Unit 7a Book

1. Introduction

Undoubtedly, professional engineers should not only be able to design a system or to improve an existing one, but also to describe the system in detail, including its functions and operation. In this unit, you will revise some phrases and grammar points used for describing a machine or a system. After completing all the tasks, you will be able to describe the principle of a machine or a system in detail, using some complex phrases and grammatical structures. In addition, you will be able to give some predictions about the future development of some technologies.

Contents:

Unit 7a revises and introduces some phrases to describe…

• What a device is used for
• What components it consists of
• How it is operated
• How it works (its principle)
• What outdated technology it replaced
• How it has recently been developed
• How it is currently being improved
• What further development it will need in the future
• What it is going to look and function like in the future

2. Forum 1: Smartphone Technology

You will probably agree that since the time of the first DC motors, technology has advanced a lot. One example of such rapid technological development is certainly smartphone technology. What do you use your smartphone for? What are your favourite applications? What applications would a perfect smartphone have? Answer these three questions in this forum.

3. Listening: Electric Motor

As you study at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, I guess you know how a simple DC motor works. Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNmMNC4qGSA and complete this listening comprehension task as you listen.

4. Reading: New Developments in Smartphone Technology

After contributing to the forum, read about the latest developments in smartphone technology in your book (Bonamy, D. (2013). Technical English Level 4 Coursebook. Pearson Longman, p. 52). As you read, match the notes on the right to the topics on the left.

5. Basic Grammar Structures Used for Describing a System

Now, what grammar points are necessary to be able to describe a device such as the one in the previous task? Find out here. If you are not sure you know all the necessary verb tenses from your previous study, revise them in this task. Then complete the descriptions of the AR system here and the SixthSense prototype here.

6. More Complex Expressions for Describing a Machine

The ability to describe a machine (i.e. what it is for, what it consists of and how exactly it works in terms of principle) is crucial for a future professional engineer. Look at this outline to see the basic phrases to do that and if you are not fully satisfied, study the full version of the same document here. It contains a word list of many expressions divided into several sections. Sections 1, 5, 6 and 7b are probably the most useful. Now, fill in this text explaining how a simple electric motor described in the listening comprehension task works.

7. Writing: Describing a Machine

Now, it is your turn to describe a machine or a system. Choose one picture from this document or come up with your own and describe it. Your description should consist of the following parts:

• An introduction giving the name of the device and explaining what it is used for;
• A list of parts it consists of (+ their material and location if necessary);
• An explanation of how the system works and/or how it should be operated/controlled;
• A conclusion evaluating the function of the device and some predictions about its future development.

Your text should have a minimum of 400 words. To submit your text, click here.

8. Forum 2: Future Tech Development and Progress

Of course, technological development is never going to stop. In your opinion, what is the top innovative technology today? What will happen next? What will the future of the digital age be like? What technologies will be used? How will digital transformation affect our lives? How probable is it that everything will become fully automatic? What challenges will humankind face? Answer these questions in Forum 2.

9. Compulsory Task: Homework Assignment 1

The exact wording of this writing task can be found here and also on Courseware. Completing and submitting this task is one of the credit requirements. To submit your essay, follow your teacher´s instructions.

10. Word List

The key terms related to the topic of Unit 7a can be found:

• in the Excel format here.
  
• in the interactive flash card format here. This format is particularly good for drilling the new vocabulary.
• in a zip file here. This file is downloadable, so that after unpacking it, you can drill the new vocabulary on your desktop, laptop or any other portable device where you have a browser installed. The recommended one is Mozilla Firefox. Important: after unzipping the zip file, make sure to keep all the related files in the same directory at all times. Do not change any file names and do not transfer or delete anything.

A printer-friendly version of Unit 7a exercises and the keys to these exercises can be found here.