Text 6. Benjamin franklin (1706-1790)

1. Словообразование:

1. Переведите на русский язык слова, образованные с помощью префикса semi- (полу-)

Flexible – semi-flexible; basement –semi-basement; colon – semi-colon; circle – semi-circle; colonial – semi-colonial; final – semi-final; vowel – semi-vowel.

2. Переведите прилагательные, образованные с помощью суффикса –ive от глагола и существительных:

To act – active, to compare – comparative; effect – effective, to talk – talkative; to restrict – restrictive.

3. Переведите словосочетания:

Electrical engineering industry; electric transmission lines;

High-capacity, electric transmission lines; technical data; standard of living; transformer substation; an essential component of life.

4. Назовите русские слова, имеющие общий корень со следующими словами:

Classification, combination, compass, section, cylinder, deficit, process, specialist, regulator, budget, engineer, mechanism, mechanic, technics, parachute, physics.

2) Прочтите и переведите текст.

Vocabulary:

to acknowledge – признавать

founder - основатель

to prove - доказывать

lighting - молния

means - средства

disastrous – гибельный, бедственный

lighting rod - громоотвод

to respect - уважать

defence – защита, оборона

to declare – объявлять, провозглашать

slavery - рабство

evil – зло, вред, бедствие

obstacle – препятствие, помеха

creative - творческий

mind – память, ум, мысли, мнение

Benjamin Franklin is acknowledged to be the founder of the theory of atmospheric electricity. He was the first to prove that the lighting was an electrical phenomenon. Franklin developed a new theory of electricity that he called positive and negative. He finally invented a means of protection against the disastrous effects of lighting – the lighting rod. Franklin is known and respected all over the world not only as a scientist but also as a citizen who did as much as he could for the good of his country. Coming out in defence of the Afro-Americans, Franklin declares slavery to be not only an evil from the moral point of view, but also an obstacle to the social interests of America. He is thought to be one of the broadest as well as one of the most creative minds of his time.

6. Ответьте на вопросы по тексту:

1. Who was Benjamin Franklin?

2. What did he experiment upon?

3. What theory did Franklin develop?

4. What means of protection against lighting did he develop?

5. Was Franklin respected all over the world?

3. Переведите следующие предложения, обратите внимание на различные значения слова “that”:

1. There were many scientists that found out that electricity was made up of tiny particles.

2. It is on the above principle that our theory is based.

3. That this system is simple is generally recognized.

4. The age that we live in is called the age of electricity.

5. The atom is a great force that must be used for the good of mankind.

3. Переведите предложения, обращая внимание на перевод слова «as»:

1. As the satellite moves forward, its path is curved by the pull of gravity.

2. As the velocity of the air increases, the pressure decreases.

3. As propellant is expended, the weight of the space vehicle becomes less.

4. As thrust and drag are equal, the airplane flies at a constant speed.

5. Space suits serve as a protective measure against inadvertent loss of cabin pressure.

3. Заполните пропуски соответствующими по смыслу составными союзами: either … or, neither … nor, as much as, both … and, as long as, as early as. Переведите:

1. Franklin devoted … … time … he could to social activities.

2. He founded the first fire-company which was much needed … … … almost all buildings were of wood.

3. He said that … … … there was slavery in America; it would be an obstacle to the country’s social progress.

4. In his free hours he was engaged … in research and experiments … in the study of foreign languages.

5. At first Franklin’s theory was acknowledged … in America … in France.

6. He printed books … … magazines and newspapers.

7. He was engaged … … in scientific research … … on social activities.

8. Franklin’s works were published in Russia … … … in the 18^th century.

3. Переведите, обращая внимание на субъектный инфинитивный оборот с глаголами to prove, to happen, to seem, to appear:

1. Lomonosov and Franklin happened to make their experiments in the field of atmospheric electricity at about the same time.

2. Their points of view on the subject appear to be similar in many respects.

3. To some scientists of the past Franklin’s theory seemed to give no efficient explanation of the phenomenon of lighting.

4. The lighting rod proved to be a most effective means of protection against the effects of lighting.