British Inventions PART TWO: Intermediate & Advanced English Lesson

Grammar included:  “Received Pronunciation”     

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SECTION ONE

Expressions:  INVENTING PART TWO

Here are 5 expressions related to INVENTIONS along with their meanings and sample sentences:

1. ‘Hovering to New Heights‘ – encapsulating the invention of the hovercraft by Christopher Cockerell in 1955, which revolutionized transport over water and smooth land.

2. ‘The World Wide Web: Connecting the Globe’ – reflecting on Tim Berners-Lee’s invention of the World Wide Web in 1989, which transformed the way we access and disseminate information.

3. ‘From Mini to Mighty’ – a nod to the classic Mini Cooper designed by Sir Alec Issigonis in 1959, redefining compact cars and becoming a cultural icon.

4. ‘The Beat of the MRI Drum‘ – highlighting Sir Peter Mansfield’s enhancements to Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the 1970s, a breakthrough in non-invasive medical diagnostics.

5. ‘Breaking the Sound Barrier in Style’ – symbolizing the development of Concorde, the supersonic passenger jet, a joint venture between Britain and France that first flew in 1969 and began service in 1976.


Remember that during the lesson we are continuing our RP practice to be able to improve our pronunciation and diction.

SECTION TWO: 

READING (Concentrate on your pronunciation of the ‘ed’ sounds. You will find the ‘ed’ lesson at the end of this English lesson.

INTRODUCTION:

Britain has long been a crucible of creativity, giving the world some of its most revolutionary inventions. From the steam engine that powered the Industrial Revolution to the World Wide Web that connected it, British inventors have shaped modern society in countless ways. Join me as I explore the ingenuity of these inventors and delve into how their groundbreaking inventions came to be, not just changing the nation but setting the course for our global future.

INVENTION ONE:

Sir JAMES DYSON

 James Dyson revolutionized household appliances with his invention of the Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner using cyclonic separation to extract dust without loss of suction. And the public bathroom hand dryer.  James Dyson is most renowned for inventing the first bagless vacuum cleaner using cyclonic separation technology. The development of this technology was a significant breakthrough, as it offered a more efficient and sustained suction power compared to traditional vacuum cleaners that used bags. Following the success of his vacuum cleaners, Dyson and his company have expanded their product line to include bladeless fans, air purifiers, hand dryers, and heaters. More recently, they have also moved into the realm of hair care with the introduction of the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, which promises fast drying times without extreme heat, and the Dyson Airwrap styler that uses air to curl and style hair without excessive heat damage. Each Dyson invention typically reflects an innovative approach to solving common problems found in household and professional appliances.

NEW VOCABULARY:  

INVENTION TWO:

JAMES WATT

James Watt improved the Newcomen steam engine leading to advances in energy efficiency that facilitated the Industrial Revolution and paved the way for industrial-scale machinery.  You will find his name on every electrical item.   It will tell you the amount of watts the item is. For example a 40 watt light bulb.

SECTION THREE

VIDEO LISTENING SECTION ONE: Watch the video below and answer the question below. You may need to Google his name.

QUESTIONS:  (Notice how the people in this video are speaking in RP)

          1.  Name three products that James Dyson has invented.

SECTION FOUR

INVENTION THREE:

GEORGE STEVENSON

George Stephenson is known as the “Father of Railways” having built the first public inter-city railway line and setting standards for gauges still in use today.  George Stephenson was renowned as the “Father of Railways,” a pioneering engineer of the 19th century whose innovations propelled the transport revolution. Born into a humble family in 1781, in Wylam, England, Stephenson’s journey from an illiterate engine boy to a prodigious inventor is a tale of determination. His creation of the ‘Rocket’ locomotive in 1829 became emblematic of technological progress, demonstrating both unprecedented speed and efficiency. Stephenson’s work laid the foundations for modern rail transport, ensuring his legacy as a cornerstone of industrial history.

INVENTION FOUR:

CHRISTOPHER COCKERELL

Christopher Cockerell is credited with inventing the hovercraft, a vehicle that travels over various surfaces on a cushion of air generated by a powerful fan.  Christopher Cockerell was a groundbreaking British inventor, engineer, and entrepreneur, best recognized for his invention of the hovercraft. His innovative spirit led him to explore the principles of air cushion vehicles in the 1950s. A man of profound ingenuity Cockerell’s work combined his understanding of engineering with a persistent curiosity about the physics of lift and propulsion. His invention revolutionized transport, providing a unique solution to travel over water, land, and various terrains without the need for complex infrastructure. Cockerell’s legacy is a testament to the potential that lies in marrying practical skills with daring ideas to create something truly transformative.

SECTION FIVE

INVENTION FIVE:

CHARLES BABBAGE

Charles Babbage is often referred to as “the father of computing” for his design of the Analytical Engine, an early mechanical general-purpose computer concept.  Charles Babbage, often referred to as ‘the father of the computer,’ was a preeminent English polymath of the 19th century. His fascination with mathematics and engineering led him to conceive the idea of a programmable machine.   Babbage’s most notable inventions are the Difference Engine and the more complex Analytical Engine, which had features resembling those of modern computers, such as an arithmetic logic unit and control flow via punched cards. Although his devices were never fully realized in his lifetime, Babbage’s innovative ideas laid the groundwork for the computers we use today.

NEW VOCABULARY: 

CONCLUSION:

As the sun sets on our exploration of British inventors, we’re left in awe of the indelible marks they’ve etched on the canvas of history. From Stephenson’s chugging locomotives to Tim Berners-Lee’s digital revolution, these visionaries have not just shaped the British Isles but have sculpted our modern world. Their legacies are testaments to the boundless human spirit and its ceaseless quest for innovation. May we carry their torch forward, boldly lighting the path of discovery for future generations. As we embrace tomorrow with hopeful anticipation, let us remember that within each of us lies the potential to create, to invent, and to dream. British inventors have shown us that with perseverance and ingenuity, anything is possible.

NEW VOCABULARY: 

SECTION SEVEN

Advanced grammar)

 

Defining and non-defining relative clauses are types of clauses that describe nouns in more detail.

A defining relative clause (also known as a restrictive relative clause) provides essential information about the noun it modifies. It is necessary to understand exactly which person or thing we are talking about. Without this clause, the sentence’s meaning would be incomplete or significantly altered. In written English, it does not have commas.

For example:
– The book that I bought yesterday is fascinating.
Here, “that I bought yesterday” is a defining relative clause pointing out which book is being described.

A non-defining relative clause (also known as a non-restrictive or parenthetical clause) provides extra information that can be left out without changing the meaning of the sentence. It is not essential to identify the noun being described, and in written English, it’s typically set off by commas.

For example:
– My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting me next week.
Here, “who lives in New York” is a non-defining relative clause giving additional information about “my brother.” Whether he lives in New York or not doesn’t change the fact that he’s visiting next week – it’s just extra information.

When you write sentences, consider whether the information provided by a relative clause is vital to the point you’re making. Use defining clauses without commas when it is and use non-defining clauses with commas when the info adds something supplementary. Remember that non-defining clauses cannot be used with pronouns “that” or “whose,” and they are more common in written English than spoken English.

SECTION EIGHT

How to pronounce the ‘ed’ sounds in regular verbs.

 

‘ED’ practice text

In this text remember that we are practicing our RP but at the same time we are going to practice how to pronounce the ‘ed’ in regular verbs.  Here is an explanation.

In English, the pronunciation of the past tense suffix “-ed” varies and is determined by the final sound of the root verb:

1. /t/ Sound: We use this sound when the root verb ends in voiceless consonants (except for /t/), such as /p/, /k/, /s/, /ʃ/ (sh), /ʧ/ (ch), and /f/. For example:
– “walk” becomes “walked” and is pronounced as /wa:   kt/
– “laugh” becomes “laughed” and is pronounced as /laugh:  ft/

2. /d/ Sound: We use this sound with root verbs ending in voiced sounds, which include all vowel sounds and voiced consonants (except for /d/), such as /b/, /g/, /v/, /z/, etc. For example:
– “call” becomes “called” and is pronounced as /ca  lld/
– “rob” becomes “robbed” and is pronounced as /rob  bd/

3. /ɪd/ or just /d/ Sound: We use this sound distinctly when the root verb ends in either a /t/ or a /d/. This additional syllable makes it easier to pronounce. For example:
– “want” becomes “wanted” and is pronounced as /ˈwant:  id/
– “need” becomes “needed” and is pronounced as /ˈneed:  id/


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