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Файл:Miscellaneous items. Общеразговорный английский язык. Учебное пособие.pdf
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10.1. BEFORE READING learn the following words and phrases which are essential on the topic:
achievement - достижение, успех, победа; выполнение
benefit - выгода; польза; прибыль; преимущество | извлекать
пользу, выигрывать; приносить пользу
craft – умение, ремесло, профессия
development - развитие, расширение, разработка, создание,
улучшение, усовершенствование, рост; эволюция
ecology – экология, охрана окружающей среды
economic growth - экономический рост, экономическое развитие
efficient – 1) действенный, результативный, эффективный 2) ра-
циональный, целесообразный
engineer - инженер, механик, конструктор, специалист | разраба-
тывать; проектировать; конструировать
engineering - инженерное искусство, проектирование, инженер-
ные средства и методы, техническое обеспечение
impact - влияние; воздействие | влиять, воздействовать
innovation – новаторство, внедрение технических новшеств, но-
винка
intelligent - понимающий, разумный, умный, сообразительный,
понятливый, смышленый, способный
invention - изобретение, открытие
pollution - загрязнение окружающей среды
recycling - утилизация отходов, повторное использование мате-
риалов, повторная переработка
renewable sources of energy - возобновляемые источники энергии
research - научное исследование; изучение; изыскание; анализ;
исследовательская работа | исследовать; заниматься исследо-
ваниями
scientist - ученый; научный работник; человек, применяющий на-
учный метод
technical progress - научно-технический прогресс
technology - техника и технология; технические средства
to create - порождать, производить, создавать, творить; задумы-
вать (создание чего-л.); проектировать, разрабатывать
to develop - развивать(ся), совершенствовать(ся), разрабатывать;
проектировать; создавать
to exploit - пользоваться, использовать, эксплуатировать
to improve - усовершенствовать(ся); улучшать(ся); совершенство-
вать(ся); поправлять(ся), налаживать(ся)
to introduce – внедрять, вводить, вносить, приводить, учреждать
to solve a problem - решать проблему, выполнять задачу; выхо-
дить из трудной ситуации
waste - отходы производства, отходы, отбросы
10.2. SCANNING
Culture and Innovation
1. Innovation is today the most important driver of economic
growth. Invention creates something new. Innovation is more than
that: it introduces something new. Innovation is invention plus introduction. It is not easy to introduce something new. Anybody who has
had a bright idea about how to improve his or her workplace will
know this. People say they want progress, but they resist change.
2. Communities and organizations are often more resistant than
the people in them. Even if all individuals in an organization want a
change, the organizational culture might not permit it. Making innovation happen is a craft and an art; understanding how it happens is
a science. Innovation is grounded as deeply in psychology and culture
as in science and technology.
3. How does culture affect innovation, and vice versa? Culture
and innovation are linked. Innovation cannot occur in a culture that
does not, cannot, or will not support it; but once created, an innovation affects the culture, and the two grow together. History is full of
examples that demonstrate this. In today’s Cyber Age of pervasive
communication and information technology, this impact is pro-
6. The emergence of the Internet, together with affordable cell
phone or other access in a growing part of the world, is revolutionizing cultural development. This does not mean that Africans, Indians,
nounced.
4. The emergence of the smart phone - the handheld device coupl-
ing the cell phone with computing capabilities and Internet access has created tools for modifying public opinion, speeding trends, and
intensifying culture shifts. Reading habits have shifted from newspa-
pers and books to short bursts of instant facts or opinions. Discussions and letters have been heavily replaced, initially by e-mail and
now by Twitter1 and other micro-blogging sites.
5. Cyberculture has dramatically shortened the time from knowledge to decision and shortened dramatically the cycle in which knowledge is recycled to create still more knowledge. Instant information,
from anywhere to anyone, has now become a vehicle for instant impact
on opinion and motivation - and a potential opening for manipulation.
This acceleration of “knowing” can impact education, public opinion,
entertainment, mores, and cultural development.
_____________________
1
Доступ к ресурсу twitter.com ограничен.
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or Chinese are becoming more like Europeans, Japanese, or Ameri-
LEXIS
driver – генератор, двигатель, ведущее звено
resist change - сопротивляться переменам
сommunity – группа лиц, объединённых определённым
признаком
resistant - сопротивляющийся
permit - давать возможность, разрешать
be grounded as deeply in … as in – глубоко уходить корнями как в
… так и в
affect - воздействовать
vice versa - и наоборот
occur - возникнуть
support - поддерживать
pervasive communication - всеобъемлющий и общедоступный об-
мен информацией
be pronounced – быть четко выраженным
emergence - появление
handheld device - портативное устройство
coupling - соединяющийся
capabilities - возможности
modifying - изменение
speeding trends - ускорение общих тенденций развития
culture shift – культурный сдвиг
short burst – пакет коротких сообщений
letter – письмо на бумажном носителе
heavily replaced - интенсивно вытесняемый
cans. It means that more global citizens can communicate and that
one’s location is gradually becoming a less important factor in one’s
ability to innovate.
7. Moreover, attempts to control the Internet or cellular traffic can
be only partially successful. Disclosure of information, sharing of
ideas, and successful innovation are bound to expand.
8. Nor should we link all innovation to technological advance. Pio-
neers in music, literature, and dance, for example, always will press
the frontiers of their respective arts. But all can benefit from technolo-
gy as well: e.g. the composer may create sounds using special software on a personal computer. And technology aids immeasurably in
the dissemination, use, and appreciation of their creations because
originators are able to distribute their works via YouTube2 by a
single click.
9. Culture and innovation, then, feed upon each other and expand
jointly together.
___________________________
2
Контент с YouTube является нежелательным, доступ к нему замедлен.
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shorten - укорачивать
be recycled – находить новое применение
instant information - текущая информация
vehicle for instant impact - средство моментального воздействия
opening for manipulation - возможность для манипулирования
acceleration - ускорение
mores – нравы и обычаи
affordable - доступный
one’s location – чьё-либо местожительство
attempt - попытка
partially successful - отчасти успешный
disclosure - представление (информации)
be bound to expand - быть вынужденным увеличиваться
nor should - но не следует
advance – успех
press the frontiers – отодвигать границы
respective – соответствующий
composer – композитор
aid immeasurably in the dissemination - способствовать безгранич-
ному распространению
appreciation – оценка, оценочное восприятие
feed upon - feed upon
expand jointly - развиваться совместно
10.3. QUESTIONS
1. What is the difference between ‘innovation’ and ‘invention’?
2. What cultural conditions are favourable for innovation?
3. How has the emergence of smart phones modified the society?
4. What is meant by the phrase ‘global citizens’?
5. How can creative people in different spheres of activities benefit
from technological advance?
10.4. EXERCISE. Look thorough the list of the World’s Most In-
novative Countries: The Global Innovation Index 2013. Search out
any relevant information and commented on it.
1
Switzerland (Number 1 in 2012)
2
Sweden (2 in 2012)
3
United Kingdom (5 in 2012)
4
Netherlands (6 in 2012)
5
United States of America (10 in 2012)
6
Finland (4 in 2012)
7
Hong Kong (China) (8 in 2012)
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8
Singapore (3 in 2012)
9
Denmark (7 in 2012)
10
Ireland (9 in 2012)
...
................
62
Russian Federation (51 in 2012)
10.5. SCANNING
Research and Engineering
1. Research and development is the beginning of most systems of industrial production. The innovations that result in new
products and new processes usually have their roots in research and
have followed a path from laboratory idea, through manufacturing
start-up, to full-scale production and market introduction. The foundation of any innovation is an invention. Inventions come from research
- careful, focused, sustained inquiry.
2. Research can be either basic or applied. Basic research is defined as the work of scientists and others who pursue their investigations with the desire to explain the secrets of nature. Applied research
carries the findings of basic research to a point where they can be exploited to bring a new or modified product or process into production.
3. Engineering is the application of science to the optimum con-
version of the resources of nature to the uses of humankind. The
words engine and ingenious are derived from the same Latin root, in-
generare, which means “to create.” Thus the engines of war were devices such as catapults, floating bridges, and assault towers; their designer was the “engine-er,” or military engineer. The counterpart of
the military engineer was the civil engineer, who applied essentially
the same knowledge and skills to designing buildings, streets, water
supplies, sewage systems, and other projects.
4. The function of the scientist is to know, while that of the engineer is to do. The scientist adds to the store of verified, systematized
knowledge of the physical world; the engineer brings this knowledge
to bear on practical problems. Engineering is based principally on
physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
5. Unlike the scientist, the engineer is not free to select the problem that interests him; he must solve problems as they arise; his solu-
tion must satisfy conflicting requirements. Usually efficiency costs
money; safety adds to complexity; improved performance increases
weight. The engineering solution is the optimum solution, the end result that, taking many factors into account, is most desirable.
6. Engineers employ two types of natural resources - materials
and energy. Materials are useful because of their properties: their
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strength, ease of fabrication, lightness, or durability; their chemical,
electrical, or acoustical properties. Important sources of energy include fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, gas), wind, sunlight, falling water,
and nuclear fission.
LEXIS
roots – источник происхождения
follow a path - идти по пути
start-up - запуск в производство
full-scale production - полномасштабное серийное производство
market introduction - выпуск товара на рынок
foundation - исходный пункт
focused, sustained inquiry - целенаправленное, длительное исследо-
вание
basic or applied - фундаментальный или прикладной
pursue - заниматься
desire - желание
findings - полученные результаты
optimum conversion - оптимальное преобразование
engine – мотор, механизм
ingenious - изобретательный
engine of war – боевое орудие, военная машина
floating bridge - мостовой паром
assault tower - штурмовая башня
water supply - водопровод
sewage system - канализационная система
store of verified, systematized knowledge - хранилище подтверждён-
ного, систематизированного знания
bear on - иметь отношение
solution - решение
conflicting requirements - противоречивые условия
efficiency - производительность
complexity - степень сложности
improved performance - улучшенные рабочие характеристики
properties - свойства
ease of fabrication - податливость в обработке
durability - износостойкость
fossil fuels - органическое топливо
nuclear fission - расщепление ядра
10.6. QUESTIONS
1. What stages should an innovation pass in order to result in
a new product or new process?
2. What research can be referred to as basic one?
127
3. What is applied research?
4. What is engineering?
5. What is the origin of the word ‘engine’?
6. How does the function of an engineer differ from that of a scientist?
7. What resources do engineers employ in their professional activity?
10.7. SCANNING
Science and Technology
1. Scientists, researchers, engineers and designers are eager
to emulate the material achievements and living standards of
the industrially advanced countries. One can hardly imagine our
present day life without such trivial gadgets as can-openers, food processors, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, PCs, cell phones, pho-
tocopiers or cameras. All these things make our life more exciting,
save a lot of time and help to avoid health problems.
2. When Charles Babbage (1792-1871), a professor of mathematics at Cambridge University invented the first calculating machine in
1812 he could hardly have imagined the situation we find ourselves
today. In fact, the PCs are being used in almost every field today for
the simple reason that they are more efficient than human beings are,
doing 500,000 sums in a fraction of a second. They can pay wages, reserve seats on planes, control sputniks in space, work out tomorrow's
weather, play chess and compose music. They even help police fight
crime, saving the detective from checking the information, identifying
the fingerprints or making a photorobot. It's needless to say that
speed there is very essential.
3. However, as the technologies advance people inevitably face
various problems. This certainly causes a good deal of disenchant-
ment among the specialists and consumers. For example, when nuclear power was discovered everybody thought it to be a clean and
cheap alternative to burning coal, fuel and natural gas. This seemed to
be solving the problem of air pollution, wasted lands and health ha-
zards. The future looked to be unblighted happiness.
4. But when the first nuclear reactor caught fire it released a ra-
dioactive waste in the air. Animals died, people developed skin complaints, and abnormal babies were born. These endless calamities
were caused due to the fact that uranium, a radioactive element that
causes cancer, is used in the nuclear reactor. It's needless to remind
that 35 pounds of Plutonium, the byproduct of nuclear reaction, re-
duced the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to rubble during
the last war.
5. George Bernard Shaw used to say that maximum of opportunities is always combined with maximum of temptation. This saying can
128
be fully applied to technical progress. It was really very tempting to
grow enough food and save crops with the help of pesticides and ferti-
lizers. But years later humanity had to recognize such horrifying consequences as damaged ground and water supplies, dead soil and even
genetic changes. Nowadays people tend to grow ecologically clean food
and use natural fertilizers.
6. Chemical industry undoubtedly brought new medicine, sprays,
pills and medications, but alongside with these caused acid rain, that
is gradually killing forests and lakes.
7. Nowadays people have to be more and more concerned about
the future of our beautiful planet. Chemical plants install filters on
the industrial stacks. Strict fines are introduced to control pollution.
Research is going into renewable sources of energy: wind, water and
sun. Medicine turns to healing blooms and herbs as many of them
have anti-cancer properties. Many countries have adopted the laws
for the new cars to run on unleaded patrol or electricity. Scientists are
intelligent enough to recognize the risks of computer addiction, genetic manipulations and ozone layer damage, waste and the necessity of
recycling.
LEXIS
be eager to emulate - стремиться превзойти
trivial gadget – устройство используемое в повседневном
обиходе
can-opener - нож для консервных банок
vacuum cleaner - пылесос
photocopier - ксерокс
in a fraction of a second - за долю секунды
work out - определять
fight crime – бороться с преступностью
fingerprints - отпечатки пальцев
needless to say - не говоря уже
advance - подвигаться вперёд
inevitably face - неизбежно сталкиваться с
a good deal of disenchantment - большое разочарование
nuclear power - атомная энергия
burn coal, fuel and natural gas - сжигать уголь, топливо и природный
газ
air pollution - загрязнение воздуха
wasted lands - пустующая земля
health hazards - вредные условия производства
unblighted happiness - безоблачное счастье
catch fire - загореться
release a radioactive waste - выделять радиоактивные отходы
129
skin complaints- жалобы на кожные заболевания
abnormal – уродливый, с отклонением, болезненный
endless calamities - бесчисленные катастрофы
byproduct - побочный продукт
reduce - превращать
rubble - каменные обломки, каменная пыль
temptation - искушение
save crops - уберечь зерновые культуры
pesticides and fertilizers - пестициды и удобрения
horrifying consequences - ужасающие последствия
damaged ground and water supplies - поражённые земельные и
водные ресурсы
tend to grow - стремиться выращивать
undoubtedly - бесспорно
pills and medications - пилюли и медикаменты
alongside with - наряду с
acid rain - кислотный дождь
gradually - исподволь
concerned about - обеспокоенный
install filters - установить фильтры
industrial stacks - дымовые трубы
strict fines – фиксированные штрафы
healing blooms and herbs - целебные цветы и травы
unleaded patrol - бензин без содержания свинца
addiction – пристрастие, зависимость
ozone layer damage - повреждение озонового слоя
10.8. EXERCISE.
1. Put five questions to the text above.
2. Find any additional information that proves the statement
from the text: ‘As the technologies advance people inevitably
face various problems’.
3. Reconstruct word-combinations using the words from both col-
umns and then make your sentences with each of these phrases.
1) calculating
2) ecologically clean
3) genetic
4) horrifying
5) industrially advanced
6) living
7) nuclear
8) renewable
9) technical
change
consequence
country
food
gadget
happiness
land
machine
power
130
10) trivial
11) unblighted
12) wasted
progress
source
standard
10.9. EXERCISE. Read the text ‘Should we be cloning around?’
and be ready to discuss the following questions:
1. What is cloning?
2. Is human cloning "playing with nature?
3. What are the benefits of cloning technologies?
4. Whom will the technology help?
5. What does this mean for you? For your family? For others around
you?
6. What are the risks of cloning?
7. Should cloning research be regulated? How, and by whom?
8. What are the possible implications of cloning to society?
9. Do the benefits of human cloning outweigh the costs of human
dignity?
10. If a clone originates from an existing person, who is the parent?
11. What are some of the social challenges a cloned child might face?
Should We Be Cloning Around?
1. Cloning is a method that involves the production of a group of
identical cells or organisms that all derive from a single individual. It
is not known when or how cloning humans really became a possibility, but it is known that there are two possible ways that we can clone
humans. The first way involves splitting an embryo into several halves
and creating many new individuals from that embryo. The second method of cloning a human involves taking cells from an already existing
human being and cloning them, in turn creating other individuals
that are identical to that particular person.
2. The possibilities of cloning are endless. Its goals and purposes
range from making copies of those that have deceased to better engineering the offspring in humans and animals.
3. Cloning could also directly offer a means of curing diseases or
could massively improve the agricultural industry. Scientists also
ponder the idea of cloning endangered species to increase their population. They also foresee the cloning of pigs that will produce organs
that will not be rejected by humans.
4. Cloning could provide benefits to those who would like to have
children. For instance, couples who are infertile, or have genetic disorders, could use cloning to produce a child. Equally important,
women who are single could have a child using cloning. Nuclear trans-