Page 71 - Reading and Writing 4
P. 71
Before You Read
1 Match the people with the inventions.
Light bulb Alexander Bell
Telephone Thomas Edison
Pressing machine Johannes Gutenberg
Alfred Nobel
Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist, engineer, inventor, and
businessman. He was born in Stockholm on 21 October 1833.
His father was also an engineer and inventor. In 1842, the family
moved to Russia, where Alfred’s father had a company that supplied
equipment to the Russian Army.
Alfred travelled to many countries. He studied chemistry in France and
the United States. He was interested in explosives and is famous for
inventing dynamite. Dynamite was used in building canals, railways,
and roads all over the world. Dynamite was also used in warfare.
Alfred made a lot of money. He did not want to be remembered for his
dangerous invention, so he established the Nobel Prize before he died.
It gives annual international awards in physics, chemistry, medicine,
literature, and peace.
Alfred Nobel died on 10 December 1896.
After You Read
1 Work with a partner and discuss the following questions.
According to the passage, why didn’t Alfred Nobel want to be
remembered for inventing dynamite? What did he do to change that?
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