Science & Technology
The Weirdest and Most Secretive Futuristic Weapons
23 Jul 2026
Select a Level
NEW
Image credit: US Air Force
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Flying cars that carry delicious pizza
b) Giant magnets that shoot small metal objects
c) Red robots that paint beautiful houses
Ask:
(1) Do you like futuristic gadgets?
(2) Have you ever seen a flying drone?
VOCABULARY
laser
noun (/ˈleɪzə/)
drone
noun (/drəʊn/)
future
noun (/ˈfjuːtʃə/)
sound
noun (/saʊnd/)
magnet
noun (/ˈmæɡnɪt/)
weapon
noun (/ˈwepən/)
A powerful beam of bright light.
Example: The ship used a bright blue laser to see far away.
A small flying robot with no pilot.
Example: He flew his new drone over the park.
The time that will happen after now.
Example: In the future, cars will fly in the sky.
Something that you can hear.
Example: The loud sound made the dog jump.
A piece of metal that pulls other metal towards it.
Example: She used a magnet to pick up the paperclips.
An object used for fighting or protection.
Example: A sword is an old type of defence weapon.
Scientists are making strange new inventions for the future. Some of these inventions are new types of defence weapon. They look exactly like cool things from a science fiction movie. One amazing invention is a powerful laser beam. The British Navy wants to use these bright lasers on warships to stop big dangers. Another modern machine can stop a flying drone very quickly. It uses smart microwave energy to switch off the electronic computer inside the flying robot. There are also giant sound machines on big trucks. They send out very loud sound waves to push crowds away safely without hurting anyone. Finally, some countries are building a new gun with a giant magnet. This magnet shoots metal objects towards targets faster than a normal aeroplane. These exciting ideas show how modern technology is changing our whole world every single day.
Listen
The ‘laser of dissuasion’ (LDI) is a non-lethal weapon designed to deter and neutralise threats by causing temporary visual impairment - Photo credit: Getty Images
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: drone, future, laser, magnet
Scientists are making strange new inventions for the _______(1). Some of these inventions are new types of defence weapon. They look exactly like cool things from a science fiction movie. One amazing invention is a powerful _______(2) beam. The British Navy wants to use these bright lasers on warships to stop big dangers. Another modern machine can stop a flying _______(3) very quickly. It uses smart microwave energy to switch off the electronic computer inside the flying robot. There are also giant sound machines on big trucks. They send out very loud sound waves to push crowds away safely without hurting anyone. Finally, some countries are building a new gun with a giant _______(4). This magnet shoots metal objects towards targets faster than a normal aeroplane. These exciting ideas show how modern technology is changing our whole world every single day.
Section 2: Main Idea
Choose the best summary of the article.
a) Scientists are building flying robots to carry heavy boxes to houses.
b) New inventions use lasers, sound, and magnets to create futuristic tools.
c) The British Navy is painting all of its ships blue for the summer.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. The British Navy plans to use lasers on ships. T/F
2. Microwave energy makes a drone fly much higher. T/F
3. Magnet guns shoot objects slower than a normal aeroplane. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put the descriptions of technology mentioned in the text in order from first to last:
1. A machine that disables flying drones using microwave energy.
2. A powerful laser used by the British Navy on ships.
3. A new gun that uses a giant magnet to shoot objects very fast.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. future
2. laser
3. drone
4. weapon
a) A small flying robot without a pilot
b) An object used for fighting or protection
c) The time that will happen after now
d) A powerful beam of bright light
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
1. I think a powerful _______ is cooler than a flying robot.
a) laser
b) glass
c) paper
2. In the _______, our homes will have amazing new technology.
a) past
b) future
c) yesterday
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
Unscramble the words to make complete sentences.
1. A) giant B) lasers C) are D) tools E) powerful
2. A) drone B) robot C) a D) flying E) is
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: b
Section 1: (1) future, (2) laser, (3) drone, (4) magnet
Section 2: b
Section 3: 1. T, 2. F, 3. F
Section 4: 2, 1, 3
Section 5: 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b
Section 6: 1-a, 2-b
Section 7:
1) B-C-E-A-D (Lasers are powerful giant tools),
2) C-D-A-E-B (A flying drone is a robot)
Section 8: Student responses will vary.