Universidad Centroamericana

Facultad de Tecnologa y Ambiente

English II for Industrial Engineering
Reading Portfolio
2Q2014


Tutor: Jovanska Aurora Rojas Castrillo
Dear students,
By the end of this course you must submit your portfolio of work carried out during
this term. It includes a series of reading and writing activities that contain
instructions for you to start working on at home, and they will be evaluated as your
self-study. There will be due dates to hand in each task. Once assignments are
given back, you must take into account observations to include them in your
assignment which will be part of your portfolio. This portfolio will be a great benefit
to your learning process, for the purposes of having concrete evidence of the
knowledge and skills acquired. Hope you enjoy writing your own portfolio.
All the best!

Group Number

Full Name


Task Index
01 Unit 1: Quality
02
03 Unit 2: Case of study

04 Unit 3: Basic machine

05 Unit 4: Machine Components and Mechanical properties of material

06 Unit 5: Management

07 Unit 6: Employment change and job outlook
Unit 1: Quality
New paint to say goodbye to car washes (1st May, 2014)
The Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan has unveiled a prototype of a self-
cleaning paint that means cars may no longer need washing. The new
nanotechnology paint repels water, oil and other dirt the environment can throw at
a car. The paint is called Ultra-Ever Dry and uses a process called nanopatterning.
This coats the surface of something with tiny bumps and grooves that stop water
and oil from sticking to it. Nissan said the paint has "responded well" to many
weather conditions, including frost, rain, sleet and snow. The carmaker added that
its engineers will continue testing the paint in the near future to see how close they
can get to a product ready for market.
Nissan's website says: "Washing a car can be a chore and a costly one at that."
However, it has no immediate plans to use the new paint as standard on its cars. It
may offer it as an option in the future. Company spokeswoman Geraldine Ingham
said the new paint is currently only being tested on the company's Note family car.
She said: "The Nissan Note has been carefully engineered to take the stress out of
customer driving, and Nissan's engineers are constantly thinking of new ways to
make families' lives easier." She added: "We are committed to addressing
everyday problems our customers face and will always consider testing exciting,
cutting-edge technology like this incredible coating application.
1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false
(F).
a. The new paint is currently at the prototype stage of development. T / F
b. The paint keeps oil and water away from the surface of the car. T / F
c. The technology coats the car with a totally smooth layer of paint. T / F
d. The paint will be on sale from next month. T / F
e. Nissan said washing a car is cheap but boring. T / F
f. The new paint will come as standard on all new Nissan cars. T / F
g. Nissan wants to make family life easier. T / F
h. Nissan said it will always test cutting-edge technologies. T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
1. automobile a. prepared
2 repels b. strain
3. coats c. cuts
4. grooves d. layers
5. ready e. choice
6. chore f. car
7. option g. devoted
8. stress h. keeps away
9. committed i. unbelievable
10. incredible j. burden
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
1. Nissan has unveiled a a. families' lives easier
2 tiny bumps b. sticking to it
3. stop water and oil from c. they can get
4. responded well to many d. plans
5. to see how close e. prototype
6. Washing a car can f. edge technology
7. it has no immediate g. and grooves
8. new ways to make h. everyday problems
9. committed to addressing i. weather conditions
10. cutting- j. be a chore
GAP FILL
The Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan has (1)
____________ a prototype of a self-cleaning paint that means
cars may no (2) ____________ need washing. The new
nanotechnology paint (3) ____________ water, oil and other dirt
the environment can throw at a car. The paint is called Ultra-Ever
Dry and uses a (4) ____________ called nanopatterning. This
coats the surface of something with tiny bumps and grooves that
stop water and oil from (5) ____________ to it. Nissan said the
paint has "responded well" to many weather conditions, including
frost, rain, (6) ____________ and snow. The carmaker added that
its engineers will continue testing the paint in the (7)
____________ future to see how close they can get to a product
ready for (8) ____________.

near
market
repels
unveiled
sticking
longer
sleet
process
Nissan's website says: "Washing a car can be a (9)
____________ and a costly one at that." However, it has no (10)
____________ plans to use the new paint as standard on its cars.
It may offer it as an option in the future. Company spokeswoman
Geraldine Ingham said the new paint is (11) ____________ only
being tested on the company's Note family car. She said: "The
Nissan Note has been carefully engineered to take the (12)
____________ out of customer driving, and Nissan's engineers
are (13) ____________ thinking of new ways to make families'
lives easier." She added: "We are (14) ____________ to
addressing everyday problems our customers (15) ____________
and will always consider testing exciting, cutting-edge technology
like this (16) ____________ coating application.





Unit 2: Case of Study
Campaign to ban car hands-free phones (20th November, 2013)
A major road-safety campaign is under way in Britain to get hands-free mobile
phones banned. The charity Brake is also calling for motorists to switch off their
phones while driving. The group said the fines for calling or texting while behind the
wheel should also be increased by up to tenfold, to around $1,600. This is to
provide a greater deterrent than the current penalty of $160. Brake's suggestions
follow a revelation that more than 575,000 British drivers had points on their driving
licence for using their phone. A spokeswoman for Brake said: "We're living in an
age when being constantly connected is the norm. More and more of us have
smartphones, and find it hard to switch off, even for a minute."
Britain's Department for Transport said that although road safety was a "top
priority", it had "no plans to change the law around the use of hands-free devices".
It added that all penalties were being "kept under review to ensure they are
appropriate". Brake said: "While there are enormous benefits to this new
technology, it's also posing dangerous temptations to drivers to divert their
concentration away from the critical task at hand, often putting our most vulnerable
road users in danger." It added: "Many people who wouldn't dream of drink-driving
are succumbing to using their phone and other distractions while driving, oblivious
that the effect can be similar and the consequences just as horrific."
DISTRACTIONS: How dangerous are these while driving? Complete this table
with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.
How dangerous? Why? How to stop people doing them?
Texting
Eating
Smoking
Looking at a GPS
Talking
Looking at
scenery
1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false
(F).
a. A charity wants car-phone makers to stop manufacturing the devices. T / F
b. The charity wants penalties for texting while driving increased tenfold. T / F
c. Over half a million U.K. drivers have been caught using phones in cars. T / F
d. The charity said everyone can switch off their phone for a few hours. T / F
e. The U.K. government said it would change the law for mobile phones. T / F
f. The U.K. government said it always checked mobile phone laws. T / F
g. The charity said drink-drivers always text while driving. T / F
h. The charity said drink-driving and texting while driving are similar. T / F
. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
1. major a. continually
2 banned b. attention
3. behind the wheel c. prohibited
4. revelation d. prime concern
5. constantly e. at risk
6. priority f. important
7. devices g. disclosure
8. concentration h. results
9. vulnerable i. driving
10. consequences j. gadgets
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. What kind of campaign has started in the UK?
2. What is the name of the charity?
3. What kind of increase does the charity want in fines?
4. How many U.K. drivers have been penalized for phone use?
5. What did the charity say was the norm nowadays?
6. What did the U.K. say was a top priority?
7. What does the U.K. government keep under review?
8. What do the temptations do to drivers?
9. What would many people not dream of doing?
10. What can have similar effects to drink driving?
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ
1. What kind of campaign has started
in the UK?
6. What did the U.K. say was a top
priority?
a) a hands-free phones campaign
b) a get-behind-the-wheel campaign
c) a road-safety campaign
d) to increase-traffic-penalties
a) helping phone companies
b) road safety
c) bicycle lanes
d) hands-free devices
2. What is the name of the charity? 7. What does the U.K. government
keep under review?
a) Brake
b) Break
c) Broke
d) Broken
a) penalties
b) free kicks
c) speed limits
d) texting
3. What kind of increase does the 8. What do the temptations do to
charity want in fines? drivers?
a) a tenfold increase
b) a 100% increase
c) double the current fine
d) a $1,000 rise
a) stop them driving
b) make them change direction
c) divert their attention
d) text them
4. How many U.K. drivers have been
penalised for phone use?
9. What would many people not dream
of doing?
a) 757,000
b) 575,000
c) 555,000
d) 755,000
a) sleep in their car
b) leave their phone at home
c) pay fines
d) drink and drive
5. What did the charity say was the
norm nowadays?
10. What can have similar effects to
drink driving?
a) speeding
b) texting
c) living in an age
d) being connected
a) using a phone while driving
b) not checking tyre pressure
c) consequences
d) oblivious distractions

Unit 3: The basic machine
New Machine Sucks CO2 from the Air
Engineers at a U.S. laboratory may have discovered one answer to the problem of
global warming. They have made a machine that can suck carbon dioxide from the
air and convert it into liquid fuel. Researchers at the Sandia National Labs believe
their creation can provide a sustainable form of renewable energy. Their device
sounds like something from science fiction. In fact, the name of it is probably the
most difficult thing to understand. It is the Counter-Rotating-Ring Receiver Reactor
Recuperator, or CR5 for short. Lead developer Rich Diver is excited about his
project. He said sucking CO2 from the environment could be an alternative to
carbon sequestration. This is a method of burying CO2 deep underground.

Sandia calls the process carried out by CR5 Sunshine to Petrol. The researchers
say their invention is still 15 to 20 years away from being in full operation. It is
currently just a prototype a small model of the real thing. A Sandia spokeswoman
said it holds a real promise of being able to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
She added it would allow us to keep using fuels we know and love. It is possible
that by 2030, cars and airplanes will run on the converted fuel. It will produce fuels
such as methanol and gasoline. It will be interesting to see if this machine can
actually lower our carbon footprint. Yes, it reduces carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere, but its liquid fuel product causes pollution when it burns.

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates,
other meanings, information, synonyms for the words liquid and fuel.
liquid Fuel



Share your findings with your partners.
2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some
questions you would like to ask the class about the text.
Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.
3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check
your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new,
interesting, worth learning?
4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool
unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.
5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to
recall how they were used in the text:
answer
convert
provide
name
project
method
carried
still
promise
love
run
burns
Write about CO2 for 10 minutes. Correct your partners paper. Research on
some ideas that can support your writing.
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Unit 4: Machine companies
Japanese cars still most reliable
Japanese cars are the most reliable in the world. Thats according to J.D. Power
and Associates, an international market research company. J.D. Powers asked
thousands of car owners about problems they had with their cars in the first three
years of ownership. The Lexus car topped the reliability list, for the fourteenth year
in a row. Lexus is Toyotas luxury car brand. The survey found that Lexus cars
were getting better and better. They had 120 problems per 100 vehicles, down
from 145 problems in the 2007 study. "That's a pretty good track record," said
Dave Sargent, a J.D. Power's executive. Lexus was first place in six categories,
while other Toyota and Honda cars led four categories. Toyota's Prius hybrid was
the winning compact car.
Mr Sargent said that reliability in cars is improving every year. In the past two
years, the industry average has improved from 237 problems per 100 vehicles to
206. Land Rover, sold earlier this year to India's Tata Motors, was the worst-
performing brand, with 344 problems. Sargent also said the seriousness of the
problems was decreasing. The complaints being reported a few years ago were
hard problems, such as serious technical defects. Sargent said these were
becoming less common. He told reporters it is now more likely that car owners will
complain about soft problems, like strange noises or wear and tear of the cars
interior. He added that: "Improved quality is good for everybody, [especially] for the
consumers, who don't have the annoyance of problems [and costs]."
RELIABILITY: Are you happy with the products you buy? Look at the goods and
services below. Write down the most and least-reliable company related to them.
Change partners and share your ideas. Agree on the best and worst for each.
Good / Service Most reliable company Least reliable company
Car
Computer
Music player
Mobile phone
English school
Airline

PROBLEMS: What problems do you experience with the things below?
Discuss this with your partner(s). Are these problems getting bigger or are
they disappearing?
cars
computers
mobile phones
English schools
public transport
government
restaurants
other _____________
1. TRUE / FALSE: Look at the articles headline and guess whether these
sentences are true (T) or false (F):
a. A market research firm found Japanese cars to be the most reliable. T / F
b. Japanese makers have topped the reliability list for the past 14 years. T / F
c. Only 145 people said they had problems with their Japanese car. T / F
d. Toyotas energy-saving hybrid car was the most reliable of all cars. T / F
e. Industry-wide, overall reliability worsened in the past year. T / F
f. The best-performing non-Japanese car maker was Land Rover. T / F
g. Car owners are now more likely to complain about strange noises. T / F
h. People will complain about wear and tear more than engine problems. T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:
1. reliable a. headed
2 according to b. irritation
3. topped c. faults
4. track record d. small
5. compact e. deterioration
6. improving f. trustworthy
7. defects g. getting better
8. likely h. past performance
9. wear and tear i. in the opinion of
10. annoyance j. probable
CAR DISCUSSION
STUDENT As QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
a) What did you think when you read the headline?
b) What springs to mind when you hear the word reliable?
c) Are you reliable?
d) Are you happy with the reliability of the things you buy?
e) Have you ever had a problem with a car?
f) What do you think of Japanese cars?
g) How do you think Toyota can stay number one for 14 years in a row?
h) Would you buy a Toyota after reading this article?
i) What are your favourite and least favourite cars?
j) How do you think Toyota bosses feel about being number one?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STUDENT Bs QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
a) Did you like reading this article?
b) Do you think cars will ever become 100 per cent reliable?
c) How important is reliability to you?
d) Are you surprised that Land Rover was the worst-performing car?
e) Do you worry about the wear and tear of the things you buy?
f) Do you read consumer guides or look at consumer Internet sites before you
buy something?
g) Do you think car companies care about reports such as the one in the article?
h) What other soft problems do you think cars might have?
i) What annoyances have you had recently with things youve bought?
j) What questions would you like to ask Toyotas boss?
LETTER: Write a letter to Toyotas boss. Ask him three questions about
Toyota cars. Make three suggestions on what he should do to improve his
cars. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s)
will answer your questions.
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Unit 5: Management
Survey reveals management pet hates
A survey of over 2,000 British managers has revealed which habits irritate them
most while at work. One of the most annoying things for today's managers is the
current crop of jargon, or "management speak". Others high on the list include
people who sit opposite you sending you emails, when they could simply tell you
their message; people arriving late for work and for meetings; and people who take
regular cigarette breaks. Report author Charles Elvin explained why it is important
for us to know what annoys people. He said: "When office-based teams work in
close proximity for long periods of time, we see that seemingly trivial issues can
grow disproportionately. If left unchecked, they can begin to cause upset and
resentment."

Management jargon proved to be an emotive issue for those participating in the
research. Many managers described it as a "pointless irritation" which few people
understand. They wondered why people used it when there are "normal" ways to
express the same thing. Cited examples included 'thinking outside the box', 'going
forward' and 'let's touch base'. The "real-world equivalents" of these are 'looking at
things differently', 'in the future' and 'contact me'. The Plain English Campaign
stated overused jargon damages the economy. The group said: "Management
speakgets in the way of business.It isolates newcomers who feel they have to
learn the lingo.It acts as a barrier to procuring new business."

ANNOYANCES: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put
the most annoying at the top. Change partners often and share your
rankings.

people smoking
people not saying 'thank you'
people being late
computer screen freezing
slow drivers
TV commercials
untidiness
forgetting English words


TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false
(F).
a. New research shows that successful managers do not own a pet. T / F
b. People get annoyed at receiving e-mail from a worker sitting nearby. T / F
c. A researcher suggested we need to know what annoys different
people.
T / F
d. The researcher said there was no such thing as a trivial issue. T / F
e. Many managers said they thought jargon was annoying. T / F
f. Many people wondered why we use jargon instead of simple English. T / F
g. "Let's touch base" means to want to feel the bottom of something. T / F
h. A campaigner said jargon helps businesses in getting new contracts. T / F
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( ) issues can grow disproportionately. If left unchecked, they can begin to
cause upset and resentment."
( ) Management jargon proved to be an emotive issue for those participating
in the
( ) author Charles Elvin explained why it is important for us to know what
annoys people. He said: "When office-
( ) things differently', 'in the future' and 'contact me'. The Plain English
Campaign stated overused
( ) newcomers who feel they have to learn the lingo.It acts as a barrier to
procuring new business."
( 1 ) A survey of over 2,000 British managers has revealed which habits irritate
them most
( ) based teams work in close proximity for long periods of time, we see that
seemingly trivial
( ) the box', 'going forward' and 'let's touch base'. The "real-world
equivalents" of these are 'looking at
( ) while at work. One of the most annoying things for today's managers is
the current crop of jargon, or "management speak". Others high
( ) when there are "normal" ways to express the same thing. Cited examples
included 'thinking outside
( ) message; people arriving late for work and for meetings; and people who
take regular cigarette breaks. Report
( ) jargon damages the economy. The group said: "Management
speakgets in the way of business.It isolates
( ) on the list include people who sit opposite you sending you emails, when
they could simply tell you their
( ) research. Many managers described it as a "pointless irritation" which few
people understand. They wondered why people used it
CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)
A survey of over 2,000 British managers has unraveled / revealed which habits
irritate them most while at work. One of the most annoying things for today's
managers is the current crap / crop of jargon, or "management speak". Others high
/ tall on the list include people who sit opposite / opposites you sending you emails,
when they could simple / simply tell you their message; people arrival / arriving late
for work and for meetings; and people who take regular cigarette rests / breaks.
Report author Charles Elvin explained why it is important for us to know what
annoyances / annoys people. He said: "When office-based teams work in close
proximity for long periods of time, we see that seems / seemingly trivial issues can
grow disproportionately. If left unchecked / unticked, they can begin to cause upset
and resentment."
Management jargon proved to be an emotion / emotive issue for those participating
on / in the research. Many managers described it as a "pointless irritation /
irritating" which few people understand. They wandered / wondered why people
used it when there are "normal" ways to express / expression the same thing. Cited
examples included 'thinking outside the box', 'going forward' and 'let's touch basic /
base'. The "real-world equivalents / equivalence" of these are 'looking at things
differently', 'in the future' and 'contact me'. The Plain English Campaign stated
underused / overused jargon damages the economy. The group said:
"Management speakgets in the way / path of business.It isolates newcomers
who feel they have to learn the lingo.It acts as / has a barrier to procuring new
business."
ACADEMIC WRITING
Too much jargon entering the world of business is confusing and leads to poor
communication. It should be banned. Write about it.
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Unit 6: Employment change and job outlook
Almost no poor countries by 2035 (25th January, 2014)
The man who started Microsoft, Bill Gates, has predicted that by 2035, there will
be almost no poor countries in the world. Today, the World Bank says there are 35
poor countries. Most of the people who live in them are on low or no incomes.
Gates said that nearly all these countries will be richer in the next 20 years. He
wrote: "Every nation in South America, Asia, and Central America (with the
possible exception of Haiti), and most in coastal Africa will have joined the ranks of
today's middle-income nations." He added: "When I was born, most countries in
the world were poor. In the next two decades desperately poor countries will
become the exception rather than the rule."
Mr Gates said some countries will still be poor. These include North Korea, Haiti
and nations in central Africa. He said the good news was that: "Nearly 90% will
have a higher income than India does today." He believes countries will become
richer by copying their more successful neighbours. Countries will also benefit from
new medicines, better seeds for farmers, and the Internet. Gates said many
countries that were very poor just a few decades ago are now doing well. He said
China, India, Brazil and Botswana were poor thirty years ago but now have
growing economies. He said there was still a lot of work to do and that, "more than
one billion people live in extreme poverty, so it's not time to celebrate"
PREDICTIONS: What do you predict will happen by 2035? Complete this table
with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.
Your prediction Is this good or bad? Why?
The Internet
World
peace

English
Technology
Education
Money

GOOD NEWS: Rank these (good?) news items and share your rankings with your
partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.
no more poor countries
humans reach Mars
the last ever war ends
energy made from air
free Internet everywhere
world becomes vegetarian
now we can live to be 200 whole world speaks English
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. How many poor countries are there (according to the World Bank)?
2. When will most of these poor countries be richer?
3. Which Central American country might not be richer?
4. What did Bill Gates say most countries were like when he was born?
5. What countries will be the exception rather than the rule in 20 years?
6. In which part of Africa will countries still be poor?
7. How does Mr Gates think countries will become richer?
8. What will farmers get?
9. How many countries did the article mention that were doing better?
10. How many people live in extreme poverty?
ACADEMIC WRITING
Everyone in the world should have the same amount of money. Write about it.
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If you finished it
Well Done!