Разговорные Темы 2 семестр

of reclaiming the lands that may be too dry or too wet. Irrigation is an important practice in arid regions where the annual rainfall is very low. All crops need water very much; some of them are drought-resistant, others are less drought-resistant. Plants with a long growing season – sugar beet, potatoes and especially grasses – require more water than cereals. Irrigation is especially useful for orchards. Drainage removes the free water, which excludes air and inhibits the growth and activity of plant roots. Drained soils are more easily and sooner worked out. Drainage ensures a longer growing season and earlier ripening. Drainage provides a good balance of water and air in the soil. Air is necessary for soil bacteria, which decompose organic materials into humus supplying plants with food. With the help of powerful machinery the Polessye swamps in Belarus were transformed into fertile land. Farmers harvest high yields of different crops on the irrigated and drained lands.

The graduates of our department build and exploit hydro-melioration systems and systems of sewerage, roads, bridges, even settlements; their aim is also to improve the fertility of the soil. They work in state inspections and environmental agencies, carry out reconstruction and maintenance of hydroland reclaiming systems, are engaged in planning, development and improvement of rural settlements, as well as designing and maintenance of civil and farm buildings, facilities and structures and water supply systems. So I want to become a reclamation engineer and work in our republic, to improve the soils of our farms and to increase the supply of our population with food products.

Ex. 3. Read the text.

My speciality (CIVIL ENGINEER).

I am a first-year student of the Belarussian State Agricultural Academy. I am lucky to be a student here. The Academy is one of the oldest educational establishments in our country. It was founded in 1840. In those days it was an agricultural institute. Today the academy is well-known all over the world. Many of our teachers are outstanding specialists in various fields of agriculture. The academy has an excellent reputation.

I study at the faculty of land reclamation and civil engineering. At the faculty there are all opportunities for the training of future engineers. There are large and spacious lecture halls, laboratories provided with modern equipment, and many research (scientific) circles. Among the professors there are well-known specialists who contributed much to the development of agricultural science.

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The profession of a builder is very honorable. It attracts many numbers of young men and women nowadays.

In our country construction is being carried out on a large scale. Builders as we know assemble a house from prefabricated units which are delivered to the construction site. A great variety of materials is used by builders today. Students must study the existing materials. When they become fullfledged builders they may develop new building materials and building methods.

Builders construct and reconstruct residential and industrial buildings, bridges, schools, palaces of culture, museums and so on.

The person entering this honorable profession must have a scientific attitude, imagination, initiative, and good judgment.

A qualified building worker must be able to read a technical drawing, he must know the scale and the specifications.

The graduates of our department work on the collective farms, in project organizations, as advisors for farmers. So I want to become an engineer and work in our republic.

Ex. 4. Find the English equivalents for the following:

1)выпускники; 2) инженер мелиоративных работ; 3) орошение;

4)осушение; 5) увеличить продуктивность почвы; 6) засушливые регионы, 7) среднегодовое количество осадков; 8) засухоустойчивые культуры; 9) длинный вегетативный период; 10) травы требуют больше воды, чем зерновые; 11) баланс воды и воздуха в почве; 12) плодородная земля; 13) применение удобрений; 14) строитель; 15) строительные материалы; 16) жилые и промышленные здания; 17) технический чертеж; 18) масштаб.

Ex. 5. Open the brackets using either comparative or superlative degree.

1. Irrigation and drainage are (common) practices of reclaiming the land. 2. Some of the crops are (much) drought resistant, others are (little) drought resistant. 3. Grasses require (much) water than cereals. 4. Drained soils are (much) easily and (soon) worked out. 5. Drainage ensures a (long) growing season and (early) ripening.

Ex. 6. Insert the required modal verbs.

1. Some lands ... be too dry or too wet. 2. A future specialist ... know different methods of irrigation. 3. Students … study the existing materials. 4. When they become full-fledged builders they … develop new building materials and building methods.

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Ex. 7. Complete the sentences with the active vocabulary.

1.The purpose of a reclamation engineer is … . 2. Irrigation is an important practice in arid regions where … . 3. Plants with a long growing season require … . 4. Drained soils are … . 5. Air is necessary for … .

6.The graduates of our faculty work … . 7. Sprinkler systems have advantages such as … . 8. Dams and water reservoir are built to provide … .

Ex. 8. Answer the questions.

1.What opportunities do the students of your faculty have for successful

studying? 2. What is the main goal of a reclamation engineer and how can it be achieved? 3. Why is irrigation so important? 4. What is drainage and why do we need it? 5. What irrigation constructions do you know? 6. What opportunities do those have who want to continue their studies?

Ex. 9. Read the text about the importance of irrigation.

TEXT В

In the past irrigation performed an essential function in advancing civilization and in bringing higher standards of living, and it is continuing to do so today throughout the world.

Agriculture by irrigation is probably one of the oldest occupations of man. Primitive methods of irrigation fields for crop production were used before the dawn of civilization. Studies of the past indicate that irrigation has been practised for 4,000 years in Egypt and China. Even today there are some striking examples of irrigation works built hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of years ago in India, China, Egypt, Iraq and some other countries.

Egypt has the world's oldest known dam, a rock-fill structure built 5,000 years ago to store drinking and irrigation water and perhaps also to hold back floodwaters. Apparently it was poorly designed, for it failed soon after, and no other was erected for 3,000 years afterwards.

From China, India, Egypt, Iraq through North Africa irrigation spread westward. Of course these early irrigators were not without drainage problems and we think that the farmers of ancient Egypt built surface drains on their wet lands so they could yield more and better grain.

But drainage was needed not only in irrigation practice. It was also needed in reclamation of vast areas of swamps and marshes.

In Europe much marshland has been turned into good agricultural land by drainage and fertilization, as, for example, the Pontine Marshes near Rome, the marshes of the North German Plain. In Britain the reclamation of

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the Fens district has transformed more than 400,000 hectares of useless swamps into rich farmland. In Holland, over 360,000 hectares have been rescued from the North Sea and from inland lakes.

The development of the last eighty years in science and technique of irrigation engineering are indeed very big and important.

Measures to conserve water resources and to demonstrate better methods and higher yields will be a constant task to irrigation engineers all over the world.

Ex. 10. Read and translate the following words paying attention to the suffixes and prefixes:

1)to irrigate, irrigator, irrigation, irrigable;

2)fertile, to fertilize, fertility, fertilization, fertilizer;

3)product, production, productive, unproductive, productivity;

4)to drain, drainage, drained, draining;

5)to reclaim, reclaimed, reclamation, reclaimable;

6)to perform, performer, performing, performance;

7)to fall, failed, failing, failure;

8)to advance, advanced, advancement;

9)to indicate, indication, indicator.

Ex. 11. Find in the text the synonyms for:

1)building; 2) to collect; 3) to transform; 4) business; 5) improvement;

6)immense; 7) very old; 8) to come near to.

Ex. 12. State the voice and the tense-form of the verbs and translate the sentences into Russian.

1. During the last twenty years a good deal has been learnt from experiments about crop responses to water, and this information can be used to devise irrigation systems to make the best use of both water and equipment. 2. The work is being carried out by them with the further object of discovering sub-soil water resources of those areas which suffer from chronic scarcity of rainfall. 3. Water, physical and chemical methods of land improvement are designed to create optimal and controlled conditions and patterns for high and stable yields from fields and pasture, hayland, forests and other areas. 4. An extensive plan has been prepared for training the entire lower course of this river over a distance of 600 kilometres for flood control purposes. 5. Yesterday we were told about that new irrigation system. 6. Many technical, administrative and economic measures, including forest land improvement and water engineering, are being put into effect on farm lands in different natural zones. 7. Erosion has been going on there for centuries.

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Ex. 13.Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Во многих частях земного шара есть большие площади потенциально плодородной земли, которые не могут быть использованы для нужд сельского хозяйства /for agriculture/, потому что они либо слишком засушливы, либо слишком увлажнены. 2. В различных странах теперь осуществляется много планов мелиорации земель. 3. Развитие орошения и осушения играет существенную роль в сельском хозяйстве. 4. Площади орошаемых и дренируемых земель значительно увеличиваются с каждым годом во всем мире.

Ex. 14. Answer the following questions.

1. What function did irrigation perform in advancing civilization in the past age? Does it do so today? 2. In what countries was irrigation used for thousands of years? 3. When and where was the world's oldest dam built? Why did this dam fail? 4. Who brought the knowledge of dam building to Southern Europe? 5. What can you say about reclamation of marshy and swamp lands in European countries? 6. What is the total irrigated area of the world today?

UNIT 8

My Speciality ( FARM MECHANIZATION)

Ex. 1. Look through and learn the following words. highly skilled – высококвалифицированный wheeled tractor – колесный трактор

crawler tractor – гусеничный трактор land reclamation – мелиорация земель wheeled distributor – кормораздатчик standard of living – уровень жизни

resistance of materials – сопротивление материалов construction site – стройка

machine testing range – полигон implementation – выполнение raw materials – сырье

driver's certificate – водительские права save time – экономить время

labour productivity – производительность труда milking machines – доильные аппараты graduate – выпускник

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Ex. 2. Read the text.

TEXT A

I'm a first-year student of the Farm Mechanization faculty of the Belarusian Agricultural Academy. It was opened in 1947. At present the faculty provides training in the three specialities: “Maintenance Engineering Support of Farm Production, “Maintenance Engineering Support of Land Reclamation and Waterworks” and “ Material and Technical Supplies of Agroindustrial Complex”. Our faculty is one of the largest at the Academy and it comprises 11 departments, where 10 doctors of sciences and professors as well as 59 assistant professors and candidates of sciences work.

Various machines are used in agriculture now; wheeled or crawler tractors, combine harvesters, specialised harvesters and planting machines, lorries and equipment for land reclamation. Many agricultural processes are mechanised too. It's difficult to imagine nowadays a cattle-breeding farm without feed distributors and milking machines or, for example, a poultry farm without automatic control system. All these machines make the farmer's work easier, increase his labour productivity and save his time, so they improve his standard of living.

Agricultural machines ensure implementation of all farm operations in proper time. They help decrease losses of farm produce and raw materials under transportation and storage. To make these machines and mechanisms function perfectly highly qualified engineers are needed. Our faculty trains mechanical engineers and engineers for mechanization of land reclamation work.

We study such special subjects as mechanization of agricultural farms, theory of machines and mechanisms, resistance of materials, engines and their parts and others. The laboratories of the faculty are equipped with modern machinery. We have practical classes at the machine testing range, where we are taught to drive a car, a tractor and a combine harvester. Then we get a driver's certificate and go for practical studies to the farms of our Republic, where we work as real tractor drivers.

In the years of its existence the faculty has trained about 6000 specialists, who work on the farms and experimental stations, at the construction sites and Ministries, higher schools and scientific research institutes of our Republic. The graduates usually work as leaders of different organisations and enterprises, chief engineers on the collective and state farms, teachers of higher schools and research workers. I consider my speciality the most

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important one in agricultural production and I’ll do my best to become a good specialist.

Ex. 3. Find the English equivalents:

1) студент факультета механизация сельского хозяйства; 2) квалифицированный специалист; 3) колесный трактор; 4) гусеничный трактор; 5) система автоматического контроля; 6) повышать производительность труда; 7) экономить время; 8) уменьшать потери сельскохозяйственной продукции; 9) теория механики; 10) сопротивление материалов; 11) главный инженер; 12) выпускник; 13) приложить усилия.

Ex. 4. Complete the sentences.

1 …. are used in agriculture now. 2. … make the farmer’s work easier. 3. Agricultural machines help … . 4. The faculty trains … . 5. Students study special subjects such as ... . 6. Students have practical classes … . 7. The graduates usually work … .

Ex. 5. Put questions to the following sentences.

1. Various machines are used in agriculture now. 2. Many agricultural processes are mechanised too. 3. All these machines make the farmer’s work easier. 4. In the years of existence the faculty has trained 6000 specialists. 5. I’ll do my best to become a good specialist.

Ex. 6. Answer the following questions.

1. What faculty do you study at? 2. Why does agriculture need highly skilled engineers? 3. What farm processes are mechanised? 4. Why do people try to use as many machines as possible? 5. What specialists does your faculty train? 6. What subjects do you study at the Academy? 7. Where do students of your faculty have their practical work? 8. Where do graduates of your faculty work? 9. Where would you like to work after graduating from the Academy?

Ex. 7. Do you know anything about the history of engineering? Do you think it is an old occupation? Read the text and learn more about it.

TEXT В

The history of engineering is the record of human ingenuity through the ages. Even in prehistoric times, people adapted basic engineering techniques from things that were available in nature. For example, sturdy sticks became levers to lift large rocks, and logs were used as rollers to move heavy loads. The development of agriculture and the growth of civilisation brought about a new wave of engineering efforts. People invented farming tools, designed irrigation networks, and built the first cities. The construction of the gigantic Egyptian pyramids during the 2500's B.C. was one of the greatest engineering feats of ancient times. In ancient Rome, engineers

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built large aqueducts and bridges and vast systems of roads. During the

200’s B.C., the Chinese erected major sections of the monumental Great

Wall of China.

Early engineers used such simple machines as wedge and wheel and axle. During the Middle Ages, a period in European history that lasted from the A.D. 400's to the 1500's, inventors developed machines to harness water, wind, and animal power. The growing interest in new types of machines and new sources of power to drive them helped bring about the Industrial Revolution of the 1700's and 1800's. The role of engineers expanded rapidly during the Industrial Revolution. The practical steam engine developed by the Scottish engineer James Watt in the 1760's revolutionised transportation and industry by providing a cheap, efficient source of power. New ironmaking techniques provided engineers with the material to improve machines and tools and to build bridges and ships. Many roads, railroads, and canals were constructed to link the growing industrial cities.

Distinct branches of engineering began to develop during the Industrial Revolution. The term “civil engineer” was first used about 1750 by John Smeaton, a British engineer. Mechanical engineers emerged as specialists in industrial machinery, and mining and metallurgical engineers were needed to supply metals and fuels. By the late 1800's, the development of electric power and advances in chemical processing had created the fields of electrical and chemical engineering. Agricultural engineering involves the design of farm buildings, agricultural equipment, and erosion control, irrigation and land conservation projects. Agricultural engineers are also concerned with the processing, transporting, storing of agricultural products.

Since 1900, the number of engineers and of engineering specialities has expanded dramatically, as the demand for engineers is steadily increasing.

Ex. 8. Read and translate the words paying attention to the suffixes.

1)to invent, inventor, invention;

2)to design, design, designer;

3)to erect, erector, erection;

4)to develop, developer, development;

5)to industrialise, industry, industrial;

6)to mine, miner, mine;

7)to create, creator, creative;

8)to expand, expansion;

9)to mechanise, mechanization, mechanic.

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Ex. 9. Which of the words go together? Translate the word combi-

nations.
1) human		a) loads
2)	engineering	b) machines
3)	heavy	c) Revolution
4)	large	d) techniques
5)	simple	e) ingenuity
6)	animal	f) engineering
7)	Industrial	g) power
8)	ironmaking	h) aqueducts
9)	agricultural	i) engineers
10) mechanical		j) techniques

Ex. 10. Insert the missing words and word combinations from the box.

Roads, steam engine, processing, wedge, wheel, axle, transporting, farming tools, erected, storing.

1. The ... brought about a new wave of engineering effort. 2. Engineers built large aqueducts and bridges and vast system of … . 3. During the 200s В. C., the Chinese ... the Great Wall of China. 4. Early engineers used such simple machines as ... , ... and . . . . 5. ... revolutionised transportation and industry. 6. Agricultural Engineering involves the designs of farm buildings, ..., erosion control, irrigation and land conservation projects. 7. Agricultural engineers are also concerned with the ... , ... , and ... of agricultural products.

Ex. 11. Answer the questions.

1.What basic engineering techniques did people use in prehistoric time?

2.What brought about a new wave of engineering efforts? 3. What examples of great engineering feats of ancient time can you name? 4. What machines did early engineers use? 5. What inventions were made during the Industrial Revolution? 6. What branches of engineering began to develop during the Industrial Revolution? 7. What branches of engineering can you name? 8. What does agricultural engineering involve? 9. What are agricultural engineers concerned with? 10. Do you think the demand for engineers is great today? Why? Why not?

Ex. 12. Speak on the topics.

1.Engineering in ancient time.

2.Engineering during the Industrial Revolution.

3.Engineering today.

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UNIT 9

My Speciality (LAND USE PLANNING)

Ex. 1. Look through and learn the following words. cadastral survey – кадастровая съемка

to be aware of – осознать, иметь сведения to a great extent – в большой степени

to meet the needs – удовлетворять потребности eliminate – устранять, исключать

vital – жизненный, жизненно важный welfare – благосостояние

allocate – распределять, назначать adjust – регулировать, устанавливать simultaneously – одновременно intimate knowledge – хорошие знания community – общество

urban – городской

septic tank – перегниватель surface – поверхность permeable – проницаемый groundwater – грунтовые воды sediment – осадок, отстой flood plain – заливные луга

wetlands – влажные (заболоченные) земли

Ex. 2. Read the text.

TEXT A

I am a first-year student of the Land Use Planning faculty. Theoretical and practical teaching is carried out at three core departments: land use planning, cadastre and land law, geodesy and photogrammetry. A land useplanner is a very old and a very modern profession. The first land use planning school was founded more than 200 years ago in Russia. Our department is the only one that trains land use planners for our republic.

The work of a land use planner is connected with agriculture. He has to make a cadastral survey and project agricultural enterprises. He must use data collected by other scientists. The land use planner is to be aware of modern land information systems and space research technology. Land and

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