Unit 20: Benjamin Franklin

Can-do Goal

I can understand and use everyday English to talk about Benjamin Franklin.

I can say who he was and talk about inventors and inventions.

Vocabulary

1. Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was an American inventor, writer, and scientist.

He is famous for many ideas and inventions.

2. Inventor

An inventor is a person who makes something new.

Example: Benjamin Franklin was an inventor.

3. Inventors

Inventors is the plural form of inventor.

It means two or more people who create new things.

Example: Many inventors changed the world.

Exercise Context
A friendly historical classroom scene showing Benjamin Franklin holding papers and simple inventions, students learning about an inventor, bright school setting, educational mood, easy A1-A2 English topic about famous inventors

Useful Sentences

Who was Benjamin Franklin?

Benjamin Franklin was an inventor.

What did he do?

He made inventions and studied science.

Was he an inventor?

Yes, he was.

Language Focus: Talking About People

Using "was"

We use was to talk about one person in the past.

Pattern:

Subject + was + noun/adjective.

Examples:

  • Benjamin Franklin was an inventor.
  • He was famous.
  • He was smart.

Using "is" and "was"

is = present

was = past

  • My teacher is kind. (now)
  • Benjamin Franklin was an inventor. (past)

Worked Examples

Example 1

Question: Who was Benjamin Franklin?

Answer: He was an inventor.

Why? We use "was" because we are talking about a person from the past.

Example 2

Question: Was Benjamin Franklin an inventor?

Answer: Yes, he was.

Why? The question uses "Was...?" so the short answer is "Yes, he was."

Example 3

Question: What are inventors?

Answer: Inventors are people who make new things.

Why? "Inventors" means more than one inventor.

Remember!

  • Benjamin Franklin was a famous inventor.
  • An inventor makes something new.
  • Inventors help people with new ideas.
  • Use was to talk about one person in the past.
🔑 Đáp án & Giải thích

Benjamin Franklin là một nhà phát minh nổi tiếng của Mỹ.

Inventor = nhà phát minh.

Inventors = các nhà phát minh (số nhiều).

Dùng was khi nói về một người trong quá khứ:

  • Benjamin Franklin was an inventor. = Benjamin Franklin là một nhà phát minh.
  • He was famous. = Ông ấy nổi tiếng.

Câu hỏi: Was he an inventor?

Trả lời: Yes, he was.