The phonograph was invented quite by accident. In 1876 Thomas Edison moved to Menlo Park, New Jersey, where he established an industrial research laboratory. There Edison worked on a carbon telephone transmitter to improve the existing Bell system.
In that laboratory a year later Edison invented the phonograph while trying to improve a telegraph repeater.
He attached a telephone diaphragm to the needle in the telegraph repeater to produce a recording that could be played back. After some improvements to the machine he recited “Marry Had a Little Lamb” and played the recognizable reproduction of his voice back to the astonished audience.
____________
phonograph – фонограф
carbon transmitter – микрофон с угольным электродом
diaphragm – мембрана
I. Choose the title to the text.
1) Thomas Edison's research laboratory
2) Improvements in the Telephone and Telegraph
3) The history of Menlo Park
4) A Surprise Invention
II. Complete the statements according to the text.
1. File invention of the phonograph ...
I) was quite unplanned.
2) was Edison's principle project.
3) was surprising to no one. 4) took many years.
2. The phonograph was made ...
1) with a telephone needle and a recorder.
2) from only a telephone diaphragm.
3) with only a telegraph repeater.
4) from a combination of telephone and telegraph parts.
3. After Edison made improvements to the machine, he ...
1) made the reproduction of his voice recognizable.
2) used a carbon transmitter.
3) read a children's rhyme.
4) reproduced the audience's voice.
III. Find the sentence with the verb in the Past Indefinite Passive.
1) A year later Edison invented the phonograph while trying to improve a telegraph repeater.
2) There Edison worked on a carbon telephone transmitter to improve the existing Bell system.
3) The phonograph was invented quite by accident.
4) He recited “Many Had a Little Lamb”.
IV. Choose the synonym to tile underlined word.
He played the recognizable reproduction of his voice back to the astonished audience.
1) frightened
2) amazed
3) irritated
4) tired