UNIT 1
DESCRIBING TECHNICAL FUNCTIONS AND APPLICATIONS
1. A) In pairs, think about two or three products you use regularly and discuss
the following questions.
• What are the main functions of the products? (What do they do?)
1. Radio, serves to listen to music and inform me.
2. Cellular, serves to communicate and entertain me, also I can keep myself
informed.
3. Computer, used to search the internet for topics of interest.
• What are their different applications? (What are they used for?)
1. GPS to know which is
2. social media to communicate
3. News apps to keep me informed
B) What do you know about Global Positioning System (GPS) devices? In
pairs, describe their main function, and give some examples of different
applications of GPS devices.
The GPS is a device created for the military during the cold war, and is used to
know the location of someone or something with enough precision with the help of
a series of satellites..
2. A) Paula, a design engineer for a GPS manufacturer, is discussing product
development with Jose, a senior manager new to the company. Listen to the
conversation and complete the following notes.
• the primary application of GPS (1)____Navigation_____________________
• associated applications Tracking systems for (2)__For monitoring delivery
vehicles finding stolen cars
Tracking systems for (3)_Finding stolen cars, that
kind f thing_______________
• more creative features (4)A good examles would be ona aboat gps, get
drift alarms
(5)_Or another examples on boat systems is man
overboad_buttons
• not technical innovations (6)_It has always had a functioning although if
it has received innovations the technology
B) Complete the following extracts from the discussion with words that come
from use.
1 Then you've got associated applications_Uses__, that are related to navigating ...
2 ... tracking systems you can____Use_____ for monitoring delivery vehicles ...
3 ... from the end____User´s____ point of view, accuracy is no longer the main selling
point. Most devices are accurate enough. The key is to make them more_Useful______.
3. A) Match the GPS applications (1-6) to the descriptions (a-f).
1 topographical surveying Navigation and safety at sea.
2 geological exploration Setting out positions and levels of new structures
3 civil engineering Mapping surface features
4 avionics equipment applications in mining and the oil industry
5 maritime applications highway navigation and vehicle tracking
6 GPS in cars and trucks air traffic control, navigation and autopilot systems
B) In pairs, practise explaining the applications of GPS in Exercise 3a to a
colleague who has limited knowledge of the devices using the following phrases.
used for –ing used to useful for another /e similar use
4. A) Complete the following extracts from the conversation by underlining the
correct words.
1 ... there's a setting on the GPS that allows/prevents it to detect the movement ...
2 ... an alarm sounds to warn you, and allows/prevents the boat from drifting unnoticed.
3 ... and enables/ensures that you don't lose track of where you were, which then
enables/ensures you to turn round and come back to the same point ...
B) Match the words in Exercise 4a to the synonyms.
I _Ensures_ = makes sure
2 _Allows__= permits
3_Prevents_= stops
C) Complete the following extract from the user's manual of a GPS device
using the verbs in Exercise 4a. Sometimes, more than one answer is possible.
INTRODUCTION
The core function of your GPS receiver is to (1)_______ you to locate your precise
geographical position. To (2)_______ the device to function, it receives at least three signals
simultaneously from the GPS constellation - 30 dedicated satellites which (3)________
receivers can function anywhere on earth. To (4)__________ extremely precise positioning and
(5)_________ errors from occurring due to external factors, this device is designed to receive
four separate signals (see enhancer! system accuracy on page 18).
5. In pairs, explain the main functions and applications of a product made by
your company or a product you know about. Student A, you are an engineering
manager; Student B, you are a new employee. Use the language from this
section and the phrases in the box. Swap roles and practise again.
I see. So ... OK. In other words ... So you mean ...
EXPLAINING HOW TECHNOLOGY WORKS
6. A) In pairs, look at the picture and discuss the following questions.
• How do you think a space elevator would work?
Very well, it would be quite a breakthrough for humanity.
• What could it be used for?
To make space trips more efficiently and in a short time
• What technical challenges would it face?
Quite a lot, because it takes a lot of money, research, time, etc.
• How seriously do you think the concept of space elevators is being taken at present?
I think very serious, it is not a secret that every day you want to worry more about
space
B) Read the following article and compare it to your answers in Exercise 6a.
Space elevators: preparing for takeoff
IN his 1979 novel. The Fountains ot Paradise. Arthur C Clarke wrote about an elevator
connecting the earth's surface to space_ Three decades late, this science-fiction concept is
preparing to take off in the real world. NASA has launch. the Space Elevator Challenge a
competition with a generous yize fund. and several teams and companies are working on serious
research projects airned at winning it.
As its name suggests. a space elevator is designed to raise things into space Satellites,
components for space ships, supplies for astronauts in space stations. and even astronauts
themselves are examples of payloads that could be transported Inio orbit without the need.
I for explosive and environmentally unfriendly rockets However. 1. altitude of orbital space - a
colossal 35.7. km above the earth - is a measure of the challenge facing , engineers. How coutd
such a height be reached?
The answer is by using an incr.ibly str.g and lightweight cable, strong enough to Slipped ItS
own weight and a heavy load. The design of such a cabie is still largely theoretical This would
be attached to a base , station on earth al one .d and a satellite in geostationary orbit (fix. above
a point on the .uator) at the other. Lift vehicles would then ascend and descend the cable.
powered by electromagnetic force anci controlled remotely
C) Match the verbs (1-9) from the text in Exercise 6b to the definitions (a—i).
1 connecting A carried (objects, over a distance)
2 raise B hold something firmly / bear its weight
3 transported C climb down
4 support D provided with energy / moved by a force
5 attached E joining
6 ascend F driven / have movement directed
7 descend G fixed
8 powered H climb up
9 controlled I lift / make something go up
