2014-2015学年高中英语 Unit 3 Inventors and inventions Reading quiz II练习 新人教版选修8.docVIP

2014-2015学年高中英语 Unit 3 Inventors and inventions Reading quiz II练习 新人教版选修8 II. Task-based reading. Inventions by kids 1 Take toilet paper for example. Before toilet paper was invented, people from different parts of the world used a variety of things, from coconut shells to leaves. 2 This means that every day, more inventions are being created to make life easier for people. And guess what? Lots of these inventors are kids. Check out what some kids have been up to and maybe get some ideas for an invention yourself. 3 Well, in 1905, an 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson invented it. He accidentally left his favorite fruit drink with a stirrer1 in it outside on the porch overnight. When he awoke, the drink was frozen and he found a new delicious treat. He went on to patent his idea and was the creator of the Popsicle. How about Chester Greenwood? In 1858, at the age of 15, he was ice-skating and kept getting annoyed at how cold his ears got. He tried wrapping his head in a scarf but that proved to be too bulky2. He went home and made two ear-shaped loops from wire and asked his grandmother to sew some fur on the loops. These became the first earmuffs3 which he patented and ended up making a fortune on his invention by supplying the US soldiers with earmuffs during World War I. 4 Sometimes it’s as easy as thinking about something that you would like to have and then making it. Good luck to all of you future inventors! Notes 1. stirrer n. 搅拌棒 2. bulky adj. 笨重的 3. earmuffs n. 耳套 Task Complete the passage with the right sentences from the box below. A. Every day, inventors apply for patents for their new inventions. B. Have you ever thought about inventing something yourself? C. Have you ever heard of a Popsicle (冰棒)? D. Have you ever thought what life might be like without certain things? E. Maybe these stories will help inspire you to be the next big inventor. 1