Reading and Speaking

I. Look at the picture below and guess what it is. What are these instruments called in English?

II. Now read the text and learn the functions of these instruments.

This is an instrument panel in a car. There are 3 instruments on it. Instrument A is for indicating the speed of a car. It has a scale and a pointer. It's called a speedometer. Instrument B is for indicating the current. It is called an ammeter. It also has a scale and a pointer. Instrument C is for indicating the engine speed. It is called a tachometer. It has a scale and a pointer, too.

III. Answer the questions.

1. What is instrument A called?

2. What is it for?

3. What is an ammeter?

4. What is an instrument for indicating the engine speed called?

5. A speedometer has a scale and a pointer, doesn't it?

IV. Define whether the following sentences are true or false.

1. There are more than 3 instruments on the car panel.

2. A speedometer doesn't have a pointer.

3. An ammeter is for indicating the current.

4. A tachometer is for indicating the speed of a car.

V. Ask your groupmate about the function of these devices.

Example: a speedometer – What is this? – This is a speedometer. – What is it for? – It's for indicating the speed of a car.

1. a speedometer

2. an ammeter

3. a tachometer

Activity

I. Make up short dialogues using different expressions of opinion, agreement and gratitude as in the example.

Example: – What is this called? – I guess, this is called a screwdriver. – Is this a tool for driving in screws? – Yes, right you are. – Many thanks. – Don't mention it.

1. a screwdriver / for driving in screws

2. a speedometer / for indicating the speed of a car

3. an ammeter / for indicating current

4. a thermometer / for measuring the temperature

II. Describe with your partner the functions of these instruments in the picture.

Writing

I. Look at the pictures. Do you recognise these instruments? Give their description.

ammeter

manometer

thermometer

II. Translate this text into Russian.

As you know we have different devices for indicating current. They are called ammeters. Are these devices reliable? Here are several instructions for your work with them.

Check that your ammeters show zero when there is no current in the circuit.

Connect two or more ammeters in series in a circuit. If one ammeter has a very different reading, it is badly calibrated*.

* - плохо калиброван

Section b. Devices and Their Functions Lead-in

I. It is important for an engineer to know the functions of different devices. Name the functions of some devices you know.

II. Professor and his student are talking about the new equipment in the lab. Listen to their conversation and learn how to name measuring devices in English.

Helen: Professor, there is some new equipment in the lab, isn't there?

Professor: Yes, you are quite right.

Helen: I wonder what this thing is called?

Professor: A laser. It is known as a laser.

Helen: What is it used for?

Professor: It's used for producing a very powerful beam of light.

Helen: How interesting, indeed. And what about these devices? What are they?

Professor: As for these devices, they are known as pressure gauges. What are they used for? What do you think?

Helen: They are used for measuring pressure, aren't they?

Professor: Right you are. And this type of gauges is used for measuring low pressures.