ROLE-PLAY. Disagree with the following statements. Give your reasons. Use the formulas of disagreement.

1. It is quite possible for most modern people to live without electricity.

2. The electricity that we get from power outlets and batteries can not power all different kinds of devices.

3. During a thunderstorm, there are huge bolts of electricity called thunder.

4. You can never get a shock from static electricity on dry winter days.

5. Most portable devices do not contain any batteries, which produce varying amounts of electricity depending on their size.

6. Throughout your house, you never find electric outlets where you can plug in all sorts of electrical appliances.

7. It is impossible to create electricity from sunlight using a solar cell.

8. It is unreal to create electricity from the chemical energy in hydrogen and oxygen using a fuel cell.

9. Because the electrons move fast all the materials can conduct electricity very well.

10. A generator does not use a magnet to get electrons moving.

WRITING PRACTICE

46. Read the following text carefully in order to discover the main line of thought and make a plan for writing a summary:

Transformers on the Electrical Grid

Let’s look at the electricity that comes to your home. When electricity moves from a power plant it is put into a very high voltage to be able to travel long distances. The high voltage lines can be as high as 155,000 to 765,000 volts to travel many hundreds of miles.

In order for your home or a store to use the electricity, it has to be at a lower voltage than on the long-distance lines. So, the electricity is «stepped-down to a lower level using a transformer. This lower voltage electricity is put into the local electric wires at a substation.

The substation breaks the larger amount of power down into smaller pieces at lower voltage. It then is stepped down again and again. Once smaller transformers take that voltage down to usually 7,200, the power leaves this substation. In your neighborhood, a transformer on top of a utility pole, or one connected to underground wires, transforms the 7,200 volts into 220-240 volts. This is then sent into your home over three wires. The three wires go through the electric meter, which measures how much electricity you use. One of the three wires is the ground, and the other two are the positives. Some of the electrical appliances in your home use the 220-240 volts. These are things like a water heater, stove and oven, or air conditioner. They have very special connections and plugs.

Other devices, like your TV or computer only use one-half of the electricity — 110-120 volts. In a toy train set, the voltage is reduced even more from 110-120 and is changed from alternating current into direct current. Some businesses use higher voltage power to run big machines. So, they don’t need to have the voltage reduced as much.

THE BUSINESS LETTER

47. Read and translate the following sample of business letters:

48. Remember the following recomended binding phrases used in business letters:

§ Apart from the above (said) … — Помимо вышесказанного

§ In view of the above (said) – Учитывая вышеуказанное…

§ As a matter of fact / In fact…/ — Действительно / На самом деле/ фактически…

§ It goes without saying… — Само собой разумеется, без сомнения…

§ In this connection… — В связи с этим…

§ In connection with your request… — В связи с Вашей просьбой…

§ In connection with the above (said) … — В связи с вышесказанным…

§ The point is… / The matter is … — Дело в том. что…

§ In our opinion – По нашему мнению…

§ I would like to note … — Хотелось бы отметить…