Ю.В. Маслов, М.Е. Маслова, И.Г. Цеханович

ТЕСТЫ ПО ЧТЕНИЮ

Минск

ТетраСистемс

2008

TEST 01

ON PHYSICS AND PHYSICISTS

I. Прочитайте текст и выберите вариант ответа, соответствующий содержанию прочитанных фрагментов (А-С).

А. Michael Faraday is a British physicist and chemist, best known for his discoveries of electromagnetic induction and of the laws of electrolysis. The research that established Faraday as the foremost experimental scientist of his day was, however, in the fields of electricity and magnetism. In 1821 he plotted the magnetic field around a conductor carrying an electric current. Faraday followed this accomplishment with the discovery of electromagnetic induction. During this same period of research he investigated the phenomena of electrolysis and discovered two fundamental laws: that the amount of chemical action produced by an electrical current in an electrolyte is proportional to the amount of electricity passing through the electrolyte; and that the amount of a substance deposited from an electrolyte by the action of a current is proportional to the chemical equivalent weight of the substance. In experimenting with magnetism, Faraday made two discoveries of great importance; one was the existence of diamagnetism, and the other was the fact that a magnetic field has the power to rotate the plane of polarized light passing through certain types of glass.

В. Sir Isaac Newton is an English physicist, mathematician, and natural philosopher. He is considered one of the most important scientists of all time. Newton formulated laws of universal gravitation and motion — laws that explain how objects move on Earth as well as through the heavens. He established the modern study of optics and built the first reflecting telescope. Newton’s revolutionary contributions explained the workings of a large part of the physical world in mathematical terms, and they suggested that science may provide explanations for other phenomena as well. Newton took known facts and formed mathematical theories to explain them. He used his mathematical theories to predict the behavior of objects in different circumstances and then compared his predictions with what he observed in experiments. Newton began with the laws of motion and gravitation he observed in nature, and then used these laws to convert physics from a mere science of explanation into a general mathematical system with rules and laws. His experiments explained the phenomena of light and color and anticipated modern developments in light theory. In addition, his invention of calculus gave science one of its most versatile and powerful tools.

С. Zhores Alferov is a Belarus-born physicist who was co-winner of the 2000 Nobel Prize in physics. Alferov shared half of the Nobel Prize with American physicist Herbert Kroemer for their independent yet parallel improvements to semiconductors during the early 1960s. Their enhanced semiconductor design is widely used in microelectronics. Alferov was born in 1930 in Vitebsk, Belarus. His major work centered on creating faster transistors. Transistors regulate the passage of electrons and are found in almost all electronic devices. Semi-conductors, materials that have the properties of both a conductor (capacity to carry an electric current) and an insulator (resistance to an electric current) are one of the key components of transistors. Alferov experimented with structures made of layers of different semi-conducting materials. By combining separate materials in layers as thin as a few atoms, he vastly improved transistor performance. These layered semiconductors are called heterostructures. Today, the heterostructures are used in satellite communication systems, in the base stations for mobile-telephone networks, and in the fiber-optic technology that speeds Internet data throughout the world. Heterostructure lasers make it possible for CD players to reproduce music and for the bar-code scanners in stores to automatically record sales. Future improvements in laser-diode technology may one day replace the conventional light bulb with light-emitting devices based on semiconductor heterostructures.

1. A breakthrough in modern technologies was achieved by

1. Newton and Alferov

2. Kroemer and Faraday

3. Faraday and Alferov

4. Alferov and Kroemer

2. A scholar who can be reverentially called “a man for all times” is

1. Faraday

2. Alferov

3. Newton

4. Kroemer

3. The scientists who received a major prize for their innovation are

1. Newton and Alferov

2. Kroemer and Faraday

3. Faraday and Alferov

4. Alferov and Kroemer

4. The scientist who possessed a unique gift for scientific prediction is

1. Faraday

2. Alferov

3. Newton

4. Kroemer

5. The scholars who united several branches of science in their research are

1. Alferov and Kroemer

2. Faraday and Alferov

3. Newton and Faraday

4. Kroemer and Newton

II. Прочитайте текст. Подберите соответствующий заголовок к каждому абзацу (1-5).

(1) In the eleventh century, people noticed that if there was a small hole in one wall of a darkened room, then the light coming through the hole would make a faint picture on the opposite wall of the scene outside the room. A room like this was called a camera obscura. Artists later used a box "camera obscura" with a lens in the hole to make the picture clearer. But it was not possible to preserve the image that was produced in the box.

(2) In 1727, Johann Heinrich Schulze mixed chalk, silver, and nitric acid in a bottle. He found that when the mixture was exposed to the light, it became darker. In 1826, Joseph Niepce put some paper dipped in a light-sensitive chemical into his camera obscura which he left on a window. The result was probably the first permanent photographic image.

(3) The image Niepce made was a "negative," a picture where all the white parts are black and all the black parts are white. Later, Louis Daguerre found a way to reverse the black and white parts to make "positive" prints. But when he looked at the pictures in the light, the chemicals continued to react and the pictures went dark. In 1837, he found a way to "fix" the image. These images are known as daguerreotypes.

(4) Many developments were made in the nineteenth century. Glass plates coated with light-sensitive chemicals were used to produce clear, sharp, positive prints on paper. In the 1870s, George Eastman proposed using rolls of paper film, coated with chemicals, to replace glass plates. Then, in 1888, Eastman began manufacturing the Kodak camera, the first "modern" lightweight camera which people could carry and use.

(5) During this century, many great technological improvements have been made. One of the most important is color film. This is made from layers of chemicals that are sensitive to red, green, and blue light, from which all other colors can be made. Although now, for example, we make and see photos of the earth from space, the basic principles of photography have not changed since Niepce took his first photograph.

А. How It All Began

В. Changes or Non Changes, Basic Principle Stays

С. Camera Obscura Working Magic

D. Unheard-of Possibilities of Color Photography

E. In the Beginning There Was Light

F. Photography: More and More Accessible

G. Images Are Here to Stay

III. Прочитайте текст и выполните послетекстовые задания.

(1) For a long time people have been trying to prove that ghosts are real. It has not been an easy job. Most of the evidence comes from people who say they have seen ghosts, but people can tell lies and make mistakes. A photograph of a ghost would be a more solid piece of evidence, and there have been a lot of photographs that were supposed to show ghosts — most of them not very convincing. People began trying to take pictures of ghosts from the time photography first developed in the mid-nineteenth century. But in the early days photography was crude; people did not understand it very well, and they made mistakes.

(2) A classic mistake was almost made by Frank Podmore, one of the early psychical researchers in Britain. The word psychical means "things of the spirit," and Podmore studied reported sightings of ghosts. One day he was shown a picture of the inside of an English chapel. In the picture was the faint, ghostly outline of a human face. The photographer said that nothing unusual had happened during the picture taking. Only after the film was developed did he see the human face and recognize it as that of a young friend who had recently died a tragic death.

(3) Podmore, who had seen lots of fakes, was impressed. He thought the man was honest. Podmore showed the picture to someone else, without telling the story of the dead boy. This person identified the face as that of a woman about thirty. But whether a boy of eighteen or a woman of thirty, there did seem to be a ghostly face in the picture. How did it get there? The answer lies in the way photographs were taken many years ago. Photographers would set up a camera on a three-legged stand called a tripod. They would expose the film and then walk away because it could take a long time for the image to register on the film, particularly if the light was not bright. The inside of a chapel, for example, would not be well lighted, and such a photograph could take an hour or more.

(4) During that period someone might walk into the range of the camera and even stare at it for a few seconds. Cameras were unusual in the early days, and people were curious about them. The image of the intruder would register lightly on the film, and when the picture was developed, it would appear faint and "ghostly." Many of the early ghost pictures were not mistakes at all. They were deliberate fakes. Professional photographers would take a picture of a person in the studio, and when the picture was developed, what appeared to be a ghostly figure would be standing behind or alongside the living person. Usually this figure was identified as a dead friend or relative. These so-called "spirit photographs" often cost a lot of money, and they were all fakes.

(5) For years spirit photography was popular in many parts of the world. Then, in 1875, a photographer was arrested by the police in Paris. At his trial he freely admitted that he had faked his pictures and showed the dummy he had used as his "spirit." But many people who had bought spirit photographs from him refused to believe that the pictures had been faked. Spirit photography hasn't been popular for a long time. When we look at some of the old spirit photographs today, wonder how anyone could have been fooled by them.

Выберите вариант ответа, соответствующий содержанию прочитанного текста (задания 1—5).

1. Proving that ghosts are real was not an easy job, as

А. the only evidence was hearsay and unconvincing photographs.

В. the quality of the photos left much to be desired.

С. the only evidence was strange sounds in different places.

2. A classical mistake was almost made by Frank Podmore, who

А. did not question the truthfulness of the "ghost" picture.

В. didn't believe the "ghost" picture was real.

С. trusted the honesty of the photographer.

3. The answer how the image of a ghost appeared in the picture lies in

А. the quality of the photo: a clear image faded out quickly.

В. the way the photographs were taken many years ago.

С. the character of a photographer who had to be honest and sincere.

4. People were curious about cameras, because

А. thе technical innovation was an exciting novelty.

В. they believed cameras might bring them profit.

С. people were sure cameras attracted ghosts and spirits.

5. Many of the early "ghost" pictures were not mistakes at all, as

А. ghosts really existed at those times.

В. they were deliberate fakes.

С. spirits liked to be photographed.

Определите значение указанного слова в тексте (задания 6 – 8).

6. solid (1)

А. convincing В. tough С. flimsy

7. crude (1)

А. approximate В. unusual С. primitive

8. be fooled (5)

А. be stupid В. be deceived С. be approved of

Выберите правильный вариант перевода в соответствии с содержанием текста (задания 9-12).

9. Only after the film was developed did he see the human face and recognize it as that of a young friend who had recently died a tragic death (2).

А. Только после того, как плёнка была проявлена, он увидел на ней лицо молодого друга, который недавно трагически погиб.

В. После того как фотография была сделана, он распознал на ней лицо своего друга, погибшего при трагических обстоятельствах.

С. Только после того, как проявили плёнку, он смог узнать лицо своего друга, который недавно трагически погиб.

10. But whether the boy of nineteen or a woman of thirty, there did seem to be a ghostly face in the picture (3).

А. Либо девятнадцатилетний парень, либо женщина тридцати лет, но на фотографии виднелось призрачное лицо.

В. Девятнадцатилетний парень либо же женщина тридцати лет, но на фотографии показалось чье-то призрачное лицо.

С. Было ли то лицо человека девятнадцати лет или тридцатилетней женщины, но оно явно проступало на фото, словно призрачный образ.

11. During that period someone might walk into the range of the camera and even stare at it for a few seconds (3).

А. За это время кто-то мог оказаться перед камерой и даже начать её рассматривать на протяжении нескольких секунд.

B. А в это время кто-нибудь мог войти в диапазон камеры и поглазеть на неё несколько секунд.

C. В это время кто-то мог пройти мимо объектива камеры, всматриваясь в него несколько секунд.

12. At this trial he freely admitted that he had faked his pictures and showed the dummy he had used as his "spirit" (5).

А. В ходе судебных слушаний он спокойно признался, что подделывал фотографии и даже представил суду дамочку, которая позировала в качестве "призрака".

В. На суде он спокойно признал подделку фотографий и даже продемонстрировал манекен, который использовал в качестве "призрака".

С. В ходе судебных разбирательств он без обиняков признался в подделке фотографий и показал манекен, который фотографировал.

Test 02 on math and mathematicians

I. Прочитайте текст и выберите вариант ответа, соответствующий содержанию прочитанных фрагментов (А – D).

А. Carl Friedrich Gauss is a German mathematician, also noted for his wide-ranging contributions to physics. Gauss studied ancient languages in college, but at the age of 17 he became interested in mathematics and attempted a solution of the classical problem of constructing a regular heptagon, or seven-sided figure, with ruler and compass. He not only succeeded in proving this construction impossible, but went further. Soon he gave up his intention to study languages and turned to mathematics. He studied at the University of Göttingen. For his doctoral thesis he submitted a proof that every algebraic equation has at least one root, or solution. This theorem, which had challenged mathematicians for centuries, is still called “the fundamental theorem of algebra”. Although Gauss also made valuable contributions to both theoretical and practical astronomy, his principal work was in mathematics and mathematical physics. He was the first to develop a non-Euclidean geometry.

В. Gottfried Leibniz is a German philosopher, mathematician, and statesman, regarded as one of the supreme intellects of the 17th century. Leibniz was considered a universal genius by his contemporaries. His work encompasses not only mathematics and philosophy but also theology, law, diplomacy, politics, history, philology, and physics. Leibniz's contribution in mathematics was to discover the fundamental principles of infinitesimal calculus. He also invented a calculating machine capable of multiplying, dividing, and extracting square roots. He is considered a pioneer in the development of mathematical logic.

C. Nikolay Lobachevsky is a Russian mathematician, who was one of the first to apply a critical treatment to the fundamental postulates of Euclidean geometry. Lobachevsky was born in Nizhniy Novgorod and educated at the University of Kazan’, where he later taught. At the age of 30, he was appointed Professor of mathematics there. Independently from the German mathematician Carl Gauss, Lobachevsky devised a method of non-Euclidean geometry. Another of his achievements was developing a method for the approximation of the roots of algebraic equations. This method is now known as Dandelin-Graffe method, named after two other mathematicians who discovered it independently. In Russia, it is called the Lobachevsky method. Lobachevsky also gave the definition of a function as a correspondence between two sets of real numbers.

D. Pierre de Fermat is a French mathematician. In his youth, with his friend the French scientist and philosopher Blaise Pascal, he made a series of investigations into the properties of figurate numbers. From these studies Fermat later derived an important method of calculating probabilities. He was also greatly interested in the theory of numbers and made several discoveries in this field. He is known as the author of a simple theorem turned out to be surprisingly difficult to prove. For more than 350 years, many mathematicians tried to prove Fermat’s statement or to disprove it by finding an exception. In June 1993, Andrew Wiles, an English mathematician at Princeton University, claimed to have proved the theorem; however, in December of that year reviewers found a gap in his proof. A year later, after his colleagues judged it complete, Wiles published his proof. Despite the special and somewhat impractical nature of Fermat’s theorem, it was important because attempts at solving the problem led to many important discoveries in both algebra and analysis.

1. Which of the scholars is famous not only for his scientific achievements but also for his amazing versatility?

A. Fermat

B. Gauss

C. Lobachevsky

D. Leibniz

2. Which scientists developed a new approach to geometry?

A. Lobachevsky and Fermat

B. Gauss and Leibniz

C. Fermat and Leibniz

D. Gauss and Lobachevsky

3. Which of the scientists authored one of the most puzzling scientific riddles?

A. Gauss

B. Lobachevsky

C. Leibniz

D. Fermat

4. Which of the scientists invented a device that could be considered a great grandfather of the present-day calculator?

A. Lobachevsky

B. Gauss

C. Leibniz

D. Fermat

5. Which scholar radically changed his vocation?

A. Leibniz

B. Gauss

C. Fermat

D. Lobachevsky

Прочитайте текст. Подберите соответствующий заголовок к каждому абзацу (1-5).

(1) Mathematics has many branches. They may differ in the types of problems involved and in the practical application of their results. For instance, arithmetic includes the study of whole numbers, fractions and decimals, and the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It forms the foundation for other kinds of mathematics by providing such basic skills as counting and grouping objects, and measuring and comparing quantities.

(2) Unlike arithmetic, algebra is not limited to work with specific numbers. Algebra involves solving problems with equations in which letters, such as x and y, stand for unknown quantities. Geometry is concerned with the properties and relationships of figures in space. Plane geometry deals with squares, circles, and other figures that lie on a plane. Solid geometry involves such figures as cubes and spheres, which have three dimensions.

(3) Calculus and analysis have many practical uses in engineering, physics, and other sciences. Calculus provides a way of solving many problems that involve motion or changing quantities. Differential calculus seeks to determine the rate at which a varying quantity changes. It is used to calculate the slope of a curve and the changing speed of a bullet. Integral calculus tries to find a quantity when the rate at which it is changing is known.

(4) Probability is the null mathematical study of the likelihood of events. It is used to determine the chances that an uncertain event may occur. For example, using probability, a person can calculate the chances that three tossed coins will all turn up in heads.

(5) Statistics is the branch of mathematics connected with the collection and analysis of large bodies of data to identify trends and overall patterns. Statistics relies heavily on probability. Statistical methods provide information to government, business, and science. For example, physicists use statistics to study the behavior of the many molecules in a sample of gas.

А. Related to Philosophy

B. Identifying Trends and Patterns

C. Not Applied Anymore

D. Not Just Numbers

E. The Most Modern Branch

G. The Most Practical Branch

H. Useful for Prediction

I. Great Diversity

III. Прочитайте текст и выполните послетекстовые задания.

(1) The work of mathematicians may be divided into pure mathematics and applied mathematics. Pure mathematics seeks to advance mathematical knowledge for its own sake rather than for any immediate practical use. Applied mathematics seeks to develop mathematical techniques for use in science and other fields. Nearly every part of our lives involves mathematics. It has played an essential role in the development of modern technology – the tools, materials, techniques, and sources of power that make our lives and work easier.

(2) Our everyday life is not deprived of mathematics, as we use it for such simple tasks as telling time from a clock or counting our change after making a purchase. We also use mathematics for such complex tasks as making up a household budget or balancing our cheque book. Cooking, driving, gardening, sewing, and many other common activities involve mathematical calculations. Mathematics is also part of many games, hobbies and sports

(3) Moreover, mathematics is an essential part of nearly all scientific study. It helps scientists to design experiments and analyze data. Scientists use mathematics formulas to express their findings precisely and to make predictions based on these findings. The physical sciences, such as astronomy, chemistry and physics rely heavily on mathematics. Such social sciences as economics, psychology and sociology also depend greatly on statistics and other kinds of mathematics. For example, some economists use a computer to create mathematical models of economic system. These computer models use sets of formulas to predict how a change in one part of the economy might affect other parts.

(4) Besides, mathematics helps industries to design, develop and test products and manufacturing processes. Mathematics is necessary in designing bridges, buildings, drams highways, tunnels and other architectural and engineering projects.

(5) Business is one more field that can't function without mathematics, as it is used in transactions that involve buying and selling. Businesses need mathematics to keep record of such things as stock levels and employees' hours and wages. Bankers use mathematics to handle and invest funds. Mathematics helps insurance companies calculate risks and compute the rates charged for insurance coverage.

Выберите вариант ответа, соответствующий содержанию прочитанного текста (задания 1-5).

1. According to the story, pure mathematics deals with

A. the development of knowledge for its own purpose and need.

B. the application of advanced knowledge in immediate practical use.

C. seeking to advance knowledge for the sake of scientific progress.

2. As one can see, applied mathematics focuses on

A. mathematical techniques that have been founded by pure mathematics.

B. the practical use of mathematical techniques in different fields of life.

C. involvement of mathematics in every part of our life and activities.

3. In day-to-day life mathematics is used

A. in making up a household budget.

B. mostly for helping kids with home assignments.

C. practically in every sphere, from telling time to hobbies and sports.

4. The advancement of science is impossible without math as

A. all data are scripted with the help of numbers.

B. it is involved in designing experiments and analysis of data.

C. its formulas help to predict the future.

5. Industry is unthinkable without mathematics for it

A. helps to design new products and implements.

B. is useful for manufacturing which is based on mathematic formulas.

С. is used in designing and manufacturing, architecture and engineering.

Определите значение указанного слова в тексте (задания 6-8).

6. essential (1)

A. standard B. vital C. average

7. data (3)

A. time B. result C. information

8. handle (5)

A. control B. deal C. hold

III. Выберите правильный вариант перевода в соответствии с содержанием текста (задания 9-12).

9. Nearly every part of our lives involves mathematics (1).

A. Математика находится около каждой сферы нашей жизни.

B. Практически каждая часть нашей жизни включает в себя математику.

C. Математика нужна практически во всех сферах нашей жизни.

10. Scientists use mathematical formulas to express their findings precisely (3).

A. Ученые используют математические формулы, чтобы точно описать свои находки.

B. Ученые используют математические формулировки для точного определения новых открытий.

C. Ученые используют математические формулы, чтобы максимально точно выразить полученные данные.

11. Astronomy, chemistry and physics rely heavily on mathematics (3).

A. Астрономия, химия и физика очень доверяют математике.

B. Астрономия, химия и физика едва ли возможны без математики.

C. Астрономия, химия и физика находятся в зависимости от математики.

12. Mathematics helps insurance companies calculate risks (5).

A. Математика помогает страховым компаниям просчитать риск.

B. Математика помогает страховым компаниям сосчитать риск.

C. Математика помогает страховым компаниям продумать риск.