Unit 3 The world of science

Using language

7 Listen to the conversation and number the pictures in the correct order.

Mike: Hey, look! I've read about a cool invention in this magazine!

Anna: A pair of socks?

Mike: Yes, but they're not ordinary socks. This is a product designed for people with Alzheimer's disease.

Anna: Oh yes, I saw a TV show about that. It was invented by a student from New York called Kenneth. He even won an award for it at a science fair!

Mike: Wow! How did he come up with the idea?

Anna: Well, his grandfather has Alzheimer's. He forgets things and gets lost easily. Once he got lost in the city and it took a whole day to find him! The family was always worrying about him leaving the house and had to keep an eye on him—even at night! Kenneth had been trying to find a solution. Then one night, he was looking after his grandfather and saw him get out of bed and step on the floor. That moment inspired him, and a good idea came to his mind.

Mike: I didn't know that! How did that moment inspire him?

Anna: Well, it made him think of putting a device into a pair of socks to sense pressure. He started by drawing his ideas, and then he thought about how to power the device. Eventually, he created a device the size of a coin!

Mike: Like a coin? So how does it work?

Anna: He got his grandfather to wear the socks. When his feet touched the floor, the device sensed an increase of pressure, and a warning was sent to the boy's mobile phone—like an alarm. That way, he could know his grandfather was getting out of bed without staying up all night.

Mike: How amazing! What a useful invention and caring grandson!

Anna: Yes, you are quite right.