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Listen&Learn: Nikola Tesla

1st November 2023 by Jaksyn Peacock
Nikola Tesla circa 1890

Pre-listening vocabulary

  • inventor: someone who creates new technology
  • alleged: claimed by someone, but not yet proven to be true
  • dispute: an argument or disagreement
  • motor: a device that powers a machine
  • fund: to provide money for a project
  • promote: to gather public support for something
  • ominous: scary or disturbing

Listening activity

Gapfill exercise

Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor. He was born in Austria* in 1856. In 1884, Tesla moved to New York and began working for Thomas Edison. Tesla helped Edison improve his electrical motors, but he eventually left the after an alleged dispute about payment. Later, Tesla invented an electrical motor that ran on alternating current, or AC. This was different from Edison’s direct current motors, where electricity flowed in only one . An inventor and named George Westinghouse funded and promoted Tesla’s project, and eventually AC made it possible to send electricity over long distances. Although Tesla was a inventor, he struggled with mental illness and financial difficulties throughout his life. As he grew older, he began to mention more ominous inventions, such as a “death ray.” The FBI investigated his possessions after his death, but found nothing .

*Correction: Tesla was actually born in the village of Smiljan, formerly in the Austrian Empire and now in Croatia

Comprehension questions

See answers below

  1. Tesla was born in the
    a. 19th century
    b. 20th century
    c. 21st century
  2. In 1884, Tesla moved to New York to work for
    a. George Westinghouse
    b. Thomas Edison
    c. Alexander Graham Bell
  3. The motor that Tesla invented used
    a. alternating current (AC)
    b. direct current (DC)
    c. high-voltage direct current (HVDC)

Discussion/essay questions

  1. Today, Tesla is a very well-known inventor. But for years, his work was not widely acknowledged. Do you know any other people from history who were not originally recognized for their accomplishments? Why do you think this happens?

Transcript

Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor. He was born in Austria* in 1856. In 1884, Tesla moved to New York and began working for Thomas Edison. Tesla helped Edison improve his electrical motors, but he eventually left the company after an alleged dispute about payment. Later, Tesla invented an electrical motor that ran on alternating current, or AC. This was different from Edison’s direct current motors, where electricity flowed in only one direction. An inventor and businessman named George Westinghouse funded and promoted Tesla’s project, and eventually AC made it possible to send electricity over long distances. Although Tesla was a brilliant inventor, he struggled with mental illness and financial difficulties throughout his life. As he grew older, he began to mention more ominous inventions, such as a “death ray.” The FBI investigated his possessions after his death, but found nothing dangerous.

*Correction: Tesla was actually born in the village of Smiljan, formerly in the Austrian Empire and now in Croatia

Answers to comprehension questions

1a 2b 3a

Listen&Learn: Neil Armstrong

19th July 2023 by Jaksyn Peacock
Neil Armstrong - first man on the moon

Pre-listening vocabulary

  • astronaut: a person who explores space
  • engineer: a person who designs machines
  • navy: the part of the military that fights at sea
  • command: a position of authority or control over a mission
  • private: away from the public

Listening activity

Gapfill exercise

Neil Armstrong was an American astronaut and engineer. He was born in 1930 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Armstrong began his as a pilot for the US Navy. He joined NASA’s astronaut training program in 1962, and became one of only nine in his class to succeed. His first command was on the Gemini 8 mission in 1966. In July 1969, he began the Apollo 11 mission with astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. He gained worldwide on July 20th for being the first person to walk on the moon. After the mission, Armstrong continued to work with NASA for two years. He left in 1971 to become an engineering . Despite his fame, Armstrong lived a very private life until his death in 2012.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

  1. Neil Armstrong began his career as
    a. an astronaut
    b. a pilot
    c. a university professor
  2. Gemini 8 was Armstrong’s
    a. first mission
    b. most famous mission
    c. last mission
  3. Armstrong worked with NASA until
    a. 1966
    b. 1969
    c. 1971

Discussion/essay questions

  1. While taking the first steps on the moon, Neil Armstrong said the famous quote “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Do you know of any other famous quotes from history? What is a quote that has changed your perspective?

Transcript

Neil Armstrong was an American astronaut and engineer. He was born in 1930 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Armstrong began his career as a pilot for the US Navy. He joined NASA’s astronaut training program in 1962, and became one of only nine students in his class to succeed. His first command was on the Gemini 8 mission in 1966. In July 1969, he began the Apollo 11 mission with astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. He gained worldwide fame on July 20th for being the first person to walk on the moon. After the successful mission, Armstrong continued to work with NASA for two years. He left in 1971 to become an engineering professor. Despite his fame, Armstrong lived a very private life until his death in 2012.

Answers to comprehension questions

1b 2a 3c