B.E /B.

TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION, APRIL/MAY 2013

HS6151- TECHNICAL ENGLISH-II (REGULATION 2013)
Answer all the questions
PART A
1. Match the words in column A and with their meanings in column B

(A) Appropriate (i) allowing light to pass

(B) Translucent (ii) a place water is collected and stored
(C) Feedback (iii) repercussion
(D) Catchment (iv) suitable
(v) response
Ans: a-iv, b-I, c-v, d-ii.
2. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.
The research study highlights the importance _________ the fossil record_____
understanding long-term ecological responses_ changes_____ time.
Ans: of, in, to, over.
3. Rewrite the following into sentences indicating purposes:
(a) a clock___ to show time of the day.
(b) a calendar______ to show the days, weeks and months of a particular year.
Ans: (a)The purpose of clock is used to show time of the day.
(b)The purpose of a calendar is to show the days, weeks and months of a particular year.
4. Rewrite the following into sentences using suitable cause and effect expressions:
(a) Pollution______ global warming
(b) decrease in production of potato_____ increase in price.
Ans: pollution causes/leads to global warming
(b) decrease in production of potato has led to increase in price.
5. Use ONE of the following words as noun and verb in sentences of your own:
(a) Conduct (b) Record
Ans:
(a) We conducted (verb) a programme where all participants displayed good conduct.
(b) (b) We have not recorded (verb) the results but we have a record(noun) of all
activities.
6. Rewrite the following in correct numerical expressions:
(a) A company which is 15 years old
(b) An experiment conducted over 10 years time
(c) A lab with 30 computers.
(d) A book with 6 volumes.

Ans:
A 15 year old company
A 10 year experiment
A 30 computer lab
A six volume book
7. Convert the following into yes or no questions:
(a)Science is beneficial to mankind
(b) Einstein is a genius
(c) Science and technology go together.
(d) The galaxies are increasing in numbers.
Ans:
Is Science beneficial to mankind?
Is Science a genius?
Do science and technology go together?
Are the galaxies increasing in numbers?
8. Fill in the blanks with suitable articles:
________ secret of________ successful sandcastle could aid____ revival of ______ ancient
eco-friendly building technique, according research by Durham University.
Ans: The, a , the, an
9. Rewrite the following into indirect speech:
“Green building are becoming popular”, said the civil engineer to his customer.
Ans: The civil engineer told his customer that green buildings were becoming popular.
10. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate with the appropriate forms of the words:
Noun Adjectives Person concerned
(a) Archeology archeological archeologists
(b) Ornithology ornithological ornithologist
(c) Environment environmental environmentalist
(d) Industry industrial industrialist
 Part-B
11. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given at the end of it:
From time immemorial man must have looked at the clear night sky and wondered what the
heavenly objects were supposed to be. He must have compared and contrasted their
appearance with that of the sun during the day. From where does the sun appear in the East
and where does it go in the west? Why do most bodies move round northerly direction, the
direction of the pole star, whereas a few exceptional ones seem to move in irregular ways?
Why is the moon, which apparently is of comparable size to sun, considerably less bright
than the sun? These questions must have occurred to the curious mankind in the past.
Now, there is a tendency in the human mankind to ascribe strange neutral phenomena
to supernatural causes. This tendency runs counter to the scientific approach which is worn
out of curiosity and thrives on a critical assessment. We see an excellent example of the two
tendencies in mans’ approach to the motion of heavenly bodies. The questions raised above
could not be answered straight away and so the former tendency was dominant, it is not
surprising, therefore the man ascribes supernatural powers to the Sun, the Moon and the
Stars. Of these those with irregularly motions were singled out as having greater power
because their irregularity implied that they could move across the sky ‘at will’. These are
none other than the planets o our Solar System. Human imagination being what it is, It was
but another step from this argue that these’ powerful planets control human destiny. We
could understand and sympathize with this view, shared by most primitive cultures, because
in those days, more than two in sight, but today, when the scientific approach has provided
answers, the situations should be entirely different.
How the scientific outlook prevailed and led to the solution of the mystery is an
interesting story which briefly narrates. Among the primitive cultures records were kept of
the positions of some important heavenly bodies. The reasons for these records were
primarily utilitarian. For man had learned to connect the changing of seasons with te
changing position of these objects in the sky. Since agriculture was strongly dependent on
seasons, it was necessary to forecast these and this is where the primitive astronomical
observations helped.
A. Complete the following:
(i)The heavenly objects are
(1) The sun
(2) The moon
(3) The stars
(4) All of the above
(ii) Northerly direction is the direction of_________
(1) The moon
(2) The polestar
(3) The sun
(4) The earth
(iii) Human fate is regulated by human_________
 (1) Reason
(2) Emotion
(3) Stars
(4) Truth
(iv) The primitive societies kept records of gthe movements of heavenly bosied because such
records were
(1) Interesting
(2) Mysterious
(3) Wonderful
(4) Useful
(v) __________ runs counter to the scientific approach.
(1) superstition
(2) nature
(3) man
(4) Culture
B. Look at the passage and decide whether the following statements are ‘true’ or ‘false’
(i) Man in the past asked many questions about the heavenly objects.
(ii) Man has found a number of answers now.
(iii) The seize of the sun and the moon is the same.
(iv) Man did not believe in the supernatural powers of the Sun.
(V) Science has solved all mysteries of the world.
(vi) There is a close connection between the change of the seasons and the position of the
heavenly objects.
Ans: (i) T (ii) T (iii) F (iv) F (v) F (vi) T
Choose the definition which best fits these words or phrase as they are used in the text:
(i)Immemorial
(1) Existing for a short time
(2) Existing for a long time
(3) Without any existence
(4) Dead and gone
(ii) Apparently
(1) Seemingly
(2) Considerably
(3) Largely
 (4) Realistically
(iii) Ascribe
(1) Distribute
(2) Contribute
(3) Attribute
(4) Pay trite a report on a fire accident due to leakage
(iv) Singled out
(1) Chosen
(2) Described
(3) Entitled
(4) Selected badly
12. Write a report on a fire accident due to leakage of electric current in a ladies hostel where
two electrical engineering students died. Also, given a set of recommendation for preventing
such accidents in future.
To
The Chairman
Sir,
Sub: Report on a fire accident.
Ref: Your memo dated 1st May 2014.
With reference to the accident that took place a couple of days ago in our ladies
hostel, the following report is submitted after a thorough analysis of the facts.
On 1st May, a fire broke out around 8:30 am in the electrical circuit. It spread quickly and
engulfed a vast area, consuming a large number of gas cylinders in the process. Moreover, the
girls working in the main hall sustained burn injuries. Fortunately, as it occurred during early
morning time, and not many had wakeup.
The fire service was called immediate and the fire was extinguished after half an hour.
Those who sustained burn injuries were sent to the hospital. About two electrical engineering
girls students died, and people with minor burns are recovering slowly.
Investigations are going on. To avoid such incidents in future, I suggest that:
1. The wiring in all places should be regularly checked.
2. Fire extinguisher should be installed in the main hall.
3. The ladies should be trained to deal with emergency situations.
If the above suggestions are implemented, such accidents can be
prevented in the future.
Yours sincerely,
Signature of the Chief Engineer.
13. (a) Write a letter to the chairman of your college, Chennai requesting permission to visit
the manufacturing unit as part of your industrial visit.
To:
‘The Chairman
Velammal Engineering College,
Chennai
Sub: Permission letter for industrial visit.
Dear Sir,
On behalf of the Civil and mechanical department students, it is my pleasure to write this
letter to you. The main purpose of this letter is to seek for your permission for the planned
visit that we have organized for some students of your college.
The visit is to last for just one day and will include a tour of the industrial complex, with
explanation of the various industrial processes and facilities by the industry staff. The visiting
team will be comprised of 35 students who will be accompanied by two lectures.
Thanking you in anticipation of your positive response.
Yours faithfully,
Dr.J.Nandagopal
(b) Write a letter of complaint to the manager of a blank about the problems you face in
using ATM card.
Dear Sir:
I have been having a savings account in your bank for the pst two years. Two weeks ago I
lost my ATM card and then got a new card.
The new card is giving me lots of troubles. Whenever I try to withdrawal more than Rs.4000
at a time, the transactions is declined. This is the case with our bank ATMs and also other
bank ATMs. Also I am not able to use my card for online transactions as I got an error
message. So kindly look into the issues and do the needful. If need be, please provide a
replacement card free of cost.
Thanks,
Raju
14.(a) Write a letter of application for the post of a junior engineer to the Divisional
Engineer, Mambalam Division, Chennai Telephones,786, Anna salai, Chennai-35
Maruthuraj
No.44, Ramko Street, Erode,
January 25, 2011
Dear Sir,
I read on your website of your client’s need for Junior Project Engineers to work in your
reputed company.
I am 23 years old Indian, and I have a degree in Civil Engineering from Bharathiar
University. I believe that I have necessary credentials for the position you are offering. I
speak English fluently as I studied English from my schooling, Besides, I also have the
TOEFL grade. This is the first time I am applying for this kind of job, but don’t have worked
at various levels in the constructions industry. As you can see from my CV, I worked several
summers as a general laborer, and now working as an assistant construction instructor.
As a person, I am hardworking, punctual, and responsible and I think I am
able to communicate effectively with people. I am confident that my Civil Engineering
degree, along with my years of experience, make me a suitable candidate for this post. My
aspiration is to work on a reputed company like yours. I looked forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours faithfully,
C.Karthick
15. (A) Write two paragraphs about electronic media and its impact on society. Your
answer should mo exceed 200 words `
The radio, television, The internet, mobile phones, e-books, I-phones and mp3, are turned as
electronic media. Some of these that were unknown in the past have now become very
powerful in the hands of people. For instance, a mobile phone is used to communicate as well
as take videos, send and receive short text messages, surf the internet and store valuable
information. These are used by businessmen and educational and spiritual institutions to
communicate and advertise. Further, The Internet has become an important media of learning
as most of the books are converted to e-books and are easily available for reading.
The effect of this media is unmanageable. It has minimized distance and now
communication can be sent and received instantly. It has helped the business, trade and
service sectors to become rich and popular. However, people are all the time browsing the
Internet or with the mobile phones. They do not play games or do exercises like before and
therefore becoming dull and lazy. The proverb, ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’
is apt in this context. As all kind of information are available on this media, there is rise in the
crime violence and indiscipline.
(b) Write a proposal for submission to the principal of your college for giving
employability training to your classmates. Give details regarding the need, the number
of students, venue, time and dates, resource persons for the training, amount of money
required, sponsorship, if any, etc.
To
The Principal
Sir,
Sub: The need to give employability training to the final year students
Respected sir,
In the current highly competitive world, employability skills are must. These skills are also
called as soft skills. Therefore it will be very useful if these are imparted to students at
college level itself. Soft skills help the students in a performance-oriented work environment.
In this regard, I would like to suggest ABC Inc., a soft skills consultant who is ready to
provide employability training to the final year students of our college.
Other college too has signed up with ABC Inc. to provide employability training for their
students. The company is ready to give a 10-day training to our college students in three
batches, each batch being 3 hours in duration. For each batch, a minimum of 40 students are
needed. The venue can be our college conference hall. AN amount of Rs.1 lakhs needs per
batch to be paid to the company, however, some corporate are ready to bear the cost of
training by sponsoring the training if you approve their sponsorship.
Therefore please consider my proposal and revert if you need any further information.

Yours faithfully,
R Yudishter