Read and translate the text using a dictionary. Put questions to the underlined words.

USA (Dallas)

LIGHT RAIL* ARRIVES IN THE LONE STAR STATE

 

The first stage of Dallas light rail network was inaugurated in June 1997. Marching bands, balloons, free rides created a lively atmosphere in Dallas, when the city and its surrounding region celebrated the Grand Opening of the first modern light rail line in Texas. The ceremonies were held in the city centre as well as at all 14 stations along the initial 16 km route.

More than 4,000 local officials and citizens from across the region gathered in temperatures of over +37° С to witness the opening of the light rail.

The Grand Opening, a five-day period of public celebrations, included a gala dinner, art program and parties at eight of the fourteen stations. Thanks to sponsorship from over 80 corporations, passengers were also able to ride free of charge for the whole of the following week in a «try-it-you'll-like-it» campaign. The biggest sponsors were recognized with their names on some of the cars exteriors.

Approximately 8,600 passengers rode the light rail line on the first afternoon. Regular commercial services began on June 24. The standard fares are: $1 for a single ticket and $2 for a return ticket, apart from the city centre zone where there is a 50 cent single ticket. Different discounts are proposed (e.g. passengers can buy 11 tickets for the price of 10, and there is also a “day pass” offering unlimited travel on light rail and bus services for just $3 a day).

Dallas light rail network has purchased 40 Light Rail Vehicles (LRV). Able to accommodate 160 passengers each, the cars have a top speed of 105km/h. The air-conditioned LRVs can operate singly or in trains of up to three depending on demand. Traffic frequency on the city centre section is 5 minutes and 10 minutes during the peak hours and off-peak hours respectively.

Capital Program of the Dallas light rail network development envisages construction of additional light rail and commuter rail routes over the next 15 years, creating a 145 km network by 2010.

Note: * light rail – высокоскоростная железная дорога местного значения

LESSON SIX

TUNNELS AND BRIDGES

Ex.1. Practice the reading.

► ear

▪ app ear, cl ear, n ear, h ear, g ear, t ear, r ear, f ear, d ear, nucl ear;

▪ ear n, l ear n, ear ly, h ear d, reh ear se, s ear ch, res ear ch, ear thquake, p ear l;

▪ BUT: beard; heart; wear, pear, bear.

► age

▪ advant age, us age, tonn age, drain age, mile age, haul age, short age, stor age, cott age, assembl age, carri age, aver age, cour age, man age, pass age, percent age, voy age, volt age, envis age, langu age, garb age, pack age, leak age.

 

Words and word combinations to be remembered

1)advantage –преимущество disadvantage –недостаток 2)although –хотя 3)to bore – бурить, сверлить; проходить тоннель 4)to collapse – разрушаться, рушиться collapse – крушение, разрушение 5)to cross – пересекать, переходить, переправляться crossing – переправа, перекресток, ж.д. переезд 6)emergency –чрезвычайный, экстренный, запасный; крайняя необходимость, непредвиденный случай 7)to exist – существовать 8)failure– неудача, провал; (тех.) авария, повреждение, отказ в работе 9)ferry – паром 10)to mention –упомянуть 11)noise –шум 12)to object (to) – возражать (против чего-либо) objection– возражение 13)to proceed (to) – следовать (до); перейти (к)...; продолжать 14)profit – доход profitable – выгодный 15)to refuse –отказываться 16)to remain – оставаться 17)research– исследование, научно-исследовательская работа 18)to result (in) – приводить (кчему-либо) 19)scheme – план, схема, проект 20)so far –пока 21)success–успех successful– успешный 22)to take place – происходить, иметь место

Ex.2. Read the sentences replacing the Russian words by their Russian equivalents. Be careful with Grammar.

1) The first [мост] at Niagara Falls was built by Samuel Keefer but it [разрушиться] under the action of wind in 7 months after completion. 2) The sign of the London Underground is a red circle [пересечённый] with a blue stripe. 3) The [главные недостатки] of steel sleepers are their high price and the [шум] caused by trains passing over them. 4) The first double-deck buses [появляться] in London in 1851 but at that time the upper deck had no roof and the passengers were given raincoats to put on if it started to rain. 5) The trip by [высокоскоростной паром] from Helsinki to Tallinn [длится] an hour and a half, even [быстрее] than by plane. 6) The engine driver’s work on the automatically [управляемый] trains is to supervise that the [оборудование] operates properly and to take over manual control in case of [необходимость]. 7) The construction of early bridges without basic knowledge of mathematics [приводить к] great tragedies [из-за] the bridges’ [крушение]. 8) After the fire very little [оставаться] of the house. 9) When working out the project of the Moscow Metro, the Russian engineers carefully studied the [существующий] systems abroad. 10) How can you explain the [отказ в работе] of the engine? 11) [Хотя] the report was short, it covered the subject completely. 12) The greater part of the [исследование] has been completed. 13) Such substance doesn’t [существовать] on the Earth. 14) Road safety [оставаться] one of the most important problems in the modern world.

Ex.3. Choose the correct word and translate the sentences.

1) The railroad [connects; improves; exists; crosses] the highway about three miles from here.

2) A ferry is a [train; carriage; vehicle; ship] that carries people and goods across the river, lake or channel.

3) There is a train radio telephone in each driver’s cab and a dispatcher can communicate with the driver in case of [research; emergency; success; crossing].

4) The weight of the snow on the roof caused the house to [disappear; exist; collapse].

5) I remember your [discussing; mentioning; approving; objecting] to this project.

6) The main [failures; advantages; disadvantages; collapses] of electric locos are high speeds of running and clean operation.

7) People believed J. Watt to be the inventor of the first steam engine because the work of I.I. Polsunov [took place; existed; remained; mentioned] unknown for more than a century.

8) The experiment was a [success; failure; research; emergency], because the measuring instruments were defective.

9) The main [advantage; profit; disadvantage; success] of the steel sleeper is its durability and reliability.

10) Finland has the same railway gauge as Russia that is why high-speed trains can [proceed; remain; disappear; cross] the border without stopping.

11) Why did you [object; remain; arrive; refuse] to take part in the expedition?

12) In case of [emergency; derailment; failure; danger] the doctors are sent to the island by helicopter.

Ex.4. Translate the words given in the box.

 

движение исследование неудача оставаться [2] паром переходить приводить к проект следовать стоимость шум экстренный

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words. Be careful with Grammar.

1) Be careful when you ___ the road in this place: the ___ is very heavy here. 2) The accident on the road ___ a traffic jam and we were afraid of missing the airplane. 3) This express train will ___ to the final destination without any stops. 4) He ___ at home while the rest of us went to the terminal to see our friends off. 5) There were many people on the pier waiting for the arrival of the ___. 6) Everyone engaged in this ___ was awarded with special prizes. 7) According to the ___ the channel will be deepened and widened. 8) Success came after many ___. 9) The engineer was asked to estimate the ___ for the repair of the building. 10) This mechanism activates the ___ brake. 11) Let it ___ as it is. 12) The engine was old and was making a lot of ___.

 

GRAMMAR REVIEW

(Infinitive; Complex Object; Complex Subject; attributive groups)

 

Ex.5. Translate the following sentences paying attention to Infinitives. State the functions of Infinitives.

A. 1) To use steel rails instead of wooden ones was a great step forward. 2) It is very difficult to drive a car in a big city. 3) It will be quicker to return the book by mail. 4) The task of traffic police is to provide safety on roads. 5) Although David started his career as a small clerk, his aim was to become a head of a big business. 6) The mechanic was asked to estimate the cost for the repair of the car. 7) Suddenly the engine began to make a strange noise. 8) The train was too heavy to be hauled by one locomotive. 9) The new tunnel to be constructed here will be the longest in the country. 10) A special design bureau in St. Petersburg was the first in the world to develop the production of super-long escalators. 11) He was not old enough to drive a car at that time. 12) To make the Moscow-St. Petersburg line straight and level, 185 bridges and 19 viaducts were built. 13) The railways must increase their speed to compete with air and road transport. 14) The lorry is too heavy to be towed by a car. 15) To avoid accidents the driver must strictly follow traffic rules. 16) A band of metal was used to strengthen the joint.

B. 1) The new branches of industry to be developed in this part of the country are metallurgy and radio engineering. 2) The function of the automatic engine driver is to start and stop the train, to select the speed of running and to keep strictly to the schedule. 3) To protect wooden sleepers against decay, they are treated with creosote. 4) In planning a railway route the main factors to be taken into account are the cost of constructing a line, the cost of operating it and the probable volume of traffic.5) The Tacoma Bridge collapsed because its structure was not strong enough to withstand the wind of 42 miles per hour. 6) Before the refrigerator car was invented, it was impossible to carry fresh meat, fruit, vegetables and other food products for long distances. 7) The boat is not strong enough to be used for distant journeys. 8) It is necessary to provide regular maintenance of the car. 9) In the USA the Baltimore Railway Company was the first to put forward the idea of centralized railway traffic. 10) In Hong Kong the new trains carrying passengers to and from the airport are equipped with TVsets to give information on flights, news, tourist information and weather. 11) It is dangerous to stand on the step of a moving train. 12) The aim of using several locomotives in one train is to carry extremely heavy loads. 13) Our design bureau has developed spiral escalators to be used in public buildings. 14) She is too proud to receive customers’ tips. 15) Some scientists say that it is dangerous to use cellular phone too much. 16) We are never too old to learn. 17) To know everything is to know nothing.

Ex.6. Complete the sentences using infinitives as subjects according to the model. If it is difficult for you to make up your own sentences, consult the box.

Model: It is dangerous… → It is dangerous to ride a motorcycle with closed eyes. =