Part 2. The Times capsule.

Keywords. time capsule, future, be passed on.

Vocabulary. copper, aluminum, stainless, non-rusting, leakproof, humidity, Zimbabwe.

A. Do you know what a time capsule is and what it is for?

Listen to the following explanation. Fill in the blankets.

Time capsules are special devices built to protect papers and other objects usually for 100 years.

The purpose is to help people in the future understand what is important when the time capsule is closed.

The device is usually made of copper, aluminum or stainless steel.

It should be non-rusting, leakproof and durable.

Contents to be placed in the time capsule should be conditioned to a low humidity level.

Include items that do not require any technology or equipment other than the eye and hand to use and interpret.

Today's computer discs and similar electronic media may not be playable in the future.

Finally, the capsule's location should, of course, be dry as well.

B. Now listen to a report about a time capsule, supply the missing information.

Have you ever thought about what you would save from today to show to people in the future?

Some people are thinking about it.

They are involved in a project to save objects in a container that is not to be opened until New Year's day, 1000 years from now.

The container is a time capsule.

The idea for this time capsule came from the people at the New York Times newspaper.

So it is called the Times capsule.

The papers and objects to be put in it are to help people in the year 3000 understand about life in the world today.

First, a container was needed to keep the materials safe.

So the newspaper invited 48 architects and designers from around the world to take part in a design competition.

An architect from Spain, Santiago Caltravo won.

His winning design is a shiny steel container.

It has 1.5 cubic meters of space inside.

It is shaped like a flower with 8 separate parts.

Mr Caltravo says he wanted the container to be beautiful, yet create a feeling of mystery.

Some of the things that will be placed in the Times capsule have been chosen.

They are been shown along with the Times capsule at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Among the objects are 6 magazines published by the New York Times which described the last 1000 years,

a recording of the sounds of life in New York City made at 9:09 in the morning of the ninth day of the ninth month of 1999,

pictures taken of what some people in New York were doing at that same time,

a small container of fresh water from a river in Brazil

and an American military medal, a ceremonial chair from Zimbabwe, a beanie baby doll popular with collectors, Marlboro cigarettes.

Other things will be chosen to represent life at the present time.

Visitors to the museum can use two computers to enter their own suggestions.

The objects chosen by a special committee will be placed in the capsule before it is closed in the April.

Then the large steel container will be moved to its permanent home, outside the entrance of the Natural History Museum,

Although the Times capsule is not to be opened for 1000 years, it should not be forgotten.

A guard will be paid to watch over it and remind people of why it is important.

The creators of the project hope the guard duty will be passed on from person to person through the next 10 centuries.

C. Now listen again, focus on the objects that will be placed in the Times capsule.

Supply the missing information with key words.