A Brazilian inventor has come up with a new gadget that converts your breath into electricity. This means breathing has become a source of renewable energy – at least while you are alive. Joco Paulo Lammoglia, from Rio De Janeiro, won the Red Dot design award for his AIRE device. His invention uses the wind flow created by breathing and changes it into energy that can power mobile phones and iPods. Tiny turbines in the AIRE charger create the electrical power from your breath. The device is worn like a mask and can be used while exercising or even when sleeping. Mr Lammoglia hopes his new creation will help protect the environment.
Lammoglia explained how useful he hopes the AIRE will become. He said: “I hope to bring the concept into production and reduce the carbon footprint. It can be used indoors or outdoors, while you’re sleeping, walking, running or even reading a book.” He also said his invention encouraged people to exercise as well as saving energy and the environment. He explained why he thought the AIRE was so useful, saying: “Though many of our modern gadgets offer benefits, they tend to use a high amount of electrical energy. Harnessing energy from human activities and transforming it into electricity is possible and is a great solution.” The product is not yet on sale but is sure to be a big seller when it does hit the shelves.
1. RENEWABLE ENERGY: Walk around the class and talk to other students about renewable energy. Change partners often. Sit with your first partner(s) 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.
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Brazilian / inventor / breath / design award / mobile phones / exercising / protect / concept / production / outdoors / saving energy / great solution / on sale / shelves |
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BODY POWER: Invent some crazy gadgets? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners and share what you wrote. Change and share again.
Power from… |
Name |
Function |
How it works |
your heartbeat |
|
|
|
blinking |
|
|
|
body temperature |
|
|
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chewing |
|
|
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thinking |
|
|
|
talking |
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|
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4. CLEAN: Students A strongly believe all energy will be clean in the future; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
5. ENERGY: Which of these do you think will we use most in 2112? Rank them and share your rankings with your partner. Change partners and share your rankings again.
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- tidal
- thermal
- nuclear
- something totally new
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6. AIR: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word ‘air’. 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. |
An inventor has harnessed the power of our breath. |
T / F |
b. |
The inventor’s gadget was runner-up in a design competition. |
T / F |
c. |
The inventor’s device has no moving parts – it’s all chemical. |
T / F |
d. |
The inventor says his device will help protect the environment. |
T / F |
e. |
The inventor said the device can only work inside. |
T / F |
f. |
The inventor warns we should turn the gadget off when we sleep. |
T / F |
g. |
The gadget is not yet for sale in stores. |
T / F |
h. |
The writer of the article believes the device will sell well once available. |
T / F |
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
| 1. |
come up with |
a. |
miniature |
2. |
gadget |
b. |
prompted |
3. |
flow |
c. |
idea |
4. |
tiny |
d. |
movement |
5. |
creation |
e. |
produced |
6. |
concept |
f. |
make use of |
7. |
encouraged |
g. |
answer |
8. |
harness |
h. |
gizmo |
9. |
solution |
i. |
go on sale |
10. |
hit the shelves |
j. |
invention |
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
| 1. |
a new gadget that converts your breath |
a. |
by breathing |
2. |
breathing has become a source |
b. |
of electrical energy |
3. |
the wind flow created |
c. |
the environment |
4. |
The device is worn |
d. |
footprint |
5. |
help protect |
e. |
of renewable energy |
6. |
reduce the carbon |
f. |
indoors or outdoors |
7. |
It can be used |
g. |
into electricity |
8. |
his invention encouraged people |
h. |
shelves |
9. |
they tend to use a high amount |
i. |
like a mask |
10. |
hit the |
j. |
to exercise as well |
WHILE READING / LISTENING
GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text.
A Brazilian inventor has (1) ____________ up with a new gadget that converts your breath into electricity. This means breathing has become a source of renewable energy – at (2) ____________ while you are alive. Joco Paulo Lammoglia, from Rio De Janeiro, won the Red Dot design award for his AIRE (3) ____________. His invention uses the wind (4) ____________ created by breathing and changes it into energy that can power mobile phones and iPods. (5) ____________ turbines in the AIRE charger create the electrical power from your breath. The device is (6) ____________ like a mask and can be used while exercising or (7) ____________ when sleeping. Mr Lammoglia hopes his new (8) ____________ will help protect the environment. |
|
tiny
creation
least
worn
come
flow
even
device
|
Lammoglia explained how useful he (9) ____________ the AIRE will become. He said: “I hope to bring the (10) ____________ into production and reduce the carbon footprint. It can be used indoors or outdoors, while you’re sleeping, walking, running or even reading a book.” He also said his invention encouraged people to exercise as well as (11) ____________ energy and the environment. He explained why he thought the AIRE was so useful, saying: “Though many of our modern (12) ____________ offer benefits, they tend to use a high (13) ____________ of electrical energy. Harnessing energy from human activities and transforming it into electricity is possible and is a great (14) ____________.” The product is not yet in on (15) ____________ but is sure to be a big seller when it does hit the (16) ____________. |
|
amount
concept
sale
hopes
gadgets
shelves
saving
solution |
LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps
A Brazilian inventor has come up with a new _____________________ your breath into electricity. This means breathing has become a _____________________ energy – at least while you are alive. Joco Paulo Lammoglia, from Rio De Janeiro, won the Red Dot design award for his AIRE device. His invention uses the _____________________ breathing and changes it into energy that can power mobile phones and iPods. _____________________ the AIRE charger create the electrical power from your breath. The device is _____________________ and can be used while exercising or even when sleeping. Mr Lammoglia hopes his new creation _____________________ environment.
Lammoglia explained _____________________ the AIRE will become. He said: “I hope to bring the concept into production and reduce the carbon footprint. It can be _____________________, while you’re sleeping, walking, running or even reading a book.” He also said his invention encouraged people to exercise _____________________ energy and the environment. He explained why he thought the AIRE was so useful, saying: “Though many of our modern _____________________, they tend to use a high amount of electrical energy. Harnessing energy from human activities _____________________ into electricity is possible and is a great solution.” The product is not yet on sale but is sure to be a big seller when it does _____________________.
AFTER READING / LISTENING
1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words ‘wind’ and ‘flow’.
- 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:
- means
- award
- flow
- power
- mask
- protect
|
- concept
- book
- saving
- tend
- great
- hit
|
RENEWABLE ENERGY SURVEY
Write five GOOD questions about renewable energy 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.
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STUDENT 1
_____________ |
STUDENT 2
_____________ |
STUDENT 3
_____________ |
Q.1.
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Q.2.
|
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|
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Q.3.
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Q.4.
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Q.5.
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- 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.
RENEWABLE ENERGY 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 term ‘renewable energy’? |
c) |
What do you think of the AIRE? |
d) |
Will you buy one when it hits the shelves? |
e) |
Do you think it will be too uncomfortable to wear? |
f) |
What do you think of breath power as a source of renewable energy? |
g) |
How big of an impact could this have on the environment? |
h) |
Would you sleep with the AIRE to recharge your mobile phone? |
i) |
Do you think this is the first of many gadgets that harness our body’s movements? |
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STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
| a) |
Did you like reading this article? |
b) |
What do you do every day to reduce your carbon footprint? |
c) |
Would the AIRE encourage you to exercise more (by helping cut down on power bills)? |
d) |
How much energy (electrical, gas…) do you think you use every day? |
e) |
Is the AIRE a great solution? |
f) |
Which sources of renewable energy do you think is most effective? |
g) |
What will we do when the oil runs out? |
h) |
Could the breath power of a everyone in an apartment building or soccer stadium help reduce power needs? |
i) |
What questions would you like to ask the inventor? |
LANGUAGE – MULTIPLE CHOICE
A Brazilian inventor has (1) ___ up with a new gadget that converts your breath into electricity. This means breathing has become a (2) ___ of renewable energy – at (3) ___ while you are alive. Joco Paulo Lammoglia, from Rio De Janeiro, won the Red Dot design award for his AIRE device. His invention uses the wind (4) ___ created by breathing and changes it (5) ___ energy that can power mobile phones and iPods. Tiny turbines in the AIRE charger create the electrical power from your breath. The device is worn like a mask and can be used (6) ___ exercising or even when sleeping. Mr Lammoglia hopes his new creation will help protect the environment.
Lammoglia explained how (7) ___ he hopes the AIRE will become. He said: “I hope to bring the concept into production and reduce the carbon (8) ___. It can be used indoors or outdoors, while you’re sleeping, walking, running or even reading a book.” He also said his invention encouraged people to exercise as well as (9) ___ energy and the environment. He explained why he thought the AIRE was so useful, saying: “Though many of our modern gadgets (10) ___ benefits, they tend to use a high amount of electrical energy. Harnessing energy from human activities and transforming it into electricity is possible and is a great (11) ___.” The product is not yet on sale but is sure to be a big seller when it does (12) ___ the shelves.
Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.
| 1. |
(a) |
gone |
(b) |
went |
(c) |
arrived |
(d) |
come |
2. |
(a) |
source |
(b) |
sauce |
(c) |
saws |
(d) |
course |
3. |
(a) |
far |
(b) |
least |
(c) |
near |
(d) |
most |
4. |
(a) |
blow |
(b) |
glow |
(c) |
flow |
(d) |
slow |
5. |
(a) |
from |
(b) |
for |
(c) |
into |
(d) |
by |
6. |
(a) |
why |
(b) |
while |
(c) |
which |
(d) |
wherever |
7. |
(a) |
used to |
(b) |
utility |
(c) |
utilise |
(d) |
useful |
8. |
(a) |
footprint |
(b) |
paw print |
(c) |
fingerprint |
(d) |
imprint |
9. |
(a) |
saver |
(b) |
saving |
(c) |
saves |
(d) |
saved |
10. |
(a) |
offload |
(b) |
offend |
(c) |
offing |
(d) |
offer |
11. |
(a) |
solvent |
(b) |
solace |
(c) |
solution |
(d) |
solemn |
12. |
(a) |
hit |
(b) |
slap |
(c) |
impact |
(d) |
punch |
WRITING
Write about renewable energy for 10 minutes. Correct your partner’s paper.
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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 renewable energy. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. RENEWABLE ENERGY: Make a poster about renewable energy. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. AIRE: Write a magazine article about the AIRE gadget. Include imaginary interviews with people who think it’s a great idea and those who don’t.
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. LETTER: Write a letter to the inventor. Ask her three questions about renewable energy. Give him/her three of your opinions on the AIRE. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.
ANSWERS
TRUE / FALSE:
| a. |
F |
b. |
F |
c. |
F |
d. |
T |
e. |
F |
f. |
F |
g. |
T |
h. |
T |
SYNONYM MATCH:
| 1. |
come up with |
a. |
produced |
2. |
gadget |
b. |
gizmo |
3. |
flow |
c. |
movement |
4. |
tiny |
d. |
miniature |
5. |
creation |
e. |
invention |
6. |
concept |
f. |
idea |
7. |
encouraged |
g. |
prompted |
8. |
harness |
h. |
make use of |
9. |
solution |
i. |
answer |
10. |
hit the shelves |
j. |
go on sale |
PHRASE MATCH:
| 1. |
a new gadget that converts your breath |
a. |
into electricity |
2. |
breathing has become a source |
b. |
of renewable energy |
3. |
the wind flow created |
c. |
by breathing |
4. |
The device is worn |
d. |
like a mask |
5. |
help protect |
e. |
the environment |
6. |
reduce the carbon |
f. |
footprint |
7. |
It can be used |
g. |
indoors or outdoors |
8. |
his invention encouraged people |
h. |
to exercise as well |
9. |
they tend to use a high amount |
i. |
of electrical energy |
10. |
hit the |
j. |
shelves |
GAP FILL:
Breath-powered phone charger invented
A Brazilian inventor has (1) come up with a new gadget that converts your breath into electricity. This means breathing has become a source of renewable energy – at (2) least while you are alive. Joco Paulo Lammoglia, from Rio De Janeiro, won the Red Dot design award for his AIRE (3) device. His invention uses the wind (4) flow created by breathing and changes it into energy that can power mobile phones and iPods. (5) Tiny turbines in the AIRE charger create the electrical power from your breath. The device is (6) worn like a mask and can be used while exercising or (7) even when sleeping. Mr Lammoglia hopes his new (8) creation will help protect the environment.
Lammoglia explained how useful he (9) hopes the AIRE will become. He said: “I hope to bring the (10) concept into production and reduce the carbon footprint. It can be used indoors or outdoors, while you’re sleeping, walking, running or even reading a book.” He also said his invention encouraged people to exercise as well as (11) saving energy and the environment. He explained why he thought the AIRE was so useful, saying: “Though many of our modern (12) gadgets offer benefits, they tend to use a high (13) amount of electrical energy. Harnessing energy from human activities and transforming it into electricity is possible and is a great (14) solution.” The product is not yet in on (15) sale but is sure to be a big seller when it does hit the (16) shelves.
LANGUAGE WORK
| 1 - d |
2 - b |
3 - a |
4 - c |
5 - c |
6 - b |
7 - a |
8 - d |
9 - b |
10 - d |
11 - c |
12 - a |