Unit 9a Book

1. Introduction

Nowadays, no one can deny the fact that the pace of our technological development is tremendous. There are systems available that our ancestors could not even imagine. An example of these can be smart systems that have the potential to make our lives easier. In Unit 9a, a company representative offers a smart home solution to a client. Within this scenario, a lot of phrases to make suggestions/proposals are introduced. These may be useful not only within a service provider-client relationship, but also when communicating with colleagues and superiors at work; for instance, during a meeting discussing features of a product being newly designed.

Contents

• Phrasal verbs: keep an eye on (monitor), home in on (pinpoint), go about (tackle), make one´s way into (enter), cut down on (reduce), go for (select), run down (lose power), go around (bypass).

• Making suggestions and proposals:

I suggest/propose/recommend that you (should) use a unique, complex password.

I suggest/propose/recommend using a unique, complex password. 

I would like to make a proposal to use a unique, complex password.

I´d like to put forward a proposal for using a unique password.

2. Forum 1

Nowadays, a lot of systems are denoted as “smart”. What does this mean? What things can be smart? Answer at least two of the questions in this forum and respond to at least one contribution of a fellow student.

3. Listening and Reading

Unit 9a deals with smart systems, especially smart buildings and smart homes. Learn about one of them in the video. As you watch the video, complete this listening comprehension task. After that, watch the video again and do this follow-up task. Finally, think about the IT security of such a home. Living in a smart home seems to be attractive; however, there might be some security issues. Read about some security tips here.

4. Offering a Smart Solution

Unit 9a offers a recording in which a company representative is offering a smart solution to a client. Listen to this recording or read the transcript on pp. 123-4 and complete this matching task. When talking to the sales manager, the client is asking a lot of questions, using phrasal verbs. First, read about phrasal verbs here and then practise some of them in this task.

5. Making Suggestions and Proposals

When offering solutions to the client, the sales manager made some suggestions and proposals. The art of making suggestions and proposals is not only important within a service provider-client relationship, but is also useful when trying to come up with a solution to a problem, for example, during official company meetings. There is a difference in context and the level of formality between a suggestion and proposal. A proposal is usually more formal and is used mainly in business meetings, legislature, and by political entities. First, read about suggestions and proposals in this document and then practise making suggestions here and making proposals here.

6. Forum 2: Making Suggestions/Proposals

Is there anything at the University of West Bohemia that needs improvement? What would you change to make the teachers´ and/or students´ lives easier? Are there any ways to make the University more reputable worldwide? Here is your opportunity to give your opinions. Answer at least two of the questions in this forum by making at least two reasonable and feasible suggestions/proposals. In addition, you are expected to evaluate at least two suggestions of your fellow students. Try to use the phrases introduced in this unit as often as possible.

7. Word List

The key terms related to the topic of Unit 9a 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. 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.

Recommendation: Remember that the best way to learn new vocabulary is to see each new word in a context; that is, step by step as you complete all the tasks in the unit.

8. A printer-friendly version of Unit 9a

A printer-friendly version of Unit 9a exercises and the key to these exercises can be found here.