Module 1
Lessons 3, 4, 5 and 6
Student’s Book pages 6, 7, 8, 9
Before reading
1 Look at the pictures above. How useful do you think the two products are?
Suggested answers
I think these products are useful on a camping trip. They can come in handy when I’m out in the wilderness.
While reading
A young inventor
Emily Cummins began ‘inventing’ when she was only four. She enjoyed making things from waste material, like making toys from old things she found in her grandfather’s garden.
As she got older, she learnt more about different materials and how to use different tools. She was working on a school project when she had an idea to help millions of people – a small, portable fridge to keep medicines or small food items clean, dry and cool.
In many parts of the world, people haven’t got electricity. However, that doesn’t mean they have to live without a fridge. Emily’s fridge is ideal because it doesn't use electricity. People can build it using old car parts and other objects from their homes.
After she finished school, Emily went to Africa to work on her design. She spent five months in Namibia, testing out her fridge. She decided not to produce the fridge for profit. Instead, she gave the design to people in Africa for free, so that they could produce their own portable fridges following her instructions.
Emily also invented a special water carrier. African women and children often have to walk long distances every day to collect water, and they can only carry a few containers at a time. However, with Emily’s water carrier, they can carry up to five containers of water. She made the wheel out of tree branches and used old tyres to keep the containers in place. People can also use the product to carry firewood or other heavy objects.
Emily has won many awards, including Woman of the Year in 2009 CE (Common Era) and a ‘Save-the-Planet’ award in 2008 CE.
The text talks about:
- Emily’s products.
- How Emily developed her skills when she was younger.
- The low-cost inventions that Emily made to make life in Africa easier.
- Emily's awards.
After reading
What are Emily's inventions?
A fridge and a special water carrier.
When did Emily Cummins begin inventing?
Emily Cummins began ‘inventing’ when she was only four.
What did she Emily enjoy doing? Give examples.
She enjoyed making things from waste material, like making toys from old things she found in her grandfather’s garden.
What did she learn as she got older?
she learnt more about different materials and how to use different tools.
When did she have an idea to help millions of people?
She was working on a school project when she had an idea to help millions of people.
How did she help millions of people?
A small, portable fridge to keep medicines or small food items clean, dry and cool.
Why is Emily's fridge ideal?
Because it doesn't use electricity and people can build it using old car parts and other objects from their homes.
TRUE or FALSE:
Emily sold her fridge. FALSE
She decided not to produce the fridge for profit. Instead, she gave the design to people in Africa for free.
Why did Emily invent a special water carrier?
Because African women and children often have to walk long distances every day to collect water, and they can only carry a few containers at a time. However, with Emily’s water carrier, they can carry up to five containers of water.
Describe Emily's water carrier.
She made the wheel out of tree branches and used old tyres to keep the containers in place. People can also use the product to carry firewood or other heavy objects
Mention the awards that Emily has won.
Woman of the Year in 2009 CE (Common Era) and a ‘Save-the-Planet’ award in 2008 CE.
Where did Emily go after school? How many months did she spend there? Why?
Emily went to Africa to work on her design. She spent five months in Namibia, testing out her fridge.