Pancyprian Technical School English (4-hour) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Skimming

Reading quickly for the general idea by looking at titles, headings, and topic sentences. Used before detailed reading to predict the text type and content.

Scanning

Moving the eyes quickly over a text to find one specific item such as a number, name, or date, without reading every word in order.

Topic sentence

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main idea. It answers main-idea questions directly and summarises the details that follow.

Inference

A conclusion drawn from facts stated in the text rather than stated directly. A valid inference must follow from two or more explicit details, not from general knowledge.

Signal words

Words showing how ideas connect: sequence (then, finally), cause and effect (therefore, as a result), contrast (however, whereas), and condition (if, unless). They guide question answers.

Reading a procedure

In instructions, each numbered step is one action in a fixed order. Answer questions by following the stated sequence and checking whether the text says before or after.

Spanner

A hand tool with a shaped jaw used to grip and turn nuts and bolts. The jaw size must match the fastener to avoid damaging the corners.

Pliers

A gripping tool with two pivoted handles and jaws, used to hold, bend, or cut wire. Insulated handles are required for electrical work.

Electrical units

Current is measured in amperes (A), voltage in volts (V), power in watts (W), and resistance in ohms. Confusing these units is a common exam trap.

Ductile

Describes a material that can be drawn or stretched into wire without breaking, such as copper. It differs from brittle, which snaps without bending.

Brittle

Describes a material that breaks suddenly under load with little or no bending, such as cast iron or glass. It gives no warning before failure.

PPE

Personal protective equipment worn by the worker: hard hat, safety goggles, ear defenders, respirator, gloves, safety boots, and high-visibility clothing. It is the last line of defence.

Calibration

Adjusting an instrument so its readings match a known standard. It is different from repair, which fixes a fault, and from inspection, which only checks condition.

Rivet

A permanent fastener with a shank that is deformed to hold two plates together. Unlike a bolt, it cannot be undone with a spanner and must be drilled out.

Passive voice

Formed with be plus past participle, as in 'The valve was replaced'. It is standard in technical writing because the action matters more than who did it.

First conditional

Used for real future conditions: if plus present simple, then will plus infinitive, as in 'If the alarm sounds, leave the area'. Never put will in the if-clause.

Second conditional

Used for hypothetical situations: if plus past simple, then would plus infinitive, as in 'If the cable were damaged, the system would fail'.

Modal verbs of obligation

Must states a rule or strong obligation, have to states an external requirement, should gives a recommendation, and mustn't states a prohibition. Don't have to means no obligation.

Relative pronouns

Who refers to people, which to things, where to places, and whose to possession. The pronoun may be omitted when it is the object of the clause.

Uncountable technical nouns

Equipment, machinery, information, advice, and safety have no plural form and take a singular verb, as in 'The equipment is new', never 'equipments are'.

Collocation

A fixed word partnership that sounds natural to native speakers, such as carry out an inspection, wear protective equipment, or fix a fault. Cloze gaps often test these.

Word formation suffixes

Endings that change word class: -tion and -ment form nouns, -al and -ive form adjectives, -ly forms adverbs, and -er or -or form agent nouns such as welder.

Contrast linkers

Words signalling an opposite idea, such as however, although, whereas, and on the other hand. In a cloze gap, they show the missing word reverses the previous statement.

Purpose linkers

Expressions introducing a reason or aim: in order to, so that, to, and for. They show that the following clause explains why an action is done.

Formal email closing

Use Yours sincerely when the salutation names the person (Dear Mr X) and Yours faithfully when it does not (Dear Sir or Madam). Sign your name beneath.

Report structure

A technical report contains a title, a purpose statement, findings in numbered sections, a conclusion, and recommendations. One idea per paragraph, with headings.

Imperative instructions

Steps written with the base verb and no subject, as in 'Switch off the power'. Each step contains one action and uses sequence markers such as first, then, finally.

Describing a process

Use the present simple passive with sequence connectors, as in 'The metal is heated, then it is shaped'. This keeps focus on the process, not the worker.

Incident report content

An incident report records date, time, location, people involved, the chronological account, injury or damage, action taken, and a preventive recommendation.

Listening for numbers

Numbers, units, and dates are frequent question targets and are often corrected mid-sentence. Note the final figure, not the first one heard.

Note-taking symbols

Shorthand marks used while listening: arrows for cause or next and for increase or decrease, the equals sign for equivalence, and the not-equal sign for difference.

Hierarchy of control

The order for reducing risk: eliminate the hazard, substitute it, use engineering controls, apply administrative controls, and use PPE last.