Level 5

Name: _________________________________
Date: __________________________________

INVENTORS OF THE FUTURE

USEFUL
1. Discover the grammar.
INFORMATION Read the article about comfort in space. Underline all the
examples of the passive with modals and modal-like
Passive Voice
expressions.
in Present and Past
A Comfortable Space
Object + verb to be (in
Present or Past) + verb (in
Past Participle) +
complement
Examples:

Present: This table is

made of wood.
Past: The telephone was
invented in 1876 by
Alexander G. Bell.

Passive Voice
Ten former
with Modal astronauts
Verbs were recently asked what could be
done to improve comfort in space. Here are some of the
Object
issues+ they
modalraised.
verb + be +
 Past
verb (in FOOD Participle)
Wherever+ you are, mealtime is important
complement for your sense of well-being. The astronauts feel
they should be able to enjoy what they eat, but
Examples:
food just doesn’t taste good in zero gravity. This
-This machine can be sold
problem can be overcome by making the food
at a very low cost.
spicier. A little pepper or mustard could go a long
way incould
-This invention making
be meals more palatable.
 CLOTHING
produced at low cost. The temperature on board a space
station can vary from one part to the other. To
stay should
-This product comfortable,
be the astronauts suggested layered
created ingarments.
short time. The top layer could be removed in
warmer sections of the station. Astronauts could
-This device
alsomust
bebeprovided with different uniforms for
designed different
carefully. occasions. Having a choice of style and
colour might boost morale.
-This appliance will be 1
released in 2025.
 )

much privacy. All agreed that this might pose a serious problem on long trips.
No one had any answers, but they felt strongly that solutions to this issue should
be investigated.
 SLEEPING Because of weightlessness and other factors, sleep is often
interrupted in space. One astronaut feared that there might be long-term effects
as a result of never getting a good night’s rest.
 DEATH No one likes to think about this issue, but it is possible that an
astronaut could die while aboard the space station. What should be done if this
happens? One astronaut suggested that the body could be frozen and then
brought back to Earth.
 EMOTIONAL NEEDS Many of the astronauts pointed out that people have the
same need in space as they do on Earth. They believe that time should be
provided for relaxation, and that everything possible ought to be done to make
the astronauts feel happy and at home.

Source: Based on information from William K. Douglas, Human Performance Issues Arising from Manned Space Station Missions
(prepared for Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1986

2. After The Simulation

Some scientists who are going to join the space station have just completed a simulation
of life on the station. Complete their conversations, using the modals in parentheses and
correct verbs from the boxes.

design improve keep remove solve

KENT: These simulations are useful.

LYLE: Yes. They really give you a feeling of what it’ll be like to live in space.
KENT: There are still some problems, though. I just hope that they _can be solved_ 1.
(can) before the real thing.
GINA: It was uncomfortably warm in there. What was the temperature?
CÉSAR: I don’t know. But it _______________ 2. (should) at 68◦.
GINA: For me, that’s still warm. The material they use in our clothing
____________________ . 3.(ought to)
CÉSAR: Or maybe it _________________ 4. (could) in layers so that the top layer
_________________ 5. (can) if it gets too warm.
3
HANS: I didn’t like the food very much.
HISA: Me neither. We ________________ 6. (ought to) more fresh food.
HANS: That takes up too much room. But remember, fresh fruit and vegetables
_____________________ 7. (be going to) by the shuttle every few weeks.
HISA: What _______________ 8. (will) with all the trash? Space litter is already a big
problem!
HANS: I’m sure it ________________ 9. (will) on board and then removed and brought
back to Earth by the shuttle.
LUIS: When I shaved, the whisker dust kept flying back in my face.
EGOR: Some experiments ______________ 10. (should) on the long-term health effects
of inhaling it.

3. Inventors of the Future (Final Oral Presentation)

Imagine: It’s the year 2029. There are many problems in the world. You are a group of
expert scientists assigned to help solve one of these problems.

Your Assignment: Create a Product to help solve/fix one of the problems. Next, design
a poster to present/advertise your new product to the public.

Invented by (Names): _______________________________________________________

Product Name: _____________________________________________________________

What problem does it fix?

What does it do?

How does it work?

What does it look like? Size?

(You can draw a sketch)

How much does the product

cost? (Price)