The Reading / Listening - Rocket Science - Level 6

Most of us have the impression that rocket scientists and brain surgeons are super-brainy. Scientists have conducted research that suggests members of the general public are actually just as smart as those high-flyers. Researchers from University College London asked 329 aerospace engineers and 72 neurosurgeons to complete tests designed to assess six different areas of cognition. The researchers compared their data with those from 18,257 respondents who had previously taken the tests. The researchers said: "Only two differences were significant: the neurosurgeons' problem-solving speed was quicker and their memory recall speed was slower."

The research questions the validity of using English phrases such as "this isn't rocket science" or "that isn't brain surgery". We use these expressions to suggest something is actually quite easy to understand. Are aeronautics and neuroscience so mindboggling? The researchers shed some light on this. They said: "In situations that do not require rapid problem solving, it might be more correct to use 'It's not brain surgery', but in situations where rapid information recall is needed this phrase should be avoided." This gives hope to all of us that we can embark on careers we once disregarded because of "genius-level" requirements. However, this could lead to a glut of brain surgeons and rocket designers.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Rocket Science - Level 4  or  Rocket Science - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-59647067
  • https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/rocket-scientists-and-brain-surgeons-are-no-smarter-than-you-study-finds/
  • https://www.sciencealert.com/researchers-pit-rocket-scientists-and-brain-surgeons-against-each-other-in-a-battle-of-wits


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. ROCKET SCIENCE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about rocket science. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       rocket / scientist / brain surgeon / research / the general public / cognition / memory
       validity / English phrases / mindboggling / problems / information / career / genius
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BRAIN SURGEONS: Students A strongly believe brain surgeons are more important than rocket scientists; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. HIGH-FLYING JOBS: What do you think of these occupations? What are the good and bad things about them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What You Think

Good Things

Bad Things

Rocket scientist

 

 

 

Brain surgeon

 

 

 

Hollywood actor

 

 

 

Lawyer

 

 

 

Army general

 

 

 

CEO

 

 

 

MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. GENIUS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "genius". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ATTRIBUTES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best attributes at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • intelligence
  • sense of humour
  • humility
  • kindness
  • perseverance
  • loyalty
  • generosity
  • selflessness

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. impression a. A person who is or has the potential to be very successful, especially academically or in business.
      2. surgeon b. The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.
      3. brainy c. An idea, feeling, or opinion about something or someone.
      4. high-flyer d. The action of remembering something learned or experienced.
      5. cognition e. A doctor who treats injuries or disorders of the body by cutting into it.
      6. respondents f. Having or showing higher intelligence.
      7. recall g. People who reply to something, especially information for a questionnaire.

    Paragraph 2

      8. validity h. An excessive supply of something.
      9. aeronautics i. The quality of being logically or factually reliable.
      10. mindboggling j. The science or practice of building or flying aircraft.
      11. shed light on k. Begin a course of action.
      12. embark on l. Help to explain something by giving further information about it.
      13. disregarded m. Overwhelming; too great to fully understand.
      14. glut n. Paid no attention to; ignored.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The article says everyone thinks rocket scientists are brainy.     T / F
  2. Researchers tested the cognition of 72 rocket scientists.     T / F
  3. Researchers' found only two major differences in their data.     T / F
  4. Neurosurgeons could recall memories quicker than average people.     T / F
  5. The researchers said we should never use certain English phrases.     T / F
  6. The researchers used a torch to shine light on a question.     T / F
  7. The article suggests we could all do the careers we wanted.     T / F
  8. The article joked that we could have too many brain surgeons.     T / F

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

  1. impression
  2. conducted
  3. assess
  4. cognition
  5. significant
  6. validity
  7. expressions
  8. shed
  9. avoided
  10. glut
  1. evaluate
  2. phrases
  3. steered clear of
  4. notable
  5. carried out
  6. cast
  7. thinking
  8. excess
  9. sense
  10. logic

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

  1. brain surgeons are super-
  2. members of the general
  3. just as smart as those high-
  4. tests designed to assess six different
  5. their memory recall
  6. The research questions the validity
  7. something is actually quite easy
  8. The researchers shed some
  9. embark on careers we
  10. this could lead to a glut
  1. once disregarded
  2. speed
  3. of using English phrases
  4. light on this
  5. brainy
  6. of brain surgeons
  7. areas of cognition
  8. public
  9. to understand

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
flyers
cognition
impression
recall
aerospace
significant
brainy
respondents

Most of us have the (1) _____________________ that rocket scientists and brain surgeons are super-(2) _____________________. Scientists have conducted research that suggests members of the general public are actually just as smart as those high-(3) _____________________. Researchers from University College London asked 329 (4) _____________________ engineers and 72 neurosurgeons to complete tests designed to assess six different areas of (5) _____________________. The researchers compared their data with those from 18,257 (6) _____________________ who had previously taken the tests. The researchers said: "Only two differences were (7) _____________________: the neurosurgeons' problem-solving speed was quicker and their memory (8) _____________________ speed was slower."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
rapid
validity
glut
recall
mindboggling
genius
expressions
avoided

The research questions the (9) _____________________ of using English phrases such as "this isn't rocket science" or "that isn't brain surgery". We use these (10) _____________________ to suggest something is actually quite easy to understand. Are aeronautics and neuroscience so (11) _____________________? The researchers shed some light on this. They said: "In situations that do not require (12) _____________________ problem solving, it might be more correct to use 'It's not brain surgery', but in situations where rapid information (13) _____________________ is needed this phrase should be (14) _____________________." This gives hope to all of us that we can embark on careers we once disregarded because of "(15) _____________________ -level" requirements. However, this could lead to a (16) _____________________ of brain surgeons and rocket designers.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Most of us have the impression that rocket scientists and brain surgeons ______
     a.  are super-barmy
     b.  are super-grainy
     c.  are super-bonny
     d.  are super-brainy
2)  Scientists have conducted research that suggests members of ______
     a.  the general public
     b.  the generally public
     c.  the general publicly
     d.  the generally publicly
3)  72 neurosurgeons to complete tests designed to assess six different ______
     a.  areas of cognitive
     b.  areas of cog ignition
     c.  areas of cognition
     d.  areas of cog nation
4)  The researchers compared their data with those ______
     a.  from 18,257 respondents
     b.  from 18,257 despondence
     c.  from 18,257 resplendent
     d.  from 18,257 despondency
5)  the neurosurgeons' problem-solving speed was quicker and their ______
     a.  memory reek call speed
     b.  memory reek all speed
     c.  memory recall speed
     d.  memory wreck all speed

6)  The research questions the validity of ______
     a.  using English phrase is
     b.  using English phrases
     c.  using English phases
     d.  using English phase is
7)  Are aeronautics and neuroscience so mindboggling? The researchers ______ on this
     a.  shed same light
     b.  shred some light
     c.  shred same light
     d.  shed some light
8)  but in situations where rapid information recall is needed this phrase ______
     a.  should be avoided
     b.  should be evaded
     c.  should be avoidance
     d.  should be abeyance
9)  This gives hope to all of us that we can embark on careers ______
     a.  we once this regarded
     b.  we once disk regarded
     c.  we once disregarded
     d.  we once dish regarded
10)  However, this could lead to a ______ surgeons
     a.  guilt of brain
     b.  glut of brain
     c.  glue of brain
     d.  gluts of brain

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

     Most of us have (1) ____________________ rocket scientists and brain surgeons are super-brainy. Scientists (2) ____________________ that suggests members of the general public are actually                                   (3) ____________________ as those high-flyers. Researchers from University College London asked 329 aerospace engineers and 72 neurosurgeons to complete tests designed to assess six different                  (4) ____________________. The researchers compared their data with those from 18,257 respondents who (5) ____________________ the tests. The researchers said: "Only two differences were significant: the neurosurgeons' problem-solving speed was quicker and                                (6) ____________________ speed was slower."

     The research questions (7) ____________________ using English phrases such as "this isn't rocket science" or "that isn't brain surgery". We use these expressions to suggest something is (8) ____________________ to understand. Are aeronautics and neuroscience so mindboggling? The researchers (9) ____________________ on this. They said: "In situations that do not require rapid problem solving, it might be more correct to use 'It's not brain surgery', (10) ____________________ where rapid information recall is needed (11) ____________________ be avoided." This gives hope to all of us that we can embark on careers we once disregarded because of "genius-level" requirements. However, this could lead                                 (12) ____________________ of brain surgeons and rocket designers.

Comprehension questions

  1. What is most people's impression of rocket scientists?
  2. How many neurosurgeons took part in the researchers' tests?
  3. How many areas of cognition were tested?
  4. What had over 18,000 respondents previously done?
  5. Whose memory recall speed was slower?
  6. What does the article say the research questions the validity of?
  7. What did the researchers shed light on?
  8. What phrase should we avoid where rapid information recall is required?
  9. What does the article say the research gives to career seekers?
  10. What could there be a glut of in future?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is most people's impression of rocket scientists?
a) they go to space
b) they are dull
c) they are super-brainy
d) they love science fiction
2) How many neurosurgeons took part in the researchers' tests?
a) 72
b) 88
c) 18,257
d) 329
3) How many areas of cognition were tested?
a) five
b) six
c) four
d) seven
4) What had over 18,000 respondents previously done?
a) been brainy
b) been neurosurgeons
c) been rocket scientists
d) the tests
5) Whose memory recall speed was slower?
a) the general public
b) rocket scientists
c) neurosurgeons
d) researchers

6) What does the article say the research questions the validity of?
a) tests
b) some English phrases
c) neurosurgeons
d) rocket scientists
7) What did the researchers shed light on?
a) space
b) dark
c) a cabin
d) whether aeronautics and neuroscience are mindboggling
8) What phrase should we avoid where rapid information recall is required?
a) Oh my God
b) It's not brain surgery
c) It's on the tip of my tongue
d) This isn't rocket science
9) What does the article say the research gives to career seekers?
a) jobs
b) hope
c) better salaries
d) information
10) What could there be a glut of in future?
a) brain surgeons and rocket designers
b) researchers
c) phrases
d) geniuses

Role play

Role  A – Intelligence
You think intelligence is the most important attribute in a person. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their attributes. Also, tell the others which is the least necessary of these (and why): a sense of humour, loyalty or generosity.

Role  B – Sense of Humour
You think a sense of humour is the most important attribute in a person. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their attributes. Also, tell the others which is the least necessary of these (and why): intelligence, loyalty or generosity.

Role  C – Loyalty
You think loyalty is the most important attribute in a person. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their attributes. Also, tell the others which is the least necessary of these (and why): a sense of humour, intelligence or generosity.

Role  D – Generosity
You think generosity is the most important attribute in a person. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their attributes. Also, tell the others which is the least necessary of these (and why): a sense of humour, loyalty or intelligence.

After reading / listening

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

'rocket'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'science'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • impression
    • general
    • 329
    • six
    • data
    • slower
    • phrases
    • actually
    • shed
    • correct
    • hope
    • glut

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic 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.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Rocket Science

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'rocket'?
    3. How intelligent are you?
    4. How can we increase our intelligence?
    5. Do you think rocket scientists are super-brainy?
    6. How do people become rocket scientists?
    7. Would you rather be a rocket scientist or brain surgeon?
    8. What are your problem solving abilities like?
    9. How is your memory?
    10. What would change in life if you were more intelligent?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'science'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Who is the most intelligent person you know?
    5. Do you find it difficult to remember English phrases?
    6. What career would you love to embark on?
    7. How do people become brain surgeons?
    8. What makes one person more intelligent than another?
    9. Do you think we are all of similar intelligence?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Most of us have the impression that rocket scientists and brain surgeons are super-(1) ____. Scientists have conducted research that suggests members of the general public are actually just as smart as those high-(2) ____. Researchers from University College London asked 329 aerospace engineers and 72 neurosurgeons to complete tests designed to (3) ____ six different areas of cognition. The researchers compared their data with (4) ____ from 18,257 respondents who had (5) ____ taken the tests. The researchers said: "Only two differences were significant: the neurosurgeons' problem-solving speed was quicker and their memory (6) ____ speed was slower."

    The research questions the (7) ____ of using English phrases such as "this isn't rocket science" or "that isn't brain surgery". We use these expressions to suggest something is (8) ____ quite easy to understand. Are aeronautics and neuroscience so mindboggling? The researchers (9) ____ some light on this. They said: "In situations that do not require rapid problem solving, it might be more correct to use 'It's not brain surgery', but (10) ____ situations where rapid information recall is needed this phrase should (11) ____ avoided." This gives hope to all of us that we can embark on careers we once disregarded because of "genius-level" requirements. However, this could lead to a (12) ____ of brain surgeons and rocket designers.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     brainless     (b)     brainwave     (c)     brainy     (d)     brains    
    2. (a)     flyers     (b)     rowers     (c)     pilots     (d)     sailors    
    3. (a)     assess     (b)     recess     (c)     abscess     (d)     abyss    
    4. (a)     those     (b)     them     (c)     these     (d)     that's    
    5. (a)     imperviously     (b)     previously     (c)     prior     (d)     past    
    6. (a)     bell     (b)     remember     (c)     size     (d)     recall    
    7. (a)     prize     (b)     legality     (c)     validity     (d)     obscurity    
    8. (a)     actively     (b)     actual     (c)     actuary     (d)     actually    
    9. (a)     shed     (b)     shack     (c)     cabin     (d)     hut    
    10. (a)     on     (b)     in     (c)     at     (d)     of    
    11. (a)     done     (b)     be     (c)     have     (d)     get    
    12. (a)     jut     (b)     lute     (c)     glut     (d)     mute

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Most of us have the reopsniims that...
    2. brain gsrusnoe
    3. 329 cpreaesao engineers
    4. six different areas of oionitngc
    5. from 18,257 nsndeeropst
    6. two differences were agnisciftin

    Paragraph 2

    1. The research questions the vitlaidy
    2. We use these expironesss
    3. so diggloinnbgm
    4. this phrase should be aviedod
    5. careers we once deigeddarrs
    6. "genius-level" tqeinemruesr

    Put the text back together

    (...)  problem-solving speed was quicker and their memory recall speed was slower."
    (...)  should be avoided." This gives hope to all of us that we can embark on careers we once
    (...)  as smart as those high-flyers. Researchers from University College London asked 329 aerospace
    (...)  use 'It's not brain surgery', but in situations where rapid information recall is needed this phrase
    (...)  brainy. Scientists have conducted research that suggests members of the general public are actually just
    (...)  light on this. They said: "In situations that do not require rapid problem solving, it might be more correct to
    (...)       The research questions the validity of using English phrases such as "this isn't rocket science"
    (...)  disregarded because of "genius-level" requirements. However, this could lead to a glut of brain surgeons and rocket designers.
    (...)  taken the tests. The researchers said: "Only two differences were significant: the neurosurgeons'
    (...)  engineers and 72 neurosurgeons to complete tests designed to assess six different areas of
    1  ) Most of us have the impression that rocket scientists and brain surgeons are super-
    (...)  or "that isn't brain surgery". We use these expressions to suggest something is actually quite
    (...)  cognition. The researchers compared their data with those from 18,257 respondents who had previously
    (...)  easy to understand. Are aeronautics and neuroscience so mindboggling? The researchers shed some

    Put the words in the right order

    1. super   scientists   brain   and   surgeons   brainy   .   are   Rocket
    2. as   are   high-flyers   .   They   smart   as   just   those
    3. designed   areas   different   to   assess   cognition   .   Tests   of
    4. their   The   with   those   .   researchers   data   compared
    5. was   speed   problem   solving   neurosurgeons'   The   quicker   .
    6. using   Research   English   the   validity   of   questions   phrases   .
    7. suggest   expressions   to   something   .   these   We   use
    8. information   recall   situations   In   needed   .   where   is   rapid
    9. We   once   careers   on   can   embark   disregarded   .   we
    10. to   This   of   could   lead   glut   surgeons   .   a

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Most of us have the compression / impression that rocket scientists and brain surgeons are super-brainy. Scientists have contracted / conducted research that suggests members of the general / generally public are actually just as smart as them / those high-flyers. Researchers from University College London asked 329 aerospace engineers and 72 neurosurgeons to complete / compete tests designed to assess six different areas of cognitive / cognition. The researchers compared their data of / with those from 18,257 respondents who has / had previously taken the tests. The researchers said: "Only two differences were significance / significant: the neurosurgeons' problem-solving speed was quicker and their memory recall speed is / was slower."

    The research questions the validity / valid of using English phrases such as "this isn't rocket science" nor / or "that isn't brain surgery". We use these expressions to / for suggest something is actually quite easily / easy to understand. Are aeronautics and neuroscience so / real mindboggling? The researchers shed some light on this. They said: "In / On situations that do not require rapid problem solving, it might be more correct for / to use 'It's not brain surgery', but in situations where rapid information recall is needed this phrase should be / have avoided." This gives hope to all of us that we can embark on / to careers we once disregarded because of "genius-level" requirements. However, this could lead to a glut on / of brain surgeons and rocket designers.

    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)

         M_st  _f  _s  h_v_  th_  _mpr_ss__n  th_t  r_ck_t  sc__nt_sts  _nd  br__n  s_rg__ns  _r_  s_p_r-br__ny.  Sc__nt_sts  h_v_  c_nd_ct_d  r_s__rch  th_t  s_gg_sts  m_mb_rs  _f  th_  g_n_r_l  p_bl_c  _r_  _ct__lly  j_st  _s  sm_rt  _s  th_s_  h_gh-fly_rs.  R_s__rch_rs  fr_m  _n_v_rs_ty  C_ll_g_  L_nd_n  _sk_d  329  __r_sp_c_  _ng_n__rs  _nd  72  n__r_s_rg__ns  t_  c_mpl_t_  t_sts  d_s_gn_d  t_  _ss_ss  s_x  d_ff_r_nt  _r__s  _f  c_gn_t__n.  Th_  r_s__rch_rs  c_mp_r_d  th__r  d_t_  w_th  th_s_  fr_m  18,257  r_sp_nd_nts  wh_  h_d  pr_v___sly  t_k_n  th_  t_sts.  Th_  r_s__rch_rs  s__d:  "_nly  tw_  d_ff_r_nc_s  w_r_  s_gn_f_c_nt:  th_  n__r_s_rg__ns'  pr_bl_m-s_lv_ng  sp__d  w_s  q__ck_r  _nd  th__r  m_m_ry  r_c_ll  sp__d  w_s  sl_w_r."

         Th_  r_s__rch  q__st__ns  th_  v_l_d_ty  _f  _s_ng  _ngl_sh  phr_s_s  s_ch  _s  "th_s  _sn't  r_ck_t  sc__nc_"  _r  "th_t  _sn't  br__n  s_rg_ry".  W_  _s_  th_s_  _xpr_ss__ns  t_  s_gg_st  s_m_th_ng  _s  _ct__lly  q__t_  __sy  t_  _nd_rst_nd.  _r_  __r_n__t_cs  _nd  n__r_sc__nc_  s_  m_ndb_ggl_ng?  Th_  r_s__rch_rs  sh_d  s_m_  l_ght  _n  th_s.  Th_y  s__d:  "_n  s_t__t__ns  th_t  d_  n_t  r_q__r_  r_p_d  pr_bl_m  s_lv_ng,  _t  m_ght  b_  m_r_  c_rr_ct  t_  _s_  '_t's  n_t  br__n  s_rg_ry',  b_t  _n  s_t__t__ns  wh_r_  r_p_d  _nf_rm_t__n  r_c_ll  _s  n__d_d  th_s  phr_s_  sh__ld  b_  _v__d_d."  Th_s  g_v_s  h_p_  t_  _ll  _f  _s  th_t  w_  c_n  _mb_rk  _n  c_r__rs  w_  _nc_  d_sr_g_rd_d  b_c__s_  _f  "g_n__s-l_v_l"  r_q__r_m_nts.  H_w_v_r,  th_s  c__ld  l__d  t_  _  gl_t  _f  br__n  s_rg__ns  _nd  r_ck_t  d_s_gn_rs.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

         most of us have the impression that rocket scientists and brain surgeons are superbrainy scientists have conducted research that suggests members of the general public are actually just as smart as those highflyers researchers from university college london asked 329 aerospace engineers and 72 neurosurgeons to complete tests designed to assess six different areas of cognition the researchers compared their data with those from 18257 respondents who had previously taken the tests the researchers said only two differences were significant the neurosurgeons problemsolving speed was quicker and their memory recall speed was slower

         the research questions the validity of using english phrases such as this isnt rocket science or that isnt brain surgery we use these expressions to suggest something is actually quite easy to understand are aeronautics and neuroscience so mindboggling the researchers shed some light on this they said in situations that do not require rapid problem solving it might be more correct to use its not brain surgery but in situations where rapid information recall is needed this phrase should be avoided this gives hope to all of us that we can embark on careers we once disregarded because of geniuslevel requirements however this could lead to a glut of brain surgeons and rocket designers

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Mostofushavetheimpressionthatrocketscientistsandbrainsurgeonsa
    resuper-brainy.Scientistshaveconductedresearchthatsuggestsme
    mbersofthegeneralpublicareactuallyjustassmartasthosehigh-flye
    rs.ResearchersfromUniversityCollegeLondonasked329aerospaceen
    gineersand72neurosurgeonstocompletetestsdesignedtoassesssixdi
    fferentareasofcognition.Theresearcherscomparedtheirdatawiththo
    sefrom18,257respondentswhohadpreviouslytakenthetests.Theres
    earcherssaid:"Onlytwodifferencesweresignificant:theneurosurgeon
    s'problem-solvingspeedwasquickerandtheirmemoryrecallspeedw
    asslower."TheresearchquestionsthevalidityofusingEnglishphrasess
    uchas"thisisn'trocketscience"or"thatisn'tbrainsurgery".Weusethese
    expressionstosuggestsomethingisactuallyquiteeasytounderstand.A
    reaeronauticsandneurosciencesomindboggling?Theresearchersshe
    dsomelightonthis.Theysaid:"Insituationsthatdonotrequirerapidpro
    blemsolving,itmightbemorecorrecttouse'It'snotbrainsurgery',butin
    situationswhererapidinformationrecallisneededthisphraseshouldbe
    avoided."Thisgiveshopetoallofusthatwecanembarkoncareersweonc
    edisregardedbecauseof"genius-level"requirements.However,thisco
    uldleadtoaglutofbrainsurgeonsandrocketdesigners.

    Free writing

    Write about rocket science for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    Anyone can be a rocket scientist if they really want to. Discuss.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. ROCKET SCIENCE: Make a poster about rocket science. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. INTELLIGENCE: Write a magazine article about governments focusing on efforts to get us to use our intelligence in a better way. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    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 an expert on rocket science. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Help Support This Web Site

    • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

    Sean Banville's Book

    Thank You