English: Unit 3 ‘Our Findings Show’ – Reporting Research and Scientific Language – First Year Secondary – Algerian Curriculum

English: Unit 3 “Our Findings Show” – Reporting Research and Scientific Language – First Year Secondary

Introduction

Unit 3 of the first year secondary English programme in Algeria is titled “Our Findings Show.” This unit introduces students to the language of scientific research and reporting. You will learn how to describe experiments, report findings, and use appropriate vocabulary and grammar for academic and scientific contexts. This unit is particularly important for students who will continue into scientific streams in later years.

Learning Objectives

• Learn vocabulary related to scientific research and experiments
• Understand how to report findings and results
• Master the present simple and past simple tenses in scientific contexts
• Practise writing a short research report

Part 1: Key Vocabulary – Scientific Research

Research Vocabulary:

• Research – systematic investigation to discover new knowledge
• Experiment – a scientific test to discover something
• Hypothesis – a proposed explanation to be tested
• Data – information collected during research (plural: data, singular: datum)
• Result – the outcome of an experiment
• Finding – a conclusion reached through research
• Evidence – facts that support a conclusion
• Analysis – detailed examination of data
• Conclusion – a final judgment based on evidence

Useful Verbs for Reporting:

• Observe – to watch carefully (e.g., “We observed that the plant grew faster in sunlight.”)
• Measure – to find the size, amount, or degree of something
• Compare – to examine differences and similarities
• Demonstrate – to show clearly (e.g., “The experiment demonstrates that heat accelerates the reaction.”)
• Indicate – to suggest or show (e.g., “The results indicate a significant improvement.”)
• Reveal – to make known (e.g., “The study reveals new information about climate change.”)

Part 2: Grammar – Present Simple for Scientific Facts and Past Simple for Experiments

In scientific writing, we use specific tenses for specific purposes:

Present Simple (المضارع البسيط) – for general truths and scientific facts:

• “Water boils at 100°C.”
• “The Earth revolves around the Sun.”
• “Photosynthesis occurs in plant leaves.”

Past Simple (الماضي البسيط) – for describing experiments and their results:

• “We conducted the experiment last Tuesday.”
• “The temperature increased by 5 degrees.”
• “The researchers collected data over six months.”

Present Perfect (المضارع التام) – for research results relevant to the present:

• “Scientists have discovered a new treatment for the disease.”
• “Recent studies have shown that exercise improves memory.”

Part 3: Structure of a Research Report

A simple research report for secondary school follows this structure:

1. Title: Clear and descriptive (e.g., “The Effect of Light on Plant Growth”)

2. Introduction: State the purpose and hypothesis. (e.g., “The aim of this experiment was to investigate how different amounts of light affect the growth of bean plants.”)

3. Materials and Method: Describe what you used and what you did. (e.g., “We used three pots, bean seeds, soil, and water. We placed Pot A in sunlight, Pot B in shade, and Pot C in a dark cupboard. We watered them equally every day for two weeks.”)

4. Results: Present what you observed, using data. (e.g., “After two weeks, the plant in sunlight grew 15 cm, the plant in shade grew 8 cm, and the plant in darkness grew only 3 cm.”)

5. Conclusion: State what you learned from the results. (e.g., “Our findings show that plants need sunlight to grow properly. The more light a plant receives, the faster it grows.”)

Part 4: Model Research Report – “The Effect of Temperature on Sugar Dissolving”

Title: The Effect of Water Temperature on How Fast Sugar Dissolves

Introduction: The aim of this experiment was to find out whether water temperature affects the time it takes for sugar to dissolve. Our hypothesis was that sugar dissolves faster in hot water than in cold water.

Method: We filled three glasses with 200ml of water at different temperatures: cold (5°C), room temperature (25°C), and hot (80°C). We added one teaspoon of sugar to each glass at the same time and measured how long it took each to dissolve completely.

Results: The sugar in the hot water dissolved completely in 15 seconds. The sugar in the room temperature water dissolved in 45 seconds. The sugar in the cold water took 120 seconds to dissolve.

Conclusion: Our findings show that temperature significantly affects how fast sugar dissolves. The hotter the water, the faster the sugar dissolves. This confirms our initial hypothesis.

Part 5: Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Complete the sentences with the correct tense:

a) The experiment ______ (show) that metal expands when heated.
→ shows (present simple for general fact)

b) Last week, our team ______ (conduct) an experiment on seed germination.
→ conducted (past simple for completed action)

c) Scientists ______ (discover) that regular exercise improves heart health.
→ have discovered (present perfect for recent finding)

Exercise 2: Write a short research report (4–5 sentences) about a simple experiment you know. Include: title, purpose, method, result, and conclusion.

Summary

Unit 3 “Our Findings Show” teaches you the essential language of scientific research and reporting. You have learned vocabulary for experiments and data, the appropriate tenses for scientific writing (present simple for facts, past simple for experiments, present perfect for recent findings), and the structure of a simple research report. These skills will serve you well not only in English class but also in your science subjects.

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