ENGLISH FOR

ENGINEERING STUDENTS

V. THEORY AND PRACTICE

 COMMUNICATION
COMPETENCE

Explaining tests and experiments

Exchanging views of predictions and
theories
Comparing results with expectations
Discussing causes and effects
 LANGUAGE COMPETENCE

Words to describe test types

Words and phrases for stating assumptions
Words and phrases for agreeing and
disagreeing
Phrases for comparing expectations and
results
Words for linking causes and effects
EXPLAINING TEST AND EXPERIMENTS
E XC H A N I N G V I E W A N D P R E D I C T I O N
 C O M PA R I N G R E S U LT W I T H E X P E C TAT I O N

Some phrases relating with expectation result :

expect trial and error anticipate extremely
well
 C AUSE A N D EFFEC T (1)

a. Clauses of cause
Here a subordinating conjunction links the effect and the cause:
The automotive industry uses plastics because they are
durable,resistant to corrosion and lightweight.
The other main subordinating conjunctions: as since
b. Phrases of cause
Here an adverb phrase introduces the cause:
Polystyrene manufacturers phased out the use of chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) in the late 1980s because of concerns about the ozone layer.
Other expressions with a similar meaning are:

We always put a noun phrase after these expressions:

Because of the large number of back orders, we have put extra
workers on the night shift. (not:because of the number of backorder is
large )
 C AUSE A N D EFFEC T (2)

c. Sentence connectors of cause:

Here a cause in one sentence is linked to an effect in the following
sentence by a connector.
The maintenance team are here; therefore we'll need to shut down the
machinery after this shift.
The connector 'therefore' points backwards to the cause and forwards to the
effect. Other connecting words and expressions are:
C AUSE A N D EFFEC T (3)
Task 1 :
Match one part of a sentence from A and one from B to form sentences of
cause and effect.
Task 2 :
Based on your experiments in the PDTK laboratory, write a simple report
(only 2-3 paragraphs) comprising :
Exchanging views of predictions and theories, Comparing results with
expectations, Discussing causes and effects
END ...
STUDY HARD FOR YOUR FINAL
EXAMINATION !