Listen to News with Tara Benwell - Instructions:
1. Preview the vocabulary and read the gapfill text.
2. Play the news report and try to fill in the blanks.
3. Answer the comprehension questions by writing full sentences.
4. Use the discussion question to write an essay or discuss the story with other students.
5. Click "show Answers" to see the full text.
6. Pretend to be a news anchor by reading each story out loud.
dateline: 30 September 2014
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN 🔈
Scientists Design Real-Life Invisibility Cloak
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- angle: a position from which you have a viewpoint
- complex: detailed; difficult to make or do
- cloak (verb): to hide or cover
- cloak (noun): an outer coat-like garment that covers much of the body
- straight on: from a direct viewpoint (not from multiple angles); also “head on”
- optical: related to sight and light
- garment: a piece of clothing
Comprehension Questions
- What does the verb “cloak” mean?
- Where is Rochester?
- Why does the report mention the Harry Potter series?
Discussion Questions: Can you think of any other practical uses for an invisibility cloak (device rather than garment)?
show Answershide Answers
Scientists Design Real-Life Invisibility Cloak
Scientists from New York’s University of Rochester have developed a cloaking device to make 3D items invisible from a variety of angles. When you “cloak” an object, you hide it from view. Everything surrounding the cloaked object remains visible. While the science of cloaking is not new, previous cloaking devices were expensive and complex. They also required the viewer to look at an object straight on. The new Rochester Cloak, designed by scientists who specialise in optical research, is made from simple layered lenses and allows the user to look at the object from multiple viewpoints. The new device, not unlike the magical garment in the Harry Potter series, also leaves the background undisturbed. Scientists say it could have several practical uses, such as cloaking a trailer behind a large truck, which would allow the driver to see better. It could also be used by medical professionals in surgery.
- The verb “cloak” means to hide or make invisible.
- Rochester is in New York.
- The report mentions Harry Potter because a magic garment called the “invisibility cloak” (that works in a similar way to the Rochester Cloak) appears in this series.
Written and recorded by Tara Benwell for EnglishClub
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
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