside a large collar. People wear it around their neck like a (3) ____________. When the cyclist falls off his/her bike, the collar quickly fills with (4) ____________ and an airbag surrounds the head. The two students, Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin, wanted to change the way people (5) ____________. They said: "Bicycle helmets have always been the same. They're so (6) ____________, like a hard mushroom on your head." They called their new invention the Hövding. The pair said it looks so (7) ____________ that "people would be (8) ____________ to wear it".

 

 

gas
happy
see
bulky
totally
fashionable
scarf
cycle

The inventors started (9) ____________ and development on the Hövding in 2005. They examined thousands of cycling (10) ____________. They wanted to find out how to make the safest helmet. They then (11) ____________ up with a Swedish airbag company called Alva. Today, the Hövding company has a (12) ____________ of 17 employees. They hope their helmet will change how people all over the world cycle. In their video, Haupt and Alstin said: "Cars are so (13) ____________. Bikes are the future." They also said their invention would make them (14) ____________. People can only buy the Hövding helmet online in Europe. It (15) ____________ for around $530. The company did not say when it would be (16) ____________ in the rest of the world.

 

teamed
available
millionaires
research
sells
accidents
staff
yesterday

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

Two Swedish design students have invented ______ kind of bicycle helmet

 

a.  a totally newly
b.  a total new
c.  a totally new
d.  a toe tally new

2)

People are saying it's invisible because you cannot see it on ______

 

a.  a cyclist head
b.  a cyclist's head
c.  a cycling head
d.  a cycling's head

3)

People wear it around their neck ______

 

a.  liken a scarf
b.  lie car scarf
c.  like the scarf
d.  like a scarf

4)

the collar quickly fills with gas and an airbag ______

 

a.  surrounded the head
b.  surrounds the head
c.  surroundings the head
d.  surrenders the head

5)

Bicycle helmets have always been the same. ______

 

a.  They're so ball key
b.  They're so bulk key
c.  They're so bulky
d.  They're so bull key

6)

They examined thousands of ______

 

a.  cycling accident
b.  cycling accidents
c.  cycling accidentals
d.  cycling axe he dents

7)

They then ______ a Swedish airbag company called Alva

 

a.  termed up with
b.  tuned up with
c.  teemed up with
d.  teamed up with

8)

Today, the Hövding company has a staff ______

 

a.  of 17 employers
b.  of 17 employs
c.  of 17 employees
d.  of 17 employ ease

9)

They also said their invention would make ______

 

a.  them millionaires
b.  they millionaires
c.  these millionaires
d.  they're millionaires

10)

The company did not say when it would be available ______ the world

 

a.  in the best of
b.  in the lest of
c.  in the rest of
d.  in the west of

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Two Swedish design students have invented (1) ___________________ of bicycle helmet. People are saying it's invisible because you cannot see it on a cyclist's head. The "invisible" helmet (2) ___________________ airbag. It is inside a large collar. People wear it around their (3) ___________________. When the cyclist falls off his/her bike, the collar quickly fills with gas and an airbag (4) ___________________. The two students, Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin, wanted to change the way people cycle. They said: "Bicycle helmets have always been the same. They're so bulky, (5) ___________________ on your head." They called their new invention the Hövding. The pair said it (6) ___________________ that "people would be happy to wear it".

The inventors started (7) ___________________ on the Hövding in 2005. They examined thousands of cycling accidents. They wanted to find out how to (8) ___________________ helmet. They then (9) ___________________ Swedish airbag company called Alva. Today, the Hövding company has a staff of 17 employees. They hope their helmet will change how people all (10) ___________________. In their video, Haupt and Alstin said: "Cars are so yesterday. (11) ___________________." They also said their invention would make them millionaires. People can only buy the Hövding helmet online in Europe. It sells for around $530. The company did not say when it would be (12) ___________________ of the world.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

Where are the two designers from?

2.

What is inside the collar?

3.

On which part of the body do people wear the helmet?

4.

What does the airbag get filled with?

5.

What did the women say normal helmets look like?

6.

When did the women start R&D on their helmet?

7.

How many cycling accidents did the women look at?

8.

How many people work for the helmet company?

9.

What did the women say about cars?

10.

When will the helmet be on sale outside Europe?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

Where are the two designers from?

6.

When did the women start R&D on their helmet?

 

a) Norway
b) Swaziland
c) Sweden
d) Japan

 

a) 2004
b) 2005
c) 2006
d) 2007

2.

What is inside the collar?

7.

How many cycling accidents did the women look at?

 

a) an airbag
b) a spare tyre
c) water
d) space for a mobile phone

 

a) tens of thousands
b) 24,982
c) hundreds and hundreds
d) thousands

3.

On which part of the body do people wear the helmet?

8.

How many people work for the helmet company?

 

a) down the back
b) on the lap
c) on top of the head
d) around the neck

 

a) 7
b) 17
c) 37
d) 70

4.

What does the airbag get filled with?

9.

What did the women say about cars?

 

a) foam
b) gas
c) sponge
d) rubbish

 

a) they are "so yesterday"
b) they are dangerous
c) drivers need helmets
d) they are nicer than bicycles

5.

What did the women say normal helmets look like?

10.

When will the helmet be on sale outside Europe?

 

a) a mess
b) a miracle
c) a mushroom
d) a mudguard

 

a) never
b) when the international website  
    is ready
c) next week
d) no one knows

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Bicycle helmet

You think bicycle helmets are the best things to make invisible. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these to be invisible (and why): electrical wires, wrinkles or e-mails sent by mistake.

Role  B – Electrical wires

You think electrical wires are the best things to make invisible. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these to be invisible (and why): bicycle helmets, wrinkles or e-mails sent by mistake.

Role  C – Wrinkles

You think wrinkles are the best things to make invisible. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these to be invisible (and why): electrical wires, bicycle helmets or e-mails sent by mistake.

Role  D – E-mails sent by mistake

You think e-mails sent by mistake are the best things to make invisible. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these to be invisible (and why): electrical wires, wrinkles or bicycle helmets.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'air' and 'bag'.

air

bag

 

 

 

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

  • design
  • really
  • neck
  • fills
  • hard
  • happy
  • 2005
  • thousands
  • up
  • 17
  • cars
  • rest

BICYCLE HELMETS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about bicycle helmets in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

BICYCLE HELMETS DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'helmet'?

c)

How useful are bicycle helmets?

d)

Would you choose to wear a bicycle helmet or not wear one?

e)

How dangerous is cycling and what are the dangers?

f)

What do you think of the "invisible" helmet?

g)

Why does such good design always come out of Sweden?

h)

Would you choose to wear the Hövding helmet of a normal helmet?

i)

Is it important for a helmet to be fashionable?

j)

What changes would you make to a normal bicycle helmet?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

What others things can protect cyclists in an accident?

c)

Do you ever worry about having a cycling accident?

d)

Should the designers now work on an airbag suit for cyclists?

e)

What do you think of the idea of airbag knee pads and elbow pads?

f)

How safe do you think the invisible helmet is?

g)

Do you agree that "cars are so yesterday"?

h)

How will the Hövding helmet change cycling around the world?

i)

Do you want a Hövding helmet?

j)

What questions would you like to ask the designers, Anna and Terese?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Two Swedish (1) ____ students have invented a totally new kind of bicycle helmet. People are saying it's invisible because you cannot see it (2) ____ a cyclist's head. The "invisible" helmet is really a kind of airbag. It is inside a large (3) ____. People wear it around their neck like a scarf. When the cyclist falls off his/her bike, the collar quickly fills (4) ____ gas and an airbag surrounds the head. The two students, Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin, wanted to change the way people (5) ____. They said: "Bicycle helmets have always been the same. They're so bulky, like a hard mushroom on your head." They called their new invention the Hövding. The pair said it looks so (6) ____ that "people would be happy to wear it".

The inventors started research and (7) ____ on the Hövding in 2005. They examined thousands of cycling (8) ____. They wanted to find out how to make the safest helmet. They then teamed (9) ____ with a Swedish airbag company called Alva. Today, the Hövding company has a staff of 17 employees. They hope their helmet will change how people all over the world cycle. In their video, Haupt and Alstin said: "Cars are (10) ____ yesterday. Bikes are the future." They also said their invention would (11) ____ them millionaires. People can only buy the Hövding helmet online in Europe. It sells for around $530. The company did not say when it would be available in the (12) ____ of the world.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

design

(b)

designed

(c)

designer

(d)

designs

2.

(a)

in

(b)

top

(c)

on

(d)

at

3.

(a)

culler

(b)

caller

(c)

cellar

(d)

collar

4.

(a)

up

(b)

with

(c)

out

(d)

in

5.

(a)

cyclists

(b)

recycle

(c)

cycles

(d)

cycle

6.

(a)

fashionista

(b)

fashioning

(c)

fashionable

(d)

fashioned

7.

(a)

building

(b)

development

(c)

creating

(d)

making

8.

(a)

accidents

(b)

pileups

(c)

mishaps

(d)

incidents

9.

(a)

up

(b)

down

(c)

on

(d)

along

10.

(a)

such

(b)

as

(c)

so

(d)

real

11.

(a)

give

(b)

apply

(c)

make

(d)

turn

12.

(a)

west

(b)

rest

(c)

best

(d)

gest

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

Two Swedish niesdg students

2.

a altltyo new kind of bicycle helmet

3.

It is inside a large aollrc

4.

an airbag ndsursour the head

5.

They're so ykblu

6.

it looks so snhofblaeia

Paragraph 2

7.

The vosreintn started research and development

8.

thousands of cycling ictdncsae

9.

find out how to make the efasts helmet

10.

a staff of 17 ymelsoeep

11.

their invention would make them mianrilesoil

12.

iealaalbv in the rest of the world

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

future." They also said their invention would make them millionaires. People can

(    )

saying it's invisible because you cannot see it on a cyclist's head. The "invisible" helmet is really a kind

(    )

change the way people cycle. They said: "Bicycle helmets have always been the same. They're so

(    )

how people all over the world cycle. In their video, Haupt and Alstin said: "Cars are so yesterday. Bikes are the

(    )

bulky, like a hard mushroom on your head." They called their new invention

(    )

company called Alva. Today, the Hövding company has a staff of 17 employees. They hope their helmet will change

(    )

did not say when it would be available in the rest of the world.

(    )

the Hövding. The pair said it looks so fashionable that "people would be happy to wear it".

(    )

fills with gas and an airbag surrounds the head. The two students, Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin, wanted to

1  )

Two Swedish design students have invented a totally new kind of bicycle helmet. People are

(    )

The inventors started research and development on the Hövding in 2005. They examined thousands of cycling

(    )

of airbag. It is inside a large collar. People wear it around their neck like a scarf. When the cyclist falls off his/her bike, the collar quickly

(    )

accidents. They wanted to find out how to make the safest helmet. They then teamed up with a Swedish airbag

(    )

only buy the Hövding helmet online in Europe. It sells for around $530. The company

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

kind     Invented     of     a     bicycle     totally     helmet     new.    

2.

.     it     It's     invisible     because     you     cannot     see

3.

airbag     of     kind     a     really     is     helmet     "invisible"     The.    

4.

always     have     helmets     Bicycle     same     the     been.    

5.

happy     to     wear    it    So    fashionable   that    people   would   be.

6.

cycling     of     .     thousands     examined     accidents     They

7.

wanted   They  helmet   safest    the   make   to    how    out   find   to.

8.

has     of     company     staff     employees     Hövding     a    17    The.    

9.

would     them     invention     make     millionaires     Their.    

10.

in     the     rest     of     the     world     It     would     be     available.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Two Swedish design students have invented a total / totally new kind of bicycle helmet. People are saying it's invisible because you cannot see it in / on a cyclist's head. The "invisible" helmet is really / real a kind of airbag. It is inside a large collar. People wear it around their neck like / similar a scarf. When the cyclist falls off his/her bike, the collar quick / quickly fills with gas and an airbag surrounds the / a head. The two students, Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin, wanted to change / chance the way people cyclist / cycle. They said: "Bicycle helmets have always been the same. They're so bulky, like a hard / hardy mushroom on your head." They called their new invention the Hövding. The pair said it looks so / such fashionable that "people would be happy to wear it".

The inventors started research and develops / development on the Hövding in 2005. They examined / examining thousands of cycling accidents. They wanted to find out what / how to make the safest helmet. They then teamed / tuned up with a Swedish airbag company called Alva. Today, the Hövding company has a staff of 17 employers / employees. They hope their helmet will change how people all over the world cycling / cycle. In their video, Haupt and Alstin said: "Cars are so / no yesterday. Bikes are the future." They also said their invention would make / give them millionaires. People can only buy the Hövding helmet online in Europe. It sells / buys for around $530. The company did not say when it would be available in the west / rest of the world.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

Tw_ Sw_d_sh d_s_gn st_d_nts h_v_ _nv_nt_d _ t_t_lly n_w k_nd _f b_cycl_ h_lm_t. P__pl_ _r_ s_y_ng _t's _nv_s_bl_ b_c__s_ y__ c_nn_t s__ _t _n _ cycl_st's h__d. Th_ "_nv_s_bl_" h_lm_t _s r__lly _ k_nd _f __rb_g. _t _s _ns_d_ _ l_rg_ c_ll_r. P__pl_ w__r _t _r__nd th__r n_ck l_k_ _ sc_rf. Wh_n th_ cycl_st f_lls _ff h_s/h_r b_k_, th_ c_ll_r q__ckly f_lls w_th g_s _nd _n __rb_g s_rr__nds th_ h__d. Th_ tw_ st_d_nts, _nn_ H__pt _nd T_r_s_ _lst_n, w_nt_d t_ ch_ng_ th_ w_y p__pl_ cycl_. Th_y s__d: "B_cycl_ h_lm_ts h_v_ _lw_ys b__n th_ s_m_. Th_y'r_ s_ b_lky, l_k_ _ h_rd m_shr__m _n y__r h__d." Th_y c_ll_d th__r n_w _nv_nt__n th_ Hövd_ng. Th_ p__r s__d _t l__ks s_ f_sh__n_bl_ th_t "p__pl_ w__ld b_ h_ppy t_ w__r _t".

Th_ _nv_nt_rs st_rt_d r_s__rch _nd d_v_l_pm_nt _n th_ Hövd_ng _n 2005. Th_y _x_m_n_d th__s_nds _f cycl_ng _cc_d_nts. Th_y w_nt_d t_ f_nd __t h_w t_ m_k_ th_ s_f_st h_lm_t. Th_y th_n t__m_d _p w_th _ Sw_d_sh __rb_g c_mp_ny c_ll_d _lv_. T_d_y, th_ Hövd_ng c_mp_ny h_s _ st_ff _f 17 _mpl_y__s. Th_y h_p_ th__r h_lm_t w_ll ch_ng_ h_w p__pl_ _ll _v_r th_ w_rld cycl_. _n th__r v_d__, H__pt _nd _lst_n s__d: "C_rs _r_ s_ y_st_rd_y. B_k_s _r_ th_ f_t_r_." Th_y _ls_ s__d th__r _nv_nt__n w__ld m_k_ th_m m_ll__n__r_s. P__pl_ c_n _nly b_y th_ Hövd_ng h_lm_t _nl_n_ _n __r_p_. _t s_lls f_r _r__nd $530. Th_ c_mp_ny d_d n_t s_y wh_n _t w__ld b_ _v__l_bl_ _n th_ r_st _f th_ w_rld.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

two swedish design students have invented a totally new kind of bicycle helmet people are saying it's invisible because you cannot see it on a cyclist's head the "invisible" helmet is really a kind of airbag it is inside a large collar people wear it around their neck like a scarf when the cyclist falls off his/her bike the collar quickly fills with gas and an airbag surrounds the head the two students anna haupt and terese alstin wanted to change the way people cycle they said "bicycle helmets have always been the same they're so bulky like a hard mushroom on your head" they called their new invention the hövding the pair said it looks so fashionable that "people would be happy to wear it"

the inventors started research and development on the hövding in 2005 they examined thousands of cycling accidents they wanted to find out how to make the safest helmet they then teamed up with a swedish airbag company called alva today the hövding company has a staff of 17 employees they hope their helmet will change how people all over the world cycle in their video haupt and alstin said "cars are so yesterday bikes are the future" they also said their invention would make them millionaires people can only buy the hövding helmet online in europe it sells for around $530 the company did not say when it would be available in the rest of the world

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TwoSwedishdesignstudentshaveinventedatotallynewkindofbicycl
ehelmet.Peoplearesayingit'sinvisiblebecauseyoucannotseeitonac
yclist'shead.The"invisible"helmetisreallyakindofairbag.Itisinsidea
largecollar.Peoplewearitaroundtheirnecklikeascarf.Whenthecycli
stfallsoffhis/herbike,thecollarquicklyfillswithgasandanairbagsurr
oundsthehead.Thetwostudents,AnnaHauptandTereseAlstin,want
edtochangethewaypeoplecycle.Theysaid:"Bicyclehelmetshaveal
waysbeenthesame.They'resobulky,likeahardmushroomonyourhe
ad."TheycalledtheirnewinventiontheHövding.Thepairsaiditlookss
ofashionablethat"peoplewouldbehappytowearit".Theinventorssta
rtedresearchanddevelopmentontheHövdingin2005.Theyexamine
dthousandsofcyclingaccidents.Theywantedtofindouthowtomaket
hesafesthelmet.TheythenteamedupwithaSwedishairbagcompany
calledAlva.Today,theHövdingcompanyhasastaffof17employees.T
heyhopetheirhelmetwillchangehowpeopleallovertheworldcycle.In
theirvideo,HauptandAlstinsaid:"Carsaresoyesterday.Bikesarethe
future."Theyalsosaidtheirinventionwouldmakethemmillionaires.P
eoplecanonlybuytheHövdinghelmetonlineinEurope.Itsellsforarou
nd$530.Thecompanydidnotsaywhenitwouldbeavailableintherest
oftheworld.

FREE WRITING

Write about bicycle helmets for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

It should be illegal to ride a bicycle without wearing a helmet.   Discuss.

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HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about the "invisible" bicycle helmet. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. BICYCLE HELMETS: Make a poster about bicycle helmets. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. HÖVDING: Write a magazine article about the Hövding helmet. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to a bicycle safety expert. Ask him/her three questions about bicycle helmets. Give him/her three ideas on how to make them better. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

F

d

F

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

invented

a.

created

2.

quickly

b.

speedily

3.

surrounds

c.

encircles

4.

bulky

d.

big

5.

fashionable

e.

stylish

6.

examined

f.

looked at

7.

teamed up

g.

collaborated

8.

employees

h.

workers

9.

buy

i.

purchase

10.

available

j.

on sale

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

Sweden

2.

An airbag

3.

On their neck

4.

Gas

5.

A mushroom

6.

2005

7.

Thousands

8.

17

9.

They are "so yesterday"

10.

No one knows

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

d

4.

b

5.

c

6.

d

7.

b

8.

d

9.

a

10.

d

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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