Extra material for the lesson

1. Extra material for the lesson • Inventions that shook the World

2. Can you imagine a world without computers, mobile phones and DVD-players? Throughout history inventors' ideas have changed the way we live. And 21st-century scientists are no exception. They are dreaming up new ideas to make our life easier or at least a lot more fun. Here are only a few of the recent cool inventions.

3. COOL INVENTIONS Call Me on My Tooth Two British researchers have developed a "phone tooth." Seriously. It can be hidden in a molar to receive mobile-phone calls. The signals travel from the tooth through the skull to the inner ear, where only the receiver can hear them. Unfortunately, you can't buy a phone tooth yet — there's only one. Besides, how would you return your calls?

4. Wearable computers If you are hooked on the computer and can't tear away from it, don't worry. Soon you'll be able to wear it — on your wrist, in your glasses and even in your earrings. The first wearable computers are already on sale though they are probably a bit bulgy right now. Don't be sur­prised if in a few years you'll be putting on your socks and your computer each morning before you go to work. Of course, you might not even have to leave the house. Scientists pre­dict that in the future most of us will work from home!

5. At your service If you are sick and tired of helping your parents about the house, then a new robot could be the answer. Wakamaru, made by Mitsubishi, has been designed to make people's life easier. This bright yel­low robot with beady eyes can do different jobs for you and help you remember things you have to do. Here are some things Wakamaru can say: "Let me search the Internet!", "Welcome back!", "You are home late!", "What time will you be back?" If Wakamaru is on its own and something seems wrong, it can e-mail its owner to let them know there is a problem. It's so clever that when its batteries run out Wakamaru knows that it needs to recharge itself, so it does!

6. Bow- wow- wow! Have you ever wondered what your dog is really thinking? Takara, a Japanese toymaker, has invented a gadget which translates dog barks into human words! Depending on how your dog barks and growls, this gad­get-called the Bow lingual — "translates" them into phrases like "I can't stand it," "How boring," and "I'm lonely. Play with me, please."

7. Car of the future Whatwill the carofthefuture looklike? This one has no engine. Itdoesn'tneed petrol. There isn't even a steeringwheel. Best of all, it doesn't pollute theair! Unlike today's cars, the Hy-wire, designed by General Motors, doesn't give off any harmful gases into the air. It is powered by chemical reactions between oxygen and water. The only thing this car releases is water vapour. General Motors says the Hy-wire could be on the road by 2010 — just in time for you to drive!

8. Thinking clothes Scientists in Belgium are working on the clothes of the future- “I-Wear" (Intelligent Wear). The clothes will perform many functions — from taking your phone calls to keeping a check on your health. Commercial production of such clothes is some way off, but a shirt with a simple memory function has already been developed. So if you for­get to put your key or wallet in its pocket, the thinking shirt will warn you.

9. Cloning humans Another sheep is one thing. But how about another you?Suppose we cloned a man. Are we really sure he will be a man? Who will be responsible for him? Who will bring him up? Will he be happy? Will he have the same rights as we have? And what do you think? If you could clone anyone, who would you clone?

10. Would you believe it? More and more people in China have tongue operations because they want to improve their English! Plastic surgeons say that the operation is quite simple and patients can improve their pronunciation very quickly.