I. Answer the questions:

1. Are there a lot of outstanding people in Ukraine?

2. What Ukrainian scientists do you know?

3. What is Volodymyr Vernadsky famous for?

4. Did his findings greatly contribute to the world science?

5. When and where was Yevhen Paton born?

6. What did he apply in bridge-construc­tion?

7. What kind of bridge was built under his guidance?

8. How is that bridge called?

9. How long is it?

10. When did Yevhen Paton organize the Research Institute of Electro-welding at the Academy of Sciences?

11. What scientists made a great contribution to nuclear physics, chemistry and other branches of science?

II. Find the ending of each sentence:

Ukraine has given the world many brilliant names in ……………….. Ukrainian culture is famous for its rich and………………….

The names of Taras Shevchenko, Ivan Franko, Lessya Ukralnka, Mikhailo Kotsyubinsky………….. By UNESCO decisions the anniversaries of their births …………………..

Great contribution to the world historical science was made by such famous Ukrainian historians as………………. Mikhailo Grushevsky was…………….The scientific activity and life of many world famous scientists such as V.Vernadsky, D.Zabolotny, A.Bogomolets, M.Sklifosovsky, M.Strazhesko are closely connected ……………….

Ukrainian opera singers …..…………….. The best known soloists are ……………. Ukraine takes an active part in …………….. Ukrainian orchestras, singers and …………………….

a)…………. ballet-masters visit different countries every year.

b)…………. Mikhailo Grushevsky, Mikhailo Dragomanov and Ivan Kripyakevich.

c)…………. with Ukraine.

d)…………. ancient traditions.

e)…………. the world cultural process.

f)…………. are known in the whole world.

g)…………. are warmly received in many countries.

h)…………. the first President of Ukrainian National Republic.

i)…………. Anatoly Solovyanenko, Yevgeniya Miroshnichenko, Dmitro Gnatyuk.

j)…………. literature, science, art, etc.

k)…………. are celebrated all over the world.

III. Find information about famous Ukrainian scientist.

Topic 77. Scientific Prizes.

Lesson 1

The Nobel Prizes

Alfred B. Nobel (1833–1896), the Swedish chemist and engineer who invented dynamite, left $9 million in his will to establish the Nobel Prizes, which are awarded annually, without regard to nationality, in six areas (peace, literature, physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and economic science) "to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind."

At first glance, it seems odd that the inventor of a powerful explosive would endow a group of awards that includes a peace prize. But Nobel was an industrialist with a conscience. He is credited with creating a controllable combustible that made blasting rock and the construction of canals and tunnels a relatively safe process. Nobel also contributed to the inventions of synthetic rubber, artificial silk and synthetic leather. He held more than 350 patents. His interests were not limited to science. In fact, he was a lover of English literature and poetry and wrote several novels and poems. At his death, he left a library of more than 1,500 books, from fiction to philosophy.

Family members were shocked when they learned that Nobel had dictated that his fortune be used to establish the Nobel Prizes. They contested his will, but his final wishes were executed and the first awards were distributed in 1901, on the fifth anniversary of his death.

Each winner of a Nobel Prize takes home a medal, a diploma, and cash, which varies each year and depends on the income earned on the Nobel Foundation fund.

The prize is not awarded posthumously; however, if a person is awarded a prize and dies before receiving it, the prize may still be presented." A prize may not be shared among more than three people.