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The famous Charles Babbage Inventions

The English mathematician Charles Babbage famous for his (0) inventions was born on
December 26, 1791, and lived in a London (1) borough what is today’s Southwark until the age of
twelve. After that, the family moved to Devon where Charles received his education in public
schools. It was where Charles designed a mechanism to walk on water, which would probably
have been his (2) initial scientific experiment.
Charles studied at Cambridge Trinity College for four years having (3) enrolled there in
1810. Being there enabled him to establish a firm foundation in mathematics, economics and
astronomy. Around 1812 Babbage first got the idea to develop a mechanically operated device for
calculating mathematical tables and later made a small calculator capable of performing some
mathematical computations.
Recognised for his inventions and work, Charles Babbage was elected as a fellow of the
Royal Society of London in 1816.
Charles was credited with having conceived the idea of the first automatic digital computer
in 1821, in designing the difference engine. Being highly complicated designing of this machine put
Charles through many setbacks before he was successful in it. His concept of design was to be a
fully automated calculating machine. The difference engine was intended to perform extensive
computations mathematically, the operating of which required the involvement of leveraging steam
power. But the funding was withdrawn by the government so he was not able to finish the design.
The scientist started working on the design of the analytical engine, commonly regarded as
the (4) precursor of the modern day computer in 1843. Babbage had made over 100 drawings,
that poet Lord Byron and his daughter Ada helped to keep. They played a big role in the progress
of the analytical engine by documenting its design and saving notes that became important in
understanding its main concepts.
The Charles Babbage inventions left behind comprised a legacy of a range of extraordinary
(5) accomplishments credited to his name that include various notes and guides.

Task A Circle the word that can replace the underlined word without changing the meaning.

Example: (0) contrivances craftiness masterships jobbings

1. county district terrain village [1]

2. general main original premier [1]

3. admitted entered recruited taken [1]

4. forerunner forebear foreteller forecaster [1]

5. acquisitions achievements conclusions responsibilities [1]

Task B Complete the second sentence so that it has similar meaning to the first one. Do not
change the word given.

Example:
After that, the family moved to Devon where Charles received his education in public
schools.
Devon …………………………………………………………………………..
Answer: Devon was the place where the family moved after that and Charles received his
education in public schools.
.
6. It was where Charles designed a mechanism to walk on water, which would probably have
been his initial scientific experiment.
 A mechanism ……………………………………………………………………………………[1]

7. Charles studied at Cambridge Trinity College for four years having enrolled there in 1810.
After ……………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

8. Around 1812 Babbage first got the idea to develop a mechanically operated device for
calculating mathematical tables.
Babbage was ……………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

9. Babbage made a small calculator capable of performing some mathematical computations.

A small calculator………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

10. Recognised for his inventions and work, Charles Babbage was elected as a fellow of the
Royal Society of London in 1816.
Charles Babbage …………………………………… because …………………………….[1]

11. Being highly complicated designing of this machine put Charles through many setbacks
before he was successful in it.
Before ………………………………………………………………………………………….. [1]

12. His concept of design was to be a fully automated calculating machine.

A fully automated calculating machine …………………………………………………………[1]

13. The funding was withdrawn by the government so Charles was not able to finish the
design.
The government……………………………………………………………………………………[1]

14. Charles Babbage had made over 100 drawings.

Over 100 drawings …………………………………………………………………………………[1]

15. Lord Byron and his daughter Ada played a big role in the progress of the analytical engine
by documenting its design and saving notes.
Lord Byron and his daughter Ada were ………………………………………………………….[1]

Task C Answer the questions

16. Why the Babbage inventions are important for modern technologies?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..[1]
17. What two inventions did Babbage manage to finish?
1…………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]
2…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. [1]
18. What would have been the world if Babbage had finished his design of the analytical engine
in 1743? Write two ideas.
1………………………………………………………………………………………………………[1]
2 …………………………………………………………………………………………………...…[1]
 Mark scheme
[Text: The famous Charles Babbage Inventions]

Additional
Task Question Answer Mark
information
1. district 1
2. original 1
Task A
3. entered 1
4. forerunner 1
5. achievements 1
A mechanism to walk on water, which would probably 1
6. have been his initial scientific experiment was designed
there.
After having enrolled at Cambridge Trinity College in 1
7.
1810 Charles studied there for four years.
Babbage was the first who got the idea to develop a 1
8. mechanically operated device for calculating
mathematical tables at around 1812.
A small calculator capable of performing some 1
9.
mathematical computations was made by Babbage.
Charles Babbage was elected as a fellow of the Royal 1
Task B 10. Society of London in 1816 because of his inventions and Accept any
work. appropriate
Before Charles was successful in designing of this 1 answer.
11. machine he was put through many setbacks because
of its high complication.
A fully automated calculating machine had to be his 1
12.
concept of design.
The government withdrew the funding so Charles was 1
13.
not able to finish the design.
Over 100 drawings had been made by Charles 1
14. Babbage.
Lord Byron and his daughter Ada were who played a 1
15. big role in the progress of the analytical engine by
documenting its design and saving notes.
The analytical engine of Babbage was a precursor of the 1
16.
modern day computer.
1) a mechanism to walk on water 1
17.
Task C 2) a small calculator 1
1) Example: People would have invented the cars and 1 Accept any
planes in 18th century, because they could count faster 1 appropriate
18. due to Babbage’s machine. answer.
2) Example: People would have invented the internet in
19th century and travelled to the space.
Total 20

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