READING DIAGRAM

Read the following passge carefully

Engineers have to know the best and most economical materials to use.
Engineers must also understand the properties of these materials and how they can
be worked. There are two kinds of materials used in engineering – metal and non-
metals. We can divide metals into ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The former
contain iron and the latter do not contain iron. Cast iron and steel, which are both
alloys, or mixtures of iron and carbon, are the two most important ferrous metals.
Steel contains a smaller proportion of carbon than cast iron contains. Certain
elements can improve the properties of steel and are therefore added to it. For
example, chromium may be included to resist corrosion and tungsten to increase
hardness. Aluminium, copper, and the alloy, bronze and brass, are common non-
ferrous metals.
Plastics and ceramics are non-metals; however, plastics may be machined like
metals. Plastics are classified into two types – thermoplastics and thermosets.
Thermoplastics can be shaped and reshaped by heat and pressure but thermosets
cannot be reshaped because they undergo chemical changes as they harden.
Ceramics are often employed by engineers when materials which can withstand high
temperatures are needed.

Complete the diagram below using information from the reading passage.

E Material
Engineering

metals

Ferrous metals

Copper Steel Thermoplastics

Note that this diagram classifies engineering materials at four levels of generality.
Look at the following sentences:
1. Steel is a ferrous metal
2. Iron and steel are ferrous metals
3. Steel is an engineering material
4. Steel is a metal
5. Ferrous metals are engineering materials
6. Metals are engineering materials
Now write as many sentences as you can like those above based on the completed
diagram.

LANGUAGE STUDY

One way to identify objectss is to classify them according to type,

Copper, bronze and types of

are non – ferrous metals
brass kinds of

If we want to focus on only one of the items, we use the singular, e.g

a type of
A copper is non – ferrous metal
a kind of

We can also use a number of verbs to express the same relationship.

can divide
engineering into
We
could split materials
metals and
may classify as
non - metals
Engineering into
materials fall two
types

e.g. We can divide engineering materials into metals and non – metals
We can split engineering materials into metals and non – metals
We can classify engineering materials as metals and non – metals
Engineering materials fall into two types: metals and non metals

We can also use a number of verbs to express the same realtionship

consist of
Engineering materials Metals and non - metals
comprise

e.g Engineering materials consists of metals and non –metals

Engineering materials comprises metals and non-metals