UNIT 3: THINGS YOU NEED

Describing objects and expressing purpose

Describing objects

A coin is shaped like a

circle / A coin is circular

in shape.

DIMENSION

• This building is 250 meters high.

• This building has a height of 250 meters.

• The height of this building is 250 meters.

• This building is 250 meters in height.

length, width, height, depth, thickness etc.

COMPONENTS

A hammer consists of a handle and a

head.

A hammer is made up of a handle and a

head.

A hammer is composed of a handle and

a head.

A hammer includes a handle and a

head.

A hammer has two parts: a handle and a

head.

CONNECTION BETWEEN PARTS

• Connection is a relationship between two things or more. If the object has morethan one part, we have to describe them part by part with a connection betweenthem.

• Verbs that signal the connection are: attach, detach, join, connect, support, fix, fit,lead, link, etc.• The head of a hammer is fixed to the handle.

• The wheels of a car are connected by the axles.

• The glass tube is fitted into the rubber tube.

• The wire links between the switch and the bulb.

• The wheels of a car are detached from the body of a car.

• If the objects to be described are complicated, consisting of many parts, orappearing in a set, positions must be given.

Example:

• inside, outside, at the top, on the left/ right, in the middle, to the right/ left (of), atthe bottom, above, over, between, below, beside, at the end of, behind, in front of,near, by, etc.

OTHER FEATURES

It’s got a handle/ a lid/ buttons/ a screen/ batteries/ cables/ pipes, etc.

It is used for …

I use it to …/ you use it to …

It uses petrol/ electricity/ gas/ water, etc.

It gives off (= produce) heat/ light/ colours/ noise/ fumes

It synchronises your files, etc.

THE SENSES (look, taste, smell, sound, feel)

LOOK + ADJ

It looks sharp/ The motherboard feels fragile

LOOK LIKE+ NOUN

It sounds like a vacuum cleaner/ It smells like smoke.

LOOK AS IF/ AS THOUGH + SENTENCE

It looks as if the oil is dripping.

It smells as if it were burnt.

Describing purpose (What for?)(NOT) TO, IN ORDER (NOT) TO, SO AS (NOT)TO + VERB

I tend to go online as much as I can to keep in touch with friends.

SO, SO THAT + IN ORDER THAT+ CLAUSE (with a modal verb)

I tend to go online as much as I can so I can/ could keep in touch withfriends.

IF/ IN CASE+ SENTENCE

I tend to go on line as much as I can If I want to keep in touch with myfriends

FOR + NOUN/ -ING

I usually use a tablet for checking my email/ for emails

A hands-free device is needed…

… to speak while driving

… so you can speak while you drive.

… if/ in case you need to speak while you are

driving.

You can carry an extra battery foryour phone …

… if / in case you need to speak for a long time.

… so that you can speak for hours.

… to speak for hours.

A webcam may be useful…

… to see your family abroad.

… if/ in case you want to have a video conference.

… so you can have a video conference.

…. for video conferences.

People use Instagram…

… to edit pictures.

… so (that) you can share pics online.

… if you want to share your pics with friends.

Instagram is used for editing and sharing pictures.

A mixer is used for mixing food. The mixer is made of metaland plastic. It consists of 5 parts: a base, a stand, a motorhousing, beaters, and a bowl. The base is oval in shape. It is 12cm wide and 15 cm long. The stand which is supported by thebase is 30 cm in height. The motor housing which contains amotor is joined to the stand. The steel beaters are very hardand tough. They are fitted in the gearbox. The bowl is made ofsteel and it is very hard. The edge of the bowl is circular. Thebowl is detached from the base.

SUMMARY

1. What is it?

2. What is it used for?

3. How big/ high/ wide is it?

4. What shape is it?

5. How much does it weight?

6. What is it made of?

7. How many parts does it consist of? How are these parts connected?