3

        DESCRIPTION OF OBJECTS AND PRODUCTS                                        

GENERAL OBJECTIVE :   By the end of the    unit,  you should be able to :

• describe clearly and accurately how a particular object/ product is used / worked.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE :  By the end of the unit, you should be able to :

• understand and use the appropriate language structure associated with the description of objects and products.

                   
Unit

5

5.1   INPUT 1:    Reading

If your clothes are crumpled, what would you do? Yes! You would iron them, wouldn’t you?

An iron is one of the most common home appliances.     But, do you know how to use an iron ? You might but not   

      everybody does.

ACTIVITY 1
a. Read the conversation between Myza and Jamel.  Then, answer  the questions that  follows.

(Jamel needs to borrow Myza’s iron.  However, he is not sure of how to use it).

Jamel  :	Hey Myza, do you have an iron that I could borrow ?  I have a formal dinner to attend to tonight.
Myza  :	Sure.  Wait I’ll go get it. Here you are.  But do you know how to use it ?
Jamel  :	Well, I’ve seen my mother doing it. But I have never done it myself.
Myza  :	Then, it’s time for you to be independent. Okay, look at this iron. You see the marking ? That’s a fabric marking.  So, just turn the fabric dial to whatever point you desire.
Jamel  :	Oh, that’s easy.
Myza  :	Sure.  You will  see the pilot lamp glow when you turn the dial.  But it will go off when the iron is heated up to the temperature you’ve selected.  Remember to select a suitable temperature for different fabrics.
Jamel  :	Got it.
Myza  :	It will glow again however, when the temperature increases and the thermostat starts working.
Jamel  :	What do I have to do then ?
Myza  :	The thermostat makes the pilot adjusts automatically to the varying temperatures as you select.  Just allow some time when you change the temperature either from low to  high or vice versa.  That’s about it.
Jamel  :	Right, thanks.  I’ll return it to you as soon as I’m done.
Myza  :	No problem.

ACTIVITY 1
1.Tick either TRUE or FALSE for the following statements. Justify your answer.

a.  Myza does not know how to use an iron.
b.  The pilot lamp goes on and off on its own all the time.
c.   The iron takes some time to adjust to the newly selected temperature.

2.  Based on the dialogue between Jamel and Myza, name the use/function of the  following items.

1. fabric dial : ________________________________________________________
2. pilot lamp : ________________________________________________________
3. thermostat : ________________________________________________________

3. Study the sentences closely.

        a. The function of the valve is to control the water inlet.

        b. The purpose of the valve is to control water inlet.

           c. The spanner is used to tighten the nuts.

               d.  The blade is used to grind the chillies.

Complete the sentences below.

i..The purpose of a rain coat    ____________________________________

ii.The function of the _________________ is to cool the radiator.

iii. A _________________________ is used to give you the reading of your

    temperature.

iv. A __________________________ is used to jack up the car.

v. A _________________________ is used to connect two steel rods.

    4. Use the words/ pictures below to make  your own sentences. Remember , you           must  include the word ‘function’, ‘purpose’ or ‘is used’

thermostat
                    b.


hairdryer

    a.

                            c.    3.

                e.

     d.

                        f.               

screwdriver

g.

                        h.

        spade




Do you know what a garbage/waste disposal unit  is ? Have you seen a garbage disposal unit? A garbage disposal unit  is not a familiar item   in Malaysian kitchen. Read the following texts to find out more out garbage/waste disposal units.
                        GARBAGE DISPOSAL
                        TEXT 1

Garbage disposals tend to receive

heavy use  around most households,

but they will last many years if not

abused. It consists of a motor

turning a flywheel containing

moveable weights inside a shredder

ring. The motor usually receives its

power from a line cord plugged into

a receptacle underneath the sink.

Power to the receptacle is

controlled by a switch mounted on

the wall next to the sink.

Figure 1 :Sink waste disposal unit / garbage disposal

TEXT 2

Source:The Complete Book of Tools and How To Use Them

Waste disposal units are fitted by placing a rubber or plastic washer round  the outlet hole and inserting the flange of the unit. The unit is then connected beneath the sink by means of a snap fastening. The outlet of the disposal unit connects to a trap in the usual way. Waste disposal units are operated by an electric motor and will grind soft  household and kitchen waste to a slurry that can then be flushed into the drain by running the cold tap.

          ACTIVITY 1

Based on the text above, answer the questions below.

1.Vocabulary

Use your dictionary to find the meaning of the following words/phrase.

1. Flywheel:____________________________________________________
2. Garbage disposal: _____________________________________________
3. Receptacle:__________________________________________________
4. Flange: ____________________________________________________

2. A garbage disposal is normally fixed to …….

1. a bathroom sink
2. a kitchen sink
3. a bath tub

3. “ Garbage disposals tend to receive heavy use  around most households, but   they will last many years if not abused.”

1. The word heavy use means :

A: used for heavy garbage

B:  used for all kinds of garbage

C:  used a lot

2. If you abuse a garbage disposal, you will..

A. throw everything into the sink

B. be selective about what you want to throw  in the sink.

4. How does a garbage disposal unit help prevent your sink from being clogged  ?

        The garbage disposal unit helps my sink from being clogged by….

       _________________________________________________________________

5. Which part of the garbage disposal shreds the waste ?

         ________________________________________________________________The  passive tense

 

                  Hey, senorita,  why do we use passive sentences ?

       You see amigo, it’s because the object of the sentence is more important than

                    the subject/ agent (doer).

            

      What do you mean ?

    

          OK.  For instance, you want to make sure that your housemaid has cleaned

                     the bathroom.  

                  So, you ask your maid, “ Has the bathroom been cleaned?”

                     Your maid would say,  “Yes, it has been cleaned”.

               

            Oh, but  I heard passive voice always use a ‘by-phrase’.

Yes, you’re right.  But not all the time.  Like who is to clean your bathroom         is either is not important or it’s a well known fact.  Your housemaid, for example, does all the cleaning in the house,.  Of course, she would be the person to do it. Otherwise, you would say “ The bathroom has been cleaned by my maid.”

                      Get that ?

 

                      OK.  But how do you transform active sentences to passive sentences ?

                    Don’t worry amigo.  Come , I’ll show you.  It’s very easy if you know

                    the technique.

How to transform active verbs to passive verbs.

Look at how the words “steal” and “drive” is transformed.

“BE” verb  =  is/ are/ was/ were/ am

Past participle :  e.g   drove =>driven,  went => gone,  took => taken

ACTIVE VERB	PASSIVE VERB
	‘be’ verb  +  past participle
steal	is stolen
is building	is being built
stole	was/ were stolen
has/have built	has/ have been built
had  stolen	had been stolen
is going to  steal	is going to be stolen
will build	will be built
should steal	should be stolen
may/ might build	may/ might be built
have to steal	have to be stolen
need to build	need to be built

        ACTIVITY 1


1. Complete the table below. You may refer to a dictionary for the answers.

Infinitive	Past tense	Past participle
beat	beat
catch		catched
	felt	felt
go	went
see	saw
foresee		foreseen
hang		hung/hanged
leap		leapt/leaped
	lay	lain
sleep	slept

                 Now I’d like to show you the steps involved in transforming  an   active sentence  to a passive sentence.  Pay attention yo amigo !!

Identify the subject, verb and object of the active sentence
e.g.  (The spinner) (holds) (the plastic blade)
       S                V                   O  

STEP

              1

Transform active verb to passive verb.
        holds  =>  is held

            STEP

              2

Change the position of the Subject + Object.
( The plastic blade )                          ( the spinner )
              O                                                  S

         STEP

             3

Insert the passive verb.
( The plastic blade ) (  is held ) ( the spinner )
              O                     V                S

         STEP   

             4

Add the word “by”.
( The plastic blade ) (  is held ) by  ( the spinner )
              O                     V                S

        STEP   

            5

               

                   Now do you understand, amigo ?

Yeee haa…….  I’ve got it.  It’s so easy and I’m so happy!

              

ACTIVITY 1

1.  Look at Text 1 and 2 on Garbage Disposal.  Could you identify the four passive phrases in the paragraphs ?

1. ________________________________  
2. ________________________________  

3. ________________________________
4. ________________________________

2.Underline all the passive verb phrases.

Conditions for Efficient Cleansing of W.C Pans

1. The float arm of the ball-valve should be adjusted so that the water level is ½ inch below the over flow warning outlet.
2. The diameter and length of the flush pipe should be recommended by the manufacturer.
3. The flush pipe must be connected to the flushing horn of the w.c. pan.
4. There must be no obstruction within the flushing rim.  This can be checked with a mirror or by feeling with the fingers.

3. Change these sentences below to passive sentences.  Remember to follow the 5 steps

    you have learned in INPUT 4.

1. The electric utility companies supply electrical energy to our homes.

________________________________________________________

2. You should adjust the float arm of the ball-drive.

_________________________________________________________

3. You need to clean, rinse and dry the griddles.

_________________________________________________________

4. You have to gently pry open the brackets inside the oven to remove the heating element.

                        _________________________________________________________

1. Yusof places 2 ½ measures of sand on the mixing platform.

__________________________________________________________  

2. Structural movement may cause cracks on  ceilings.

_________________________________________________________

5.5  INPUT 5 : PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

We can also describe  objects or products by looking at the specifications given. But mind you , some specifications can be very technical !

Look at the specifications below . Do you know what the specifications are for ?

POWERTRAIN			DIMENSION & WEIGHT		FINISHING(INTERIOR)
Engine		1.1l431 S4	Overall Length	3660mm	Steering wheel	Polyurethane
Max cyclinders		4	Overall Width	1535mm	Instrument center panel	Brush metal
Valve mechanism		SOHC 16V	Overall Height	1810mm	Gear shift knob	Polyurethane
Gear Ratio	1st	2.846	Wheelbase	2390mm	Inner door handle	Interior base colour
	2nd	1.581	Gross Vehicle Weight	1335kg	LIGHTING
	3rd	1.000	PERFORMANCE		Headlamp	Halogen
	4th	0.683	Max speed	135km/h	Front fog lamp	Integrated in front bumper
	5th	-	0-100km/h	18.1 sec	Room lamp	Front with reading lamp
Reverse		2.176	Fuel consumption@60km/h	4.7l/100km	ENTERTAINMENT
Fuel system		MPI	FINISHING		Radio Unit	1-DIN facia with CD player
CHASIS			Body	Two tone colour	Audio speakers	4 pcs, on door trim & tailgate
Steering		Electric Power steering	Front grille	Body colour with red insert	Antenna	‘Bee-sting’ on roof
Suspension	Front	Mac Pherson Strut/ Coil Spring	Bumper	Lower tone colour
	Rear	Trailing Arm & Coil Spring	Outer door handle	Body colour
Service Break	Front	Ventilated Disc 14	Side moulding	Lower tone colour
	Rear	Drum(LT)9” +LSPV	Side door mirror	Body colour

Figure 2 : Specifications of a ________________________________


ACTIVITY 1

Pairwork / role-play. Look at the cuecards below. One of you can be the salesperson and the other can be the customer.
   
                                                                       Salesperson
                               

You are a salesperson for NasDaq Auto Sdn Bhd.Your

boss wants you to sell at least two of the above

products (figure 2) every day.

A potential customer comes into the shop.Try to sell the

product by describing it to the customer. Focus on the

features that you think might attract your customer e.g: the

electric power steering .If possible, get an order from the

customer before she/he leaves the shop.

                                                                           Customer



            You go into a vehicle retailer without any intention of

buying a vehicle. Listen to how the salesperson

describe the vehicle. You can ask questions if you

like. Before you take leave, you can decide if you

want to place an order for the product or not.

ACTIVITY 2

CLASS GAME  [ GUESS THE OBJECTS]
You are going to play a game called Guess the Objects. In order to play this game, you must follow the instructions given.

• Work in groups of 4-6.
• Find a name for your group.
• Choose  *3 objects to describe.

(You are given **20 minutes to scout around your campus for suitable objects and come up with a description of each object)

• Do not reveal the identities of the objects you have chosen
• Each group will take turns to describe the objects they have chosen, e.g. Group A describes, Group B guesses the identities.
• Award 2 points for each correct guess.
• If the answer given is wrong, other groups can attempt a guess and earns 1 point, if correct.
• The group with the most points wins!

* suggested number of objects
** suggested time
   




SELF ASSESSMENT 1

1.    Read the two descriptions below, answer the question given and try to guess the

items.

Description 1

Inside the elegant Phyca you’ll find comfortably designed seats done in rich, tailored cloths. The special suspension system surrounds you with a driving experience quieter than Phyca’s past. Outside you’ll find  new bright grille, sport mirrors, and a smart dual pinstripe. Finally, underneath all this comfort and luxury beats the road-hugging heart of a Malaysian classic.

Questions

i. What is the function of the special suspension system ?

       ________________________________________________________________

        ii.  What is the item described ?

       ________________________________________________________________

Description 2

The latest modern electronics Tone Test Tracer, model 67A is cased in a green, high impact plastic container that measures 1 ¼” x 2” x 2 ¼”, weighs 10grams and is powered by a 1604 battery. Red and black test leads are provided. The 67A has a standard four conductor cord, a three position toggle switch and an LED for line polarity testing. A tone selector switch located inside the test set provides either solid tone or dual alternating tone. The tracer is compatible with the DDW models.

Questions

 i. What is the purpose of a tone selector switch ?

                _______________________________________________________________

              ii . You function of the LED is to _____________________________________

              iii. The item described in description 2 is _______________________________

2.    Describe the objects below based on their functions and how they work.

a.    deep fryer

---

---

---

---

---

b.    multi-purpose ladder

---

---

        _____________________________________________________________

               ______________________________________________________________

FEEDBACK

SELF ASSESSMENT 1

Description 1

i. The function of the special suspension system is to ensure a driving experience

 quieter than the past products.

         ii.  A car

Description 2

          i. The purpose of a tone selector switch is to provide either a solid tone or a dual

             alternating tone.

         ii . You function of the LED is to test line polarity

         iii. The item described in description 2 is a tone test tracer

         iv.  a. deep fryer

A deep fryer consists of a line cord connected to a heating element, with a thermostat controlling the temperature. When oil is placed in the fryer, it will be heated thus cooking the food in the fryer.

                b. multi-purpose ladder
        A multi-purpose ladder combines the functions of different types of  ladder

and are adjustable to stand on different flight of stairs. It is used for

climbing up and down the wall or the side of a building and the adjustable

                      panels allow it to stand on different level of floorings.