Saturday, December 8, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Articles and Reports
Articles
The technical expert is not expected to write with the flair style of a professional writer. Journal editors will polish arid rewrite the engineer's manuscript to make it more interesting and readable. But a well-organized, cleanly written first draft does increase your chances for publication; if your draft - is too poorly written or difficult to understand, the editor may reject it.
Many corporations, including Raytheon, Westinghouse, and International Paper, publish their own magazines for distribu, tion to customers and employees. The articles in these "house organs" are shorter, less technical, and newsier because many of the readers are nontechnical.
Types of articles published include case histories, industry roundups, and stories on market trends, controversial issues, new products, improved technologies, ongoing research and development, new materials, new manufacturing techniques, energy-saving ideas and systems, environmental compliance, service, engineering, quality management, and performance.
If you would like to see your name in print, contact the editor of the journal for which you want to write and ask about submitting an article. Although you won't gain the fame and fortune of a Stephen King or a Sidney Sheldon, technical publications have their own rewards.
Reports
Technical reports are the documents in which engineers, scientists, and managers, transmit the results of their research, field, work, and other activities to people in their organization. Here's what the University of Rochester's department of chemical engineering has to say about engineers and report writing:
The importance of being able to write a good report cannot be emphasized too strongly. The chemical engineer who carries out an investigation or study has not completed his job until he has submitted a report on the project. The true value of the project and the abilities of the investigator may be distorted or unrecognized unless the engineer is able to write a commendable report.
Often, a written report is the only tangible product of hundreds of hours of work. Rightly or wrongly, the quality and worth of that work are judged by the quality of the written report-its clarity, organization, and content. Therefore, it pays to take the time to write a good report.
The technical expert is not expected to write with the flair style of a professional writer. Journal editors will polish arid rewrite the engineer's manuscript to make it more interesting and readable. But a well-organized, cleanly written first draft does increase your chances for publication; if your draft - is too poorly written or difficult to understand, the editor may reject it.
Many corporations, including Raytheon, Westinghouse, and International Paper, publish their own magazines for distribu, tion to customers and employees. The articles in these "house organs" are shorter, less technical, and newsier because many of the readers are nontechnical.
Types of articles published include case histories, industry roundups, and stories on market trends, controversial issues, new products, improved technologies, ongoing research and development, new materials, new manufacturing techniques, energy-saving ideas and systems, environmental compliance, service, engineering, quality management, and performance.
If you would like to see your name in print, contact the editor of the journal for which you want to write and ask about submitting an article. Although you won't gain the fame and fortune of a Stephen King or a Sidney Sheldon, technical publications have their own rewards.
Reports
Technical reports are the documents in which engineers, scientists, and managers, transmit the results of their research, field, work, and other activities to people in their organization. Here's what the University of Rochester's department of chemical engineering has to say about engineers and report writing:
The importance of being able to write a good report cannot be emphasized too strongly. The chemical engineer who carries out an investigation or study has not completed his job until he has submitted a report on the project. The true value of the project and the abilities of the investigator may be distorted or unrecognized unless the engineer is able to write a commendable report.
Often, a written report is the only tangible product of hundreds of hours of work. Rightly or wrongly, the quality and worth of that work are judged by the quality of the written report-its clarity, organization, and content. Therefore, it pays to take the time to write a good report.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Adjustment Letters
OPENING: Acknowledge the mistake.
FOCUS: Apologize for the error.
ACTION: Give a solution.
CLOSING: Apologize again to the reader.
Practice: Wrte and adjustment letter.
Company: Monsalve Moreno Cia. Ltda.
Claim: They ordered 50 canon calculators and they received 50 sharp calculators, they wanted the items by October 27 and received on november 11. The total invoice was for $1,090 and they paid half of it in advance. Now they are returning the merchandise and want a complete refund.
FOCUS: Apologize for the error.
ACTION: Give a solution.
CLOSING: Apologize again to the reader.
Practice: Wrte and adjustment letter.
Company: Monsalve Moreno Cia. Ltda.
Claim: They ordered 50 canon calculators and they received 50 sharp calculators, they wanted the items by October 27 and received on november 11. The total invoice was for $1,090 and they paid half of it in advance. Now they are returning the merchandise and want a complete refund.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Claim Letter
OPENING: Explain the problem.
Ex: In a recent shipment from your company, New Tech Computers, there were two problems: some of the items we received were broken and they came later than we expected.
FOCUS: Give your reaction.
Ex: We are returning by overnight mail the damaged merchandise.
ACTION: Give a solution.
Ex: Please give us a complete refund for the money we gave you in advance, this is $4,500 (Four thousand and five hundred US dollars).
CLOSING: Thank the reader.
Ex: Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Write a Claim Letter for the following situation:
You ordered 200 Ipods Shuffle and 200 Ipods Nano, you received 300 Ipods Shuffle and 100 Ipods Nano. In addition, 27 Ipods Shuffle came with their box opened. You ordered the items by September 24 and they arrived on october 10. Moreover, they sent you the invoices for 200 Nanos $35,800 and 200 Shuffles $17,800.
Ex: In a recent shipment from your company, New Tech Computers, there were two problems: some of the items we received were broken and they came later than we expected.
FOCUS: Give your reaction.
Ex: We are returning by overnight mail the damaged merchandise.
ACTION: Give a solution.
Ex: Please give us a complete refund for the money we gave you in advance, this is $4,500 (Four thousand and five hundred US dollars).
CLOSING: Thank the reader.
Ex: Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Write a Claim Letter for the following situation:
You ordered 200 Ipods Shuffle and 200 Ipods Nano, you received 300 Ipods Shuffle and 100 Ipods Nano. In addition, 27 Ipods Shuffle came with their box opened. You ordered the items by September 24 and they arrived on october 10. Moreover, they sent you the invoices for 200 Nanos $35,800 and 200 Shuffles $17,800.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Ordering Supplies
OPENING: Tell what you are ordering.
FOCUS: Tell when you need the items. Tell how to deliver them.
ACTION: Tell how you will pay for the items.
CLOSING: Ask them to contact you if necessary.
For your practice, order the following items:
Item: Ipod Nano, serial number ESS-128, quantity 200, unit price $179, total cost $35,800, stock date September 24.
Item: Ipod Shuffle, serial number MMM-766, quantity 200, unit price $89, total cost $17,800, stock date September 24.
FOCUS: Tell when you need the items. Tell how to deliver them.
ACTION: Tell how you will pay for the items.
CLOSING: Ask them to contact you if necessary.
For your practice, order the following items:
Item: Ipod Nano, serial number ESS-128, quantity 200, unit price $179, total cost $35,800, stock date September 24.
Item: Ipod Shuffle, serial number MMM-766, quantity 200, unit price $89, total cost $17,800, stock date September 24.
Apply to this job
Web Discount Corporation of Barcelona, Spain, seeks full-time Client Services Coordinator. Responsabilities include greeting clients, answering telephones, and performing other clerical functions.
Requirements:
1. High school diploma and/or University diploma.
2. 2-4 years of clerical or administrative experience.
3. Excellent organizational skills.
4. Typing speed of 30 wpm.
5. Good communication skills.
Give or email your cover letter to:
Thomas Youman
Email: tomyyou@yahoo.com
Requirements:
1. High school diploma and/or University diploma.
2. 2-4 years of clerical or administrative experience.
3. Excellent organizational skills.
4. Typing speed of 30 wpm.
5. Good communication skills.
Give or email your cover letter to:
Thomas Youman
Email: tomyyou@yahoo.com
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Requesting a Service
OPENING: Tell why you are writing
FOCUS: Give details about your request.
ACTION: Give a time frame.
CLOSING: Thank the reader and mention future communication.
FOCUS: Give details about your request.
ACTION: Give a time frame.
CLOSING: Thank the reader and mention future communication.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Writing a Cover Letter
When you write a letter in English, you should follow this scheme:
1. Your Address
2. Date: MM-DD-YY
3. Recipients Name and Address
4. Salutation
5. Body:
5.1. OPENING: Tell that you are applying for a job and the source of your information.
5.2. FOCUS: Tell why you are suited for the job.
5.3. ACTION: Tell what you plan to do.
5.4. CLOSING: Be positive.
6. Complementary Closing
7. Signature
8. Typed Name
1. Your Address
2. Date: MM-DD-YY
3. Recipients Name and Address
4. Salutation
5. Body:
5.1. OPENING: Tell that you are applying for a job and the source of your information.
5.2. FOCUS: Tell why you are suited for the job.
5.3. ACTION: Tell what you plan to do.
5.4. CLOSING: Be positive.
6. Complementary Closing
7. Signature
8. Typed Name
Monday, August 6, 2007
BASICS OF TECHNICAL WRITING
What Is Technical Writing?
Technical writing is defined by its subject matter: It is writing that deals with topics of a technical nature. By technical we mean anything having to do with the specialized areas of science and technology.
Technical vs. nontechnical writing
Because technical writing usually deals with an object, process, system, or abstract idea, the language is utilitarian, stressing accuracy rather than style. The tone is objective; the technical content, not the writing style or author's feelings toward the subject, is the focal point.
The difference between technical writing and ordinary composition is more than just content, however. The two differ in purpose as well. The primary goal of any technical communication is to transmit technical information accurately. In this regard, technical writing differs from popular nonfiction, in which the writing is meant to entertain, or from advertising copywriting, which is intended to sell.
Technical writers are concerned with communication. If they have to, they will sacrifice style, grace, and technique for clarity, precision, and organization.
Good Technical Writing Is ...
1. Technically Accurate
2. Useful
3. Concise
4. Complete
5. Clear
6. Consistent
7. Correct in Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar
8. Targeted
9. Well Organized
10. Interesting
2 A Few Useful Rules of Writing Numbers, Units of Measure, Punctuation, Abbreviation, and Capitalization
Numbers
1. Write out all numbers below 10
2. When two or more numbers are presented in the same section of writing, write them as numerals
3. Write large numbers in the form most familiar to your audience and easiest to understand.
4. Place a hyphen between a number and unit of measure when they modify a noun.
5. Use the singular when fractions and decimals of one or less are used as adjectives.
6. Write decimals and fractions as numerals, not words.
7. Do not inflate the degree of accuracy by writing decimals with too many digits.
8. If a number is an approximation, write it out.
9. Do not begin a sentence with numerals.
Units of Measure
10. Keep all units of measure consistent.
11. Write secondary units in parentheses after the primary units.
Punctuation
12. Hyphenate two adjacent nouns if they are both necessary to express a single idea.
13. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each except the last.
14. Omit the period at the end of a parenthetical expression within a sentence; retain it if the entire parenthetical expression stands alone as a sentence.
Abbreviation
15. Spell out abbreviations at their first appearance.
16. Omit internal and terminal punctuation in abbreviations.
17. The abbreviation for a specific word or phrase takes the same case (upper case or lower case) as the word or phrase.
Capitalization
18. Capitalize trade names.
19. Do not capitalize words to emphasize their importance.
20. Capitalize the full names of government agencies, companies, departments, divisions, and organizations.
Technical writing is defined by its subject matter: It is writing that deals with topics of a technical nature. By technical we mean anything having to do with the specialized areas of science and technology.
Technical vs. nontechnical writing
Because technical writing usually deals with an object, process, system, or abstract idea, the language is utilitarian, stressing accuracy rather than style. The tone is objective; the technical content, not the writing style or author's feelings toward the subject, is the focal point.
The difference between technical writing and ordinary composition is more than just content, however. The two differ in purpose as well. The primary goal of any technical communication is to transmit technical information accurately. In this regard, technical writing differs from popular nonfiction, in which the writing is meant to entertain, or from advertising copywriting, which is intended to sell.
Technical writers are concerned with communication. If they have to, they will sacrifice style, grace, and technique for clarity, precision, and organization.
Good Technical Writing Is ...
1. Technically Accurate
2. Useful
3. Concise
4. Complete
5. Clear
6. Consistent
7. Correct in Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar
8. Targeted
9. Well Organized
10. Interesting
2 A Few Useful Rules of Writing Numbers, Units of Measure, Punctuation, Abbreviation, and Capitalization
Numbers
1. Write out all numbers below 10
2. When two or more numbers are presented in the same section of writing, write them as numerals
3. Write large numbers in the form most familiar to your audience and easiest to understand.
4. Place a hyphen between a number and unit of measure when they modify a noun.
5. Use the singular when fractions and decimals of one or less are used as adjectives.
6. Write decimals and fractions as numerals, not words.
7. Do not inflate the degree of accuracy by writing decimals with too many digits.
8. If a number is an approximation, write it out.
9. Do not begin a sentence with numerals.
Units of Measure
10. Keep all units of measure consistent.
11. Write secondary units in parentheses after the primary units.
Punctuation
12. Hyphenate two adjacent nouns if they are both necessary to express a single idea.
13. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each except the last.
14. Omit the period at the end of a parenthetical expression within a sentence; retain it if the entire parenthetical expression stands alone as a sentence.
Abbreviation
15. Spell out abbreviations at their first appearance.
16. Omit internal and terminal punctuation in abbreviations.
17. The abbreviation for a specific word or phrase takes the same case (upper case or lower case) as the word or phrase.
Capitalization
18. Capitalize trade names.
19. Do not capitalize words to emphasize their importance.
20. Capitalize the full names of government agencies, companies, departments, divisions, and organizations.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Applying for a job
Remember that these are the steps to apply for a job:
Your address.
Date.
Salutation.
First paragraph: tell the source of your information and the reason for your letter.
Second paragraph: Tell who you are and why you are the correct person for that job.
Third paragraph: Tell any additional information, availability for an interview and thank the reader.
Closing.
Your name.
Your address.
Date.
Salutation.
First paragraph: tell the source of your information and the reason for your letter.
Second paragraph: Tell who you are and why you are the correct person for that job.
Third paragraph: Tell any additional information, availability for an interview and thank the reader.
Closing.
Your name.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
GRE first practice
The officers of Renco Manufacturing are analyzing
their company's chances of winning a large contract
to manufacture equipment for the state highway
department. Renco is one of five companies com-
peting for the contract: the others are Selway, Inc.,
Tate Industries, Upshaw Corp., and Velco. The con-
tract will be awarded on the basis of points given in
three categories: cost, amount of experience on similar
contracts, and quality of equipment. In each category,
the company that is best in that category will receive
five points, the second best, 4 points, and so on down
to 1. There will be no ties within any of the categories.
The company that receives the highest total number of
points will be awarded the contract. In the event of a
tie, the company with the higher number of 5's will be
awarded the contract; if the number of 5's is the same,
additional criteria will be used to break the tie.
19. The highest total number of points that any of the
competing companies can receive is
(A) twelve
(B) fourteen
(C) fifteen
(D) twenty
(E) twenty-five
20. If no one company is given the same number of
points in any two categories, the highest possible
winning total is
(A) eleven
(B) twelve
(C) thirteen
(D) fourteen
(E) fifteen
21. If the five companies tie with nine points each,
which of the following CANNOT be the distri-
bution of points received by any of the companies?
(A) Three 3's
(B) Two 4's and a I
(C) A 5 and two 2's
(D) A 4, a 3, and a 2
(E) A 5, a 3, and a I
22. If Selway, Inc. and Velco between them receive all
of the I's and 2's and each of the remaining three
competitors receives a 5, Renco would need to
receive how many points in addition to its 5 to be
awarded the contract without having first been tied
for total number of points?
(A) Four
(B) Five
(C) Six
(D) Seven
(E) Eight
23. Persons imprisoned for violent street crimes often
commit the same crimes again after being released.
Persons imprisoned for white-collar crimes such as
receiving bribes or embezzlement, however, typically
do not, after being released, repeat the crimes for
which they have been imprisoned. It is fair to
conclude that imprisonment, while it often fails to
change the behavior of violent street criminals, does
succeed in making white-collar criminals unwilling
to repeat their crimes.
Which of the following, if true, would most seriously
weaken the conclusion stated above?
(A) Statistics show that persons convicted of com-
mitting white-collar crimes rarely have a
prison record.
(B) The percentage of those who commit white-
collar crimes and are imprisoned for doing
so is lower than the percentage of those who
commit violent street crimes and are impris-
oned for doing so.
(C) White-collar criminals whose prison sentences
are shortened return to criminal activities at
a slightly higher rate than white-collar crimi-
nals who serve their full sentences.
(D) Persons released from prison after white-collar
crimes are seldom given high positions or
access to other people's money.
(E) Persons who commit violent street crimes
seldom commit white-collar crimes, and
vice versa.
their company's chances of winning a large contract
to manufacture equipment for the state highway
department. Renco is one of five companies com-
peting for the contract: the others are Selway, Inc.,
Tate Industries, Upshaw Corp., and Velco. The con-
tract will be awarded on the basis of points given in
three categories: cost, amount of experience on similar
contracts, and quality of equipment. In each category,
the company that is best in that category will receive
five points, the second best, 4 points, and so on down
to 1. There will be no ties within any of the categories.
The company that receives the highest total number of
points will be awarded the contract. In the event of a
tie, the company with the higher number of 5's will be
awarded the contract; if the number of 5's is the same,
additional criteria will be used to break the tie.
19. The highest total number of points that any of the
competing companies can receive is
(A) twelve
(B) fourteen
(C) fifteen
(D) twenty
(E) twenty-five
20. If no one company is given the same number of
points in any two categories, the highest possible
winning total is
(A) eleven
(B) twelve
(C) thirteen
(D) fourteen
(E) fifteen
21. If the five companies tie with nine points each,
which of the following CANNOT be the distri-
bution of points received by any of the companies?
(A) Three 3's
(B) Two 4's and a I
(C) A 5 and two 2's
(D) A 4, a 3, and a 2
(E) A 5, a 3, and a I
22. If Selway, Inc. and Velco between them receive all
of the I's and 2's and each of the remaining three
competitors receives a 5, Renco would need to
receive how many points in addition to its 5 to be
awarded the contract without having first been tied
for total number of points?
(A) Four
(B) Five
(C) Six
(D) Seven
(E) Eight
23. Persons imprisoned for violent street crimes often
commit the same crimes again after being released.
Persons imprisoned for white-collar crimes such as
receiving bribes or embezzlement, however, typically
do not, after being released, repeat the crimes for
which they have been imprisoned. It is fair to
conclude that imprisonment, while it often fails to
change the behavior of violent street criminals, does
succeed in making white-collar criminals unwilling
to repeat their crimes.
Which of the following, if true, would most seriously
weaken the conclusion stated above?
(A) Statistics show that persons convicted of com-
mitting white-collar crimes rarely have a
prison record.
(B) The percentage of those who commit white-
collar crimes and are imprisoned for doing
so is lower than the percentage of those who
commit violent street crimes and are impris-
oned for doing so.
(C) White-collar criminals whose prison sentences
are shortened return to criminal activities at
a slightly higher rate than white-collar crimi-
nals who serve their full sentences.
(D) Persons released from prison after white-collar
crimes are seldom given high positions or
access to other people's money.
(E) Persons who commit violent street crimes
seldom commit white-collar crimes, and
vice versa.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Applying for a job
Remember that these are the steps to apply for a jo:
Your address.
Date.
Salutation.
First paragraph: tell the source of your information and the reason for your letter.
Second paragraph: Tell who you are and why you are the correct person for that job.
Third paragraph: Tell any additional information, availability for an interview and thank the reader.
Closing.
Your name.
Your address.
Date.
Salutation.
First paragraph: tell the source of your information and the reason for your letter.
Second paragraph: Tell who you are and why you are the correct person for that job.
Third paragraph: Tell any additional information, availability for an interview and thank the reader.
Closing.
Your name.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Colour Reading
Imagine the year is 1666 and we can see a student. His name is Isaac Newton and he goes to Cambridge University. But he isn’t at university now, he’s at home with his family. The university is closed because of the plague, everyone is afraid of
being sick.
Isaac Newton continues to study at home. He enjoys physics and thinking about the mysteries of the world. On a day when there is rain and sun at the same time he sees a beautiful rainbow in the sky. It has many different colours, he is told that there are five. Newton wants to have his own rainbow because he wants to look at it closely. He decides to do an experiment. On a sunny day he goes inside a small room and he makes the room very dark. Then he makes a small hole and the sun comes inside, it’s a small ray of light. It’s white. Newton takes a prism and holds it up to the light. The ray of light goes through the prism, but it isn’t white now – there are many colours. The prism has split up the white light into different colours:
Newton has a rainbow.
Newton looks at his rainbow carefully. He can see more than five colours, he can see seven. He says the colours are: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. But Newton is a scientist and he’s always very interested in how things work. He has his rainbow but he wants to know more. So he takes another prism and holds it up to the rainbow. The rainbow goes through the second prism, but it isn’t colourful now – it’s white again. The prism has joined up the colours back into white light. Newton is the first person to understand that light is a combination of all the rainbow colours together.
Newton also understands how we can see colour. Imagine a leaf in the sunshine. All the rainbow colours fall on the leaf but it absorbs all these colours. The only colour that is reflected is green, so the leaf looks green. Different objects reflect different colours. And perhaps Newton’s favourite fruit is an orange – but what came first, the name of the fruit or the name of the colour?
Activities:
1) How many sentences in the Simple Present can you find in the text? How many in the Simple Past?
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Taxi!
1 Think about the taxis in Ecuador and answer the following questions:
• What is 'taxi' in Spanish?
• What colour are the cars?
• Do the taxis have a meter?
• What is the minimum price for a ride?
• Are taxis cheap or expensive to use?
• Do taxi drivers Ecuador take advantage of tourists? If so, how?
• Do you think they are safe drivers, or not?
• Do you use taxis regularly, or not at all? Why?
• Is it difficult to find one? Always or only sometimes?
Greece
Well, my parents went on holiday to Crete last year. They got there very early in the morning so that the taxi ride from the airport to their hotel was in the dark. They were just beginning to doze off in the back seat when they were thrown violently to one side as the taxi swerved across the road. Suddenly wide-awake they could just make out in the weak headlights the tail of a rabbit as it zigzagged in panic. Thinking that the taxi driver was swerving to avoid the petrified animal my mother was rather taken aback when the driver turned round smacking his lips and cried 'Rabbit! I love the rabbit! My wife cook for me!'
Colombia
Before I met my boyfriend he got a job teaching in Colombia. You can imagine that he was a bit worried about it, all those horror stories about drug gangs and guns, but he was also looking forward to it. Of course his first view of Bogota was from the taxi window on the way from the airport. The taxi driver was fascinated that he had come from England and wanted to try out his English. But when he heard that his passenger came from London he threw both arms up in the air with horror: 'London! Is terrible! Is full of hooligans!'
Vietnam
A friend of mine lived in Hanoi for a few years. Taxis there were very cheap and she used them a lot. One night a taxi driver suggested he didn't put the meter on and offered a cheaper price for the journey. Too tired to argue she agreed. But just as the taxi was about to turn the final corner a man opened the door and jumped in beside her! She thought he wanted a ride so she decided to get out. But the man wouldn't let her pay and started shouting angrily at the driver. To my friend's horror he then started hitting the driver around the head. Rather frightened she got out the car and ran down the road. Only later did she find out that the taxi driver had been caught stealing from his company and they didn't want him to get away with it.
The USA
Well, imagine how my sister felt when she went off for the first time to New York for a business trip. After a few days she was still amazed at how friendly everyone was to her until she took a taxi back to her hotel one night. First she gave just the name of the hotel, but when asked she said the address too. Then she was asked how to get there but of course she hadn't a clue. Imagine how frightened she was when he started ranting and raving at her for not knowing the way. She said it was awful.
The UK
A friend of a friend was in London for a conference. He took a cab and there were no problems: the driver knew the way and was very cheerful. The problem started when he realised he had stupidly left his laptop on the back seat! He called the company up and, in a panic, went straightaway to their Lost and Found office (and missing some of the conference as a result). He was over the moon to find the laptop waiting for him, and then very surprised that it was one of 2,900 left in taxis over the past six months!
Tunisia
Well, my brother took a Mediterranean cruise one summer and had a day in Tunis. He spent most of the afternoon in the Medina buying presents when he suddenly realized he'd completely lost track of time and there was only half an hour before the ship left the port. There had been loads of yellow taxis in the centre so he wasn't too bothered until he stood on the pavement and waited for one to appear - and of course there wasn't a single one in sight! Nothing! Frantic, he questioned a passer-by who explained that the cost for the taxi ride goes up in the evening so the taxi drivers disappear until they can charge higher prices! Luckily for my brother the man then offered to give him a lift and he caught the boat in the nick of time!
2 Read the stories about taxi rides around the world as quickly as possible.
Which stories mention the following things? The first one has been done for you.
1 an animal Greece
2 an unfriendly taxi driver _________
3 guns __________
4 a fight __________
5 cost of the ride __________ __________
6 the airport __________ __________
7 a hotel __________
8 a friendly taxi driver __________
9 a laptop __________
10 a cruise __________
4a Read the stories again more slowly and answer these questions:
Greece
Why were the parents tired?
Why did the driver want the rabbit?
Colombia
Why was the boyfriend nervous about going to Colombia?
Where did the taxi driver think was more dangerous? Bogota or
London?
Vietnam
Why did the taxi driver not want to use the meter?
What did the man who got in the car do to the taxi driver?
The USA
Did the sister know the name and address of the hotel?
Did she know how to get there?
The UK
Why did the friend panic?
How many laptops are left in London taxis every year?
Tunisia
Was it easy for the brother to find a taxi?
How did he get to the port on time?
4b Which story do you like best? Why?
5 Have you ever had a similar experience? What happened?
6 Without looking can you remember the phrases missing from these sentences?
1 They were just beginning to __________ in the back seat...
2 ...my mother was rather __________ when the driver turned round...
3 The taxi driver wanted to __________ his English
4 ... he _____ both arms _____ in the air with horror
5 Only later did she __________ that the taxi driver had been caught stealing
6 ...and they didn't want him to _________________ it
a Then she was asked how to get there but of course she ______________.
b ...when he started _______________ at her for not knowing the way
c ...he went _______________ to their Lost and Found office
d He was _______________to find the laptop waiting for him
e ...when he suddenly realised he'd completely _______________
f and he caught the boat in the ______________
6 Choose two verbs from 1- 6, and two expressions from a - f , and write in "comments" your own story about a taxi ride. Write about 60 words. Start by saying 'Well, ...'
• What is 'taxi' in Spanish?
• What colour are the cars?
• Do the taxis have a meter?
• What is the minimum price for a ride?
• Are taxis cheap or expensive to use?
• Do taxi drivers Ecuador take advantage of tourists? If so, how?
• Do you think they are safe drivers, or not?
• Do you use taxis regularly, or not at all? Why?
• Is it difficult to find one? Always or only sometimes?
Greece
Well, my parents went on holiday to Crete last year. They got there very early in the morning so that the taxi ride from the airport to their hotel was in the dark. They were just beginning to doze off in the back seat when they were thrown violently to one side as the taxi swerved across the road. Suddenly wide-awake they could just make out in the weak headlights the tail of a rabbit as it zigzagged in panic. Thinking that the taxi driver was swerving to avoid the petrified animal my mother was rather taken aback when the driver turned round smacking his lips and cried 'Rabbit! I love the rabbit! My wife cook for me!'
Colombia
Before I met my boyfriend he got a job teaching in Colombia. You can imagine that he was a bit worried about it, all those horror stories about drug gangs and guns, but he was also looking forward to it. Of course his first view of Bogota was from the taxi window on the way from the airport. The taxi driver was fascinated that he had come from England and wanted to try out his English. But when he heard that his passenger came from London he threw both arms up in the air with horror: 'London! Is terrible! Is full of hooligans!'
Vietnam
A friend of mine lived in Hanoi for a few years. Taxis there were very cheap and she used them a lot. One night a taxi driver suggested he didn't put the meter on and offered a cheaper price for the journey. Too tired to argue she agreed. But just as the taxi was about to turn the final corner a man opened the door and jumped in beside her! She thought he wanted a ride so she decided to get out. But the man wouldn't let her pay and started shouting angrily at the driver. To my friend's horror he then started hitting the driver around the head. Rather frightened she got out the car and ran down the road. Only later did she find out that the taxi driver had been caught stealing from his company and they didn't want him to get away with it.
The USA
Well, imagine how my sister felt when she went off for the first time to New York for a business trip. After a few days she was still amazed at how friendly everyone was to her until she took a taxi back to her hotel one night. First she gave just the name of the hotel, but when asked she said the address too. Then she was asked how to get there but of course she hadn't a clue. Imagine how frightened she was when he started ranting and raving at her for not knowing the way. She said it was awful.
The UK
A friend of a friend was in London for a conference. He took a cab and there were no problems: the driver knew the way and was very cheerful. The problem started when he realised he had stupidly left his laptop on the back seat! He called the company up and, in a panic, went straightaway to their Lost and Found office (and missing some of the conference as a result). He was over the moon to find the laptop waiting for him, and then very surprised that it was one of 2,900 left in taxis over the past six months!
Tunisia
Well, my brother took a Mediterranean cruise one summer and had a day in Tunis. He spent most of the afternoon in the Medina buying presents when he suddenly realized he'd completely lost track of time and there was only half an hour before the ship left the port. There had been loads of yellow taxis in the centre so he wasn't too bothered until he stood on the pavement and waited for one to appear - and of course there wasn't a single one in sight! Nothing! Frantic, he questioned a passer-by who explained that the cost for the taxi ride goes up in the evening so the taxi drivers disappear until they can charge higher prices! Luckily for my brother the man then offered to give him a lift and he caught the boat in the nick of time!
2 Read the stories about taxi rides around the world as quickly as possible.
Which stories mention the following things? The first one has been done for you.
1 an animal Greece
2 an unfriendly taxi driver _________
3 guns __________
4 a fight __________
5 cost of the ride __________ __________
6 the airport __________ __________
7 a hotel __________
8 a friendly taxi driver __________
9 a laptop __________
10 a cruise __________
4a Read the stories again more slowly and answer these questions:
Greece
Why were the parents tired?
Why did the driver want the rabbit?
Colombia
Why was the boyfriend nervous about going to Colombia?
Where did the taxi driver think was more dangerous? Bogota or
London?
Vietnam
Why did the taxi driver not want to use the meter?
What did the man who got in the car do to the taxi driver?
The USA
Did the sister know the name and address of the hotel?
Did she know how to get there?
The UK
Why did the friend panic?
How many laptops are left in London taxis every year?
Tunisia
Was it easy for the brother to find a taxi?
How did he get to the port on time?
4b Which story do you like best? Why?
5 Have you ever had a similar experience? What happened?
6 Without looking can you remember the phrases missing from these sentences?
1 They were just beginning to __________ in the back seat...
2 ...my mother was rather __________ when the driver turned round...
3 The taxi driver wanted to __________ his English
4 ... he _____ both arms _____ in the air with horror
5 Only later did she __________ that the taxi driver had been caught stealing
6 ...and they didn't want him to _________________ it
a Then she was asked how to get there but of course she ______________.
b ...when he started _______________ at her for not knowing the way
c ...he went _______________ to their Lost and Found office
d He was _______________to find the laptop waiting for him
e ...when he suddenly realised he'd completely _______________
f and he caught the boat in the ______________
6 Choose two verbs from 1- 6, and two expressions from a - f , and write in "comments" your own story about a taxi ride. Write about 60 words. Start by saying 'Well, ...'
Mobile Phones!!
I’m in a bank and I’m opening a new bank account. The bank
manager is asking me questions. She asks me my name, my
age, my address, what I do, where I work, my phone number
and then my mobile phone number.
‘I don’t have a mobile phone,’ I reply.
‘I’m sorry?’ asks the manager, shocked.
‘I don’t have a mobile phone.’
‘But everybody has a mobile!’
‘No, they don’t. I don’t.’
‘Are you serious?’
‘Of course I am!’
‘But how can you not have one? Everybody needs a mobile!’
‘No, they don’t. I don’t.’
‘Listen,’ I say to the bank manager, ‘this is a true story: A man is going parachuting –
he has with him his parachute, his helmet and his mobile phone. The plane takes him
higher and higher and further and further away from the town. But there is a very strong
wind today and he lands on top of a hill very badly – he has two broken legs. He takes
his mobile phone and calls his friend to come and rescue him. That’s strange – the
phone is not working. He tries again. Nothing. Then he realizes that there is no mobile
phone network on the hill. In great pain he pulls himself down the hill to the road and
stops a car. The driver takes him to the hospital.
‘This is another true story: I am waiting for my friend Syrine at a railway station. Her
train arrives but she’s not on it. I wait for the next train. No Syrine. I wait for an hour and
begin to worry. Then I remember that she has a mobile phone. I go to a public
telephone box and call her. Nothing. I try again – no answer. Another half an hour later
Syrine arrives. I tell her about the phone call – she looks at her phone: the battery is
flat.’
The bank manager tries to speak.
‘No, listen’ I say. ‘When I go to a restaurant, my friends put their mobile phones on the
table. When the phones ring, they answer them and chat for ages. This is a true story: I
am in a café with Syrine. Her mobile rings and she starts chatting to her friend, her
friend is telling her a long, funny story about something. Syrine is laughing and
listening. I eat my cake and drink my coffee. Syrine is still talking on her phone. I finish
the cake and the coffee. Ha, ha, ha says Syrine. I pay for my cake and coffee and
leave the café.
‘Now I’m in the cinema. I’m watching a film and it’s great. The hero of the story realizes
he is in love with the girl, he’s walking towards her and talking softly. Then, and this is a
true story, the person next to me has a phone call. She’s talking to her friend about
what time the film ends and where they can meet. I can’t hear the film, I can only hear
the person next to me.’
‘So,’ I say to the bank manager, ‘I don’t have a mobile phone, I don’t need a mobile
phone and I don’t like mobile phones.’
The bank manager looks at me very strangely and opens the bank account.
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