1. Block 4
Unit 10 Breakthroughs
Action Plan
In this unit you will learn:
• To read scientifc and informational texts.
• To infer the meanings of unknown words
• To identify types of evidence in a text.
• To understand and use comment adverbs
and reflexive pronouns.
• To use words related to sciense technology
and scientific breakthroughs

2. Opening Task
1. What are the things in the pictures?
Elements table, atoms, cells, DNA, microscope, bacteria, medicine and Petri dish.
2. What kind of science are you interested in?
Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, etc.
3. What are some of the advantages of becoming a scientist?
They are the first to learn about medical advances that could save your life. They get
to use interesting and expensive equipment.

3. Lesson A
Vocabulary
The Nano-world
High technology
Complete the definitions with words from the box.
The listen and check your answers.
science fiction
molecule
digital
cell
nanotechnology
robot
atom
program
1. An atom is the smallest unit of matter and is surrounded by protons and
neutrons.
2. A cell is the structural and functional unit of all living things.
3. Molecule are made of at least two atoms combined to make a stable
arrangement.
4. Nanotechnology is technology at the size of about one billionth of a meter.
5. A robot is a machine which is programmed to perform tasks by itself.
6. When you program something, you instruct it to perform certain tasks.
7. Scince fiction is a type of fantasy writing often based on future science or
technology.
8. When data are digital, it means they are stored in the form of numbers.

4. Speaking
Discuss these questions with a partner.
1. Wath technological things do you have in your home (e.g., TV, cell phone, radio)?
2. List four technologies that are important to you. State why.
3. How many of them have digital technology?
Pre-reading
a.Look at the title of the article on page 133. Predict
what you think the article will be about.
The coming nano-world
b.
Quickly read the article on the next page. Then answer the questions.
Skim 1. What is the article about? The future of nanotechnology.
Scan 2. How big is a nanometer? One billionth of a meter.
3. Which three metals change at the nanometer level? Gold,
aluminium and copper.
4. In what products is nanotechnology currently being used? Cell
phones, memory chips, computers, paints.
5. Who is the ‘father’of nanotechnology? Eric Drexler.

5. The coming
nano-world

6. Comprehension
Write T for True or F for False for the
statements
T
1. Nanotechnology involves rearranging atoms and molecules.
T
2. Gold is sometimes a liquid.
F
3. Nanotechnology is science fiction.
F
4. Small robots have been developed with
nanotechnology.
T
5. Nanotechnology is a scientific and technological revolution.
F
6. Sten says that nanotechnology will destroy the planet.
Skills work
Inferring the meaning of unknown word using prefixes
When guessing the meaning of an unknown word, look at its part of speech
(noun, verb, adjective, etc.) and look at the sentences surronding it to get a
good idea of the context. You can also use your knowledge of prefixes to help
you. Look at this example from the text.
…atoms could be reprogrammed to join together in certain ways…
The prefix re- means ‘do again’ (as in rewrite, redo) and so reprogrammed means
‘programmed again’.

7. a. Discuss and work out the meanings of these word from the article.
1.undoubtedly Un- means not so undoubtedly means no doubt.
2.nano-engineering Nano- means small, so this word means engineering small
thing.
3.unrealistic Un- means not, so this word means not realistic.
4.redesign Re- means do againg so this word means design again.
5.nano-robots Nano- means small so this word means very small robots.

8. b. Look at the sentences and work out the meanings of the underlined words.
1. Look at this! I think I’ ve been overpaid. I usually only get $1,200 a month.
overapaid = paid too much
2. Don’t worry. She’ll come soon. Please don’t be impatient.
impatient = not patient.
3. Please don’t misuse that machine. It might break.
misuse = used badly or wrongly.
4. It’s unusually cold today. And today’s the start of summer!
unusually = not usually
5. I’m undecided about where to go. Should we go to Guadalajara or Cancun?
undecided = not decided
6. I don’t understand this company. The are always mismanaging things.
mismanaging = managin bodly or wrongly

9. below.
Lenguage work
Comment adverbs
Study how these adverbs are used in the sentences. Then rewrite each
sentence below using a comment adverb.
Making an adjective stronger
Saying how something seems, or
appears to be
It’s utterly amazing he passed the test!
absolutely
It’s sunny, but apparently it’ll rain later.
evidently
Saying something is logically true
Saying something you expected
He clearly is very smart. His IQ is 160!
obviously
The math test was unsurprisingly difficult.
predictably
1. This cake is fantastic. This cake is utterly fantastic!
2. I just found out that Jorge’s birthday is today. I just found out, apparently/
evidently Jorge’s birthay is today.
3. Our team won the cup because they’ve been practicing so hard. Our team won
the cup clearly.
4. It is best to study hard in school. Obviously/clearly it is best to study hard in
school.
5. Last winter was warm, but this year it’s freezing. It’s so cold! Last winter was
warm, but this year it’s absolutely.

10. Writing
Complete the paragraph with the adverbs above.
There is more than one possible answer.
Our ability to predict the future is not always good. Fifty year ago, children (1)
evidently/apparently believed we would be flying around in space cars by now.
Looking back, (2) unsurprisingly/predictably, it has not appened. While
technology can improve life, it can also cause more problems. We all know
technologies such as the Internet are (3) utterly/absolutely fantastic at connecting
people and it seems (4) apparently/evidently it is happening worldwide. However, it
also has made more of our personal information available to millions of others at the
click of a mouse, which we all would agree is (5) clearly/obviously not desirable.
Skill
Builder Adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. When identifying the
part of speech, look to see which words modify others. Study these
Modifying a verb
Identifying
adverbs
We’ve never seen
technology develop so
quickly.
adverbs.
Modifying an adjective
Modifying an adverb
Nanotechnology will be
extremely important but
really expensive.
Very soon, it will be so
much easier to make
better, more efficient
products.

11. Lesson B
Breakthrough!
Vocabulary
Scientific breakthroughs
Complete the definitions with words from the box. Then listen and check your
answers.
organic
researcher
micro-organism
hypothesis
bio-fuel
genetically modified
biotechnology
data
1. A researcher is a person who examines things to find out information about
them.
2. If something is organic it is made of living material.
3. Bio-fuel is gasoline that is made from organic waste.
4. A micro-organism is a very, very small living thing.
5. Sientists,perfrom experiments to collect information, or data.
6. An experimental hypothesis is a theory or idea you wish to test scientifically.
7. Biotechnology is the use of living things in industry or technology.
8. If something is genetically modified, its genes have benn changed in some way.

12. Listening
a. Circle the opinions you hear. Write Hector or Anna.
Ana
Hector
Ana
Hector
Ana
1. Humans should not play with nature.
2. Modifying genes can lead to new treatments
and medicines.
3. Modifying plants can lead to many dangers.
4. Nature modifies the genes of micro-organism
itself, so it’s safe.
5. There is somenthing worrying about people
messing around with genes.
b. State which opinions you agree with. Give your reasons
In Mexico
What technological advances are happening
in Mexico? Which are the most important?

13. Pre-reading
a. Look at the title of article on page 117. Predict what you think the article will
be about.
Fueling a revolution
b. Quickly read the article on the next page. Then answer the questions.
Skim
1. What is the article about? Future Technologies
2. What do the super bugs feed on? Organic waste
3. What do the super bugs do? Fuel, oil
Scan
4. Where is Dr. Hodges doing his research? Bahía de Kino Mexico
5. What is the name of the plant he ‘s working with? Solicornia

14. Comprehension
Write the letter of the answer most likely to be true. Discuss the
answers with your partner.
1.
2.
3.
4.
The micro-organism are…c
a. plants.
b. made of oil.
c. very small.
The micro-organism…a…a danger to life on Earth.
a. may be
b. cannot be
c. are definitely
Dr. Hodge's plan would create…b
a. coal.
b. inland.
c. pollution.
The seawater farms will…c
a. flood.
b. burn wood.
c. help make oil.

15. Skills work
Identifying types of evidence
Writers often support their ideas with extra information. Read these examples
of different types of evidence that a writer can use.
A. Common knowledge is something everyone knows (e. g., The earth is warming)
B. Something sounds logical and is likely to be true (e. g., Driving fast causes accidents)
C. The opinion of an expert (e. g. a researcher).
Decide which type of evidence most likely supports these sentences.
1. C Dr. Hodges estimates an area the size of Brazil can supply 90 percent of the world’s
energy.
2. B Salicornia does not need rain to grow because it can grow in seawater.
3. C Dr Hodge’s research shows the waste is cleaner that burning coal or wood.
4. A Bahia de Kino is in Mexico.
5. B The natural water table will rise if more water drains into the ground
6. A The Earth goes round the sun.
7. C Dr. Sanchez say I have a very bad cold.
8. B It’s been sunny day for a month It’ll probably be sunny tomorrow, too.
9. B It looks rain. She’ll get wet if she doesn’t take an umbrella.
10. A It’s a holiday on Sunday.

16. Language work
Reflexive pronouns
Study these reflexive pronouns. Then complete the sentences below with the
correct reflexive pronoun.
Singular
I talked a little about myself.
You should do it yourself.
Chris hurt her/himself in the game.
The cat let itself into the house.
Plural
We introduced ourselves to
everyone.
Please look after yourselves. Bye!
They enjoyed themselves at the
party.
*We use himself / myself / themselves, etc. when the subject and object of a
sentence are the same.
1. The light turns itself off at midnight.
2. Wait a moment. I’m just going to make myself a cup of coffee.
3. Janice designs all her clothes herself.
4. No one will help us. We have to do it ourselves.
5. Diego and Angela have bought themselves a car.
6. He was thirsty, so he bought himself a cool drink.
7. Don’t eat that. You’ll make yourself ill.
8. Come on you two. Come in and get yourselves a nice drink.

17. Writing
Complete the paragraph with the correct reflexive
pronouns.
The other day my sister and I bought new computers for (1) ourselves.
My sister can set up her computer (2) herself. I tried to do it (3) myself
but I couldn’t. She keeps saying to me, “you should learn to fix the
computer (4) yourself. “My dad is good with computers and can
program the computers (5) himself. He fixed my computers in five
minutes. People who can manage their own computers (6) themselves
must be very smart.
Giving
the right
kind of
support
Academic writing requires you to show you know a lot about your
topic and that you can support your opinions and use the right
kinds of evidence to support your ideas.
More reliable
information.
Less reliable
information.
• Information based on research and the opinions of
experts.
• Commun knowledge and ideas based on logical
thinking.
• Seconhand information.
• Data with no support. These are opinions that the
people give without thinking them through
properly.

18. Real-life reading
Read the wall chart. Then answer
the questions below.
1. Which rule is about reading
something carefully? 7
2. Which rule mentions the things
you can wear? 2,8
3. Which rule is about knowing what
to do if there is an emergency?3
4. Which rule are about hygiene?
1,4,5,8
5. Which rule require appropriate
behavior? 1,2,4,5,6,7,9
6. Which rule require you to tell the
teacher about something? 10

19. My Learning Experience
Look at the list of language objectives in the unit. Draw ,  or .
Language
I can read scientific and informational texts.
I can infer the meanings of unknown words.
I can identify types of evidence in a text.
I can understand and use comment adverbs and reflexive
pronouns.
I can use words for science, technology, and scientific
breakthrougs.
Closing Task
Look at the photos on pages 110 and 111.
Discuss some ways that science can help your
life.
Agree?

20. Word builder
Root words for numbers
Study the prefixes for numbers. Then complete the sentences below
with the correct word from the chart.
Prefix
nanomicromillicentidecideka-, decahecta-, hectokilomegagiga-
Power of 10
10 (-9)
10 (-6)
10 (-3)
10 (-2)
10 (-10
10 (1)
10 (2)
10 (3)
10 (6)
10 (9)
Examples
nanotechnology, nanosecond
microscope, microprocessor, microchip
millimeter, milligram, milliliter
century, centenary, centigrade
decimal, decibel
decade, decathlon
hectare, hectoliter
kilometer, kilogram, kiloliter
megawatt, megabyte, megaton
gigabyte, gigahertz
1. It’s over 20 kilometers from my home to school.
2. Come and look trough this microscope, you’ll see some interesting
things.
3. It’s 0.45 of a kilo, or 450 milligrams.
4. My computers has over 400 gigabytes of data.
5. Did you know today it’s over 40 degrees centigrade? It’s too hot!
6. The microchip in my cell phone will hold over 10,000 songs!

21. Spanish
English
alterar
aparentemente
My Dictionary
Write the words in English.
Look for them in the unit.
to modify, alter
apparently
atomo
atom
bichos
bugs
bio-combustible
bio-fuel
célula
cell
ciencia ficción
science-fiction
daño
harm
deshacerse de
get rid of
estable
stable
genéticamente
modificado
genetically modified
hipótesis
hypothesis
laboratorio
lab
molécula
molecule
obviamente
obviously
orgánico
organic
propiedad
property
robot
robot
tierra adentro
inland

22. Fuentes
Bibliográficas:
Chapman, J. (2009). Sequences, Teacher’s Resource Book 5. México:
Heinle Cengage Learning.
Waring, R., Woodall, P. y Thomlinson, J. (2009). Sequences, Student
Book 5. México: Heinle Cengage Learning.
Electrónicas:
http://images.google.es/images?
gbv=2&hl=es&sa=1&q=breakthrough&aq=0&oq=breakt&start=0
Elaborado por: Ing. Sonia Margarita Osuna Rodríguez