DESCRIBING OBJECTS

EXERCISES

eraser lead

wooden casing

1. When we describe objects we must refer to:

A. Function B. Components C. Characteristics: material shape dimensions property colour

A. Functionto be + used to + V1

to be + used for + VingA pencil is used for writing on paper. A pencil is used to write on paper.

Exercise: Make similar sentences about the following objects:

a. Laptop: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………...

b. Knife: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………...

c. Needle: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………...

d. Bag: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………...

e. Car: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………...

f. Piano: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………...

g. Telephone: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………...

h. Chair: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………...

i. Pullover: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………...

j. Lighter: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………...

B. Components

B.1 A pencil consists of a core called lead and a wooden casing. It also has an eraser, inserted at the top. is made up of is composed of B.2 A pencil includes a core called lead, a wooden casing and an eraser, inserted at the top.B.3 A pencil has three parts: a core called lead, a wooden casing and an eraser, inserted at the top. sections:

components:

Exercise: Make similar sentences about the following objects.

Flower: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Scissors: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Room: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Hand: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Bookcase: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Position

If the objects to be described are complicated, consisting of many parts, or appearing in a set, positions must be given.

Example: inside, outside, at the top, on the left/ right, in the middle, to the right/ left(of), at the bottom, above, over, between, below, beside, at the end of,

behind, in front of, near, by, etc.

The engine is inside the scooter with a headlight at the top. The spare wheel is at the back. There is a petrol cap under the seat.

A car has four headlights at the front. At the top of the engine is the radiator and at the top is an oil cap.

Exercise: Make similar sentences about the following objects.

Radio: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Car: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

consists of

is made up of

is composed ofincludes

has

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Connection between Components

This refers to the relationship between two things or more. If the object has more than one part, we have to describe them part by part with a connection between them.

Verbs that signal the connection are: attach, detach, join, connect, support, fix, fit, lead, link, etc.

The head of a hammer is fixed to the handle.

The rubber tube is fitted over the glass tube. The glass tube is fitted into the rubber tube.

The wire leads from the switch to the bulb. The wire links between the switch and the bulb.

The wheels of a car are detached from the body of a car. The wheels of a car are connected by the axles.

Exercise: Make similar sentences about the following objects.

Bike: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Broom: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Exercise: Make more detailed sentences, as to make up a small paragraph, about the following objects.

Knife:

Bag:

Chair:

C. Characteristics:

materials: wood, cement, concrete, stone, metal, plastic, steel, glass, hydrogen, air, water, cotton, fur, cloth, porcelain etc.

A chair is made of wood. A wall is made out of bricks. Oceans consist of water.

shapes: Square, rectangle/rectangular, triangle/triangular, ellipse/elliptical, semicircle/semicircular, circle/circular, cube/cubic, pyramid/pyramidal, cone/conical, hemisphere/hemispherical, cylinder/cylindrical

A mobile phone is retangular in shape. A coin is shaped like a circle.A table is square.

dimensions: long/length, high/height, wide/width, broad/breadth, deep/depth

This building has a height of 250 metres. This string is 3 metres long. The depth of this lake is unknown.

property: This is a special quality that belongs to the object and makes it different and special from other objects.

A bottle of glass is fragile.The interior of a ping-pong ball is hollow.The edges of a table are straight.

colour: red, yellow, blue, green, brown, orange, pink, purple, grey, violet etc. (and their shades)

The grass is green.Lemons are yellow.My sister's eyes are blue.

Exercise: Choose any object you prefer and write a short description of its characteristics, using the chart

above:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Read the following example of a paragraph describing an object and discuss it with a partner:

The function of the object.

ComponentsShapes and dimensions

Materials

Connection between Components

A mixer is used for mixing food. The mixer is made of metal and plastic. It consists of 5 parts: a base, a stand, a motor housing, beaters, and a bowl. The base is rectangular in shape. It is 12 cm wide and 15 cm long. The stand which is supported by the base is 30 cm in height. The motor housing which contains a motor is joined to the stand. The steel beaters are very hard and tough. They are fitted in the gearbox. The glass bowl is hard and brittle. The edge of the bowl is circular. The glass bowl is detached from the base.

Properties

Shape

Read the following example of a paragraph describing an object and make a similar chart as above:

A kettle is a metal container which is used for boiling water. It consists of 4 main parts: a vessel, a lid, a spout, and a handle. The vessel is 7 inches high. It is hollow and spherical in shape. The base is flat and circular. It has a diameter of 6 inches. On the top of the vessel, there is a convex lid with a plastic knob in the middle. The lid is 5 inches in diameter. Above the lid is as curved handle which is covered with plastic at the middle part. At the side of the vessel is a conical spout for pouring water out of the vessel.

2. Look at the objects in the pictures and tell something about shape and what they are made of. Also explain what they are used for.

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3. Choose an object from your classroom and complete the following chart, without the name of the object. Ask your classmate to guess what it is.

4. Hiroyuki is a Japanese exchange student talking about home. Read the dialogue, then with your partner, make a similar one and act in front of the class.

It is ___________________.

Size: _____________________________________________Shape: ___________________________________________Color: ____________________________________________Taste: ____________________________________________Texture: __________________________________________

Temperature: ______________________________________Weight: ___________________________________________Age: _____________________________________________Origin: ___________________________________________

A: Hi Hiroyuki. How are you?B: Hi. I’m ok, but I’m a little homesick. A: Oh, that’s too bad. Do you call home often? B: I call once a week but itʼs not the same.A: What do you miss most from home?B: Actually I miss my geta the most.A: Geta? What are geta?B: Geta are a kind of Japanese shoes which are worn in the summer time.They are made of wood and make a nice sound.I wore my geta to many summer festivals.A: Wow! Geta are interesting. Please show me a picture some time!

5. Look at the expressions below that can be used when asking for descriptions of things:

Expression   ResponseWhat does it look like?   It’s big, with eight hairy arms.How big is it?    It’s 3 feet, by 4 feet, by 5 feet.How much does it weigh?        It weighs 75 pounds.What color is it?       It’s bright yellow, brighter than a banana. What’s it made out of?   It’s made of plastic and aluminum.What is it?   It's a garlic press. What does it do?   It puts a sharp point on wooden pencils.

What the purpose of a (… refrigerator)? 

The purpose of a refrigerator is to keep food cold so   it does not spoil.

What do you use a (... cheese grater) for?   A cheese grater is used to make small strips of   cheese from a larger block.

How does a (... water heater) work?   Water is collected in a large tank and heated by   either gas or electricity.

Choose from the list below and make a dialogue with the expressions and their proper responses

Pencil sharpener Bicycle Toaster Clock Calculator Camera StethoscopeBow and arrow