Unit 2

SHIPS

Objectives of Unit 2

2.1

Types of ship

2.2

Articles definite, indefinite

2.3

Travel arrangements for joining ship

2.4

Phrases for greeting and introducing people

2.5

Going to and will

Progress test
Self-assessment test
Bibliography / Webography

The main objectives are:

2.1

name several types of ship

discuss and confirm travel arrangements for joining ship
make and confirm accommodation reservations
demonstrates awareness of language register by using
appropriate expressions to greet visitors on board
use going to to describe fixed future plans or intentions
use will to predict future events

Types of ship

Since the dawn of history boats have been used in rivers, and ships have been used to
cross seas and oceans, to carry goods and people from one place to another.
The volume of cargo carried by ships continues to increase, and ships become larger
and larger. The variety of cargo is also widening. For this reason many ships are built for
particular cargoes. Tankers carry liquid cargo such as petroleum, and refrigerated cargo is
carried in reefers. Other ships, called bulk-carriers, carry certain cargoes such as iron ore,
grains or timber in bulk. Many vessels are built for certain duties: tugs for towing ships,
dredgers for deepening channels, and specialist craft such as gas carriers, ice-breakers and
floating cranes.
New types of ships include container vessels and Ro-Ro ships. Container vessels
carry large cases, or containers, of a wide variety of goods. They have a high service speed
and can be loaded and discharged very rapidly. Ro-Ro ships have doors in their bows and
sterns. These doors allow lorries, with cargo on them, to be driven on and off. Another new
type of ship is the Lash-ship. The word Lash stands for lighter aboard ship. Lash-ships
carry lighters or floating containers. Tankers known as VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers)
are designed to carry over 200,000 tons. ULCCs (Ultra Large Crude Carriers) can carry over
400,000 tons of cargo. Although there is a wide variety of ships at the present time, more new
designs are expected.
Exercises
1. Study each of the following sentences carefully and state if it is true or false according to
the information in the text.
1. Ships have been used only to cross seas.

2. Because the volume of cargo has increased ships continue to become larger and
faster.
3. At present ships are built for special purposes.
4. Bulk-carriers carry iron ore, grains or timber.
5. Ships are towed by dredgers.
6. Dredgers are used to deepen channels.
7. Container vessels can be loaded quickly and discharged slowly.
8. Ro-Ro ships allow loaded trucks to be driven on and off.
9. Lash stands for Lighter alongside ship.
B. Re-arrange the following group of words to form meaningful sentences.
1. design, ships, of, types, shipbuilders, new.
2. a, of, cargo, carries, a, kind, ship, special-purpose, certain.
C. Give brief answers to the following questions.
1. What do tankers carry?
2. What do reefers carry?
3. What do bulk-carriers carry?
4. What do tugs do?
5. What do dredgers do?
6. What does the word Lash stand for?

2.2

Articles
The, a, an, zero article

Nouns in English can be preceded by the definite article (the) or by the indefinite article (a,
an) or by no article at all.
The definite article (the) is used when the noun (singular or plural, countable or
uncountable) being referred to has a particular rather than a general reference, that is, when
we can identify what is being referred to. Here are three situations when we can identify
what is being referred to:
1. When the noun has been mentioned already
e.g. Colliers are designed to carry coal. The coal is carried in bulk.
2. When words following the noun define which particular one it is
e.g. Ships of all types use this port; the ship over there is an LNG carrier.
(Note: The phrase 'over there' tells us which ship is being referred to, but 'of all
types' does not.)
3. When there is only one of the noun in the world, or only one in the context being
referred to
e.g. the sun, the equator (with reference to the earth) the bridge, the Captain (with
reference to a ship)
The indefinite article (a, an) is used in front of singular nouns when they are used as
countable nouns and when the reference is general rather than particular, that is, when we
do not say which example of the noun is being referred to:

e.g. There is a ship in the port.

When the noun is plural, or when the noun is used as an uncountable noun, no article is
used.
e.g. There were cadets on board.
There was oil floating on the water.
When we refer to a class of objects rather than to examples of that class, the distinction
between definite and indefinite use disappears, and there are three possible ways of
referring to countable nouns:
e.g. The container ship is designed to carry containers.
A container ship is designed to carry containers.
Container ships are designed to carry containers.
(Here all three sentences mean: All container ships are designed to carry containers.) but there is
only one way of referring to uncountable nouns:
e.g. Oil is carried in tankers.
Exercise 1. Write out the paragraph below using a, an, the or no article as appropriate:
... largest type of cargo ship is ...
tanker. ... tankers are designed to carry ...
liquid cargo such as ... oil. ... cargo is pumped directly into ... holds by ...
powerful
pumps. ... holds are constructed as ... tanks. ... tanks are sub-divided into ... central
tank, two wing tanks and ...
expansion tank. ...
expansion tank allows ...
oil
to expand in hot weather. ... bridge superstructure and ...engine room are situated aft to leave
more room for ...
cargo. ... bridge is connected to ...
forecastle by ...
catwalk. ...
tankers which are over 500,000 dwt are known as ultra large crude
carriers (ULCCs).
Exercise 2. Complete the following sentences using articles when necessary.
1.Man has used ships since .. dawn of history.
2. .. ice-breaker is a special purpose ship.
3. .. ships are built for special purposes.
4. .. bulk-carrier carries iron ore.
5. This Lash ship doesnt have .. lighters on board.
6. .. ships are becoming larger and faster.
7. We do not have .. floating cranes available.
8. .. icebreakers sail in the arctic seas.
9. .. ULCC carries over 400,000 tons of cargo.
10. .. ships have doors in their sterns.

2.3

Travel Arrangements for Joining Ship

Flight reservation

Travel Agent: Freedom Travel. How may I help you?

Caller: Yes, I'd like to make a flight reservation for the twenty-third of this month.
Travel Agent: Okay. What is your destination?
Caller: Well. I'm flying to Helsinki, Finland.
Travel Agent: Okay. Let me check what flights are available?. [Okay] And when will you be
returning?
Caller: Uh, well, I'd like to catch a return flight on the twenty-ninth. Oh, and I'd like the
cheapest flight available.
Travel Agent: Okay. Let me see. Um, hmm . . .
Caller: Yeah?
Travel Agent: Well, the price for the flight is almost double the price you would pay if you
leave the day before.
Caller: Whoo. Let's go with the cheaper flight. By the way, how much is it?
Travel Agent: It's only $980.
Caller: Alright. Well, let's go with that.
Travel Agent: Okay. That's flight 1070 from Salt Lake City to New York, Kennedy Airport,
transferring to flight 90 from Kennedy to Helsinki.
Caller: And what are the departure and arrival times for each of those flights?
Travel Agent: It leaves Salt Lake City at 10:00 AM, arriving in New York at 4:35 PM, then
transferring to flight 90 at 5:55 PM, and arriving in Helsinki at 8:30 AM the next day.
Caller: Alright. And, uh, I'd like to request a vegetarian meal.
Travel Agent: Sure, no problem. And could I have you name please?
Idioms:
"red-eye" = a passenger airplane that flies at night
"We took a red-eye so we would arrive earlier in the morning for the meeting."
"wait on someone hand and foot" = do everything for someone, attend to their every need
"When you fly first class, the flight attendants wait on you hand and foot."

Booking a hotel room

Hotel Clerk: Hello. Sunnyside Inn. May I help you?
Man: Yes, I'd like to reserve a room for two on the 21st of March.
Hotel Clerk: Okay. Let me check our computer here for a moment. The 21st of May, right?
Man: No. March, not May.
Hotel Clerk: Oh, sorry. Let me see here. Hmmm.
Man: Are you all booked that night?
Hotel Clerk: Well, we have one suite available, complete with a kitchenette and a sauna
bath. And the view of the city is great, too.
Man: How much is that?
Hotel Clerk: It's only $200 dollars, plus a 10% room tax.
Man: Oh, that's a little too expensive for me. Do you have a cheaper room available either on
the 20th or the 22nd?

Hotel Clerk: Well, would you like a smoking or a non-smoking room?

Man: Non-smoking, please.
Hotel Clerk: Okay, we do have a few rooms available on the 20th; we're full on the 22nd,
unless you want a smoking room.
Man: Well, how much is the non-smoking room on the 20th?
Hotel Clerk: $80 dollars, plus the 10% room tax.
Man: Okay, that'll be fine.
Hotel Clerk: All right. Could I have your name, please?
Man: Yes. Bob Maexner.
Hotel Clerk: How do you spell your last name, Mr. Maexner?
Man: M-A-E-X-N-E-R.
Hotel Clerk: Okay, Mr. Maexner, we look forward to seeing you on March 20th.
Man: Okay. Goodbye.

Exercises
1. Choose the right answer
In most cases, passengers have to show a ____________ before they can get on a plane.
A. travel brochure; B. guidebook; C. boarding pass
If you're looking for affordable accommodations especially designed for younger travelers,
then a ___________ might be right for you.
A. hotel; B. youth hostel; C. inn
When traveling to some places in the world, you might have to get _____________ that will
provide protection from certain diseases.
A. vaccinations; B. baggage; C. luggage
2. Match the words with the sntences
departure, transfer, available, catch, destination
You will need to ___________ to a different plane in Miami.
What is your ____________ on this trip?
Be sure to be at the gate at least 30 minutes before ____________.
She wants to ___________ a taxi from the airport instead of a bus.
Are there are any seats _____________ on an earlier flight?
3. Match the dialogue:
1. Was your plane on time?

a. Yes, it was fine.

2. Did you have a good trip?

b. Yes, thank you. Everythings perfect.

3. Is your room OK?

c. No, Im fine for the moment, thanks.

4. Did you have something to eat?

d. Yes, its very comfortable, thanks.

5. Is everything OK?

e. Yes, I had a meal on the plane.

6. Can I get you anything?

f. Yes, it was right on time.

4. Find the words relating to travel arrangements and make sentences of your own with each
of them:
A woman called to make reservations, "I want to go from Chicago to Hippopotamus, New
York" The agent was at a loss for words. Finally, the agent said "Are you sure that's the name
of the town?" "Yes, what flights do you have?" replied the customer. After some searching,
the agent came back with, "I'm sorry, ma'am, I've looked up every airport code in the country
and can't find a Hippopotamus anywhere. The customer retorted, "Oh, don't be silly.
Everyone knows where it is. Check your map!" The agent scoured a map of the state of New
York and finally offered, "You don't mean Buffalo, do you?" "That's it! I knew it was a big
animal!"

2.4

Phrases for Greeting and Introducing People

Introducing others
These types of introductions involve three people:
A: The introducer (who knows both B and C)
B: Introducee (knows A but not C)
C: Introducee (knows A but not B)
Example,
A: Have you two met each other?
B: No, we haven't.
A: Ben, this is Carol. Carol this is Ben. (B and C smile and shake hands.)
B: Nice to meet you Carol.
C: Nice to meet you too, Ben.
Follow-up:
After you have been introduced to someone,
it is polite to ask a few general questions* to get acquainted.
For example,
B: Where are you from, Carol?
C: I'm from Connecticut.
B: Connecticut, which part?
C: Hartford, the capital. How about you, Ben?

B: Nebraska--a place called Bellevue. It's near Omaha.

C: How do you know Alan (A)?
B: He is my friend from college.
Practice introducing your friends to each other.
Remember to smile (and use handshakes where appropriate).
* When meeting someone for the first time,
it is not appropriate to ask certain types of questions.
Do NOT ask:
A person's age
Birth date
Salary
Weight
Marital status
You may ask general questions about the situation.
How do you know Alan (the person who introduced us)?
Are you a student at this university?
Is this your first time here?
What do you do for a living?
How long have you been working for (company)?
Going to - will
2.5
Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." Although the two
forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different
meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and
practice, the differences will become clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific
time in the future.

Form Will
[will + verb]
Examples:

You will help him later.

Will you help him later?
You will not help him later.

Form Be Going To
[am/is/are + going to + verb]
Examples:

You are going to meet Jane tonight.

Are you going to meet Jane tonight?
You are not going to meet Jane tonight.

USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action

"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one
the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's
complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone help us or
volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to
voluntarily do something.
Examples:

I will send you the information when I get it.

I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
Will you help me move this heavy table?
Will you make dinner?
I will not do your job for you.
I won't clean all the tanks myself!

USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise

"Will" is usually used in promises.
Examples:

I will call you when I arrive.

If I am elected President, I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health
insurance.

USE 3 "Be going to" to Express a Plan

"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to
do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.
Examples:

He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.

She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.
I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.
Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.

USE 4 "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction

Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the future.
Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In "prediction" sentences, the
subject usually has little control over the future and therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In the
following examples, there is no difference in meaning.
Examples:

The year 2222 will / is going to be a very interesting year.

John Smith will / is going to be the next President.

The movie "Zenith" will / is going to win several awards.

No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with time
expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead
of Simple Future, Simple Present is used.
Examples:
When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct
When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct

Self-assessment Test
Immigration and Customs. Give the right answer:
-long vacation? In
a hotel downtown? You can find some great accommodations there.
1.
2.
3.

staying
renting
shopping

-ray machine shows that

you might have a small knife and bottle inside . . . things you can't take on
the plane.
1.
2.
3.

wallet
luggage
pocket

small electronic devices and clothing, before you get off the plane.
1.
2.
3.

belongings
luggage
mail

pleasure?
1.
2.
3.

purpose
meaning
design

We will be reviewing the future plans of our companies.

1.
2.
3.

test
discuss
attend

Progress test
Ex. 1 Match the words with the sentences
much, check, expensive, view, reserve
The _________ of the city is beautiful.
Let me _________ our books to see if we have a room.
Well, $200 for a room is a little __________ for me. Do you have something
cheaper?
I want to __________ a room for next Friday.
How _______ is the room for one night?
Answers to self-assessment test
staying
pocket
belongings
purpose
attend

Bibliography / Webography
1. Georgescu, M. , Maritime English, Students Coursebook, 1st year, 1st term

(on www.cmu-edu.eu)
2. Georgescu, M., Outboard Communication, (2010), Nautica Press,
Constana, ISBN 978-606-8105-13-0
3. Marcu, E. Dictionary of Maritime Electromechanical Terminology English Romanian, (2009), Editura Nautica, Constana
4. Chirea-Ungureanu, C. English Grammar in Use-Exercises and Quizzes,
(2010), Editura Nautica, ISBN 978-606-8105-14-7
5. Chirea-Ungureanu, C. Developing English Communication and
Understandimg Skills on Board Ship, (2013), Editura Crizon, Constanta,
ISBN 978-606-8476-09-4

6. Blakey, T.N. English For Maritime Studies. 2nd ed. Hemel Hempstead,
Prentice Hall International (UK) Ltd, 1987 (ISBN 0 13 281379 3)
7. Logie, Vivers, Nisbet Marlins Study Pack 2 (book and two audio
cassettes). Edinburgh, Marlins, 1998 (ISBN 09531748 1 6)
8. Murphy, R. Essential Grammar In Use. 1st ed. Cambridge, Cambridge
University Press, 1990 (ISBN 0 521 35770 5)
9. http://free-english-study.com/speaking/introducing-others.htm - (visited
20.04.2013)