中科院英语听说教程《轻松听轻松说》(上册)听力原文及答案-Unit_13.pdf

109 UNIT 13 Could You Tell Me How? Inquiring and Giving Instructions Introduction Many times we want to learn a recipe or a procedure and many times we want to show others how to operate a piece of equipment in everyday life or in laboratory research. When we do these activities, we may ask for instructions, describe a thing, give instructions and/or check understanding. These activities are often intermingled in a single conversation. When describing an object, a piece of equipment, a machine or a gadget to another person, we explain its size, shape, color, material, appearance, use and functions. There is usually a little difference between telling someone how something works and instructing them how to use it themselves. When explaining how something works, a more general description is given, whereas when giving instructions, more details are needed and more repetitions too. Also, when giving instructions, we often link the steps like this: “The first thing you have to do is...” or “Make sure you remember to...” and many other expressions. If you are giving instructions to someone, you’ll probably have to check as you go along by asking questions like “Are you with me?” to see if your listener has understood. Answers to the Questions: 1. Instructing means telling people how to make, use or operate something. 2. Check understanding. Background Information: Besides the points in the introduction, there are some other things you need to consider when giving instructions. First, make your instructions or explanations clearly and logically, step by step or point by point. Second, you may need to repeat or amplify some details which were not clear to your listeners. Sometimes classification is needed. Third, you should use vocabulary that your listeners will understand, and if it’s necessary, explain some technical terms. Fourth, you must avoid making your sentences too long or too complex. Fifth, you need to use the same person in speaking all the time. For example,