The boy who built a windmill

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: The boy who built a windmill

Warm-up

Do you know what a windmill does? (Yes, it...)

Vocabulary Match

scrap •• sure
creativity •• pay
afford •• old
turbine •• engine
electricity •• power
determined •• ideas

Vocabulary Answers

scrapold
creativityideas
affordpay
turbineengine
electricitypower
determinedsure

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi. At 14, he had to leave school because his family could not ________ the fees. ________ to continue learning, he spent time in the local library. There, he found a book about windmills and was inspired to build one himself.

Using ________ materials like a bicycle frame, tractor parts, and PVC pipes, he created a wind ________. At first, it powered a single light bulb, but later, it provided ________ for his home and helped pump water for his village. His success brought him international fame.

Kamkwamba co-wrote "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" and shared his story worldwide, proving that determination and ________ can overcome challenges.

William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi. At 14, he had to leave school because his family could not afford the fees. determined to continue learning, he spent time in the local library. There, he found a book about windmills and was inspired to build one himself.

Using scrap materials like a bicycle frame, tractor parts, and PVC pipes, he created a wind turbine. At first, it powered a single light bulb, but later, it provided electricity for his home and helped pump water for his village. His success brought him international fame.

Kamkwamba co-wrote "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" and shared his story worldwide, proving that determination and creativity can overcome challenges.

Quiz

  1. Why did William Kamkwamba leave school?
  2. Where did William find the book about windmills?
  3. What did William use to build the wind turbine?
  4. What did the wind turbine help do for the village?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. Because his family could not afford the fees.
  2. In the local library.
  3. Scrap materials like a bicycle frame, tractor parts, and PVC pipes.
  4. It helped pump water for his village.

True or False

  1. William was 14 when he was born in Malawi. T F
  2. The wind turbine powered a single light bulb at first. T F
  3. William co-wrote a book titled "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind". T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. True
  3. True

Conversation

A:Hey William, how did you make that windmill?
B:I found a book in the library and got inspired.
A:Wow, you must be a genius!
B:Not really, just curious and determined.
A:So, what's next for you?
B:Maybe a solar panel, who knows!

Discussion

  1. Have you ever built something by yourself?
  2. Do you think windmills are useful? Why or why not?
  3. What would you do if you had no electricity at home?
  4. Have you ever read a book that inspired you?
  5. Would you like to visit Malawi someday?

Further Reading

https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2009/oct/03/malawian-teenager-builds-wind-turbine

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