Technical English I Automotive Industries Unit 5

1 Read the text and label the diagram with the words in bold.

The electrical system of a car

The battery stores electricity. When you turn the ignition key, electricity flows from the battery to the
starter motor. This turns the engine. The engine drives the alternator. This acts as a generator and
produces electricity. It also charges the battery. The alternator produces alternating current (AC). A
rectifier pack changes AC to DC (direct current). Diodes in the rectifier pack make sure that output
from the alternator flows in one direction to the battery. But current can’t flow from the battery to the
alternator. Electrical current runs through the cables of the car’s electrical circuit. The current leaves
the battery through the positive terminal. It returns to the battery through the negative terminal.

1 Flow
Cable

+ – 9
10

8 5 6

3
7

Flow

Frame

2 Which words in the text do these words refer to?

1 This (line 2 ) a) starter motor b) ignition key c) battery
2 This (line 2 ) a) engine b) generator c) alternator
3 It (line 2 ) a) generator b) electricity c) alternator
4 It (line 6 ) a) battery b) current c) terminal

3 Read the text. Match the parts with their functions.

1 The battery
a) carry electricity to different parts of the car.
2 The cables
b) generates electricity for the car and charges the battery.
3 The engine
c) changes AC to DC.
4 The alternator
d) drives the wheels of the car and the alternator.
5 The diodes
e) stores electricity for the car.
6 The rectifier pack
f) allow electrical current to flow in one direction only.

© Pearson Longman 2008 www.pearsonlongman.com/technicalenglish

 Technical English I Automotive Industries Unit 5

4 Complete the sentences with words from the box.

1 around
Electricity
/ fromflows the electrical
/ into / out of / through / cables.
2 Electricity flows the electrical circuit.
3 Electricity flows the alternator the battery.
4 Electricity flows the positive terminal of the battery the starter motor.

5 Match an If clause with a result clause.

30 40 50 60 30 40 50 60
50 70 20 50 40 70
20 40 80
60 80 60
70 90 10 70 20 90
10 20
0 0 0 0

OFF OFF
ON

ignition off ignition on

If clause Result clause

1 If the ignition is on, a) electricity does not flow from the battery to the starter motor.
2 If the lights switch is on, b) current flows from the battery to the lights.
3 If the ignition is off, c) electricity flows around the circuit.

Rewrite this sentence with the correct punctuation.

if the ignition is off the starter motor doesnt work  

6 Complete the sentences. Use the present simple, with or without not.
1 If the battery is charged and the lights switch is on, current flows from the battery to the lights.
(current / flow / battery / lights)
2 If the battery is charged and the radio switch is off,
(current / flow / battery / radio)
3 If the battery is not charged,
(current / flow / starter motor / battery)
4 If the alternator is broken,
(current / flow / alternator / battery)
5 If no electricity flows from the alternator to the battery,
(battery / become flat)
6 If the battery is flat, no
(electricity / flow / battery / starter motor)
7 If the ignition is off,
(electricity / flow / around / electrical circuit)

© Pearson Longman 2008 www.pearsonlongman.com/technicalenglish

 Technical English I Automotive Industries Unit 5

Word List
7 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS NOUN PHRASES

alternator alternating current

battery direct current

cable electrical circuit

diode ignition key

generator rectifier pack

output starter motor

VERBS ADJECTIVES

charge negative

store positive

ADVERBS

off

on

© Pearson Longman 2008 www.pearsonlongman.com/technicalenglish