Discuss the following questions
1. Have you ever attended a lecture on a very specific area of knowledge? If yes, was it difficult to understand the topic? What were your impressions?
2. If you were to tell somebody about your research, how would you do it? Would you use terms or would you try to explain everything in a clear simple way?
3. What does “nerd” mean? How are nerds connected to science?
4. What are the keys to a good presentation of a scientific material?
10. Listen to the track “Talk nerdy to me” where Melissa Marshall tells about her experience. Mark the statements as true (T) or false (F). Compare your answers with your partner. Correct false statements.
1. Melissa Marshall was happy to teach communication class for engineering students.
2. Our communication with scientists will help to change the world.
3. Talking to scientists, we need to understand how their research is connected with our life.
4. Jargon improves our understanding.
5. Scientists should use stories, analogies and examples in their presentation.
6. It is impossible for scientists to make ordinary people understand their topic.
Try to write an equation mentioned in the talk.
Make a list of advice Melissa gives to scientists on their presentation of the material. Think of two more things to add to it.
Watching 1
Before viewing
13. Match the words to make collocations which match the definitions. Watch the video-clip “Standard academic questions and how to answer them” to check your answers.
e.g. 11- k temptation to go on which means “a strong wish to continue”
| 1) significant | situation | a) A book that is really important |
| 2) Introductory survey | grades | b) questions which describe possible ways of reacting in a situation |
| 3) fake | questions | c) a reasonable, fair question |
| 4) Standard | book | d) the course that provides a general view of an academic subject |
| 5) to handle a | question | e) ordinary themes for discussion |
| 6) behavioral-based | questions | f) unreal response describing the situation that never happened |
| 7) comfort | universities | g) the institution which focuses on scientific investigations |
| 8) a legitimate | answer | h) marks |
| 9) research-intense | level | i) How well you feel in the environment |
| 10) honors and | course | j) to deal with a situation |
| 11) temptation | to go on | k) a strong wish to continue |
14. Watch the video- clip again and complete the following summary of the presenter’s speech. The first letters of the necessary words are given to help you.
The whole speech covers several 1) k______ q_____________ and a_______________ . The speaker has some information presented on a 2) s_______________. The presenter gives advice to focus on several points and 3) p______________ the answers in order to produce a good impression. Then, she mentions that sometimes you are asked questions to check whether you have 4) p___________ l______. After that, the presenter dwells on 5) b_____________- b_______ questions and provides 6) e___________. The speaker passes to describing some practical questions such as 7) c______________ l______. At last, she concentrates on the students’ ability to focus on the 8) m_____ p__________.
Reading 3