Unit 5

Technical Problems

Lecture 4 (page 40)

Assessing and Interpreting Faults

Ex. 5. a.: In this exercise, students are expected to discuss a technical problem they have
experienced with a device, equipment or vehicle.

(At the end of this unit, we will discuss writing a paragraph on this topic).

Ex. 5. b.: In this exercise as you can see, we have a problem-solving checklist for a technical
help line. This checklist helps us as users to discuss the problem and identify the failure.

 The problem-solving checklist includes:

1. User's observation (What the user has noticed.)
a. Nature of the fault (Type of the problem)
b. Circumstances of the fault. (In what situation the fault happens)
c. External factors. (Things from outside as rain)
2. Process of elimination.
We think of possible causes for the problem, and then start to eliminate those which are
not the case in order to reduce the possibilities and make identification easier.
3. Identify the problem.
Reach a conclusion on what the cause of the problem is (find the fault).
4. Determine action and urgency.
Decide what to do regarding the problem, and how quickly it needs to be solved. This
depends on the problem whether it is major and serious, or minor and slight.

Vocabulary items found in the checklist:

Observation (noun)
Observe (verb): to notice
Fault (noun): problem, error
Faulty (adj): problematic
Circumstances: conditions
External: from the outside (the opposite is ‘internal’)
Elimination (noun)
Eliminate (verb): to get rid of, put an end to.
Identify: recognize
Note:
Emergency vs urgency

Urgency: being important and needs quick attention.

Emergency: something dangerous and serious as an accident.
I received an urgent phone call/email.
You need to call the police when there is an emergency

Ex. 6. a.: This exercise refers us to track 5.3, page 90, in which Mr Roony, an engineer at
a quarry firm is talking to a helpline consultant about a technical problem with a diesel
engine. Read the text carefully (page 90), and notice how the items of the problem
solving checklist were followed to identify the cause of the problem.

Vocabulary items:
Defect (noun): fault
Defective (adjective): faulty, not working properly.
Intermittent (adj.)
Intermittently (adv.): from time to time, sometimes.
Misfiring: not working properly. (in an engine, the fuel mixture does not burn at the right
time).
Presumably: what you think is the likely situation, perhaps, probably.

Probably vs properly
Probably: maybe
Properly: correctly

Systematic (adj.)
Systematically (adv.): every time, always
Faulty (adj.): defective
Minor: not serious, slight (the opposite of 'major')
Serious: critical, dangerous, significant
Slight: not serious, minor, small.

Ex. 6. b.:
1. fault 2. Defective, faulty 3. Major 4. minor
5. properly 6. Intermittently 7. Systematically.

Ex. 6. c.: match the faults to the possible causes

1. B 2. C 3. A

Fill in the blanks with a suitable word from the list:

Defective/ defect/ urgent/ intermittently/ misfiring/ presumably/ minor/
systematically

1. This is a very ___________ problem. We need to see the manager immediately.

2. The warning message says that there is a _____________ in the fuel system.

3. The problem does not happen every time I start the car. It happens ______________.

4. A _____________ gasket caused the explosion.

5. Since he is a consistent winner, he is _____________ a superior player.

6. It is a ________________ wound (injury), there is no need to see a doctor.

7. Every time I start the engine, the warning message appears. It happens
______________.

8. The engine is working properly. It is not _______________ or down on power.

Answers:
1. urgent
2. defect
3. intermittently
4. defective
5. presumably
6. minor
7. systematically
8. misfiring