POSITION
1
1. Match the following descriptions with the figures below:
1. The cube is suspended above/over the small rectangular block.
The small rectangular block rests on top of the large rectangular block,
under/below/beneath/underneath the cube.
2. The cone is behind/at the back of the rectangular block.
The sphere is in front of the rectangular block.
3. The cube is between the sphere and the cylinder.
4. The square is in the middle /centre of the circle.
5. The rectangular block is near to/close to/on the right (-hand side) of/by the side
of/beside the cube.
The cube is near to/close to/on the left (-hand side) of/by the side of/beside the
rectangular block.
6. There is water inside the beaker. The beaker stands in/inside a container of ice. There
is ice around the beaker.
7. There is a sphere among/amongst the cubes.
8. These blocks are touching (each other).
9. These blocks are separate/apart.
10. These blocks are joined. These two sides are adjacent (to each other).
2. Useful phrases
2
in the middle of, between, among
at the top of, at the bottom of
on the right/left hand side of, on either side, opposite
near (to), close to, by, touching, equidistant from
behind, in front of, at the back of
under, over, on top of
beneath, underneath
above, below, level with, diagonally above
half hidden, partially hidden
three sides visible, at an angle of 30 degrees
looking down on, looking up to
adjacent to, attached to, suspended above/over
outer – inner
upper – lower
front – rear
inverted, upturned, upside down
parallel to/with
horizontal – horizontally
vertical – vertically
perpendicular to
3.
Here is the description of the figure above:
There is a cube between a pyramid on the left and a sphere on the right. They are level with
the cube and equidistant from it. There is a vertical cylinder behind the sphere, slightly to the
right of it and partially hidden.
Now write a description of the following figures.
A
3
B
4. Study the following drawings and their descriptions:
A test-tube containing a small quantity of a liquid
is held over/above a bunsen burner flame. It is held
at an angle of about 45°. A piece of litmus paper
is held over the open end of the test-tube.
The apparatus below is used for measuring
quantities of heat energy. The apparatus consists
of a calorimeter, which is made of aluminium or
copper, inside a container. The calorimeter holds
a quantity of water. There is a space between the
inner calorimeter and the outer container, which
is filled with insulating material. The top of the
apparatus is covered by a lid. The inner
calorimeter is therefore completely enclosed by
the outer container, and is surrounded by
insulating material.
C
4
5. Now study the following description of an apparatus and then draw a diagram of it.
A beaker holds a small quantity of a liquid. It stands on a tripod, over a bunsen burner. An
inverted funnel is suspended over the top of the beaker. The top of the funnel is connected to a
tube, which passes into a test-tube beside the apparatus. The test-tube, which also contains a
small quantity of liquid, is at an angle of 45° to the horizontal. The end of the tube is below
the surface of the liquid in the test-tube.
6. Make simple drawings of the following:
1. an acute-angled triangle
2. an irregular five-sided figure
3. an S-shaped tube
4. a flat-headed screw
5. a wide-toothed saw
6. a two-pronged fork
7. a three-legged stool
8. a star-shaped crystal
9. a flat-bottomed ship
10. a four bladed fan
5
MOVEMENT AND ACTION
1. Which words are used to describe these actions?
bend
fall
lift off
lower
pull
push
push/press
raise/lift
rise
slide
swing
tighten/loosen (twist/turn)
turn/rotate (used transitively)
turn/rotate/revolve (used intransitively)
twist
6
2. Look at this diagram and description:
The block B rests on a slope. A string is attached to one end of the block and passes over a
pulley at the top of the slope. A weight W is suspended from the end of the string.
Now fill in the missing words:
When the block ……………………. ……….down the slope, it………………………………
the string and ……………………………..the weight.
At the same time, the pulley…………….…………….in a clockwise direction.
Useful structures:
The block pulls the string. - The string is pulled by the block.
The string turns the pulley. – The pulley is turned by means of the string.
The string raises the weight. – The weight is raised by means of the string.
7
3. Which words are used to describe these directions?
in and out
into
out of
up and down
up/upwards
down/downwards
backwards and forwards/to and fro/from side to side
towards/forwards
backwards/away from
sideways/to the left
sideways/to the right
through
along
across
round/around (clockwise/anticlockwise)
POSITION - LISTENING
1
The talk deals with a computer system developed for a British airport to speed up air
traffic. The system handles flight information, passenger check-in and point-of-sale terminals
in the duty-free shop.
As you listen, complete the sentences in the table below. In each sentence you need to
write the appropriate preposition. The first has been done for you.
2
In the listening passage, the prepositions such as IN, ON, AT, etc., were used as pars of
expressions of LOCATION or of MOVEMENT.
The picture above of the inside of an airport terminal illustrates some of these expressions
of location (L) and movement (M). The preposition we use usually depends on our “view” of
the places we are talking about.
A. IN, INSIDE, OUT OF, OUTSIDE, THROUGH
Look at the duty-free shop (A) and the departure lounge (B) in the picture. We can view these
as places with three dimensions of height, length, and depth. Now look at passengers 1, 2, 3,
and 4, and study the sentences below:
Passenger 1 is coming OUT OF the duty-free shop and (going) INTO the departure lounge
(M).
Passenger 2 is IN (INSIDE) the shop buying cigarettes. (L)
Passenger 3 is waiting OUTSIDE the shop for his companion. (L)
Passenger 4 has not bought anything . He is walking THROUGH the check-out. (M)
B. ON (ONTO), OFF, ACROSS, OVER
Look at the electronic display board (C) and the counter (D). These places can be viewed with
two dimensions of length and width. Look at the plane departure announcements (5) and the
drinks (6) and fill in the correct preposition:
The departure time of Flight 478 has just been indicated ……….the display board. (L)
A passenger is taking a glass of beer ……….the counter. (M)
The barman is putting some glasses of wine ……….the counter. (M)
The departure time of the Delhi flight will very soon be taken ……….the display board,
because the flight has already departed. (M)
A waitress is pushing a tray of drinks ……….the counter to a customer. (M)
C. OFF, ON, ALONG, ACROSS, OVER
The check-in desks (D) and the conveyor belt (F) can be viewed as places with only one
dimension of length. Look at the suitcases (7) and the check-in clerks in the picture and fill in
the correct prepositions:
One check-in clerk is taking a suitcase (7) ……….the scales and putting it ……….the
conveyor belt. (M)
A suitcase (8) is ……….the conveyor belt and is travelling ……….it to the loading bay. (L
and M)
Passenger 9 is looking ……….the line of check-in desks for a vacant one. (M)
Passenger 10 has just handed her passport and ticket ……….the desk to the clerk. (M)
3
D. AT, FROM, TO
The meeting point can be viewed as a place without any specific dimension.
Fill in the missing prepositions:
Some people are waiting ……….the meeting point. (L)
Most passengers in the picture are waiting in queues ……….the check-in desks. (L)
Passenger 11 is carrying a bag of duty-free shopping ……….the arrivals lounge ……….the
meeting point. (M)
Exercise 1 – prepositions of location and movement
1. When you arrive ……….the airport building, go ……….the check-in desk.
2. Make sure you have taken your ticket, passport, and money ……….your baggage,
before you put it ……….the scales.
3. The clerk ……….the desk will check your ticket.
4. She will tie a baggage label ……….the handles of your suitcases.
5. Then you can either wait ……….the main concourse or go ……….passport control
……….the departure lounge.
6. ……….most airports you will find a duty-free shop and a restaurant ……….the
departure lounge.
7. do not take the seal ……….your duty-free purchases before you get ……….the plane.
8. Once ……….the plane,, stow your hand baggage safely: do not put any heavy bottles
……….the overhead lockers.