Real-Life Communication
You just got hired on to work at a window-washing company. It's
your first day and you are working at a residence. Unfortunately, your boss
got called away, and has left you a note detailing which windows he wants
cleaned.
"There isn't much reading and writing that needs to be done,"
says Richard Fabry, a window cleaner in California. "You might have to write
invoices, and know a bit of window vocabulary."
Read the note below:
Michelle,
First,
I want you to clean the casement windows on the second level, up by the bathroom.
But make sure you leave the French windows for me. The wood trim makes them
a bit more difficult.
After you have done this, scrub both sides of
the picture window, but leave the bay window until later. Wipe down both sides
of the double-hung windows, and then clean only the outside of the single
swing-out windows. Do an extra special job on the fanlight windows, and get
the mud off the baselight windows.
Uh-oh.
You don't remember these window types. Look up the definition of each window
type to sort out which ones need cleaning. When you have done this, rewrite
the instructions for yourself, so you won't make any mistakes.
Window
Vocabulary:
Casement window: A window that has two panes that
open in the center and swing out
French windows: These are
multi-paned windows that are often called French windows and doors
Picture
window: An oversized windowpane, usually found in the central living area
Bay
window: A three-sided window that bumps out from the wall
Double
hung: A window with two panes stacked on top of each other. One pane slides
up over the second
Single swing-out: A window with a single
pane that swings up
Fanlight: These moon-shaped windows are
often found above doors or other windows
Baselight: The windows
are found along the bottom of house, to let light in below