Chapter 1. Tools and Materials
pattern:
Adjectives of quality; X is both Y and Z; X is adapted to Y; X must be matched against Y; X in order to Y
X helps Y, which is Z; X therefore Y,(Y) being Z; X requires Y, using Z
text:
[1] Many familiar mechanical tools are quite robust. [2] They are normally made to withstand harsh treatment over many years. [3] An alloy such as chrome-vanadium steel in spanners is both hard and highly tensile. [4] Hand tools must be adapted to the strengths and limitations of the human body. [5] This human need is matched against the need to gain access, leverage, accurate alignment or cutting power on a piece of material or equipment. [6] A hammer handle is long and light (in order) to give centrifugal power, but the head is heavy and tough to maximize impact. [7] A screwdriver shaft is long (in order) to access awkward spots, but has tensile strength to withstand torque. [8] Ratchet mechanisms help human joints which are only able to twist through a few degrees. [9] Some mechanisms, like micrometers, register very small variations, and are therefore delicate, being easily knocked out of adjustment. [10] The development of modern mechanics is a story of increasing precision and complexity. [11] Fuel injectors, electronic control units and sensors now require highly trained technicians using sophisticated tools.
response :
1. Make a list of tools, from the very robust to the easily broken or easily knocked out of adjustment.
2. What sort of materials can withstand harsh treatment?
3. Compare the properties of chrome-vanadium steel, copper and wood.
4. What is one very important human thing to consider in designing hand tools?
5. What are some non-human criteria that hand tools design has to satisfy?
6. Describe how the design of a hammer handle helps the head to be effective.
7. Make a question using these words: why / screwdriver shaft.
8. Make a sentence using these words: human joints / able / twist
9. Think of some general ways in which the design of mechanical things has changed in your lifetime.
10. Compare a tool that your father might have used and a tool which has been developed in the last ten or so years.
keywords: (use these as cues; retell the text to a partner)
[1] robust; [2] harsh; [3] tensile; [4] ergonomic; [5] leverage; [6] centrifugal power; [7] torque; [8] ratchet; [9] delicate; [10] precision; [11] sophisticated.
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