Раздел 1.2.

1. Отработайте произношение слов, уточнив транскрипцию по словарю:

exciting pres p flash v visible a proof n achievement n achieve v conquer v blob n infinitely adv spectacular a search v search n compete v pure a attempt v relieve v suffer v suffering n starve v layman n negligible a overcome v devote v overwhelming pres p squander v pursuit n deprive v

волнующий, захватывающий вспыхнуть, пронестись, передать видимый, явный доказательство достижение, выполнение достигать, выполнять завоёвывать, побеждать капелька, шарик бесконечно, безгранично эффективный, импозантный искать, исследовать поиск, обыск конкурировать, соревноваться чистый, без примеси, чистокровный попытка, покушение облегчать, выручать, сменять страдать, терпеть, сносить, допускать страдание умирать от истощения, голода мирянин незначительный, не принимаемый в расчёт побороть, преодолеть посвящать несметный, подавляющий, непреодолимый расточать, проматывать, растрачивать преследование, занятие лишать

2. Прочитайте текст и скажите, какова позиция автора по отношению к освоению космоса:

Space Race

Almost every day we see something in the papers about the latest exiting developments in the space race. Photographs are regularly flashed to the earth from thousand and even millions of miles away. They are printed in our newspapers and shown on our television screens as a visible proof of man’s newest achievements. The photographs nearly sum up the results of these massive efforts to “conquer space” and at the same time they expose the absurdity of the undertaking. All we can see is an indistinguishable blob which is supposed to represent a planet seen from several thousand miles away. We are going to end up with a little moon-dust and a few stones which will be put behind glass in some museum. This is hardly value for money when you think that our own earth can provide countless sights which are infinitely more exciting and spectacular.

The space race is not simply the objective search for knowledge it is often made out to be. It is just an extension of the race for power on earth. Only the wealthiest nations can compete and they do so in the name of pure scientific research. But in reality, all they are interested in is power and prestige. They want to impress us, their spectators, with a magnificent show of strength. Man has played power game ever since he appeared on earth. Now he is playing it as it has never been played before. The space race is just another aspect of the age-old argument that “might is right”.

We are often told that technological know-how, acquired in attempting to get us into orbit, will be utilized to make life better on earth. But what has the space race done to relieve the suffering of the earth’s starving millions? In what way has it raised the standard of living of any one of us? As far as the layman is concerned, the practical results of all this expenditure of money and effort are negligible. Thanks to space research, we can now see television pictures transmitted live half-way across the globe and the housewife can use non-stick frying-pans in the kitchen. The whole thing becomes utterly absurd when you think that no matter what problems man overcomes, it is unlikely that he will ever be able to travel even to the nearest star.

Poverty, hunger, disease and war are man’s greatest enemies and the world would be infinitely better place if the powerful nations devoted half as much money and effort to these problems as they do to the space race. For the first time in his history, man has the overwhelming technological resources to combat human suffering, yet he squanders them on meaningless pursuits.

If a man deprived himself and his family of food in order to buy and run a car, we would consider him mad. Individuals with limited budgets usually get their priorities right: they provide themselves with necessities before trying to obtain luxuries. Why can’t great nations act in the same sensible way? Let us put our house in order first and let space look after itself.

3. Прочитайте следующие высказывания. Исправьте неверные высказывания в соответствие с содержанием текста:

1. Photographs from space are often flashed to the earth.

2. The sights of the earth are more spectacular than of the other planets.

3. The space race is just for getting knowledge.

4. They are interested only in research.

5. Man has never played the power game.

6. Space research has greatly improved our life.

7. Space research has solved the problem of starvation.

8. It raised the standard of living.

9. Soon a man will be able to travel to the far away stars.

10. Life will get better if powerful nations spend less money for space race.

11. Thanks to space research we can now see pictures transmitted live half way across the globe.

12. Man has no technological resources to stop human suffering.

4. Заполните пропуски следующими словами:

Research power sights to combat to relieve budgets

devote wealthiest in order expenditure represents extension

1. The picture …… a planet seen from several thousand miles away.

2. We can find numerous …… on earth that are infinitely more exciting.

3. Space race is just the …… of the race for power on earth.

4. Only the …… nations can afford space research.

5. In fact they are interested in …… and prestige.

6. What has the space race done …… the suffering of the starving millions?

7. Space …… hasn’t improved our standard of living.

8. The practical results of all this ……. are negligible.

9. The world will be better place if wealthy nations ……. more money to these problems.

10. We have the overwhelming technological resources …… human suffering.

11. People with limited …… usually get their priorities right.

12. Let us put our house …… first.

5. Прокомментируйте следующие высказывания:

1. Error is discipline through which we advance.

2. Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of vigorous mind.

3. Commonplace minds usually condemn what is beyond the reach of their understanding.

4. Little things affect little minds.

5. The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it.

6. All wish to possess knowledge, but few comparatively speaking are willing to pay the price.

6. Выскажите своё мнение об исследовании космоса.

7. Письменно составьте 5-7 вопросов к тексту и задайте их своим сокурсникам.

8. Сформулируйте главную мысль каждого абзаца.

9. Напишите аннотацию текста, используя фразы:

Exciting developments, visible proof, hardly value, the race for power, negligible, devote money to, limited budget, priorities.