Give your opinion on the topic.

Старостина Н.А.

 

 

Моя профессия – инженер

 

Учебно-методическое пособие

По английскому языку

 

Москва

2019

УДК 811.111’33:62 (075.8)

ББК 81.2 Англ - 923

М 87

 

Рецензент канд. пед. наук, проф., действительный член Всемирной

      Нью-Йоркской АН, зав. каф. английского и французского

А.С.Кутькова

       языков ЮРГТУ (НПИ) А.С. Кутькова

 

 

М 87 Моя профессия – инженер: тексты для чтения на английском                 языке. Учебно-методическое пособие по английскому языку для студентов 2 курса всех направлений очной формы обучения. – 2-е изд. Исправл и дополн. / сост. Н.А.Старостина; ООО «Технологии рекламы», г. Москва. 2019. – 70с.

   

 

              Приведены тексты познавательного характера, взятые из адаптированных источников. Тексты и упражнения предназначены для студентов 2 курса.

              Издание состоит из 6 текстов из области инженерии, экологии, безопасности производства, робототехники, информатики, и истории науки. Тексты сопровождаются словарем, вопросами на проверку общего понимания текста и упражнениями,  нацеленными на развитие навыков извлечения информации, ее обработки и получения дополнительных знаний из соответствующих областей технической науки.

              Учебно-практическое издание может быть использовано для самостоятельной работы студентов.

 

УДК 811.111’33:62 (075.8)

                                                                             ББК 81.2 Англ - 923

     

 

                                   

                                                            © ООО «Технологии рекламы», 2019

                                                      © Старостина Н.А., 2006

                                                            © Старостина Н.А., 2-е изд. исправл, 2019

ПРЕДИСЛОВИЕ

Основной целью данного пособия является необходимость снабдить студентов специализированной технической литературой для самостоятельной и аудиторной работы и более успешного формирования навыков чтения и говорения на иностранном языке.

Данное учебное пособие ставит перед собой задачу формирования навыков чтения и перевода оригинальной технической литературы, а также развития у студентов навыков устной речи.

    Предлагаемая тематика материала для чтения позволит расширить, углубить знания студентов в той или иной области жизни и в способе языкового выражения тех или иных понятий и реалий.

    Отбор текстов для пособия осуществлялся с учетом интересной фабулы, цельности, социальной значимости, которые вызывают желание выразить свою точку зрения на поставленную проблему.

    Упражнения концентрируют внимание студентов на расширении определенного объема вокабуляра, его употреблении в ситуациях, на проблемах предлагаемых текстов.

    Данная работа является необходимым пособием для введения студентов 2 курса всех направлений в основную общую терминологию по изучаемой ими специальности и приобретения необходимых навыков перевода оригинального текста по специальности и предназначена для самостоятельной и аудиторной работы студентов.

Основополагающим принципом при подготовке пособия было взято соответствие его требованиям государственного образовательного стандарта Российской Федерации.

Text 1

My Future Profession

Scientific methods of engineering are applied in several fields not connected directly to manufacture and construction. Modern engineering is characterized by the broad application of what is known as systems engineering principles.

Engineers in industry work not only with machines but also with people, to determine, for example, how machines can be operated most efficiently by workers. A small change in the location of the controls of a machine or of its position with relation to other machines or equipment, or a change in the muscular movements of the operator, often results in greatly increased production. This type of engineering work is called time-study engineering.

Human-factors engineering seeks to establish criteria for the efficient, human-centered design of, among other things, the large, complicated control panels that monitor and govern nuclear reactor operations.

Engineers in the field of Mechanical Engineering design, test, build, and operate machinery of all types; they also work on a variety of manufactured goods and certain kinds of structures. The field is divided into machinery, mechanisms, materials, hydraulics, and pneumatics; and heat as applied to engines, work and energy, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning. The mechanical engineer, therefore, must be trained in mechanics, hydraulics, and thermodynamics and must know such subjects as metallurgy and machine design. Some mechanical engineers specialize in particular types of machines such as pumps or steam turbines. A mechanical engineer designs not only the machines that make products but the products themselves, and must design for both economy and efficiency. A typical example of modern mechanical engineering is the design of a car or an agricultural machine.

Safety Engineering has as its object the prevention of accidents. In recent years safety engineering has become a speciality adopted by individuals trained in other branches of engineering. Safety engineers develop methods and procedures to safeguard workers in hazardous occupations. They also assist in designing machinery, factories, ships and roads, suggesting alterations and improvements to reduce the possibility of accident.

In the design of machinery, for example, the safety engineer try to cover all moving parts or keep them from accidental contact with the operator, to put cutoff switches within reach of the operator and to eliminate dangerous sharp parts. In designing roads the safety engineer seeks to avoid such hazards as sharp turns and blind intersections that lead to traffic accidents.

Notes on the Text

scientific – научный

apply – применять, прикладывать

manufacture – производство

construction – строительство

application – применение

efficiently – эффективность

location – размещение, расположение

relation – отношение

equipment – оборудование

muscular – мышцы

increase – увеличивать

attention – внимание

safety – безопасность

nuclear – ядерный

accident – происшествие

error – ошибка

design – конструкция, дизайн

failure – промах

malfunctioning – неправильное срабатывание

seek – искать

establish – устанавливать

complicate – сложный

govern – управлять

machinery – машинное оборудование

variety – разнообразие

structure – структура, основа

hydraulics – гидравлика

pneumatics – пневматика

heat – жар

engine – двигатель

thermodynamics – термодинамика

particular – определенный

pumps – насосы

steam – пар

General understanding:

1. What is the most widespread trend in the engineering profession? _____________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What are computers used for in modern engineering? _______________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

3. What approaches are used in modern engineering? _________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What is «ergonomics»? _______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What does human-factors engineering deal with? ___________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What do engineers do in the field of Mechanical Engineering? ________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. What do you have to know to be a good specialist in mechanics? ______________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. What does Safety Engineering mean? ____________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Is Safety Engineering useful for the development of the industry? _____________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. What do you have to know to be a good Safety engineer? ___________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Exercises

1. Complete the sentences:

1. Modern engineering is characterized by__________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2. A small change in the location of the controls of____________________________

____________________________________________________________________

3. This type of engineering work is called___________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

4. Human-factors engineering seeks to______________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

5. Engineers in the field of Mechanical Engineering___________________________

____________________________________________________________________

6. The mechanical engineer must be trained in_______________________________

____________________________________________________________________

7. A typical example of modern mechanical engineering is______________________

____________________________________________________________________

8. Safety engineering has become a speciality adopted by_______________________

____________________________________________________________________

9. Safety engineers develop______________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

10. The safety engineer tries to cover_______________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2. Match Russian and English equivalents:

Scientific methods, modern engineering, broad application, most efficiently, location, position, muscular movements, human-factor, machinery, mechanisms, materials, hydraulics, energy, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, thermodynamics, metallurgy, machine design, designing machinery, factories, ships, roads, alteration, improvement, to reduce, accident, to eliminate, dangerous, sharp.

Опасный, острый, научные методы, человеческий фактор, современная инженерия, случайность, расположение, машинное оборудование, наиболее эффективно, широкое применение, энергия, нагревание, термодинамика, механизмы, движение мускулов, позиция, материалы, гидравлика, вентиляция, насыщение воздухом, металлургия, конструирование автомобилей, дизайн машинного оборудования, корабли, дороги, фабрики, уменьшать, перемещение, улучшение, устранять.

 

 

1______________________________

2______________________________

3______________________________4______________________________5______________________________6______________________________7______________________________8______________________________9______________________________10_____________________________11_____________________________12_____________________________13_____________________________14_____________________________15_____________________________16_____________________________17_____________________________18_____________________________19_____________________________20_____________________________21_____________________________22_____________________________23_____________________________

24_____________________________25_____________________________26_____________________________27_____________________________28_____________________________29_____________________________30_____________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Replace the words and expressions in brackets by their English analogues, translate into Russian:

1. Computer (инженерия) _______________ is now the (наиболее) __________ rapidly growing field.

2. The electronics of computers involve (инженеров) ______________ in (дизайн) _______________ and manufacture of memory (систем) _____________, of central processing units, and of peripheral devices.

3. The field of computer (наука) _____________is closely related to (компьютерной) __________________engineering; however, the task of making computers (наиболее) _______________intelligent intelligence, through creation of sophisticated (программ) __________________or development of higher level (машинного) ________________languages or other means, is regarded as the aim of computer science.

4. One current trend in computer (инженерия) ________________ is microminiaturization.

5. Engineers try to place greater and greater (число, количество) _________________ of circuit (элементов) ______________onto smaller and smaller chips.

6. Another trend is towards increasing the speed of (компьютерных) ______________ operations through the use of parallel processors and superconducting (материалы)__________________.

4. Translate into English:

1. Работа инженеров по управлению системами состоит в запуске лифта, контролю над курсом космического корабля.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Управляющие системы широко используются в авиации и на судах, в военно-пожарных системах, на автоматизированном производстве и в робототехнике.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Try to explain what do the following statements mean:

1. Modern engineering is characterized by the broad application of what is known as systems engineering principles.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Engineers in industry work not only with machines but also with people.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Engineers in the field of Mechanical Engineering work on a variety of manufactured goods and certain kinds of structures.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Some mechanical engineers specialize in particular types of machines.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

5. Safety Engineering has as its object the prevention of accidents.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Translate the sentences:

1. Many industries are highly automated or use automation technology in some part of their operation. _____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2. In communications and especially in the telephone industry dialing and transmission are all done automatically. ____________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

3. Railways are also controlled by automatic signaling devices, which have sensors that detect carriages passing a particular point. _______________________________

____________________________________________________________________

4. In this way the movement and location of trains can be monitored. _____________

____________________________________________________________________

5. Not all industries require the same degree of automation. ____________________

____________________________________________________________________

6. Sales, agriculture, and some service industries are difficult to automate, though agriculture industry may become more mechanized, especially in the processing and packaging of foods. ____________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. The automation technology in manufacturing and assembly is widely used in car and other consumer product industries. _____________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

8. Nevertheless, each industry has its own concept of automation that answers its particular production needs. _____________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

7. Fill the gaps with the proper words:

Safety ____________________ has as its object the _________________________ of accidents. In recent years ____________________________ has become a speciality adopted by ___________________ trained in other branches of______________________. Safety engineers ______________________ methods and procedures to ____________________________ workers in _____________________occupations. They also _____________________ in designing ______________________, suggesting alterations and improvements to reduce ______________________ In the design of ______________________, for example, the safety ___________________ try to cover all ____________________ or keep them from _________________ with the operator, to put _________________________ within reach of the operator and to __________________________ dangerous sharp parts. In designing roads the __________________ seeks to avoid such _________________________ as sharp turns and blind intersections that lead to _________________________________.

Text 2

Science and Technology

In recent years, scientific and technological developments have drastically changed life on our planet as well as our view both of ourselves as individuals in society and of the Universe as a whole.

Today, science and technology are closely related. Many modern technologies such as nuclear power and space flights depend on science and the application of scientific knowledge and principles. Each advance in pure science creates new opportunities for the development of new ways of making things to be used in daily life. In turn, technology provides science with new and more accurate instruments for its investigation and research.

Technology refers to the ways in which people use discoveries to satisfy needs and desires, to alter the environment, to improve their lives. Throughout human history, men and women have invented tools, machines, materials and techniques, to make their lives easier.

Of course, when we speak of technology today, we are looking at it in a much narrower sense. Generally, we mean industrial technology, or the technology that began about 200 years ago with the development of power-driven machines, growth of the factory system, and mass production of goods that has created the basis for our modern society. Today we often say that we live in an age of science and technology. According to one estimate, 90 % of all the scientists who ever lived, were alive and active in the 1970-s. This increased scientific activity has brought new ideas, processes, and inventions in ever-growing amount.

The scientific revolution that began, in the 16th century was the first time that science and technology began to work together. Thus, Galileo, who made revolutionary discoveries in astronomy and physics, also built an improved telescope and patented a system of lifting water. However, it was not until the 19th century that technology truly was based on science and inventors began to build on the work of scientists. For example, Thomas Edison built on the early experiments of Faraday and Henry in his invention of the first practical system of electrical lighting. So too, Edison carried on his investigations until he found the carbon filament for the electric bulb in a research laboratory.

This was the first true modern technological research In a sense, the history of science and technology is the history of all humankind.

Notes on the Text

science and technology - наука и техника

technology scientific and technological developments - техника, технология достижения науки и техники

to drastically change the life of - резко изменить жизнь

the Universe - Вселенная

to be closely related - быть тесно связанным

nuclear power - атомная энергия

a space flight - космический полет

an application of scientific knowledge and principles - применение научных знаний и принципов

an advance in pure science - прогресс в чистой науке

to create new opportunities for an instrument for investigation and research - создать новые возможности для инструментa исследований

to satisfy needs and desires - для удовлетворения нужд и потребностей

to alter the environment - изменить окружающую среду

to improve one' s life throughout human history - улучшить чью-либо жизнь на всем протяжении истории человечества

to invent tools, machines, materials and techniques - изобретать инструменты, машины, материалы, технологии

to make one's life easier - облегчить чью-либо жизнь

to look at smth. in a narrower sense - посмотреть на что-либо в более узком смысле

industrial technology - промышленная технология

development of power-driven machines - развитие паровых машин

growth of the factory system - рост фабричной системы

mass production of goods - массовое производство товаров

to create the basis for - создать основу для

an age of science and technology - век науки и техники

according to one estimate - по одной оценке

increased scientific activity - возросшая научная активность, деятельность

an invention - изобретение

the scientific revolution - научная революция

to make a revolutionary discovery in - сделать революционное открытие в

astronomy and physics - астрономия и физика

to patent smth. - запатентовать изобретение

to be based on science - основываться на науке

an inventor - изобретатель

to build on the work of scientists - основываться на научных работах

early experiments - ранние эксперименты

electrical lighting - электрическое освещение

to carry on an investigation - проводить исследование

electric bulb - электрическая лампочка

a research laboratory - исследовательская лаборатория

modern technological research - современное научно-техническое исследование

General understanding:

1. What role has scientific and technological development played in man's life? ____

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

2. What proves mat science and technology are closely related today? ____________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What does the term «technology» refer to? ________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What does the term «industrial technology» mean? _________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. How is scientific activity in the 1970-ies estimated? ________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What facts prove that the scientific revolution of the 16th century was the first time that science and technology began to work together? __________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. What was the first true modern technological research? ______________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. How can the history of humankind be described? ___________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What events from the history have you known? ____________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. Give your attitude to the science and technology of the present. ______________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Exercises

1. Complete the sentences:

1. Scientific and technological developments have drastically changed____________

____________________________________________________________________

2. Many modern technologies depend on science and the application of___________

____________________________________________________________________

3. Each advance in pure science creates new opportunities for___________________

____________________________________________________________________

4. Technology refers to the ways in which___________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

5. People have invented tools to make______________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

6. We mean industrial technology, or the technology that began about 200 years ago with_________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

7. Today we often say that_______________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

8. 90 % of all the scientists who ever lived__________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

9. The scientific revolution that___________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

10. Thomas Edison built on the early experiments of__________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2. Match Russian and English equivalents:

Science, technology, the Universe, nuclear power, to alter, the environment, industrial technology, modern, technological research, electrical lighting, an inventor, the scientific revolution, a space flight, electric bulb, astronomy, physics, the work of scientists, in a narrower sense, investigation, research, a revolutionary discovery, scientific activity.

Научная деятельность, технология, технологическое исследование, электрическое освещение, Вселенная, наука, атомная энергия, промышленная технология, изобретатель, научная революция, революционное открытие, электрическая лампочка, современный, изменить, космический полет, окружающая среда, астрономия, работа ученого, физика, в более узком смысле, исследование, расследование.

1______________________________2______________________________3______________________________4______________________________5______________________________6______________________________7______________________________8______________________________9______________________________10_____________________________11_____________________________12_____________________________13_____________________________14_____________________________15_____________________________16_____________________________17_____________________________18_____________________________19_____________________________20_____________________________21_____________________________22______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Replace the words and expressions in brackets by their English analogues, translate into Russian:

1. James Watt was a Scottish (изобретатель) ______________and mechanical (инженер) _____________, known for his improvements of the steam (двигатель) ___________.

2. He worked as a mathematical-instrument maker from the age of 19 and soon became interested in improving the steam (двигатель) ______________which was used at that time to (качать насосом) ____________________out water from mines.

3. Watt determined the properties of steam and designed a separate condensing chamber for the (паровой двигатель) ______________________that prevented large losses of steam in the cylinder.

4. Watt's first patent, in 1769, covered this (устройство) _____________and other improvements on steam engine.

5. Watt continued his (исследование) _______________________and patented several other important (изобретения)________________, including the rotary (двигатель) _________________for driving various types of (машинное оборудование)____________________; the double-action (двигатель)______________, in which (пар) ______________is admitted alternately into both ends of the cylinder; and the steam indicator, which records the steam pressure in the engine.

6. He retired from the firm in 1800 and thereafter devoted himself entirely to (исследовательская работа) _______________________________.

7. The misconception that Watt was the actual (изобретатель) ______________of the (паровой двигатель) ______________________arose from the fundamental nature of his contributions to its (развитие) ______________________.

8. The centrifugal or fly ball (управление) _________________, which he invented in 1788, and which automatically regulated the speed of an engine, is of particular interest today.

9. It embodies the feedback principle of a servomechanism, linking output to input, which is the basic concept of (автоматизация) ____________________.

10. The watt, the unit of (энергия) _______________, was named in his honor.

4. Translate into English:

1. За последние годы наши взгляды на жизнь на Земле, на человека как личность, на Вселенную резко изменились.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Современная техника зависит от достижений в области чистой науки.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Техника дает науке более точные инструменты исследования.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Развитие науки делает возможным использование открытий для удовлетворения нужд и потребностей человека и улучшения его жизни.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. На всем протяжении истории человечества люди изобретали инструменты, машины, материалы, технологии и изменяли окружающую среду.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Техника в более узком смысле означает промышленную технику, создавшую основу современного общества.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Современная техника началась с паровых машин, развития фабричной системы и массового производства товаров.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Научная революция, начавшаяся в XVI веке, вызвала появление новых идей, открытий и изобретений.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Только в XIX веке техника стала действительно основываться на работах ученых.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. Первым действительно научно-техническим исследованием было исследование Фарадея.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. История человеческого общества - это, в некотором смысле, - история  развития науки и техники.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Try to explain what do the following statements mean:

1. Scientific and technological developments have drastically changed life on our planet.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Today, science and technology are closely related.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. Technology refers to the ways in which people use discoveries to satisfy needs and desires.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. When we speak of technology today, we are looking at it in a much narrower sense.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. The scientific revolution was the first time that science and technology began to work together.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Translate the sentences:

1. Science is important to most people living in the modern world for a number of reasons. _____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2. In particular, science is important to world peace and understanding, to the understanding of technology, and to our understanding of die world. _____________

____________________________________________________________________

3. Science is important to world peace in many ways. _________________________

____________________________________________________________________

4. On one hand, scientists have helped to develop many of the modern took of war.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. On the other hand, they have also helped to keep the peace through research which has improved life for people. _____________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

6. Scientists have helped us understand the problem of supplying the world with enough energy; may have begun to develop a number of solutions to the energy problem - for example, using energy from the sun and from the atom. ____________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Scientists have also analyzed the World's resources. ________________________

____________________________________________________________________

8. We can begin to learn to share the resources with the knowledge provided to us by science. _____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

9. Science studies the Universe and how to use its possibilities for the benefit of men.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. Science is also important to everyone who is affected by modern technology. ___

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. Many of the things that make our lives easier and better are the results of advances in technology and, if the present patterns continue, technology will affect us even more in the future than it does now. ___________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. In some cases, such as technology for taking salt out of ocean water, technology may be essential for our lives on Earth. ____________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

13. The study of science also provides people with an understanding of natural worlds. ______________________________________________________________

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14. Scientists are learning to predict earthquakes, are continuing to study many other natural events such as storms. ____________________________________________

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15. Scientists are also studying various aspects of human biology and the origin and developments of the human race. _________________________________________

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16. The study of the natural world may help improve life for many people all over the world. _______________________________________________________________

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17. A basic knowledge of science is essential for everyone. _____________________

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18. It helps people to find their way in the changing world. _____________________

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7. Fill the gaps with the proper words:

Technology refers to the ways in which ___________________________ use discoveries to satisfy ___________________, to alter the ____________________, to improve their lives. Throughout _____________________, men and women have invented tools, ___________________, materials and _____________, to make their lives ____________.

Of course, when we speak of __________________ today, we are looking at it in a much _________________ sense. Generally, we mean _______________________, or the technology that began about ________ years ago with the _________________ of power-driven _____________, growth of the __________________, and mass __________________ of goods that has created the ____________________ for our modern _______________. Today we often say that we live in an ___________________ and technology. According to one estimate, 90 % of all the __________________ who ever lived, were alive and active in the ________________________. This increased _____________________ has brought new ideas, __________________________, and inventions in ever-growing amount.

Text 3

Early Developments

The concept of robots dates back to ancient times, when some myths told of mechanical beings brought to life. Such automata also appeared in the clockwork figures of medieval churches, and in the 18th century some clockmakers gained fame for the clever mechanical figures that they constructed. Today the term automaton is usually applied to these handcrafted, mechanical (rather than electromechanical) devices that imitate the motions of living creatures. Some of the «robots» used in advertising and entertainment are actually automata, even with the addition of remote radio control.

The term robot itself is derived from the Czech word robota, meaning «compulsory labor». It was first used by the Czech novelist and playwright Karel Chapek, to describe a mechanical device that looks like a human but, lacking human sensibility, can perform only automatic, mechanical operations. Robots as they are known today do not only imitate human or other living forms. True robots did not become possible, however, until the invention of the computer in the 1940s and the miniaturization of computer parts. One of the first true robots was an experimental model designed by researchers at the Stanford Research Institute in the late 1960s. It was capable of arranging blocks into stacks through the use of a television camera as a visual sensor, processing this information in a small computer.

Computers today are equipped with microprocessors that can handle the data being fed to them by various sensors of the surrounding environment. Making use of the principle of feedback, robots can change their operations to some degree in response to changes in that environment. The commercial use of robots is spreading, with the increasing automation of factories, and they have become essential to many laboratory procedures. Japan is the most advanced nation exploring robot technology. Nowadays robots continue to expand their applications. The home-made robots available today may be one sign of the future.

Notes on the Text

concept – понятие

dates back to – уходит корнями в…

ancient – древний

mechanical beings – механические существа

automata(pl.) (automaton – sing.) – автоматы

clockwork – часовой механизм

medieval churches – средневековые церкви

clever mechanical figures – умные механические существа

handcrafted devices – устройства сделанные вручную

to imitate the motions – имитировать движения

living creatures – живые существа

automata of remote radio control – автоматы удаленного радио контроля

compulsory labor – принудительный, обязательный

novelist and playwright – романист и драматург

lacking human sensibility – лишенный человеческих чувств

mechanical operations – механические операции

possible – возможный

miniaturization – уменьшение

experimental model – экспериментальная модель

to be capable of – быть способным на…

to arrange blocks – складывать кубики

a visual sensor – зрительный сенсор

to be equipped with – быть оборудованным

to handle the data – хранить данные

a commercial use – коммерческое использование

automation of factories – автоматизация фабрик

laboratory procedures – лабораторные опыты

the most advanced nation – наиболее передовая нация

to explore – изучать

to become essential – стать важным

to expand one’s applications – расширить применение

the home-made robots – горничные

available – доступный

General understanding:

1. What period does the concept of robots date back? _________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. When did the first automata appear? ____________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

3. What is the term automaton usually applied to nowadays? ____________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Where did the term robot appear from? ___________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Who was Karel Chapek? ______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Do robots only imitate human? _________________________________________

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7. When and where did the first true robot appear? ____________________________

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8. Was it was capable of doing everything? _________________________________

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9. What spheres does robotics cover? ______________________________________

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10.  Nowadays robots continue to expand their applications, don’t they? __________

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Exercises

1. Complete the sentences:

1. The concept of robots dates back________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2. Such automata also appeared in_________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

3. The term automaton is usually applied to__________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

4. Some of the «robots» used in advertising and entertainment are________________

____________________________________________________________________

5. The term robot is derived from__________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

6. It was first used by ___________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

7. Robots as they are known today_________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

8. True robots did not become possible_____________________________________

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9. One of the first true robots was an experimental model_______________________

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10. Computers today are equipped with_____________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2. Match Russian and English equivalents:

Concept, robot, ancient times, myths, mechanical beings, automata, clockwork figures, medieval churches, century, clockmakers, fame, clever mechanical figures, handcrafted, mechanical devices, motions, living creatures, advertising and entertainment, addition, a human, automatic, mechanical operations, living forms, invention, the Stanford Research Institute, microprocessors, environment, feedback, operations, automation of factories, essential, robot technology.

    Недостаток, древние времена, мифы, реклама и развлечения, важный, умные механические существа, век, средневековые церкви, живые формы, приложение, человек, микропроцессор, операции, окружение, понятие, механические существа, фигурки с часовым механизмом, автоматы, слава, часовщики, сделанный вручную, механические устройства, движения, живые существа, автоматический, механические операции, изобретение, Стэндфордский Исследовательский институт, автоматизация фабрик, робототехнология.

1______________________________2______________________________3______________________________4______________________________5______________________________6______________________________7______________________________8______________________________9______________________________10_____________________________11_____________________________12_____________________________13_____________________________14_____________________________15______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________16_____________________________17_____________________________18_____________________________19_____________________________20_____________________________21_____________________________22_____________________________23_____________________________24_____________________________25_____________________________26_____________________________27_____________________________28_____________________________29_____________________________30_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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3. Replace the words and expressions in brackets by their English analogues, translate into Russian:

1. (Автоматизация) _______________________is the (система производства) __________________________performing certain tasks, previously done by people, by (машины) _________________only.

2. The sequences of (операции) __________________are controlled (автоматически) ____________________.