110 Chapter 6

Text B. Read the following passage and paraphrase it.

Acronyms and Initialisms

Acronyms and initialisms are very common in English. Acronyms are words that are formed from the first letters of words in a phrase. For example, the word «laser» is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Acronyms are pronounced as words.

Initialisms, on the other hand, are not pronounced as words: each letter in an initialism is pronounced as a letter, e.g. IBM, which stands for the company International Business Machines.

More examples: avionics — aviation electronics, WORM — write once, read many, descriptive of a memory combining magnetic and laser-based recording on which the user (not a vendor) records data but cannot later modify it.

Radar

The word radar comes from radio detection and ranging. Radar is a detection device that uses radio waves to detect objects in the air.

Sonar

The word sonar comes from sound navigation and ranging. Sonar is a detection device that uses sound waves to detect objects.

REM

Most people need between six and eight hours of sleep a night. Some need more, and some need less. All of us, however, need a certain amount of REM sleep. REM means «Rapid-Eye-Movement». REM sleep happens mostly during dreams, for short periods about four to five times per night.

VIP — very important person

• висока посадова особа

СЕО — chief executive officer

TBA — to be announced (about any event — a lecture, a meeting etc.)

PLA — prior learning assessment (and recognition)—екстернат

dept — department

Acad. — Academy

Assn. — Association

s/he — she or he

UN ~ United Nations (Organization) — ООН

MP — Member of Parliament

*TGIF —Thank God it's Friday - нарешті настала п'ятниця (скоро вихдні)

Chapter 6 111

Each of fifty United States has postal abbreviations for addresses in correspondence, and characteristic creeds. Study them and answer the following questions:

1. Are there any states that share a common motto? How many?

2. What state is known as «Gopher State»?

Alabama	AL	Heart of Dixie
Alaska	AK	Great Land
Arizona	AZ	Grand Canyon State
Arkansas	AR	Land of Opportunity
California	CA	Golden State
Colorado	CO	Centennial State
Connecticut	CT	Constitution State
Delaware	DE	First State
Florida	PL	Sunshine State
Georgia	GA	Empire State of the South
Hawaii	HI	Aloha State
Idaho	ID	Gem State
Illinois	IL	Land of Lincoln
Indiana	IN	Hoosier State
Iowa	LA	Hawkeye State
Kansas	KS	Sunflower State
Kentucky	KY	Bluegrass State
Louisiana	LA	Pelican State
Maine	ME	Pine Tree State
Maryland	MD	Old Line State
Massachusetts	MA	Bay State
Michigan	MI	Great Lakes State
Minnesota	MN	Gopher State
Mississippi	MS	Magnolia State
Missouri	МО	Show Me State
Montana	MT	Treasure State
Nebraska	NE	Cornhusker State
Nevada	NV	Silver State
New Hampshire	NH	Granite State
New Jersey	NJ	Garden State
New Mexico	NM	Land of Enchantment
New York	NY	Empire State