1. Interpreting information.
First, read this brief which appeared in Section 1.
Dear Janet,
Due to the unavailability of our CCC centre next year, we need to consider an alternative venue for the E-4-Education conference. Both the HG Conference Centre and Ztech Functions are in suitable locations in the city. I would like you to do some research to recommend which of these two venues better suits the conference needs. Please use the following criteria:
Capacity
Cost
Transport options
Venue facilities
Please write a report on your research and findings and send it to me by the end of the month.
Regards,
Mark
Mark Jackson
E-4-Education conference organiserThe table below contains research results to include in the Findings section of the report. Refer to the table and mark the statements true or false.
| HG Conference Centre | Ztech Functions |
| Capacity: 550 | Capacity: 300 |
| $3,500 | $2,000 |
| Shuttle bus every 20 minutes from Central Station (15-minute travel time) | Half-hourly bus service (35-minute travel time) |
| Parking: 250 cars $12.50 an hour |
Parking: 80 cars – free 200 cars public car park, 5-minute walk from function centre |
| Catering facilities: Lunch + morning and afternoon snacks: $35 per person | Catering facilities: Morning and afternoon snacks: $25 per person |
| Facilities: WiFi, live video facilities (3 cameras), wireless lapel microphones, press centre, stand area, meeting room, admin office | Facilities: WiFi, live video facilities (1 camera), microphones on desk stands, stand area, meeting room |
2. Including key information.
Now read and complete the Findings section of this report. You will need to refer to the research results in the table again. This exercise is in two parts. Scroll down to see Part 2.
| HG Conference Centre | Ztech Functions |
| Capacity: 550 | Capacity: 300 |
| $3,500 | $2,000 |
| Shuttle bus every 20 minutes from Central Station (15-minute travel time) | Half-hourly bus service (35-minute travel time) |
| Parking: 250 cars $12.50 an hour |
Parking: 80 cars – free 200 cars public car park, 5-minute walk from function centre |
| Catering facilities: Lunch + morning and afternoon snacks: $35 per person | Catering facilities: Morning and afternoon snacks: $25 per person |
| Facilities: WiFi, live video facilities (3 cameras), wireless lapel microphones, press centre, stand area, meeting room, admin office | Facilities: WiFi, live video facilities (1 camera), microphones on desk stands, stand area, meeting room |
Part 1
Part 2
3. Signposting, linking and comparing.
Use the words and phrases to complete the Findings section from the previous exercise. This exercise is in two parts. Scroll down to see Part 2.
Part 1
Part 2
4. Concession, contrasting and describing alternatives.
Look at the examples below. Then choose the correct option to complete the sentences.
Concession
Although it is closer to the city centre, it is also the more expensive option.
Despite being closer to the city centre, it is also the more expensive option.
It is closer to the city. Nevertheless, it is the more expensive option.
It is closer to the city. However, it is the more expensive option.
While it is closer to the city, it is also the more expensive option.
Contrasting
Centre A is serviced by a shuttle bus, whereas/while centre B relies on the local bus service.
Centre A is serviced by a shuttle bus. In contrast, centre B relies on the local bus service.
Describing alternatives
Participants could travel by bus. Alternatively/On the other hand, they could use private transport.
5. Comparing.
What do the following sentences describe: similarity, a small difference or a big difference? Choose the correct option.
6. Practice: Comparing.
Can you remember? Write in the missing words to complete the sentences from the previous exercise. The first letter of each word is given.
9. Packing information into sentences.
TIP:
To avoid repetition and to make each section of a report as concise as possible, it is important to pack different information into key sentences. Look at the example below.
The HG Centre is adequate. The Ztech centre is adequate.
... can be packed into the one sentence.
Both possible venues are adequate.
These facts:
The difference in catering cost is marginal. Ztech is cheaper. Ztech charges $25 per person. The HG centre charges $35 per person.
... can be packed into the one sentence.
Ztech is marginally cheaper, charging $25 per person compared to the HG centre's $35.
These facts:
Zenith Couriers have a delivery once a day. Ox Couriers have a delivery twice a day.
... can be packed into the one sentence.
Zenith Couriers have a delivery once a day, whereas Ox Couriers have one twice a day.
Type in the missing words to complete the second sentence so that it includes all the information from the sentences above it.
10. Review.
Choose the best options to complete the Findings section you have focused on in the previous exercises.
Task
Read the brief below and write the findings section of the required report.
TIP:
Read the brief carefully and identify the main points to include in your findings. Then look at the information you need to include in your report. Do not try to include all the information, just the information that is most relevant in terms of the report brief.
Brief
To further enhance the use of technologies in the school and the service we provide for our students, it is essential that our staff and classrooms are equipped with tablet computers for students and teachers to use.
Please investigate tablets that are currently available and which would be most appropriate for classroom use. Present your findings in the form of a recommendation report. The chosen tablet needs to be compatible with current software used at the school. Other factors to consider are as follows: initial cost, weight and size, quality of image, durability, speed of response, battery capability, WiFi reception, and support and service.
Please have the report ready by the end of the month so that I can read it through before discussing your recommendations with the installations committee.
Regards,
Jennifer
Use the following information in the table and the notes below it to help you write the Findings section of the report. Remember to include language that you have studied in this section.
| Specification | Nova | Toshdo | Kimov |
| Operating system | Robot 5.1 | Robot 5.0 | Lexical 7 |
| Processor | 2 X 1GHz dual-core | Monkey 7 dual-core | 1GHz dual-core |
| Display size | 10.1" | 10.1" | 7" |
| Resolution | 1280 x 800 XGA | 1280 x 800 WXGA | 1024 x 600 |
| RAM | 1GB | 1.5GB | 512MB |
| Memory | 16GB or 32GB | 16GB or 32GB | 8GB |
| Battery life (max.) | 14 hours | 10 hours | 8 hours |
| Weight | 589 g | 725 g | 362 g |
| WiFi reception | strong | strong | moderate |
| Support and service | Yes | Yes | No |
| Price | $472 | $380 | $160 |
Findings section notes
1) Introduction: summarise results of teachers' survey. The following most important for teachers:
a) specifications of the tablets; light, durable and good WiFi reception
b) reliable
2) Findings based on information from manufacturers and feedback from teachers who tested the tablets, in classroom situation
3) Summary of cost and performance differences:
- Nova: most expensive, most powerful, 2 dual-core processors, less RAM than Nova
- Toshdo and Kimov: one processor
- Nova: the lightest
- Nova and Toshdo with good WiFi reception and manufacturer support (two most viable options, but considerable price difference)
- Kimov lacks minimum requirements: no support and service, only moderate WiFi reception
- battery life: Nova and Toshdo, long periods without being recharged
Try to include the following words and expressions:
Taking into account
In terms of
Concerning
whereas
However
compared to
also
both
could be seen as
Nevertheless
On the other hand
As far as ... is concerned
When you have completed the task, you can look at a sample answer. Compare the sample answer with your own.
Findings
Taking into account the results of the survey of teachers' needs, the following aspects have emerged as being possibly the most important for teachers: firstly, the specifications of the tablet – it should be light, durable and have good WiFi reception, and secondly, the tablet should be reliable.
In terms of the specifications, the following findings are based on the information provided by the manufacturers as well as the feedback from the teachers who tested these models in a classroom situation.
Concerning cost and performance, the Nova is the most expensive model and is also the most powerful, with two 1GHz dual-core processors, whereas the Toshdo and Kimov have only one. However, the Nova does have less RAM capacity than the Toshdo, which has 1.5GB compared to the Nova's 1GB. The Nova is also the lightest of the three models tested, weighing 589 g. Both the Nova and the Toshdo also provide strong WiFi reception and have guaranteed manufacturer support. As a result, they could be seen as being the two most viable tablet options. Nevertheless, the price difference is considerable with the Nova costing $472 compared to the Toshdo's $380. On the other hand, the Kimov is the cheapest of the three models, costing only $160; however, it is lacking in minimum requirements outlined in the brief for this report, as no support and service are provided and it has only moderate WiFi reception. As far as battery life is concerned, both the Nova and the Toshdo can operate for long periods of time without being recharged, the Nova for 14 hours, compared to the Toshdo's 10 hours.
Taking into account the results of the survey of teachers' needs, the following aspects have emerged as being possibly the most important for teachers: firstly, the specifications of the tablet – it should be light, durable and have good WiFi reception, and secondly, the tablet should be reliable.
In terms of the specifications, the following findings are based on the information provided by the manufacturers as well as the feedback from the teachers who tested these models in a classroom situation.
Concerning cost and performance, the Nova is the most expensive model and is also the most powerful, with two 1GHz dual-core processors, whereas the Toshdo and Kimov have only one. However, the Nova does have less RAM capacity than the Toshdo, which has 1.5GB compared to the Nova's 1GB. The Nova is also the lightest of the three models tested, weighing 589 g. Both the Nova and the Toshdo also provide strong WiFi reception and have guaranteed manufacturer support. As a result, they could be seen as being the two most viable tablet options. Nevertheless, the price difference is considerable with the Nova costing $472 compared to the Toshdo's $380. On the other hand, the Kimov is the cheapest of the three models, costing only $160; however, it is lacking in minimum requirements outlined in the brief for this report, as no support and service are provided and it has only moderate WiFi reception. As far as battery life is concerned, both the Nova and the Toshdo can operate for long periods of time without being recharged, the Nova for 14 hours, compared to the Toshdo's 10 hours.