Exercises

Vocabulary

1. You should always check the pronunciation of key words. Transcribe the words:

pioneers, scientific, persuaded, extraordinary, unique, aeronautical, authority, designing, lightweight, machines, featuring, exhausted

2. Match the words from the texts (1-10) with the definitions (a-j):

1	to install	A	the way that something has been planned and made, including its appearance, how it works
2	design	B	to fix something that is damaged, broken, split, or not working properly
3	machine tool	C	a tool for cutting and shaping metal, wood etc. usually one that uses electricity
4	profit	D	a full-scale drawing, model etc. is the same size as the thing it represents
5	full-scale	E	to put all the parts of something together
6	performance	F	a machine, system etc. that existed before another one in a process of development
7	predecessor	G	to travel a particular distance
8	to assemble	H	to put a piece of equipment somewhere and connect it so that it is ready to be used
9	to cover	I	money that you gain by selling things or doing business
10	to repair	J	how well a car or other machine works

3. Match the words from the texts (1-5) with their synonyms (a-e):

1	improve	A	roll
2	fascination	B	agent
3	confidant	C	attraction
4	bank	D	calculated
5	estimated	E	develop

4. Explain in English and then translate the following words and expressions into Russian:

powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flight; on a small scale; a bicycle sales and repair shop; had exhausted the resources of the local library; a biplane featuring 165 square feet.

5. Find in the texts the English equivalents for the following words and expressions:

(1) автоматическая смазка ступицы колеса велосипеда, (2) площадь поверхности крыла, (3) четырех-цилиндровый двигатель внутреннего сгорания, (4) лопасти винта, (5) аэродинамическая труба, (6) проведенииe новых летных испытаний, (7) успешный полет, (8) первая попытка, (9) устойчивый полет под полным контролем пилота, (10) приобретать навыки и уверенность в воздухе, (11) улучшить конструкцию своих машин, (12) оставаться в воздухе, (13) выполнять маневры, (14) проблемы управления, (15) машина тяжелее воздуха.

6. Complete the text with the words from the box

The Flyer flew!

control	yaw	move wing
glider	tilt	roll elevator
pitch	shape	attach warping

Orville and Wilbur could use Lilienthal’s charts to build their own (1). But the Wrights would not fly until they knew how to (2) their machine. Aircraft (3) in three ways. They turn right or left. That’s called (4). They also (5) side to side. That’s called (6). Aircraft move up or down too. That’s called (7). Pitch was the easiest to solve. They could (8) a small extra (9) to the front of the glider. The wing is called an (10). But how could they change the (11) of a wing while the glider was flying? They could build wings that twisted like the box. Twisting the wings would change their shape. And changing their shape would change lift. If the lift were greater on one end of the glider than the other, the glider would tilt. This idea is called wing (12). The kite tilted just as he had planned. The test was a success!

7. Answer the following questions. Begin your answers with such introductory phrases as: as far as I know; as far as I remember; to my mind; certainly; it's hard to tell; probably; of course; if I am not mistaken, etc.

1) What were the first indications of the Wright brothers’ extraordinary technical ability?

2) What experience did the Wright brothers get at a bicycle sales and repair shop?

3) What inspired the Wright brothers to reading in aeronautics?

4) What did the Wright brothers discover during their first experiments?

5) Why did they select Kitty Hawk for the first flight?

6) Why did the Wrights increase the wing area of their next machine in 1901?

7) How long did the first flight last?