Five Funny Inventions (We Don't Really Need) (1)

Not all inventions are very useful

People say "Necessity is the mother of invention." Humans are always looking for ways to make life easier for themselves. Some inventions like light bulbs, cars and computers are terrific. But many inventions are just, well, silly!

The Noodle Fan
A bowl of hot noodles is delicious. But sometimes you're too hungry to wait for them to cool. So when you eat them, you burn your mouth! The noodle fan solves that problem. Just attach the tiny fan to your chopsticks. It will blow on your noodles while you eat.

The Portable Chin Rest
People lead busy lives these days, and lots of them don't get enough sleep. Wouldn't it be nice if you could sleep standing up? Now you can! The portable chin rest looks a little like a coat rack. It has the perfect soft space for your chin. Take it with you. On your way to work, rest your head on it, and take a quick nap!

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Conversation Killers

We're all familiar with which topics to avoid when meeting foreigners for the first time, right?

How old are you?
How much money do you make?
Are you married?

Not the best questions to start a conversation.
Now, besides questions, there are also comments that we might make that while said with good intentions, can kill a conversation.

OK.
For example, let's pretend you're on the subway and you see someone using a portable chin rest.
It's pretty obvious that that person is tired right?

That's right.
So, there's really no need to say, "You look tired."
Now, again we know it's said out of kindness and concern, but if the person is tired, they already know it.

What's worse is saying, you look tired to someone who is actually feeling pretty energetic.
Now, you might as well say, "you look terrible", and no one wants to be told that.

So, it's probably best not to say it, unless your relationship with the person you're speaking to is pretty close.
You'll want to keep away from comments like "you look tired", "what are all those red marks on your face", and "you've gained weight".
They're conversation killers.


Language Lab
invention n.
something invented: such as a [count] : a useful new device or process
- The invention of cellphones really changed the history of telecommunications.
- The compass was a Chinese invention.
invent v.
to create or produce (something useful) for the first time
- The professor invented a new treatment to cure the disease.

necessity n.
/nɪˈsɛsəti/
[noncount] formal : the quality of being necessary — usually + of or for
- There's an rugent necessity for new elections.
[count] : something that you must have or do : something that is necessary
- We prepared some necessities for our stay in the cabin.

portable adj.
able to be carried or moved easily:
- Bob put a portable TV in his RV.
- The portable heater works pretty well even in severe weather conditions.

coat rack n.
a board or pole with hooks on it that you hang coats on
- Mark made a child-sized wooden coat rack for his son.
- Peter always hangs his jacket on the coat rack as soon as he comes home.
cloakroom n.
a small room where you can leave your coat [= coatroom American English]


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