📖+10 XP
🎧+10 XP
✅+15 XP
Level A1 – BeginnerCEFR A1
2 min
72 words
- Scientists make metal tubes that can float on water.
- The treated tubes do not sink in water anywhere.
- The tube inside surface has many tiny pits.
- These pits make the metal repel and avoid water.
- Air stays trapped inside the tube and helps it float.
- The trapped air keeps water from filling the tube.
- Tubes still float even after heavy damage or holes.
- Many tubes can join together to form strong rafts.
Difficult words
- surface — outside part of an object or material
- pit — small empty place on a surfacepits
- repel — push away a liquid or object
- trap — hold something so it cannot leavetrapped
- damage — harm or break part of something
- raft — flat group that floats on waterrafts
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you like to float on a metal raft?
- Have you ever seen a raft on water?
- Do you think air can help things float?
Related articles
1 Apr 2026
AI and fake media in Bangladesh’s election
Before the February 12 election that followed a July 2024 student uprising, AI-generated images, videos and edited photocards spread false stories. Fact-checkers and a study found many cases of manipulation that targeted leaders and parties.
21 Apr 2026
18 Nov 2025
28 Dec 2025
8 Dec 2025
Tool that Reorders X Feed Reduces Partisan Rancor
Researchers built a browser extension that scans an X feed for antidemocratic and partisan posts and reorders them without removing content or platform cooperation. Tests during the 2024 election showed small but measurable improvements in attitudes toward the other party.