This is a fun speaking activity in the form of a game.

It can be used
with most levels and most age groups. Students practise presenting
their opinions and reaching agreement. There is an initial group work
activity and extension speaking and writing activities.

Author:
Katherine Bilsborough

Activity type: Group work

Level: Up to B2

Age: Adults or senior YLs

Preparation

There are no materials required. Just write these inventions on the board in a
random order:

 the Internet (most recent)

 light bulb
 telephone
 refrigerator
 braille
 thermometer
 microscope
 printing
 paper
 wheel

Procedure

 Put students into groups of 3 or 5. Students should work together in their

groups, checking that everybody knows what each word means. Help with
understanding if necessary.
 Explain that these are 10 important inventions. Students should work together
in their groups to compile a list of the inventions in chronological order. They
should talk about each invention and reach a majority decision regarding the
order. If necessary explain to students BC and AD.
 Elicit the lists from each group and write them on the board. Alternatively,
invite a student up to the board from each group to write their list.
 Write the answers on the board (see below) for students to check.
 Get groups to copy the correct list.
 Explain that you are going to play a game. Students have to guess the year of
each invention. They have to work together in groups to reach a majority
decision.
 Explain that you will award 1 point for the group that writes the nearest year.
You will award 2 bonus points for an exact year. Explain the meaning of BC and
AD.Give students a limited time to do this part. (10 mins)
 Draw this grid on the board (below). Complete the grid by eliciting answers
from each group. Alternatively, invite a member of each group up to the board
to write in their information.

Group 1 Group 2 (etc.) Answer

the Internet

light bulb

telephone

refrigerator

braille

thermometer

microscope

printing
 paper

wheel

 Finally, complete the answers column (see below) and award points to find the
winning group.

Answers

 The Internet 1969

 light bulb 1906
 telephone 1876
 refrigerator 1850
 braille 1829
 thermometer 1593
 microscope 1590
 printing 1440
 paper 100
 wheel around 3,500 BC

Extension

Writing: Students write a short text (100 words) about the positive and
negative effects of one of the inventions named.

Speaking: Put students into pairs, A and B. Students take turns to choose an
invention from the list and to talk about its positive and negative effects. They
should speak for about 2 minutes about each invention.