CENTURY

COMMUNICATION
LISTENING, SPEAKING, AND CRITICAL THINKING

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Inspiring
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TED Talks introduce authentic and compelling content
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the TED stage provide a springboard for learners to express
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 21st Century Communication: Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking is a four-level series
that uses powerful ideas from TED Talks to teach learners to think critically and communicate
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effectively. Through authentic models of effective communication, students build fluency in the COMMUNICATION
LISTENING, SPEAKING, AND CRITICAL THINKING
COMMUNICATION
LISTENING, SPEAKING, AND CRITICAL THINKING
COMMUNICATION
LISTENING, SPEAKING, AND CRITICAL THINKING
COMMUNICATION
LISTENING, SPEAKING, AND CRITICAL THINKING

listening and speaking skills needed to achieve academic and personal success.

LIDA BAKER LAURIE BLASS

1 JESSICA WILLIAMS
2 LYNN BONESTEEL
3 CHRISTIEN LEE
4

21st Century Skills Presentation Skills

Put It Together
6
THINK AND AFTER YOU WATCH
U N I T DISCUSS
A THINK CRITICALLY Synthesize. Work in a small group. Discuss how the interview
1 Look at the photo and read K THINK CRITICALLY Interpret an Infographic. Work in a group. Study the you heard in Part 1 and the TED Talk you watched in Part 2 are similar and how they

Lending a
the caption. How do you think infographic. Then answer the questions. Use information from the infographic and are different.
the lives of these women your own ideas.
have changed?
Each unit focuses on a 21st century
Hand
THE INTERVIEW AND THE TED TALK YES OR NO
2 Read the unit title. What do
you think “lending a hand”
means?
theme that affects everyone in a Presentation skills inspired by
1. The purpose of the infographic is to encourage people to use
instead of paper. 1. … are about helping the environment.

2. … address the same topics.

global society, including:

Americans throw away every year. the TED speakers give students
2. According to this infographic, paper makes up percent of all the waste
3. … provide simple tips for listeners to follow.
3. What is an example of “unwanted mail”? What happens to the unwanted mail
the strategies and language they
that Americans receive? What do you do with your unwanted mail?
4. … suggest that small changes can make a big difference.
5. … include humor.
4. What are other examples of paper that you throw away?
• Innovation • Education need to successfully deliver
5. Why does the infographic mention “169 million trees”?
B THINK CRITICALLY Personalize. Besides water and paper, what are some
6. Do you receive any newspapers, catalogs, or magazines in the mail? Do you other resources or materials that people can try to conserve in order to help the
PART 1
Microloans: Breaking the Cycle of • Conservation • Design presentations on their own.
receive any digitally? Which do you prefer, and why? environment? Share examples from your own life.
Poverty
Note Taking
Use Symbols
• Business • Technology Huge Paper Waste: Why Digital Media Matters COMMUNICATE
Listening
Recognize Facts and Opinions Total Waste in the Yearly Publications of Print Material
United States
Speaking
Express an Opinion
Pronunciation
• Visual Arts • And more! ASSIGNMENT: Give a Group Presentation You will give a group presentation
Speak in Thought Groups with tips for helping the environment. Review the ideas in Parts 1 and 2 and the
30%
70% paper listening and speaking skills as you prepare your presentation.
PART 2 other
waste
TALKS
12.5 BILLION
Joy Sun catalogs PREPARE
Should you donate differently? 350 MILLION
magazines
24 BILLION
PUT IT TOGETHER
Communicate
85,000,000,000 newspapers PRESENTATION SKILL Focus Your Topic

Participate in a Role Play pieces of unwanted mail are This represents a total of 169 MILLION TREES It is not possible to say everything about a subject in one short presentation. You usually need to focus
Presentation Skill
sent in the U.S. each year your topic—talk about just one part of it. As you plan your presentation, ask yourself wh-questions to
An organization in Rajat, India, teaches women the skills to
Be Personable focus your topic. Here are some examples:
build and repair solar-powered lanterns.
What resource will I talk about? Water
44%
103 of unwanted How can we conserve water? Tips
mail is thrown away
into a landfill
unopened. Enough to fill 56,736 baseball stadiums. Where can we conserve water? At home Tips for
conserving
Compare the topics in the pyramid. The topic at the
water at home
102-121_TED21_SB2_55455_U6.indd 102-103 7/13/16 2:37 PM bottom is extremely general, and the one at the top
is very focused. As you move up the pyramid, Tips for conserving water
PART 2 BEFORE YOU WATCH notice which wh-questions helped to focus
Conserving water
the topic.
Conserving resources

AFTER YOU LISTEN

A skateboard with a boost A PREDICT Read the title and the information about the TED speaker. A boost is

TED Talks are used to develop essential

an increase or improvement in something. What do you think the speaker will talk
about? Tell your class.
18 UNIT 1 Small Actions, Big Results PUT IT TOGETHER 19
H THINK CRITICALLY Interpret an Infographic. Work with a partner. The
21st century skills, including critical infographic shows an analysis of the responses on thousands of Before I Die …
walls. Study the chart. Then answer the questions.
SANJAY DASTOOR Roboticist
Sanjay Dastoor holds a PhD in robotics from Stanford University. While he was at
thinking, collaboration, and visual literacy. 1. The chart categorizes responses on Before I Die … walls. 002-021_TED21_SB1_45920_U1.indd 18-19
Stanford, he and two friends often talked about the need for a better way to get
around campus. So they created an electric longboard and started a company
7/6/16 11:37 AM

a. different kinds of b. the most common words c. Chang’s favorite called Boosted Boards. This Silicon Valley company hopes to provide a new way
used in
to commute for people who live close to work.
2. Write the three most frequent topics of the responses on the walls. Sanjay Dastoor’s idea worth spreading is that with a little creative thinking, you
a. b. c. can turn an everyday object like a skateboard into a quick and ecofriendly way to
get around the city.
3. Why do you think so many of the responses are about these three topics?
4. How do the most frequent topics from the student discussion compare with the
most frequent topics on all of the walls? Are they exactly the same? Or are some
Presentation skills include:
B COMMUNICATE Read the following statements. Check [✓] the ones that you agree with.

Put It Together topics different?

1. I have or would like to have a skateboard.
L THINK CRITICALLY Interpret an Infographic. Work with a partner. Study the
infographic. It shows how people answered the question: How much time do you
spend each week listening to music in these situations? Read the statements about A THINK CRITICALLY Synthesize. Work in a small group. In what ways are the
• Rehearsing
2. Riding a skateboard is a fun hobby.
3.

What’s important to you?

the infographic below and write T for true and F for false. Then correct the false people in the interview in Part 1 and Daria van den Bercken similar or different? Riding a skateboard can be dangerous.

• Creating effective hooks

statements. Complete the Venn diagram with the correct letters.
4. A skateboard is a useful form of transportation.
a. listens to music to help concentrate on work f. gives concerts for children
Local resident Adam Kampe writes on a 5. Anyone can ride a skateboard.
b. feels energized by music g. listens to or plays music while moving / traveling
Time spent with
• Using visual aids
Before I Die … wall in Washington, D.C.
c. plays an instrument h. is a professional musician
C COMMUNICATE Work with a partner. Discuss the statements you checked in exercise B.
music each week d. listens to only one type of music i. listens to music to learn about the people
who created it Fame
1.5 LISTEN FOR DETAILS Listen to segment 2. Choosee.the
100,000+
G listens
bestto word
music to
orfeel strong emotions 2%
LISTENING
IN THE CAR
phrase to complete each statement.
23% Someone in the van den Bercken Money
Other
11% responses • Making emotional connections
VOCABULARY

1. Over Before I Die … walls have been created around the world. Interview Both 4%
D 1.26 These sentences will help you learn words in the TED Talk. Read and listen
$ Health and
• And more!
g
LISTENING
WHILE WORKING 16%
a. 100 b. 1,000 c. 1,500 happiness to the sentences. Guess the meaning of each word in bold. Then write each word

1,000+
24% next to its definition on page 54.
LISTENING WHILE
15%
2. Mika believes that the walls . Work What topics walls
DOING CHORES AT HOME
7% a. If you ride a bicycle, be sure to look for vehicles before you cross the street.
a. make people happy
LISTENING WHILE DOING
OTHER ACTIVITIES ALONE
13% do people b. We need three different remote controls to operate our television.
(E.G., PLAYING VIDEO GAMES, READING,
b. are good for people who don’t like to talk about their feelings
BROWSING THE INTERNET)
write about? c. I have an opinion, but I would like to hear your perspective about the plan.
73
c. bring people together
LISTENING WHILE
EXERCISING 12% Family d. It’s a simple machine. It has only four components, so it’s easy to build.
10%
countries
“
3. Mateo thinks people write on walls because .
Love So next time you think e. One advantage of this bicycle is its portability. I can pick it up and carry it on the train.
a. it feels sad and painful 19%
b. it makes them feel better
B Compare your Venn diagram in exercise A with another group’s. Explain your answers.
Helping about a vehicle, I hope, f. In a car with a gasoline engine, we control acceleration by pushing on the gas
the pedal with our foot.
like us, you’re thinking
world
36
”
c. they are popular
1. Of the time people spend listening to music each week, they are in a COMMUNICATE 11% Travel about something new. g. The child sat in the corner by herself and did not interact with the other children
car 13 percent of the time.
4. Ana probably .
12% languages in the room.
2. The greatest proportion of time spent with music occurs while people h. I’m not happy with the performance of this phone. I expected it to be faster.
are working. a. would not write a response on a wall
ASSIGNMENT: Give an Individual Presentation You will give an individual
3. b. agrees
People spend more time listening to music while they work with
than they Mika presentation to a group about your music listening style. Review the ideas in Parts 1 Source:
Source: Chang (2013); Percentage of responses for each topic, based on 100,000 https://www.campless.com/
responses from around the world. 52 UNIT 3 Going Places PART 2 53
do while doing chores at home.
c. understands the purpose of the walls and 2 and the listening and speaking skills as you prepare your presentation.
4. The smallest proportion of time spent with music occurs when people
are exercising.
8 UNIT 1 Secret Wishes PART 1 9
5. People spend 15 percent of all weekly listening time doing activities
such as playing video games or reading. 042-061_TED21_SB1_45920_U3.indd 52-53 7/6/16 11:45 AM

M COMMUNICATE Work with a partner. Compare your answers to exercise L. Then

discuss your answers to these questions: Which activities do you do the most while
listening to music? The least? 002-021_TED21_SB2_55455_U1.indd 8-9 7/12/16 11:32 AM

78 UNIT 4 Music, Music Everywhere PUT IT TOGETHER 79

For more information, visit NGL.Cengage.com/21centurycomm
4 062-081_TED21_SB1_45920_U4.indd 78-79 7/6/16 11:30 AM

5
 NGL.Cengage.com/21centurycomm
CENTURY CENTURY CENTURY CENTURY
COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION
LISTENING, SPEAKING, AND CRITICAL THINKING LISTENING, SPEAKING, AND CRITICAL THINKING LISTENING, SPEAKING, AND CRITICAL THINKING LISTENING, SPEAKING, AND CRITICAL THINKING

LIDA BAKER LAURIE BLASS

1 JESSICA WILLIAMS
2 LYNN BONESTEEL
3 CHRISTIEN LEE
4

Listening and Note-taking Speaking and Pronunciation

SPEAKING
What’s Your Music-Listening Style? VOCABULARY L Work with a partner. What sort of job do you want in the future? Explain your
PART 1 answer to your partner using signposts.

A variety of listening inputs, including

C 1.27 Read and listen to the sentences with words from the interview. Choose
the meaning of each bold word or phrase. SPEAKING SKILL Use Signposts to Organize Ideas
A: I want to be a doctor.

lectures, podcasts, and classroom

B: Really? Why?
BEFORE YOU LISTEN When speakers want to make several points, they often use signposts, or signal
1. Some people really focus when they listen to music. They think about the music, A: Lot of reasons. First of all, it’s a good, long-term career. Second,...
words or phrases, to introduce each new point. Using signposts can help you
and they don’t do anything else.

discussions, provide a realistic context for

organize your ideas and make it easier for listeners to follow your presentation.
A COMMUNICATE Work in a small group. Discuss these questions.
Focus means: Too many choices create problems for people. First, . . . PRONUNCIATION SKILL Intonation in Yes/No and Choice Questions
1. How important is music in your life? a. pay attention
You can help improve this situation in a few easy ways. First of all, . . .

developing key listening skills.

Intonation is the way the voice rises and falls when speaking. It is the “music” of
b. become calm Here are some common signposts:
2. How often do you listen to music? language. In yes/no questions, the speaker expects a yes or no answer. In yes/no
c. see better First . . . Second . . . Third . . . questions, the intonation usually rises at the end. Listen to the examples:
3. Do you play an instrument? If yes, what do you play?
2.23
2. Beautiful music transports some people. It can inspire their emotions. First of all . . . Secondly . . . Finally . . .
4. Do you like to sing? If yes, where do you sing?
Transports means: Next . . . Last . . .
Would you like coffee?
B COLLABORATE You are going to hear an interview. In the interview, people talk a. improves one’s hearing
about different types of music. Below are a few examples of types of music. Work b. provides strong feelings K 2.22 Listen to segment 3 of the lecture. The professor talks about steps you
in a group. Brainstorm more types. Think of as many as you can. Then share your Are you happier with more choices?
How to Change Your Life
c. creates confusion VOCABULARY can take if you are a maximizer. Complete the steps.
list with the class. PART 1 Some questions offer choices. These have a different intonation pattern. Intonation
3. Some people think live music is more entertaining than recorded music. They SIGNPOST POINT rises on all of the choices except the last one. It falls on the last one:
Types of Music C Match each word with its definition.
like to see the musicians play their instruments. 2.24
classical
BEFORE YOU LISTEN
Entertaining means:
1. d accomplish (v) a. a payment someone must make for doing
hip-hop a. educational wrong Would you like coffee or tea?
b. boring
A COMMUNICATE Work in a small group. Discuss these questions. 2. avoid (v) b. something to consider
c. enjoyable
M 2.25 Listen to the excerpts below. As you listen, draw an arrow at the end of
1. What would you like to change about your life, for example, your habits or the
4. Pop music is a big category. It includes rock, new wave, and smooth jazz. 3. behavior (n) c. to make stronger each question to indicate a rising or falling intonation.
way that you do things? Why do you want to change these things? 1. First, just .
Musicians taking a break in the Category means:
2. Think about a time when you made a change in your life. Was it easy or hard? 4. desire (n) d. to achieve
Emilia-Romanga region of Italy a. business 1. “Luz, do you have a question?”
Explain your answer.
b. group 5. expert (n) e. a person who is very knowledgeable about a
3. Look at the photo. What reasons might these people have to explore Antarctica? particular subject2. Second, understand that this quality can 2. “Aren’t more choices always better?”
c. success
B 2.32 COLLABORATE Thinkmusic-listening
5. What is your about the title of Do youHow
the lecture
style? listentotoChange Your you do other
music while 6. factor (n) f. a strong wish 3. “Would you prefer this menu or this one?
Life and listen to the first part.
things, or doWhat
you answers do listen?
just sit and the students give to the professor’s
question, “What kinds of changes do people often want to make in their lives?” 7. principle (n) g. an award or present for doing something good .
Think of some moreStyle means:
examples of changes. Discuss your ideas with your group. 4. “Yuichi, do you think more choices are better?”
a. a way of doing something 8. punishment (n) h. to stay away from
b. an opinion about something 5. “So, did you buy one?”
Members of an expedition team walk over 9. reinforce (v) i. rule
c. a type of equipment
ice in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica. 3. Last, do something to
N Work with a partner. Take turns saying the questions in exercise L. Use the correct
6. Music in movies can express many different emotions. For example, movie 10. reward (n) j. a way of acting intonation.
music can sound sad, happy, or scary.
D 2.33 Complete each sentence with the correct form of a word from exercise C.
Emotions means: .
Then listen and check your answers.
a. feelings
A fabric shop in Kathmandu, Nepal,
b. stories 1. Cost is an important factor to consider when you are choosing a college. selling cloth of every color
c. instruments
2. If you have a strong to change your life, you will find a way to do it.
130 UNIT 7 Less Is More PART 1 131

3. The for studying hard is getting good grades.

64 UNIT 4 Music, Music Everywhere PART 1 65
4. If you want to being late for an appointment, leave earlier.
122-141_TED21_SB2_55455_U7.indd 130-131 7/13/16 2:47 PM
5. The for stealing is going to jail.
Students learn and practice both academic and general speaking
6. A study showed that one that many students want to change is staying up very

skills to help learners express ideas confidently in any situation.

062-081_TED21_SB1_45920_U4.indd 64-65 7/6/16 11:30 AM

late at night.

7. say that students who get enough sleep have better grades.

8. Two for having a happy life include treating people kindly and having an

D COMMUNICATE Work with a partner. Take turns asking and answering the “attitude of gratitude.”
F 2.3 In the presentation, the speaker talks about gratitude. She uses the word
questions. Use the words in bold in your answers. gratitude and synonyms of it. Listen to the presentation again. Check [✓] the key words
and phrases every time you hear them. Which ones does the speaker use the most? 9. It can be difficult to your goals if you don’t make a plan.
A: Do you have a positive attitude about life?
B: Yes. I have a very positive attitude. I always think that good things are going gratitude grateful (people) 10. One way to your understanding of a new word is to try to use it five times a day.
to happen to me. How about you?
gratefulness being grateful
1. Do you have a positive attitude about life? Give an example. 144 UNIT 8 Life Lessons PART 1 145
thankfulness appreciation
2. What time of day are you the most productive? Why is this your most

Extended listening 21ST Century Communication 2:

productive time?
3. Does stress affect you? If yes, how? If no, why not? NOTE-TAKING SKILL Use a Mind Map

4. What are some of the positive things in your life that you are aware of?142-161_TED21_SB1_45920_U8.indd A graphic organizer is a visual way to organize your notes. One kind of graphic

based on real-world
144-145 7/12/16 5:02 PM

Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking

organizer is a mind map. A mind map shows connections between ideas. The
5. How do you feel when you do something nice and someone acknowledges it?

CENTURY
mind map below connects main ideas and details.

situations and LISTEN G 2.5 LISTEN FOR DETAILS Listen to segment 1 of the presentation. Think COMMUNICATION
TED Talks provide E 2.3 1.25 LISTEN FOR MAIN IDEAS Read the statements. Then listen to
the presentation. What is it mainly about? Choose the answer that best completes
about how gratitude affects mental and physical health. Complete the mind map
with the letters of the correct phrases from the box.
LISTENING, SPEAKING, AND CRITICAL THINKING
Unit 5
the statement. a. sleep better d. take better care of themselves

listening and note- The presentation is about .

b. have less stress e. have better health
c. are happier f. have better social relationships

taking practice. a. ways to become more grateful

b. the benefits of being grateful
c. how gratitude can help you at work
d. how gratitude improves friendship

To access unit audio and video,

Grateful people
LISTENING SKILL Listen for Key Words and Phrases

The main ideas of a presentation are the most important ideas. Speakers Physical benefits Mental benefits

visit NGL.Cengage.com/21centurycomm
usually repeat key words and phrases to highlight the main ideas. They also use
synonyms (words with the same meaning) of key words and phrases to stress the
main ideas. Listen for key words and synonyms to get the main ideas.

2.4 People who have an “attitude of gratitude” have good physical health. a f
key phrase
Grateful people have better mental health, too.
synonym JESSICA WILLIAMS
2

6 86 UNIT 5 Give Thanks PART 1 87

7
082-101_TED21_SB1_45920_U5.indd 86-87 7/12/16 4:47 PM
 THINK AND
DISCUSS
1 Study the photo and read
the caption. How might this
swimsuit be better than other
swimsuits?
2 Read the unit title. Why do
you think engineers want to
copy designs from nature?

PART 1
The Science of Surfaces
Listening
Recognize References to Key
Terms
Note Taking
Take Notes Using Key Terms
Speaking
Use Signal Words to Mark
Transitions
Pronunciation
Linking Sounds

U N I T
5 PART 2
TALKS
Sarah Bergbreiter

Engineered
Why I make robots the size of a
grain of rice

by Nature
PUT IT TOGETHER
An Olympic swimmer in a swimsuit made
Communicate
of fabric based on shark skin
Give a Group Presentation
Presentation Skill
Have a Strong Ending

83
 PART 1 The Science of Surfaces VOCABULARY

C 2.3 Read and listen to the sentences with words from the documentary. Guess
the meanings of the words in bold. Then choose the correct meanings.
BEFORE YOU LISTEN
1. There is a layer of thin ice on the top of the lake. It is dangerous to walk on it.
A layer is a:
A COMMUNICATE Work with a partner. Look at the photo. How would you describe
a. sheet; covering b. piece c. type; kind
shark skin?
2. This animal catches its food in a unique way. I’ve never seen anything like it.
B 2.2 PREDICT You are going to hear a documentary about how scientists copy Unique means:
nature to create new products. Listen to the beginning of the documentary. Then a. frightening b. strange; difficult to understand c. one of a kind; very unusual
discuss these questions with a partner.
3. A bird’s feathers have several functions. They keep the bird warm and they
1. Why do you think scientists are interested in shark skin? help it to fly.
Function means:
2. What do you think they can learn from it?
a. origin b. purpose c. design

4. There are thousands of organisms in the world, from tiny bacteria to animals
as large as whales.
Organisms are:
a. living things b. parts of the body c. diseases

5. Mathematics has many practical applications in everyday life, for example, in

managing your money.
An application is a/an:
a. factor b. use c. explanation

6. There is ice on the ground so it is very slippery. Be careful and walk slowly.
Slippery means:
a. dangerous b. making things very cold c. causing things to slide or fall

7. The author adapted the story so that young children could understand it.
Adapt means:
a. to improve b. to change for different conditions c. to use again

8. The screen of the cell phone was protected by a clear plastic film.
A film is a:
a. thin covering b. hard case c. liquid

9. The scientists needed a powerful microscope to see the complex structure

inside the tiny bacteria.
Structure means:
a. use; purpose b. behavior c. arrangement; design

10. When there is no wind, the surface of the water is smooth.

The surface is the:
Scientists have studied the scales a. top part b. color c. temperature
on a shark’s skin.

84 UNIT 5 Engineered by Nature PART 1 85

 D COMMUNICATE Write an example of each of the following. Then compare your
answers with a partner.

A: I went on a cruise to the Antarctic.

B: Really! What a unique experience.

1. A unique experience you had on vacation

2. A practical application of something you learned in high school

3. One function of the human tongue

4. A story or book that has been adapted for a movie

Scientists have developed a material based on the surface structure of the pitcher plant.
5. A slippery surface
LISTENING SKILL Recognize References to Key Terms

6. Something that has layers Most speakers refer to key terms several times during a lecture or presentation.
They may repeat words and phrases exactly, but sometimes they refer to the
same term in different ways. For example, they use synonyms or phrases with
similar meanings. Notice the reference to the key term “adapt” in the following
example:
LISTEN Some lizards can adapt to their surroundings by changing their skin color. This
ability to change helps them survive.
Listening for these key terms can help you understand what the speaker thinks is
E 1.20 2.4 LISTEN FOR MAIN IDEAS Read the statements below. Then
most important.
listen to the documentary. Use three of the vocabulary items from exercise C to
complete the statements about the main ideas of the documentary.
G 2.5 Work with a partner. One of the key terms the presenter talks about is
1. Many organisms have surface structures. surfaces. Read the excerpts below. Then listen to segment 1. Complete each
excerpt with words and phrases that repeat or refer to this key term.
2. Each surface has a special that is important for the organism.

3. Scientists and engineers can the structures found in nature for 1. “Right, so what do I mean by surfaces ? Well, your skin is a natural
1
other applications.
surface—a that your whole body.”
2 3

F CONFIRM PREDICTIONS Work with a partner. Review your predictions from

exercise B on page 84. Discuss whether your predictions were correct. 2. “The shark’s has a unique structure. It is covered with a
4

of tiny scales in the shape of a diamond.”

5

3. “Engineers adapted the structure of shark skin and created a thin

that can be used on walls, floors, and

6

other .”
7

86 UNIT 5 Engineered by Nature PART 1 87

 AFTER YOU LISTEN
NOTE-TAKING SKILL Take Notes Using Key Terms

When you listen to a lecture or presentation, you can organize your notes around I THINK CRITICALLY Reflect. Work with a partner. Each of the biomimicry
key terms. The first time you listen, notice the different words and phrases that projects in the documentary began with an observation by a scientist. What were
refer to the key terms. Write the key terms down and leave space underneath the scientists’ observations for the shark and the pitcher plant? Complete each
them. When you listen a second time, listen for details about these key terms and statement.
take notes underneath them.
1. For sharks, the scientists observed that
KEY TERM 1 KEY TERM 2 KEY TERM 3

details details details 2. For pitcher plants, the scientists observed that
.

J THINK CRITICALLY Apply. Work in a small group. Describe an observation that

you can make about a different plant or an animal, such as how a cheetah runs or
the way an octopus moves through the water. Think about an application this could
have if scientists and engineers were able to adapt this for a new purpose.

A: I’ve noticed that the plants in my apartment always turn toward the sun.
So, is there a way scientists could adapt this function?
B: Well, there could be applications for solar energy. What if solar panels could
automatically turn toward the sun?

H 2.6 LISTEN FOR DETAILS Listen to segments 1 and 2 of the documentary.

Complete the notes with details based on the key terms.
Photovoltaic solar panels rotating
Segment 1 toward the sun

SURFACE FUNCTION APPLICATION

shark has tiny prevents growth of film on

; walls
1 3 4

shape

Segment 2

SURFACE FUNCTION APPLICATION

pitcher plant rough when catches food; causes slippery

to that
5 7 8
prevents anything from
slippery when fall into pitcher and die
to it
9
6

88 UNIT 5 Engineered by Nature PART 1 89

 SPEAKING SKILL Use Signal Words to Mark Transitions PRONUNCIATION SKILL Linking Sounds

Speakers often use signal words such as now, right, so, and well to get their Speakers often link the sound at the end of one word to the sound at the beginning of the next
listeners’ attention. Then speakers may transition (move on) to do one of the word. This makes their speech sound smooth and fluent.
following: If the end of one word is a consonant sound and the sound at the beginning of the next word is a
1. Introduce a new topic vowel, or if the consonant sound at the end of one word is the same as the beginning of the next,
Now/Right/So/Well, let’s look at some of the research I am doing. hold the sound of the consonant into the next word. Listen to the examples below:

2. Expand or explain a topic they have introduced 2.7

Now/Right/So/Well, what’s the best way to solve this problem? people are peope l-are
3. Sum up what they have said scared of scare d-of
Well/So, that’s how I see it. because of becau z-of
Signal words also give listeners an extra moment to process what they have just shark’s skin sharks-skin
heard. When you are speaking, you can help your listeners by pausing briefly
Most people are scared of sharks because of their large, sharp teeth.
after you use one of these signal words.

(See page 165 in the Independent Student Handbook for more information on signal words.)
L 2.8 Underline the sounds that you think should be linked in the excerpt below.
Then listen and check your answers.
K COLLABORATE Work with a partner. Read the excerpts below from the
documentary. Underline the signal words in each. Then choose the reason why the “The shark’s skin has a unique structure. It is covered with a layer of tiny scales in
speaker made each transition.
the shape of a diamond.”
1. “This week, we are going to look at how scientists and engineers are adapting
the surfaces of plants and animals for new purposes. Right, so what do I mean M Work with a partner. Take turns saying the excerpt from exercise K. Link the sounds
by surfaces? Well, your skin is a natural surface—a layer that covers your whole that you underlined. Listen to your partner and check that he or she links the
body.” sounds correctly.
a. introduce a new topic
b. expand or explain current topic
c. sum up
learnmore People have
2. “So, let’s start with the shark. The shark’s skin has a unique structure.” been copying designs from nature
a. introduce a new topic for centuries. Leonardo da Vinci
(1452–1519) was one of the first biomimicry
b. expand or explain current topic inventors. He designed a “flying machine” based on
c. sum up observations of birds and how they flew.

3. “The film helps prevent the growth of bacteria. Now, let’s move to the world of
plants. Most plants use air, water, and sunlight to make their own food.”
a. introduce a new topic
b. explain or expand current topic
c. sum up

4. “Just think of all the uses this could have! So, these are just two examples of
biomimicry and how scientists and engineers can adapt designs from nature to
improve our lives.”
a. introduce a new topic
b. explain or expand current topic
c. sum up

90 UNIT 5 Engineered by Nature PART 1 91

 N THINK CRITICALLY Interpret an Infographic. Work with a partner. Study the
infographic below. Then answer the questions.
PART 2

1. The biomimicry projects in the documentary are based on the surface structure
of the organisms. What feature are the biomimicry projects below based on?
Why I make robots the
2. How do you think the Kingfisher’s beak helps it survive? size of a grain of rice
3. What is another possible application for the mosquito’s proboscis?

THE BULLET TRAIN

INSPIRATION: The Kingfisher
FUNCTIONS: Beak doesn’t make
a large splash when entering water

“ [I]magine what you

APPLICATION: A train with a long nose that
makes the train less noisy
could do if you had robots
that could swim through

THE HYPODERMIC NEEDLE

INSPIRATION: The mosquito
your blood.
”
FUNCTIONS: Mosquito’s thin proboscis (nose) makes
its “bite” almost painless
APPLICATION: A proposed design
for a needle that you can’t feel!
BEFORE YOU WATCH

A PREDICT Work with a partner. Read the title of Sarah Bergbreiter’s TED Talk and the
THE BIONIC CAR information about her below. What possible applications might micro-robots have?

INSPIRATION: The Boxfish

FUNCTIONS: Boxfish’s body
B Read the following statements. Choose the number that you think makes each
moves easily through water statement true. After you watch the talk, check your answers.

APPLICATION: The car moves 1. Micro-robots can jump (10 / 100 / 1,000) times higher than their size.
more easily through air
2. Some micro-robots weigh only (3 / 30 / 300) milligrams.

SARAH BERGBREITER Micro-roboticist

Sarah Bergbreiter is an engineer who uses advanced technology to design tiny
robots—micro-robots—that can run, roll, and jump high into the air. Many are
only a few millimeters long.
Bergbreiter’s idea worth spreading is that robots the size of insects may have
widespread and very useful applications.

92 UNIT 5 Engineered by Nature PART 2 93

 VOCABULARY D COMMUNICATE Work with a partner. Take turns answering the questions.

C 2.9 The sentences below will help you learn words in the TED Talk. Read and 1. Where is the safest place to store important personal information?
listen to the sentences. Guess the meanings of the words in bold. Then match each 2. What steps has your school or college taken to help people with
word to its definition. limited mobility?

a. The robots used electricity that is stored in small batteries. 3. What do you think is a computer’s most important capability?

b. You need to use rigid building material. If you use something soft, the structure 4. The scale of electronics such as cell phones has gotten smaller and smaller.
cannot stand. Now some of them are going in the other direction. What size do you prefer for a
cell phone, and why?
c. We need to inspect every part of the machine to make sure it is safe to operate.
d. Adding more legs improved the robot’s mobility. It can now move faster and
more easily. WATCH
e. We made a model of the robot on a small scale before we started building the
full-size version. E 1.21 WATCH FOR MAIN IDEAS Watch Bergbreiter’s edited TED Talk.
f. The robot has a mechanism that makes it jump really high. Check [✓] the two most important ideas that Bergbreiter wants her audience to
understand.
g. When the robot’s main light switched on, it gave off a flash of light.
h. Ants have the capability of carrying something that weighs more than they do. 1. The scale of robots is getting smaller every year.

i. If you put too many heavy things on one side of the cart, it will tip over. 2. Micro-robots have many possible applications.

j. The machine is very robust. It works even in difficult conditions. 3. Micro-robots of the future will be semi-intelligent.
4. Engineering mobility on a small scale is a big challenge.
1. (adj) strong; unlikely to break

2. (n) part of a machine that performs a function

3. (adj) stiff; difficult to bend

4. (adj) kept for use in the future

5. (n) the ability or power to do something

6. (v) to look over very carefully

7. (v) to fall to one side

8. (n) size; level, especially compared to something else

9. (n) the ability to move around

10. (n) a sudden burst of light

WORDS IN THE TALK

locomotion (n): movement
rubble (n): broken bits of bricks from destroyed buildings

94 UNIT 5 Engineered by Nature PART 2 95

 F 1.22 RECOGNIZE KEY TERMS One of Bergbreiter’s key terms is mobility. H WATCH FOR DETAILS Watch segments of the Talk again and complete the notes
Watch and complete the excerpts below with different words and phrases that refer with details.
to this key term.
Segment 1
Segment 1
Intro:

1. “First of all, how do we get the capabilities of an ant in a robot at the same size • Bergbreiter and students work on robots
1

scale? Well, first we need to figure out how to make them • Think of robotic versions of
2
when they’re so small.”
• Challenge = get capabilities of ant in robot same scale
3
2. “I’ll start with . Insects around
amazingly well. This video is from UC Berkeley. It shows a cockroach moving Segment 2

over incredibly rough terrain without tipping over.” Contributions for B’s lab:

3. “ is another really interesting way to • Combine and materials in small

4 5

when you’re very small.” mechanism

• material = silicon
Segment 2 6

• material = silicon rubber

7
4. “So, the next video is one of my favorites. So you have this 300-mg robot
• No on board, no power
about eight centimeters in the air.” 8

5. “So, I think you can imagine all the cool things that we could do with robots that What we could do with micro-robots:
can and and • After natural , look for
9 10
and at this size scale.”
• Inspect to make sure it’s
11 12

G UNDERSTAND TRANSITIONS Read the excerpts from Bergbreiter’s talk. • They could operate without having to you open
13
Underline each signal word. Choose the reason she made each transition.

1. “To make these things really functional, we want a lot of them working together
in order to do bigger things. So, I’ll start with mobility. Insects move around
amazingly well.”
a. to introduce a new topic
b. to explain or expand current topic
c. to sum up

2. “And the basic idea is that we’re going to compress this, store energy in the
springs, and then release it to jump. So, there’s no motors on board this right
now, no power.”
a. to introduce a new topic
b. to explain or expand current topic
c. to sum up

3. “So, I think I’ve given you some of the possibilities of what we can do with these
small robots.”
a. introduce a new topic
b. explain or expand current topic
c. sum up

96 UNIT 5 Engineered by Nature PART 2 97

 I 1.23 EXPAND YOUR VOCABULARY Watch the excerpts from the TED Talk.
Put It Together
Guess the meanings of the phrases in the box.
A THINK CRITICALLY Synthesize. Work in small groups. In what ways are the
figure out semi-intelligent rough terrain set off destination biomimicry projects in Parts 1 and 2 similar? Check [✓] the boxes in the chart. Then
explain your answers to members of the group by giving examples from the two
presentations.
J WATCH MORE Go to TED.com to watch the full TED Talk by Sarah Bergbreiter.
A: The projects in Parts 1 and 2 are both inspired by nature.
B: Right. They were inspired by plants or animals.

AFTER YOU WATCH “SHARK SKIN” FILM NON-STICK FILM MICRO-ROBOTS

K THINK CRITICALLY Infer. Work with a partner. Read the excerpt from the TED inspired by nature ✓ ✓ ✓
Talk. Then discuss your answers to the questions.
works on a very small scale
“And we’ve made some advances so far, but there’s still a long way to go,
and hopefully some of you can contribute to that destination.”
focuses on mobility
1. What does Bergbreiter mean by “there’s still a long way to go”?
2. What does she mean by “destination”? focuses on surface structure

L COMMUNICATE Work with a partner. Discuss the questions below. many possible applications

1. Read the possible applications for micro-robots below. Check [✓] the ones you
think are the most useful. applications already in use

a. Tasks that are dangerous

b. Tasks that require absolutely perfect performance every time B COMMUNICATE Work with a partner. Which of the biomimicry projects from this
unit do you think are the most useful? Explain your answer.
c. Tasks that are too complex for humans
A: I think the hypodermic needle is the most useful.
d. Tasks that are very repetitive B: I agree. I hate getting shots!
e. Tasks that are in spaces too small for humans

f. Other:

2. Which jobs do you think could be most affected by the use of micro-robots?

An artist’s impression of micro-robots

working in someone’s blood stream

98 UNIT 5 Engineered by Nature PUT IT TOGETHER 99

 COMMUNICATE • Review your notes from Part 1 (page 88) or Part 2 (pages 96–97).
• Be sure you can explain the key ideas.
• Consider showing a photo or diagram of the plant or animal.
• Explain your application:
ASSIGNMENT: Group Presentation Your group is going to give a presentation • Explain the connection between the original research and your idea.
about another application for one of the projects you learned about in Parts 1 • Describe how your idea will work.
and 2. Review the ideas, vocabulary, and skills in the unit as you prepare for your • Give a short conclusion:
presentation. • Explain why your application is useful and important.
• Restate the importance of learning from nature.

E Read the rubric on page 182 before you present. Notice how your presentation
PREPARE will be evaluated. Keep these categories in mind as you present and watch your
classmates’ presentations.
PRESENTATION SKILL Have a Strong Ending

It is important to have a strong ending to your presentation so that your audience PRESENT
will remember your ideas. You can summarize what you have said to make your
point clear. You can also connect key ideas to your audience in a concrete way. F Give your presentation to a small group. Watch your classmates’ presentations.
It is not a good idea to introduce any new ideas in the conclusion. Notice how After you watch each one, provide feedback using the rubric as a guide. Add notes
Bergbreiter ends by summarizing briefly and asking her audience to get involved. or any other feedback you want to share.

1.24 “So, I think I’ve given you some of the possibilities of what we can
do with these small robots. And we’ve made some advances so far, but G THINK CRITICALLY Evaluate. As a class, discuss what each presenter did well
there’s still a long way to go, and hopefully some of you can contribute to that and what might make each presentation even stronger. Decide the two things you
destination.” did well, and two areas for improvement.

(See page 174 of the Independent Student Handbook for more information on having a
strong ending.)
REFLECT
C Work with your group. Use the information and questions below to brainstorm other Reflect on what you have learned. Check [✓] your progress.
applications for the projects you have learned about. Do not worry about whether
the idea is technically possible yet. Write short notes about your ideas.

• The “shark skin” film prevents bacteria from growing. How could this be used? I can recognize references to key terms.
Where would it be useful? take notes using key terms.
use signal words to mark transitions.
• The non-stick film is slippery; in other words, ice, oil, paint, etc. will not stick to it. link sounds.
How could this be used? Where would it be useful? end strong.

I understand the meanings of these words and can use them.

• Micro-robots may be better for some jobs than humans. What kinds of jobs might Circle those you know. Underline those you need to work on.
these be? adapt AWL function AWL organism store
application inspect AWL rigid AWL structure AWL

capability AWL layer AWL robust surface

D COLLABORATE Choose one of the ideas you brainstormed in exercise C. In your
film mechanism AWL scale tip over
group, discuss who will do the following parts of your presentation. Remember to
repeat key words and use signals words and pauses to mark transitions. flash mobility slippery unique AWL

• Explain how nature inspired this project:

100 UNIT 5 Engineered by Nature PUT IT TOGETHER 101

 CENTURY
COMMUNICATION
LISTENING, SPEAKING, AND CRITICAL THINKING

For Students
• Student Book
• Online Workbook

For Teachers The Classroom Presentation Tool allows the teacher to

present Student Book pages with audio and video and
interactive activities.
• Teacher’s Guide
• Audio CD/DVD Package
• Classroom Presentation Tool
• Assessment CD-ROM with ExamView®

Online Workbooks include the entire audio and video

program, and automatically graded language practice
activities – ideal for both hybrid and blended courses.

Using TED Talks as the springboard to share ideas,

21st Century Reading shows learners how to understand
and respond to ideas and content in English.
Learn more at NGL.Cengage.com/21centuryreading
• AUG /16

NGL.Cengage.com/21centurycomm
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