UNIT 5

FUNCTION AND ABILITY

SECTION 1: FUNCTION
Look and read

Function can be described in several ways.

1. The thermometer measures the temperature of

the solution.
2. The bunsen burner is used to heat the liquid.
3. The clamp is used for holding the spherical
flask.
4. The function of the tube at the bottom of the
condenser is to conduct the cold water in.
5. The receiving flask enables us to collect the
condensed water.
6. With the help of the receiving flask we can
collect the condensed water.

Exercise 1: Write sentences describing the function of these.

1. a protractor 2. a ruler 3. a clock 4.a switch 5. a water tap

6. cable 7. a glass 8. a glass bulb 9. an accumulator 10. scissors

Look and read

FUNCTION:
 supports the entire mechanism.
 contains the electric motor.
 cuts the air and pushes it forward.
 prevents curious fingers or kitty cats
from suffering injury.
 connects to your home’s electric
service power supply.
 opens or closes a conductive path.

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Exercise 2: Ask and answer questions

Examples:
1. What does the power cord with the plug do?
The power cord with the plug connects to your home’s electric service power supply.

2. What is the power cord with the plug used for?

The power cord with the plug is used to connect to your home’s electric service power
supply.

Exercise 3: Look at this picture and read the sentences

 Electrical Cord with the plug: it is

used to connect the drill to the
electrical supply.
 Switch Lock: a button which can
keep the switch in the ON position.
 Trigger Switch: a switch to switch
the motor ON and OFF.
 Chuck Wrench: used to tighten and
loosen the chuck.
 Reversing Switch: a switch used to
reverse the rotation of the drill from
PARTS OF A PORTABLE DRILL AND forward to reverse rotation and vice-
THEIR FUNCTIONS versa.
 Pistol Grip: a handle to hold the drill.  Chuck: holds and turns the rotary
 Cord Strain Reliever: it prevents the cutting tools.
electrical cord to suffer from strain during
and after operation.

Now describe the functions of the parts using the following patterns.
 The pistol grip enables us to hold the drill.
 With the help of the pistol grip we can hold the drill.

Exercise 4: Look at these pictures and read the short description of each picture.

1. A power supply is an electronic device that

supplies electric energy to an electric load. The
primary function of a power supply is to convert
one form of electrical energy to another and, as a
result, power supplies are sometimes referred to as
A power supply electric power converters.

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2. This is a device that connects or disconnects the
flow of electric current in a circuit. There are many
types, shapes and designs of switches.

A switch
3. This is a device for applying heat to melt solder in
attaching two metal parts. A soldering iron is
composed of a heated metal tip and a insulated
handle. For electrical works, wires are usually
soldered to a printed circuit board (pcb). A low
power iron (20-30 watts) is suitable for this work.
A soldering iron
4. A soldering tool stand is a place where the
soldering iron is placed during usage. This will
keep the soldering iron away from flammable
materials. The stand often comes with a sponge
used to clean the tip of the soldering iron.
A soldering tool stand
5. A battery transforms the energy from chemical
reaction into electrical energy. It is portable, but it
must be replaced after a certain amount of time. In
addition, it can contaminate the environment if it is
not disposed properly.
A battery
6. A fuse is a device used to protect an electric circuit
against excessive current. It consists of a wire that
will melt at a certain temperature. The wire is
usually made of an alloy of tin and lead.
A fuse
7. A capacitor is a passive electronic component that
stores energy in the form of electrostatic field. The
capacitance is directly proportional to the surface
areas of the plates, and inversely proportional to
the separation between the plates. Capacitance also
depends on the dielectric constant of the substance
A capacitor separating the plates.
8. 2 functions:
1. To limit current.
2. To produce desire voltage.
A resistor is a device used in electrical circuit to
maintain a constant relation between current flow
A resistor and voltage.

Now make questions and answer about the pictures.

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Follow this example.

What is the function of a power supply?

The function of a power supply is to supply electric energy to an electric load.

Exercise 5: Look at the pictures in exercises 1 to 4, and write a short description of each
picture.
Follow these examples:

1. A protractor is a mathematical instrument for measuring, drawing or plotting angles.

2. The power cord with the plug is a part of a desk fan for connecting to your home’s
electric service power supply.
3. The pistol grip is a part of a portable drill for holding the drill.
4. A power supply is a device for connecting or disconnecting the flow of electric current in
a circuit.

SECTION 2: ABILITY AND CAPACITY

Look at these pictures

1. a cat 2. a car 3. a plant 4. a plane

5. a bird 6. a balloon 7. a snake 8. a bicycle

9. human beings 10. a train 11. a fish 12. a ship

Exercise 6: Write questions and answers.

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Examples: 1. Can a cat speak? No, it can’t.
2. Can a cat breathe? Yes, it can.

Exercise 7: Write one sentence describing what each living thing and animate object in
exercise 6 can and cannot do.

Example: A cat can breathe, but it can’t speak.

Exercise 8: Look again at the living things and animate objects listed in exercise 6 and then
write sentences like these.

Plants can grow = Plants are able to grow.

Plants are capable of growing.
Plants have the ability to grow.
Pants have the capacity to grow.

SECTION 3: FUNCTION IN THE HUMAN BODY.

Exercise 9: Look and read

Now complete the following sentences:

a) Our eyes ………….. us ……… see.

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 b) With the ……. our brain we are ……. to control activities of the body.
c) Our noses are organs for ………..
d) With the help of our noses we …….. detect smell.
e) Our ears enable us to ………
f) The function of the tongue …… detect taste.
g) Our lungs serve to ………..
h) The ……. of is to pump ……….
i) The heart acts as a ……… for the blood.
j) The liver is used for ………
k) The kidney enables us to ………
l) Our stomach enables us to ………
m) The large intestine is used to ………..
n) The small intestine …………
o) The …….. of the bladder is ……….
p) The testis ………..

SECTION 4: GRAMMAR REVIEW

Verb Forms: -ing, Infinitives, and Past Participles
Learning to use the –ing, the infinitive (to + base form of the verb), and the past participle (in
regular verbs, this is formed by adding –ed to the end of the verb) verb forms correctly can be
challenging. When do you use finishing versus to finish versusfinished? The information on this
page can help!
To find more information about when to use an -ing, an infinitive, or a past participle, look up
the word in an online dictionary such as Merriam Webster, or use a corpus, such as The Corpus
of Contemporary American English. While there are some rules to follow, some of them simply
have to be memorized.
-ing
Here are six common uses of the –ing form:
1. The –ing form is used in progressive verb tenses with auxiliary verbs (helping verbs). These
are in active voice. Here are some examples:

a) I am doing my homework.
b) I have been writing all day.
c) I was writing when the pizza arrived.

2. The –ing form can function as a noun. These nouns are called gerunds and can be
the subject of a clause, followed by a third-person singular (he/she/it) form of the verb. The
gerund in the following sample sentences is bolded, and the verb is italicized:
a) Writing is an important skill.
b) Hiking is one of my favorite activities.
c) Reading before bed helps me fall asleep.
 

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3. The -ing  noun (or gerund) can be the direct object of certain verbs. Some verbs that are
followed by a gerund are the following:

 Admit  Discuss
 Avoid  Practice
 Consider  Recall
 Deny  Suggest

The verb in the following sample sentences is italicized, and the gerund is bolded:
a) He often avoids answering his phone.
b) I  considered conducting semistructured interviews.
c) She suggested taking notes.
 
4. The -ing  form is used after a preposition. The preposition in the following example sentences
is italicized, and the –ing is bolded:
a) Before conducting the research, it is necessary to complete a literature review.
b) Her experience in interviewing will be beneficial.
c) He is bad at remembering appointments. 
d) They complained about driving in rush hour.
 
5. Adjectives are sometimes formed using –ing. The –ing in the following example sentences is
bolded:
a) I read an interesting book.
b) The barking dog was annoying.
 
6. The –ing form is sometimes used to include additional information in a sentence in a reduced
relative clause. The –ing in the following example sentences is bolded, and the full relative
clause is italicized:
a) The woman wearing a dress is sitting by the window. (The woman who is wearing a
dress is sitting by the window.)
b) The pens sitting on the desk belong to the teacher. (The pens that are sitting on the desk
belong to the teacher.)

Infinitives
Here are four common uses of infinitives (to + base form of the verb):
 
1. The infinitive is required after certain verbs in English. Some verbs that take an infinitive
following them are the following:

 Agree  Need
 Choose  Offer
 Claim  Plan
 Decide  Prove
 Expect  Refuse
 Manage  Want
 Wish
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The verb in the following example sentences is italicized, and the infinitive is bolded:
a) I decided to go to a movie.
b) He expected to obtain reliable results.
c) She offered to help.
 
2. The infinitive is also used after certain verb + direct object structures. Some verbs that use this
pattern are the following:

 Advise  Help*
 Allow  Need
 Ask  Persuade
 Encourage  Require

In the following example sentences, the verb is italicized, the direct object is bolded and
italicized, and the infinitive is bolded:
a) I advised him to stay. (Him is the direct object here.)
b) I encouraged the participants to ask questions. (Participants is the direct object here.)
c) She  required us to sign the consent form. (Us is the direct object here.)
d) *He helped me to learn to read. OR He helped me learn to read. (With the verb help, the
infinitive can be used with or without to. Me is the direct object here.)
 
3. Infinitives are used after certain adjectives. Some adjectives that are followed by infinitives
are the following:
 Difficult
 Easy
 Impossible
 Wrong

The adjective in the following example sentences is italicized, and the infinitive is bolded:
a) It was difficult to complete the rough draft.
b) She thought it was  impossible to remember all the rules.
c) I was wrong to assume you did not understand.
 
4. Infinitives are used to express purpose (in order to do something).  The infinitive in the
following sample sentences is bolded:
a) She is driving quickly (in order) to arrive on time.
b) He completed all his homework (in order) to earn a good grade.
c) I rewrote my draft three times (in order) to revise it the best I could.

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Gerund (-ing) or Infinitive (to + base form of the verb)?
Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive and the meaning of the sentence
does not really change:
 Begin
 Continue
 Hate
 Like
 Love
 Start

The verb in the following example sentences is italicized, and the infinitive or gerund is bolded:
a) She likes to read.
b) She likes reading.
c) He started to learn how to swim.
d) He started learning how to swim.

However, for some other verbs that can be followed by either a gerund or infinitive, the choice of
the gerund or infinitive creates a difference in meaning:
 Forget
 Remember
 Stop
 Try

The verb in the following example sentences is italicized, and the gerund or infinitive is bolded:
a) I stopped smoking. (I no longer smoke.)
b) I stopped to smoke. (I stopped someplace along the way to smoke.)
c) He did not remember going to the store. (He went to the store, but he did not recall that
he had been there.)
d) He did not remember to go to the store. (He intended to go to the store, but he did not do
it.)

Past Participles
In a regular verb, the past participle is formed by adding –ed. However, there are many irregular
verbs in English, and these past participle forms must be memorized. Here are four common uses
of past participles:
 
1. The past participle is used with have auxiliaries (helping verbs) in active voice.
The have auxiliary in the following example sentences is italicized, and the past participle is
bolded:
a) She has completed her degree.
b) She had  completed her degree before being hired.
c) I have finished my homework.
d) I had  finished my homework before going to the movie.

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2. The past participle is used after be auxiliaries in passive voice. Be sure to check our webpage
on the appropriate use of passive voice in scholarly writing. The be auxiliary in the following
example sentences is italicized and the past participle is bolded:
a) I was born in 1976.
b) Hamlet was written by Shakespeare.
c) The plates broke when they were dropped.
 
3. The past participle is sometimes used in a phrase to supply additional information. These
participial phrases come from relative clauses with a passive meaning. The past participle in
the following example sentences is bolded, and the full relative clause is italicized:
a) The ideas presented at the conference are important to remember. (The ideas that were
presented in the conference are important to remember.)
b) The drinks served at that bar are delicious. (The drinks that are served at that bar are
delicious.)
c) Taken by surprise, Alice hugged her long lost friend. (Alice, who was surprised, hugged
her long lost friend.) 
 
4. The past participle is sometimes used as an adjective. The past participle in the following
example sentences is bolded:
a) The received goods were damaged in shipping.
b) She tried to repair her broken phone.
c) The lost dog wandered the neighborhood.

-ing or Past Participle?

Sometimes both the -ing and the past participle (-ed) forms can function as adjectives. However,
each form has a different meaning.  The –ing and the past participle is bolded in the example
sentences below. Notice that the –ing adjective refers to a thing and the past participle (-ed)
adjective refers to a person.
a) The ideas are exciting. (This refers to the ideas themselves.)
b) He is excited. (This refers to the person.)
c) The rules are confusing. (This refers to the rules themselves.)
d) I am confused. (This refers to the person.)
e) The conclusion to the movie was satisfying. (This refers to the movie.)
f) I am satisfied with the results. (This refers to how I feel about the results.)

(http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/verbforms)

Exercise 10: Put the verbs in the brackets into the correct forms.

1. Do you feel like (go) to the cinema on Friday?

2. I spent a lot of time (make) a birthday cake for him.
3. He agreed (see) at three o’clock.
4. The promised (read) my report today.
5. I suggest (pay) by check, it’s safer than cash.
6. He offered (make) dinner for us.
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7. He put off (see) her until very late in the afternoon.
8. I refused (pay) for the repairs.
9. I’ve finished (read) the book at last.
10. We decided (go) to the cinema instead.
11. I enjoyed the play. The (act) was very good.
12. I love going to her class, her (teach) is never boring.
13. He is my favourite writer, his (write) is wonderful.
14. His (complain) is getting on my nerves. He’s never happy.
15. They have terrible debts. Their (spend) is out of control.
16. It’s a very fit team. Their (train) is very intensive.
17. I can still remember (visit) my grandparents fifty years ago.
18. Pleas, remember (feed) the dog while I’m away.
19. I’ll never forget (see) that van Gogh exhibition in New York.
20. Don’t forget (post) my letter.
21. I regret (lend) him the money. He never paid it back.
22. We regret (inform) you that your application has been refused.
23. I’ll just finish (clean) the kitchen then I’ll stop.
24. Se suggested (have) dinner at home.
25. She doesn’t mind (do) the boring jobs.
26. He keeps (ask) me to go out with him.
27. He has given up (smoke).
28. He’s very god at (get) me to do what he wants.
29. He insisted on (be) refunded immediately.
30. He failed. He’s very bad at (do) exams.

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