U n I t 1 0

Text: The Automobile and Its Impact on Civilization.

Grammar: The Compound Sentence. Types of Subordinate Clauses

Vocabulary

to attempt	– пытаться, пробовать
explosion	– взрыв
to reject	– отвергать, отклонять
accessible	– доступный
to facilitate	– способствовать, облегчать
to purchase	– покупать
flexibility	– подвижность, маневренность
to accelerate	– ускорять
to free	– освобождать
to drop	– падать, понижаться
expansion	– распространение
scale	– масштаб
demand	– потребность, спрос
increasingly	– всё более
tax	– налог
toll	– дорожный сбор
revenue	– доход (годовой)
rural	– сельский
automotive	– автомобильный
to owe	– быть обязанным
commute	– поездка на работу и обратно

Read and translate the text and then do the following exercises.

Text

The Automobile and Its Impact on Civilization

Starting in the late 1700's, European engineers began tinkering with motor powered vehicles. Steam, combustion, and electrical motors had all been attempted by the mid 1800's. By the 1900's, it was uncertain which type of engine would power the automobile. At first, the electric car was the most popular, but at that time a battery did not exist that would allow a car to move with high speed or over a long distance. So they did not stay in production past the first decade of the 20th century. The steam-driven automobile lasted into 1920's. However, the price on steam powered engines, either to build or maintain was incomparable to the gas powered engines. Not only was the price a problem, but the risk of a boiler explosion also kept the steam engine from becoming popular. The combustion engine continually beat out the competition, and the early American automobile pioneers like Ransom E. Olds and Henry Ford built reliable combustion engines, rejecting the ideas of steam or electrical power from the start.

Automotive production on a commercial scale started in France in 1890. Commercial production in the United States began at the beginning of the 1900's and was equal to that of Europe's. At the beginning of the 20^th century the automobile entered the transportation market as a toy for the rich. However, it became increasingly popular among the general population because it gave travelers the freedom to travel when they wanted to and where they wanted. As a result, in North America and Europe the automobile became cheaper and more accessible to the middle class. This was facilitated by Henry Ford who did two important things. First he priced his car to be as affordable as possible and second, he paid his workers enough to be able to purchase the cars they were manufacturing. The convenience of the automobile freed people from the need to live near rail lines or stations.

Popularity of the automobile has consistently moved with the state of the economy, growing during the boom period after World War I and dropping abruptly during the Great Depression, when unemployment was high. World War II saw a large increase in mass transit because employment was high and automobiles were scarce. The rapid growth of car owners after World War II, particularly in the United States and Western Europe demonstrated the population's favor towards automobiles. During the war, automobile motors, fuel, and tires were in short supply. There was an unsatisfied demand when the war ended. Many people had saved money because there was little to buy, beyond necessities, in the war years. Workers relied heavily on mass transportation during the war and longed for the freedom and flexibility of the automobile.

Motor vehicles and paved roads have narrowed the gap between rural and urban life. Farmers can ship easily and economically by truck and can drive to town when it is convenient. In addition, such institutions as regional schools and hospitals are now accessible by bus and car. Yet, the effect on city life has been more prominent than the effect on the farms. The automobile has radically changed city life by accelerating the outward expansion of population into the suburbs. Because of the automobile, the growth of suburbs has allowed people to live on the outskirts of the city and be able to work in the city by commuting.

The automobile industry is a major purchaser of steel and other metals, glass, synthetic rubber, plastics, and other chemical products. Giant multinational oil companies owe their growth to the demands of auto transportation, as do supporting industries such as repair shops, garages, auto rentals, and even fast-food restaurants. Suburban shopping centers and roadside motels are other examples of extensive commercial enterprises that depend on the automobile for their existence. Vehicle taxes, registration and license fees, tolls, and other charges are major sources of revenue for governments at all levels. Much of this income is returned to communities by way of highway construction and maintenance and related activities.

Exercises 1. Match the beginning of the sentence on the left with its ending on the right.

1 The price on steam powered engines…	1 at the beginning of the 20 century.
2 Commercial production in the United States began…	2 have narrowed the gap between rural and urban live.
3 Henry Ford paid his workers enough…	3 from becoming popular.
4 The automobile entered the transportation market…	4 was incomparable to the gas powered engines.
5 The effect on city life has been…	5 started in France in 1890.
6 By the 19 00’s it was uncertain…	6 there was an unsatisfied demand for automobiles.
7 Automotive production on a commercial scale…	7 which type of engine would power the automobile.
8 The risk of a boiler explosion kept the steam engine…	8 at the beginning of the 1900’s.
9 When the war ended…	9 more prominent than the effect on the farms.
10 Motor vehicles and paved roads…	10 to be able to purchase the cars they were manufacturing.

Exercises 2. Match the words and phrases with their Russian equivalents.

explosion	– всё более
flexibility	– налог
accelerate	– равняться
scale	– подвижность
attempt	– безработица
accessible	– дорожный сбор
purchase	– распространение
commute	– спрос
toll	– лицензионный сбор
increasingly	– взрыв
revenue	– доступный
free	– пробовать
be equal	– в результате
drop	– доход
license free	– падать, снижаться
expansion	– сбор, налог
charge	– сельский
owe	– автомобильное производство
as a result	– ускорять
rural	– освобождать
automotive production	– поездка на работу и обратно
reject	– отвергать
demand	– масштаб
unemployment	– быть обязанным
tax	– покупать

Exercises 3. Answer the following questions

1 When did European engineers begin experimenting with motor powered vehicles?

2 What car was the most popular at first?

3 Why did electric cars disappear?

4 What kept the steam engine from becoming popular?

5 When did automotive production on a commercial scale start in Europe and America?

6 Why was the automobile popular among the general population?

7 What was Henry Ford’s contribution to the development of the automobile industry?

8 What are the reasons for popularity of the automobile after World War 2?

9 How did the automobile influence rural and urban life?

10 What is the impact of the automobile on other industries?