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Learn reap, innovative, breed, distinctive, trait, expertise, inquisitive, strive, persistent, and embrace in the context of Word Power Inventors and Inventions and practice what you learn with the interactive activities and the downloadable PDF practice worksheet.
Audio Episode
Inventors and Inventions
Turn on the TV with the remote control. Open a can. Telephone a friend. Dim the lights. Listen to a CD. Switch on the computer. Do just about anything, and you are reaping the benefits of the innovative minds of inventors. Inventors are a remarkable breed. They may look like your next-door neighbors and could, in fact, even be your neighbors. However, research has shown that most inventors possess distinctive characteristics that separate them from the general population.
When faced with complex problems, inventors employ creative techniques to find solutions. Not surprisingly, this trait makes them superb problem solvers. They often have broad interests and do not usually limit themselves to one area of expertise. They are inquisitive and self-motivated, always eager to investigate the “whys” and “hows” of things. Inventors are also doers; they strive to complete tasks, driven primarily by the need to know the final results.
Inventors display a strong work ethic. They remain committed to a task, persistent and determined to see it through to a final resolution. When trying to solve problems, they are not easily discouraged, are willing to consider the advice of others, and often use both traditional and experimental approaches to find solutions. Inventors generally have several hobbies and are likely to embrace them with the same enthusiasm and vigor they apply to their work.
You have probably studied famous inventors such as Alexander Graham Bell (telephone); Thomas Edison (microphone and phonograph); Orville and Wilbur Wright (motorized airplane); George Washington Carver (agricultural techniques); and Henry Ford (assembly line). Their inventions revolutionized the world.
However, you should not forget the contributions of other equally important inventors. Although their names are not household words, their inventions have permanently altered how we work, play, and live. They include Alexander Cartwright (baseball), Whitcomb Judson (the zipper), Gertrude Elion (cancer treatment drugs), and Carl Benz and Otto Daimler (gasoline automobile).
Word list
reap
If you reap the benefits or the rewards of something, you enjoy the good things that happen as a result of it.
get, win, gain, obtain
Do just about anything, and you are reaping the benefits of the innovative minds of inventors.
innovative
Something that is innovative is new and original.
novel, new, original, inventive
Do just about anything, and you are reaping the benefits of the innovative minds of inventors.
breed
You can refer to someone or something as one of a particular breed of person or thing when you want to talk about what they are like.
kind, sort, type, variety
Inventors are a remarkable breed. They may look like your next-door neighbors and could, in fact, even be your neighbors.
distinctive
Something that is distinctive has a special quality or feature which makes it easily recognizable and different from other things of the same type.
special, individual, specific
However, research has shown that most inventors possess distinctive characteristics that separate them from the general population.
trait
A trait is a particular characteristic, quality, or tendency that someone or something has
characteristic, feature, quality, attribute
A trait is a particular characteristic, quality, or tendency that someone or something has
characteristic, feature, quality, attribute
When faced with complex problems, inventors employ creative techniques to find solutions. Not surprisingly, this trait makes them superb problem solvers
expertise
expertise is special skill or knowledge that is acquired by training, study, or practice.
skill, knowledge, know-how
They often have broad interests and do not usually limit themselves to one area of expertise.
inquisitive
An inquisitive person likes finding out about things, especially secret things
curious, questioning, inquiring
They are inquisitive and self-motivated, always eager to investigate the “whys” and “hows” of things.
strive
If you strive to do something or strive for something, you make a great effort to do it or get it.
try, labor, struggle, fight
Inventors are also doers; they strive to complete tasks, driven primarily by the need to know the final results.
persistent
Someone who is persistent continues trying to do something, even though it is difficult or other people are against it.
determined, dogged, fixed, steady
Inventors display a strong work ethic. They remain committed to a task, persistent and determined to see it through to a final resolution.
embrace
If you embrace a change, political system, or idea, you accept it and start supporting it or believing in it.
accept, support, receive, welcome
Inventors generally have several hobbies and are likely to embrace them with the same enthusiasm and vigor they apply to their work.
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Episode 579 Word Power | Inventors and Inventions by English Plus Podcast on Scribd
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