Reading

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Unit 16
Reading
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Match the given scientists with their discoveries
and inventions.
Pierre and Madame Curie Alfred Nobel Albert
Einstein Newton Charles Darwin Bell Baird
John Qian Xuesen
Theory of Relativity Gravity Radium and
polonium Smokeless gun powder The father of a
nuclear missile TV set Evolution Telephone
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Franklins background Benjamin Franklin was
one of the founding fathers of the United
States.He has a variety of interests and was
talented in many.He was an inventor,a
scientist,an educator,a philosopher,a
diplomat(???)and a public servant.He invented
many things,including a heating stove and a
lightning rod.He started a subscription(??)library
,a debating society and a college which later
became the University of Pennsylvania.Now well
learn Franklins famous kite experiment,in which
he proved that lightning is electricity.It is one
of his most famous experiments.
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• Reading Comprehension

1.Read the text and decide whether the following
statements are true(T) or false(F) and correct it
if it is false.
?( )In 1752 scientists already knew what
electricity is. ?( )Franklin was helped by a
friend to do the experiment. ?( )Franklin
made the kite of silk because wet silk does not
conduct electricity. ?( )A condenser was used
in the experiment to store electricity. ?(
)The key tied to the string was put into the door
to stop the kite from flying away.
T
F
F
T
F
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• Reading Comprehension

2.Skim the text and fill in the blanks.
Prove lightning and electricity
Successful
A kite,a key,some really bad weather and condenser
First, Second, Third,
Fly Stand Collect and store
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• Reading Comprehension

3.Consider the following questions ?Why did
Benjamin Franklin do this experiment with the
kite? ?Why is it better to make the kite of silk
than of paper? ?Do you think Franklins
experiment was dangerous?Explain.
He wanted to prove that lightning and electricity
are the same thing.
A silk kite will last longer in bad weather than
a paper kite.
Yes, it was very dangerous because if something
went wrong he could be killed by the lightning.
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4.Read the text carefully and then decide how
many parts the text is divided into and give the
main idea of each part.
Part 1 (Para.1) Part 2 (Para.23) Part
3 (Para.4-6)
To introduce Franklins experiment.
To introduce the process of the experiment.
To give us the tips of doing the experiment.