English Recordings

The Sucker Rod Pump brings underground oil to the earth's surface. It is driven by a motor which turns a flywheel with a crank arm.
Attached to the crank arm is a Pitman Arm which in turn, attaches to the Walking Beam. At the other end of the walking beam is the Horsehead.
The Hanger Cable hangs off the Horsehead, and is attached with a clamp to a Polished Rod, which goes through a Stuffing Box and is attached to the Rod String.
At the bottom of the well a Traveling Valve, often just a ball in a cage, is attached to the Plunger (shown in green) at the end of the Rod String. Below that is another ball in a cage, called a Standing Valve.
This pump can lift oil 10,000 feet or more!

Blowout preventer

A special assembly of heavy-duty valves, commonly called the BOP stack, installed on top of a well which can be closed to prevent high-pressure oil or gas from escaping (a blowout) from the well hole during drilling operations.

Derrick: a large load-bearing structure, usually of bolted construction. In drilling, the standard derrick has four legs standing at the corners of the substructure and reaching to the crown block. The substructure is an assembly of heavy beams used to elevate the derrick and provide space to install blowout preventers, casingheads, and so forth.

derrick floor n: also called the rig floor.

derrickhand n: the crew member who handles the upper end of the drill string as it is being hoisted out of or lowered into the hole. On a drilling rig, he or she may be responsible for the circulating machinery and the conditioning of the drilling or workover fluid.

Re:Reunion

Hi Johny,
I'm doing fine, thanks. I've already gotten over my ex-girlfriend. She had not shown me any affection for a year before we decided to break up. It is said that a disappointment is just a matter of time. I realized that it was not worth the effort to hang out with her anymore. I think she cheated on me anyway, but I couldn't prove it. It doesn't really matter anymore, because I've fallen in love with a girl who has been teaching me English over the Internet for the last year. We hit it off, and we've been together for approximately 6 months now. She is amazing. I've never been in love as much as I am when I'm with her. Sorry I haven't had much time to write or hang out with you, but anyway, I'd love to meet up with all of you guys and have as much fun as we used to. I realize that we aren't kids anymore as time flies quickly. My kid is already 9 years old. It seems like only yesterday when she was born, and I held her in my hands. On the one side, I wish I were kind of younger and back at university having fun again, but on the other hand, I am really happy with my new love and my little girl. You've got a good memory; my birthday is next month. We might celebrate it together and get drunk a little bit, pal. Just write and let me know the details of the party, how many people you would like to invite and what I should do as co-organizer of this party. By the way, be sure to drop me a line and let me know what you've been up to, if you've been seeing someone lately or if you're out enjoying your freedom.
Regards,
Peter

Hi Peter,
how have you been doing lately? Long time no see. Where have you been hiding? Is everything all right, buddy? Hopefully , you have had enough time to get over your ex-girlfriend. Honestly, I don't think she was worth it, and I hope you realize it...the sooner the better. Anyway, I'd like to hang out with you and our other friends from college again - to go to a pub, some night clubs and enjoy the evening as much as back when we were studying. I'll bet that you miss it too. Have you realised that we graduated from university 10 years ago? I still can't believe it. I don't doubt that others would agree with me, too. Don't you dare say "NO"! By the way, I'll have a birthday in a month , and if I've got a good memory, you will too, won't you? Perhaps, we can celebrate our birthdays together at this reunion. If so, you should write me as soon as possible, because it will take a while to prepare a good party.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Jarda

Learning through listening

Listening is one of the most important skills to have in English, but is often ignored. Describe the strategies that you can use to improve your listening skills.

A few months ago, I realised that learning English through listening is very important. I hadn't understood anything before and it was annoying to study through some grammar rules and memorizing of new words. I decided to look for a new approach to study. I started learning through real English materials, such as post cards, stories, audio books or songs. We should listen to English materials for several hours a day. Our brain must get used to listening to English. We should be patient and still keep listening. I really like listening to audio books. I can read a book while I listen to it. Some audio books are divided according to levels and I can listen to easier English. I also listen to my favorite songs. When I know the song, I sing it loudly. I enjoy listening and learning English at the same time.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Internet

The Internet has both advantages and disadvantages to modern society.
The Internet provides a lot of information via websites. There is live news, research, information about companies, various kinds of education. The disadvantages are that children can join in pornography websites, read anything about murders and drugs and so on. It influences their thinking, behaviour and life. Via the Internet people can connect to the whole world. People can communicate with everyone and easily talk to family members overseas. Another disadvantage is that children can communicate with strange people - murderers and perverts and the like.
The Internet provides a lot of entertainment as well. It helps people to relax by listening to music, watching TV shows, watching online series. The disadvantage is that people waste their time with this kind of entertainment. The Internet for me is very important because of school and communication with my family members just now, when I am living in the United Kingdom.
Generally, the Internet has both advantages and disadvantages to people, it is neither good nor bad.

The best invention of all time!

Do you thing technology has had a positive impact on our lives? What do you thing is the most important invention ever made? Tell your teacher why you think so.

In my opinion, technology influences our lives a lot. I think, nobody could have imagined life with all the technology in modern society. According to me, one of the most important inventions in history, was invented by Johann Gutenberg in 1450. Up to this time, people had been writing everything just by hand. But since 1450, people have been writing books using this "mysterious" thing. It has influenced people's knowledge. What is the mysterious invention? It is the printing press. With this invention, everything became much easier. It has influenced all kinds of science. Many scientists have shared their research materials ever since. People became more and more educated because they could buy books that they were interested in. Sure, a lot of inventions have influenced our lives, but this invention certainly changed history around the world.

Hello and welcome to Caught Red-handed!

Easter in Czech Republic is known by the traditional name of 'Velikonoce'. Easter celebration in the country is a mélange of colorful traditions and folk customs, dating back to pre-Christian times. Most of the traditions indigenous to the country are largely observed in villages and small towns. With the passing time, they have lost the inherent symbolism and are now performed mainly for fun. Nonetheless, Easter is one of the prominent festivals in Czech Republic and calls for full fledged celebrations. Go through the article and explore all about the celebrations of Easter in Canada and the various traditions associated with the festival, in the European nation.

Celebrations On Whipping Monday:
In Czech Republic, the traditional name for Easter Monday is 'Whipping Monday', because on this day, the village boys symbolically 'whip' girls on the legs. Young, live 'pussy willow' twigs are thought to bring health and youth to anyone who is thrashed with them. The braided whip made from pussy willow twigs is called the 'Easter pomlázka'. While whipping the girl, the boy would recite an Easter carol, usually asking for an egg or two. The girl would reward the boy with a painted egg or candy and tie a ribbon around his pomlázka. This tradition is still followed in many parts of Czech Republic.

Decoration Of Easter Eggs:
Decoration of Easter eggs is one of the popular traditions associated with the celebration of the festival in Czech Republic. Hand-painted or decorated eggs (kraslice) are the most recognizable symbol of Easter in the European nation. Different materials including bee's wax, straw, watercolors, onion peels, stickers are used to decorate the eggs. As a part of the traditions, young girls decorate Easter eggs to give them as presents to boys, on Easter Monday. Easter Sunday (Nedele velikonocní) is a day of preparations for Easter Monday. While the girls are occupied with painting, coloring and decorating eggs, boys prepare their pomlázkas. A nationwide Easter egg contest is held in Prague and other Czech cities around Easter time.

Traditional Feast:
On Easter, people in Czech Republic eat lip smacking delicacies that are prepared especially for the festival. Usually, traditional Czech Republic recipes are made for the ceremonious occasion. Czechs eat a type of coffee bread called 'Babovka'. 'Mazanec' is another special Easter food, which is a yeast-raised cake filled with almonds, raisins and citron. A cross is cut into the top of the cake, just before it goes into the oven. Easter gingerbread, Easter Ram Cake, Judas Cake, 'God’s Mercy' (a type of doughnut sprinkled with sugar) are some of the traditional recipes, which should not be missed, when you are celebrating Easter in Czech Republic.