Handling questions

a.	As I see it As far as I can tell In my opinion I believe	Насколько я понимаю это Насколько я могу судить На мой взгляд Я полагаю
b.	Could you go over that again? /Sorry, could you say that again/repeat that, please? What exactly did you mean by …?	Извините, не могли бы вы повторить вопрос? Не могли бы Вы уточнить?
c.	I'm afraid that's not the field of my research. I’m afraid I’m not able to answer this question at present.	Это не входит в тему моего исследования. Боюсь, сейчас я не могу ответить на Ваш вопрос.
d.	I’d like to give that some thought Well, let me think about that Could we hold that for later?	Мне бы хотелось обдумать это Дайте мне подумать над этим Может, мы отложим это на потом?
e.	I totally agree. I fully/completely agree with you. Yes, without a doubt. Absolutely/exactly. No objections here. That’s just what I was going to say. I think so too.	Я полностью согласен Полностью с Вами согласен. Да, несомненно Совершенно верно Здесь у меня нет возражений Я разделяю Ваше мнение. Я считаю так же.
f.	I’m afraid, I can’t agree with you. I don’t think that’s quite right. I’m afraid I have to disagree with you. No, I’m afraid not I don’t see it that way I think you’ve missed the point I’m not convinced. That’s highly unlikely.	Боюсь, я не могу с этим согласиться. Я не совсем в этом уверен. Я не могу с этим согласиться. Нет, боюсь, что нет Я так не думаю Мне кажется, вы упустили главное Я не убежден (а) Это маловероятно
g.	Well, in that case. Now that I think about it. Sure, why not? Well, I guess you could be right.	Ну, в таком случае Хотя, если подумать об этом Конечно, почему бы и нет Пожалуй, вы и правы
h.	Does that answer your question? Did that clear it up?	Ответил ли я на ваш вопрос? Я прояснил ваши сомнения?

5. Study the diagram describing the steps of the question-and-answer session. How can you sound polite while asking or answering questions?

4. a) Listen to the coach speaking about how to prepare a presentation. Then answer the questions:

1. What may help you to feel more comfortable while giving a presentation?

2. How many questions does the speaker ask himself before start preparing? What are these questions?

3. What aims of a presentation does he define?

4. What equipment is mentioned?

5. What technique does the speaker use to organise his ideas for presentation?

6. What visuals does he speak about?

7. What is the speaker’s method of working with the audience?

b) Listen again. What clichés does the speaker use to:

1. organise his presentation logically?

2. illustrate his ideas?

3. introduce himself and explain his position to the audience?

5. a) Read the transcript and answer the questions:

1. What numbers are mentioned by the speaker?

2. What are the main results of the survey?

3. What types of visual aids does the speaker use to illustrate his findings?

4. What clichés are used to organise the speech logically?

5. What other clichés does the speaker use?

Can I have your attention, please?

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

The presentation is devoted to my project in Intelligent Transport Systems. It deals with the problem of implementation of Intelligent Traffic Management Systems into rail transport sector and European Railway Traffic Management Systems as an example.

The project in general discloses the present state of ERTMS. It has three parts.

Part one is about Intelligent Transport Systems - in my presentation I will use the abbreviation ITS.

Part two deals with European Railway Traffic Management Systems or ERTMS.

Part three focuses on the problem of the use of analogues of intelligent transport systems for Russian railways.

The report will take about 5 minutes.

I’ll try to answer all of your questions after the presentation.

So, let me start with the problem of ITS.

In the past the safety of railway traffic depended on actions by humans. Today the situation is different: IT has become the reality of the transportation sector in most countries. So railway systems are widely automated.

That is why the problem of ITS is of great interest.

Now have a look at this slide. Here you can see some problems that could be solved with the help of ITS

Known as applications of communication and electronics technologies in transport systems, ITS are implemented to improve safety, increase rail transport efficiency and reduce negative impact on society and environment.

Move on to the next slide. Here I’d like to draw your attention to the classification of ITS.

These systems are mainly grouped as follows: traffic management systems, traveller information systems and e-ticketing systems.

This leads me to the next point in my presentation. It is European Railway Traffic Management Systems or ERTMS.

I must note that traffic management systems are focused on different covered areas: rail networks, railway stations (Interlocking systems) and trucks (outside of railway stations). The latter includes ERTMS.

ERTMS is a major industrial project developed by eight companies. Their names are listed here.

The project includes two main components:

1. The first is the European Train Control System. It is a new automatic train protection system.

2. The second is GSM-R, a radio system for providing voice and data communication between the track and the train. It is based on standard GSM using frequencies specifically reserved for rail application with certain specific and advanced functions.

I’d like you to look at this table, which shows the advantages of ERTMS.

Firstly, trains equipped with ERTMS are able to run on tracks equipped with ERTMS. It makes easier cross border freight operations.

Besides, ERTMS reduce the headway between trains enabling up to 40% more capacity on currently existing infrastructure.

Secondly, ERTMS provide geographical interoperability between countries and interoperability between European suppliers.

And finally ERTMS with several levels of development make an easy level by level elevation.

In conclusion let me say that the analysis of European experience helped to define another problem: the use of analogues of ITS for Russian railways to improve safety, to increase rail transport efficiency and to reduce negative impact on the environment.

Thank you for your attention. Feel free to ask questions.

2. Evaluate the speech. Is the speaker informative, expressive and persuasive? Discuss in the group.

6. a) Prepare your own project speech. Keep in mind the following tips:

1. Your speech must:

a) be in your area of academic studies;

b) be in absolute maximum length of 5-6 minutes;

c) have a strong, well-organised introduction;

d) be organised logically;

e) include visuals (10-12 slides).

2. Type the text of your speech. Include the clichés from Appendix 8.

3. Print the text of your speech on a piece of paper. Line spacing should be 2.0 to write transcriptions for some difficult words and other necessary notes.

4. Mark the text with special intonation and pauses marks.

5. Use www.imtranslator.net to practice your pronunciation.

6. Record your speech several times to make it better. You may use special computer programmes (for example, Audition) or just the dictaphone in your mobile phone.

7. Be ready to present your report to the audience.

b) Think about 4-5 questions of different types to ask about your project. Give them to your groupmates.

c) Present your project to the group. Answer the questions (Appendix 9 may help). Ask your groupmates to evaluate your presentation, use the form below.