Supply the given answers with the proper questions.

1.

• Do you … (Вы знаете, что называется Кремниевой долиной?)

• The high technology area about 35 miles south of San Francisco is often called “the Silicon Valley”.

• And what is it … (А чем она знаменита?)

• Much of this activity was centered there, where the first computer-related company had locat­ed in 1955. That company attracted thousands of related business­es, and the area became known as the technological capital of the world. Between 1981 and 1986, more than 1000 new technology-oriented businesses started there. At the busiest times, five or more new companies started in a single week. The Silicon Valley attracted many risk-takers and gave them an opportunity to thrive in an atmosphere where creativity was expected and rewarded. The microprocessor was invented here.

• Do only … (там работают только выпускники высших учебных заведений?)

• There isn't an area with a higher average level of education. This area is also one of the best in the world for exciting technical jobs.

• Which ones… (каких, например?)

• It is the base of the US integrated circuit business and from its name “Silicon Valley” is well recognized for this. There are also many other technical careers here. There are careers for mechanical engineers in the areas of disk drive design, development of computer packaging, development of 1C packaging, development of medical equipment, and development of manufacturing facilities. For chemists, there are many careers in semiconductor wafer¹ processing, medical, and biological companies.

• What are … (каковы же конкретные проекты, над которыми сейчас трудятся в Кремниевой долине?)

• The University of Berkeley is mapping human DNA² under the GENO program. There are many companies working in advanced genetic research, cloning and creating synthetic drugs. This biotech may be the new technology for the valley. They say someone even cloned a frost resistant strawberry plant so you can have yummy³ desserts all year around!

NB ¹wafer 1) The base material in chip making. It is a slice, approx. 1/30" thick, from a salami-like silicon crystal from 3 to 6"(inches) in diameter. The wafer goes through a series of photomasking, etching and implantation steps. 2) A small, continuous-loop magnetic tape cartridge that is used for the storage of data. ²DNA abbr. deoxyribonucleic acid, esp. carrying genetic information in chromosomes – ДНК; ³yummy вкусный.

2.

Supply suitable answers to the questions below.

• Is there an area with a higher level of education than the Silicon Valley, in the author's opinion? Why? / Why not?

• What kinds of careers for mechanical engineers are there?

• What sorts of careers for chemists are there?

• What may be the new technology for this area?

• What is the English for “ДНК”, “программа 1С”, “пакетирование”?

• If you were working in the Silicon Valley, what career(s) would you choose?

• Is there any other place in the world (say, in Russia) like the Silicon Valley?

• Would it be interesting for you to begin some new project?

• Would you invent, develop or sell some new technology?

• Are you cautious or risk-taking?

• What would you rather be: an entrepre­neur, an inventor, neither or both?

• Do you think that you'll contribute to technological progress in a small or great way?

• Would you agree that ignorance is an obstruction to progress?