1. Do you know:
a) the names of Henri Becquerel and Pierre and Marie Curie? What are they famous?
b) when the Curies and Becquerel worked?
c) what radioactive elements the Curies discovered?
d) if the Curies and Becquerel were given any award?
2. Can you guess what the word “radioactive” means? Try to give its definition.
3. Read the following statements and respond to them using the expressions: If I am not mistaken, in my opinion, to my mind and the like.
- Henri Becquerel experimented with uranium salt.
- Henri Becquerel discovered X-rays.
- Henri Becquerel found out that uranium gave off rays of unknown nature.
- Marie Curie used different minerals in her experiments.
- Marie Curie was not only a famous physicist but an outstanding chemist.
- Marie Curie managed to isolate several radioactive elements.
- Pierre Curie never conducted independent research but always helped his wife.
4. The words given in column A are in the text below. Match them with their definitions in column B.
| A | B |
| radioactivity | take in radiations and send them out in the form of light. |
| to detect | find the size, extent, volume, degree , etc of smth or smb. |
| alien | major achievement |
| to fluoresce | special quality that belongs to smth |
| to measure | line, beam of radiant energy, heat, energy. |
| to extract | discover the existence or presence of smb or smth. |
| ray | allow to go; set free; unfasten. |
| to release | take or get out usually with effort or by force. |
| property | differing in nature or character; contrary or opposed (to). |
| breakthrough | process of breaking up atoms and sending out rays in the form of electrically charged particles capable of penetrating opaque bodies and of producing electrical effects. |