Listen&Learn: Isaac Newton

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock

Learn about the scientist who developed the theory of gravity.

Pre-listening vocabulary

mathematician: someone who works with math
quarantine: a process of isolating people to stop them from catching or spreading disease
plague: a disease that caused many deadly outbreaks in Europe throughout history
gravity: the force that pulls objects down to Earth
contribution: one person’s accomplishment that helps many people reach a collective goal
calculus: an area of math that focuses on rates of change

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”20646″]

Discussion/essay questions

One of Newton’s most famous quotes is “if I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”. What do you think he meant by this?

Transcript

Isaac Newton was an English physicist and mathematician. He was born in 1643 in Woolsthorpe, England. In 1661, he moved to Cambridge to study at Trinity College. During his studies, Newton went into quarantine because of an outbreak of the plague. He made some of his most important scientific discoveries while working from home. Newton is best known for developing the theory of gravity and writing the three laws of motion. However, he made many other contributions to math and science, including the invention of calculus. He also published multiple books about his discoveries. Newton died in 1727, at the age of 84. He is still considered one of the greatest scientists of all time.

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub

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21 comments

English Club Indonesia says:

I will interpret Newton’s most famous quote as Newton’s desire to achieve more in his lifetime. However, to achieve that goal is not easy, and it requires a lot more hard work and dedication.
Olga Ramos says:

I’m agree with David Martin
Lý A Na says:

No vomment
Mubina in Uzbekistan says:

Thank you for your helpful listening exercises
Mubina says:

Thank you for your helpful listening exercises
Abdul Motalab Shihab says:

Awesome
Jose says:

Thanks a lot for these useful lessons.
Jose says:

Thanks a lot for these useful lessons. I’m following to improve my english. Wonderful!
MAURO says:

Good. Thanks for the lesson.
Angie says:

Is interesting
Dceia says:

I need to improve my listening skills.

Thank you for the lessons.
Dr. Jonnagadla Rangaswamy says:

Wow a nice way of practicing listening skills among students who are studying English as a foreign Language.
Subhajit Ghosh says:

Thanks for lessons.
Reza says:

Thanks for such texts, it makes us know our scientists better.
Vijdan says:

Thanks for useful information.
The King Of Love From IRAN says:

Thank you for sharing it with us,
Christine PENNEC says:

Thanks. It’s very intersting
George Mbwana says:

Listening is good as it improves my English. Well done EnglishClub
David Martín says:

He meant he did important things based on others’ discoveries, so he wanted to recognise the merit of others discoverers.
Femi says:

I just realized I need to improve my listening skill. Thanks for the lessons.
Supan says:

Special thanks for great lessons