I. Reading Exercises:

Exercise 1. Read and memorize using a dictionary:

water treatment equipment, has been contaminated, a spill, viable solutions, to purchase, to determine maintenance requirements, are not pleased with, rental, specify, as well as, insurance, stipulations, enforcement, stringent, the normal supply, a health hazard, distribution, appeals, determining factor, hidden expenses, the disposal of, reject water, rental price

Exercise 2. Answer the questions:

1) What is renting?

2) What should a rental agreement clearly specify?

3) What can you tell about chemical and microbiological standards for bottled water?

4) What can you tell about cost as a major determining factor?

Exercise 3. Open brackets choosing the right words:

Renting is a practical way to (bring/become) familiar with the device prior to purchase. Renting (gives/allows) you to determine maintenance requirements, costs and the effectiveness of the treatment system. Also, if you are (exchanging/renting) your residence but you are not (caused/pleased) with the water quality, equipment rental is reasonable.

The speaking module

II. Speaking Exercises:

Exercise 1. Describe 1) standards for bottled water, 2)cost as a major determining factor.

Exercise 2. Ask questions to the given answers:

1) Question: ___________________________________________ ?

Answer: In certain situations, purchasing water treatment equipment is not the best alternative.

2) Question: ___________________________________________ ?

Answer: A rental agreement should clearly specify in writing the responsibility for maintenance.

3) Question: ___________________________________________ ?

Answer: Standards for bottled water are no more stringent than those for public water systems.

4) Question: ___________________________________________ ?

Answer: The disposal of waste materials, such as reject water from reverse osmosis systems, spent cartridges from activated carbon units, and used filters, can add to the cost of water treatment and should be figured into the purchase or rental price.

The writing module

III. Writing exercises:

Exercise 1. Complete the sentence with the suggested words:

Or; such as; for; be; or; or; to; in.

Cost is a major determining factor ______ deciding ______ purchase ______ rent water treatment equipment, ______ to buy bottled water. The situation determines which may _____ less costly. Watch ______ hidden expenses ______ separate installation fees _____ monthly maintenance fees.

Exercise 2. Compose a story on one of the topics:

“Renting equipment or buying bottled water are viable solutions”

“A major determining factor in deciding to purchase or rent water treatment equipment, or to buy bottled water”

Lesson 6 the reading module Read the text: Sales Scams and Misleading Promotions

Until recently, the point-of-use water treatment industry focused on improving the aesthetic quality of drinking water. The industry has lately been thrust into the forefront of treatment of contaminated drinking waters that pose a serious health hazard. The response has been an explosion of companies and products promising to render the consumer's drinking water safe and contaminant free.

Although many sellers of water treatment units are legitimate, some are unscrupulous. As part of their sales pitches, some dealers may falsely claim that the drinking water in your area contains a harmful level of chemical contaminants, such as chlorine or lead. Although certain communities may experience various levels of water contamination, your community may not. Therefore, you may wish to verify the dealer's claims about your drinking water with your local or state department of health before purchasing any product.

Some dealers also may claim that certain government agencies require or recommend widespread use of water filters in homes or restaurants, or that the government approves a particular unit. This is not true. If you see an EPA registration number on a product label, it merely means that the manufacturer has registered its product with the EPA. A registration number does not mean that the EPA has tested or approved the product or substantiated the manufacturer's claims.

Some sellers advertise in the local media, offering a free in-home test of your drinking water if you call. Although in-home testing may be a legitimate sales tool, some promoters use unsophisticated tests to convince you of the need to purchase their product. For example, they may test only for acidity/alkalinity, water hardness, iron, manganese and color. None of these indicate the presence of harmful contaminants. Others may test only for chlorine, which, although present in your drinking water, may not be at harmful levels. If you suspect your water is contaminated, review all sources of information, consult a qualified water quality contractor and/or have your water tested by an independent laboratory before investing in a water treatment unit.

Be aware that water filters sometimes are sold as part of prize promotions, which may not be legitimate. Some companies send out postcards saying that you have been selected to receive a prize, and, to receive further details, instruct you to call a telephone number, usually toll-free. If you call, you may discover that you must purchase a water treatment unit to be eligible for a prize, which may be of little or no value. Sometimes sellers will request your credit card number, saying they need to verify your eligibility for a prize or to bill your account. Be cautious about giving your credit card number over the telephone to someone you do not know. Many consumers who have purchased water treatment units from telephone sales have found later that the units do not remove contaminants from the water and that they cannot cancel their orders or return the products to obtain refunds.