Just serendipity!

VIII. Fill in the blanks with the verb in the right tense-form.

1. Alexander Fleming (find) some mould growing on a laboratory dish which he absent-mindedly (leave) on a window-sill.

2. Millions of lives every year (save) thanks to modern antibiotic drugs based on penicillin.

3. British military scientists (discover) the radar during the war while they were trying to find a death ray.

4. Teflon (use) in non-stick frying pans and space vehicles.

5. Scientists (do) another experiment and they happened to taste one of the by-products of one substance which they found to be sweet.

6. He always (chew) gums!

7. Du Pont scientists discovered that a plastic coating (form) on their equipment and this (be) unaffected by heat and it (be) also very slippery.

8. Stick-on notes already (use) by us for some years.

IX. Fill in the blanks with the right prepositions.

1. Most important discoveries … the world … science and technology came … by some sort of lucky accident.

2. Alexander Fleming found some mould growing … a laboratory dish which he had absent-mindedly left … a window-sill.

3. Now all the sea and air transport depends … radar … navigation and safety -and armies depend … it … defence.

4. Radar was discovered … the war.

5. Teflon is a substance which is used … non-stick frying pans.

6. Teflon was discovered … accident … a laboratory … DuPont scientists, who were doing research into gases to use … refrigerators.

7. Some of artificial sweeteners are thousand times … sweet … sugar.

8. Chewing gum was discovered while scientists were looking … a substitute … rubber.

X. Translate the words in brackets into English.

1. Most important (открытий) in the world of science and technology (появились) by some sort of (счастливого случая).

2. Alexander Fleming (по рассеянности) left some mould on a window-sill and later found that it stopped the spread of bacteria, which is the cause of illness like pneumonia.

3. Radar was discovered during the war while British (военные ученые) were trying to find a death ray, which was some sort of radio wave that could be used to kill people.

4. Teflon was discovered by accident in a laboratory by DuPont scientists, who were doing (исследования) into gases to use into refrigerators.

5. Scientists were doing another experiment and they happened (попробовать) one of the (побочный продукт), which they found to be sweet, so artificial sweeteners appeared.

6. Chewing gum was discovered while scientists were looking for (заменитель) for rubber.

7. A researcher was doing into adhesive and glue, and discovered (вещество) that was quite sticky but it wouldn't (приклеиваться) permanently to anything and it didn't (оставлять следы) on the surface.

XI. Ask special questions to the following statements.

1. Alexander Fleming is a famous bacteriologist. (What?)

2. All the sea and air transport depends on radar for navigation and safety. (What?)

3. Radar was discovered during the war. (When?)

4. Scientists didn't find a death ray, but they found a technique. (What)

5. Teflon is a substance which is used in non-stick frying pans. (Where?)

6. Artificial sweeteners were discovered by accident. (How?)

7. Serendipity made chewing gum. (What?)

8. We use little yellow stick-on notes in the office and for leaving phone messages. (What … for?)

9. There will be lots of serendipitous discoveries. (Why?)

XII. Give a brief summary of the text.

Text III

The scientists who are going to revolutionise our lives in the course of the next 1000 years

After reading this text you will learn:

- perspective fields of scientific investigations;

- the names of future Nobel prize-winners;

- inventions that can shape the 21^st century.

I. Learn the following derivatives and fill in the blanks with the proper one:

To inspire - inspiration - inspiring - inspired;

1. Dreams can be a rich source of … for an artist. 2. Both poets drew their … from the countryside. 3. Her charity work is an … to us all. 4. It came to me in a flash of … 5. The actors' enthusiasm … the kids. 6. The choice of dйcor … by a trip to India. 7. He is known to be an … leader. 8. As a general, he … great loyalty in his troops. 9. The book is less than …10. Be …!

II. Look: at, up, up to, after, for, through, forward to, out (for), down on smb;

a) Fill in the gaps with the right postposition:

1. Don't worry! I can look … your children. 2. Mark was sitting in the living-room absent-mindedly looking … the pages of a magazine. 3. I'm not sure about the meaning of this word. I'd better look it … in the dictionary. 4. I'm looking … … your visit impatiently. 5. He was looking … the ball everywhere. 6. He was looking … the fire and did not answer my question. 7. Everybody looks … … him. 8. She looks … … people who haven't been to college. 9. He looked … … Jim and thought he was not a good match for her daughter. 10. Look …! There is a car coming. 11. You should look … for pickpockets. 12. Look … for spelling mistakes in your work.

b) Translate into English:

С нетерпением ожидать выходных; искать ключи; искать слово в словаре; присматривать за детьми; просматривать утреннюю почту; посмотреть на картину; посмотреть значение слова; относиться к человеку с уважением; искать выход; с нетерпением ожидать поездки; просматривать статьи; присматривать за родителями; посмотреть на доску; с нетерпением ожидать перерыва; искать сведения; смотреть свысока (презирать); быть на стороже;

III. Learn the following words:

Word	Transcription	Translation
Breakthrough	['breIkTrH]	Прорыв
Unexpected	["AnIks'pektId]	Неожиданный
To stun	[stAn]	Ошеломлять
Community	[kq'mjHnqtI]	Сообщество
To expand	[Ik'spend]	Расширять
Frontiers	['frAntIqz]	Границы
To restore	[rI'stL]	Восстанавливать
Blind	[blaInd]	Слепой
Via	[vaIq]	Посредством
Helicopter	['helIkPptq]	Вертолет
Surgeon	['sWG(q)n]	Хирург
Capable	['keIpqbl]	Способный
Physician	[fI'zIS(q)n]	Врач
To spearhead (зд.)	['spIqhed]	Возглавлять работу над
To dial	[dQIl]	Набирать номер
Stem cell	[stem sel]	Стволовая клетка
Supply	[sq'plQI]	Запас
Spare	[spFq]	Запасной
Draw on	[drL]	Привлекать (использовать)
Emergency	[I'mWG(q)nsI]	Крайняя необходимость
To suffer	['sAfq]	испытывать

IV. a) Form the nouns using proper suffixes.

To invent, to identify, to restore, blind, to transmit, to transform, to create, to construct, to operate, to communicate, to recognize.

b) Translate the words with prefix fore-.

Foresee, forearm, forego, foreknow, foretell, foretaste, forefather, foremost.

V. Fill in the gaps with the proper verb from the table below.

To stun to expand to restore to recognize to create

1. The operation … his sight. 2. The government plans to … more jobs for young people. 3. They were … by the news. 4. We have … the business by opening two more shops. 5. I ... him as soon as he came into the room.

VI. Match the words in A-column with the words in B-column.

AB

1) Serendipitousa) cars

2) Little-knownb) impact

3) Academicc) inventions

4) Autonomousd) voice

5) Permanente) scientists

6) Newf) institutions

7) Humang) generation

VII. Restore the word order in the following sentences.

1. Try / scientists / to expand / knowledge / the frontiers / of human. 2. This / independently / invention / will help / the blind / to walk. 3. Are developing / autonomous / inventors / and / cars / helicopters. 4. The help / is / it / computer / possible / to recognize / with / human voice / of?

VIII. Practice the reading of the following words:

Breakthrough, to revolutionise, scientist, engineer, frontier, via, machine, autonomous, helicopter, physician, surgeon, microchip, retina, to allow, to dial.

IX. Read the text below and choose the invention which from your point of view can change our life drastically.

Inventions have the power to change the world. Breakthrough can often come from unexpected fields, as Dolly the cloned sheep proved to be a stunning invention in 1997. Little-known scientists and engineers are working in laboratories and academic institutions in hope of being able to revolutionise the way we live in the next century. Helped by leading figures in the scientific community, The Sunday Times has identified those who could shape the 21^st century. Some are likely (вероятно) to become future Nobel prize-winners and they all are working to expand the frontiers of human knowledge.

Mark Humayun

Eye surgeon and biomedical engineer who has restored limited sight to the blind by linking (подсоединить) a microchip to the human retina (сетчатка), transforming electronic images into electrical impulses that are transmitted via the optic nerve to the brain. Humayun, who is based at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, America, is now working on the creation of a permanent implant. "Within 10 years, I believe we will have a chip that will allow (позволит) a blind person to be able to walk around in a room independently," he says.

Takeo Kanade

Head of the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University in America, Kanade specialises in developing machines that can function without human control, such as autonomous cars and helicopters. He is currently (в данный момент) working with surgeons to develop “smart” tools capable of performing operations better than a human physician. "The 21st century will be the age when robots become as much a part of our lives as computers have become today," he says.

Steve Young

The world's foremost expert in computer speech recognition, whose systems will form the basis for global electronic communications based only on the spoken word. Young, professor of information engineering at Cambridge University, is spearheading new generations of computer that can understand the human voice without error, ending the need for telephone dialling or keyboard typing as the main gateways (доступ) to electronic communication.

James Thomson

Biologist based at the University of Wisconsin who found the key to future transplant technology by isolating embryonic stem cells and keeping a culture of them alive in a laboratory for a year. Thomson's work, if combined with cloning techniques, raises the prospect of organ banks. Because embryonic stem cells are capable of developing into any of the specialised cells that make up the human body, a person could have a lifetime's supply of spare parts to draw on in case of a medical emergency - for example, pancreatic cells for treating diabetes or neurons for Parkinson's disease.

Ray Crane

British engineer whose insights into aerodynamics have been central to the design of the world's tallest buildings. Crane has solved some fundamental problems in cutting the vibration that such high structures can suffer in strong winds, and expects to be involved in the process of constructing even taller skyscrapers in the future.

X. Fill in the gaps with a suitable preposition.

1. The scientist is working … the creation of a permanent implant. 2. This invention will end the need … telephone dialling. 3. This “smart tool” is capable … performing operations better than a human physician. 4. He specialises … eye surgery. 5. We flew home … Dublin.

XI. Translate the words in brackets from Russian into English and read the whole sentence.

1. (Изобретатели) can change the world. 2. The representatives of the (научное сообщество) work to revolutionise our life. 3. Their inventions are able to (сформировать) our life in the 21^st century. 4. For example, Steve Young's invention can revolutionise (всемирные электронные коммуникации). 5. Mark Humayun is working on the (созданием) of a permanent implant which will help people with retinal (слепота). 6. One more scientist, Takeo Kanade, is trying to develop autonomous machines that (функционируют без контроля человека). 7. Thus, such (приборы) can improve the quality of our life greatly.

XII. Decide whether the following statements are True or False.

1. No invention can influence the way we live.

2. The world was stunned by the cloned sheep in 1997.

3. Steve Young's invention will help blind people.

4. Mark Humayun is an expert in computer speech recognition.

5. Takeo Kanade specialises in medicine.

XIII. Provocative thinking:

How can these inventions revolutionise our life?

Text IV

Nanotechnology: How the Science of the Very Small is Getting Very Big

After reading this text you will learn:

- what is nanotechnology;

- in what fields they are and can be used;

- the advantages of nanotechnologies in the modern equipment;

- the effect of nanotechnologies on the environment.

I. Learn the following words:

Word	Transcription	Translation
To measure	['meZq]	Измерять
To permit	[pq'mIt]	Позволять
Carbon	['kRb(q)n]	Углерод
Chain	[CeIn]	Цепь
Aim	[eIm]	Направлять, нацеливать
To share	[SFE]	Делиться, отдавать
To replace	[rI'pleIs]	Заменять
Flat	[flxt]	Плоский
Film	[fIlm]	Фотопленка
Sticky	['stIkI]	Клейкий
To remove	[rI'mHv]	Удалять
To carry	['kxrI]	Проводить
Similar	['sImIlq]	Подобный
Solar	['seulq]	Солнечный
Movable	['mHvqbl]	Переносной
To improve	[Im'prHv]	Улучшать
Current	['kAr(q)nt]	Электрический ток
To release	[rI'lJs]	Выпускать
To warn	[wLn]	Предупреждать
Poisonous	['pPIzqnqs]	Ядовитый
To contain	[kqn'teIn]	Содержать
To reach	[rJC]	Достигать
Wire	[wQIq]	Провод
To meet the demands	[mJt] [dI'mRndz]	Соответствовать требованиям
Concerns	[kqn'sWnz]	Вопросы, вызывающие озабоченность
To cause	[kLz]	Послужить причиной
Severe	[sI'vIq]	Сильный (тяжелый)
Lung	[lAN]	Легкое
Damage	['dxmIG]	Вред
To involve	[In'vPlv]	Вовлекать
To expect	[Iks'pekt]	Ожидать
To credit	['kredIt]	Приписывать

II. Fill in the table with the proper derivatives which are possible:

Verb	Noun	Adjective
To investigate		-
	Measurement	-
To observe		-
		Creative
	Success
To require		-
		Wide
	Proof	-
To grow		-
	Existence	-
-		Safe
To develop		-
	Improvement	-
To reduce		-
	Recognition	-
		unimaginable

III. Find the opposites to the following words and use both words in the sentences of your own:

To decrease - ________________; tight - ______________; to appear - _______________; high - ___________;

IV. a) Learn the ways of translating Participle I and II in the function of an attribute and an adverbial modifier.

1. Scientists investigating (изучающие Participle I) the issue will take part in the conference.

2. Investigating (изучая Participle I)) the phenomenon, the scientists realized its complexity.

3. The results of the issue investigated (изученной, Participle II) by the scientists will be introduced at the conference.

b) Use the proper participle.

1. Carbon sixty is a group of tightly (connect) ____________ carbon atoms that forms a ball. 2. Scientists believe that some day nanotubes could replace the carbon graphite now (use) ___________ to make airplane parts. 3. Soon nano-materials could be used to improve devices that reduce pollution (release) __________ by cars. 4. Mister Moore would go on to help start the company Intel, one of the world's (lead)_____________ computer chip makers. 5. And Moore's law is one of the most (talk) ____________ about scientific barriers. 6. In 1971 Intel created a computer chip (contain)_____________ two thousand three hundred transistors. 7. In 2002 IBM announced that it had created the world's smallest transistor (base) _____________ on the element silicon. 8. They said the smallest transistor currently (use) _______________ in a computer is ninety nanometres. 9. Scientists and environmental activists worry that nano-materials could pass in to the air and water (cause) ______________ health problems.10. The EPA recognizes that this could mean that there are unknown health risks (involve) _______________in nanotechnology.11. The American government is expected to spend about 39 million dollars on research (mean)______________to investigate the health risks of nano-materials.

V. Read the text for more information.

One of the most important research fields in technology is called nanotechnology. It is the science of making things unimaginably small. Nanotechnology gets its name from a measure of distance. A nanometre, or nano, is one-thousand-millionth of a metre. This is about the size of atoms and molecules. Nanotechnologists work with materials this small. Many experts credit the idea to physicist Richard Feynman. In 1959, this Nobel Prize winner gave a speech. He called it `There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom'. Mister Feynman discussed the theory that scientists could make devices smaller and smaller - all the way down to the atomic level. Although he didn't use the word nanotechnology, the speech got many scientists thinking about the world of the very small. But for years the idea remained only a theory. At the time, no way existed to record structures the size of molecules. Not even electron microscopes could do the job. But as the 1980s began, two researchers found a way. Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer worked at the laboratory in Zurich Switzerland for IBM, the American company International Business Machines. They invented what they called a scanning tunnelling microscope. This permitted scientists to observe molecules and even atoms in greater detail than ever before. Once they could see nano-sized structures, the next step for scientists was to create their own. By the middle of the 1980s, scientists had increased their research on carbon. They were interested in the ability to use this common element to make nano-sized structures. Carbon had already been engineered in chemical reactions to make long-carbon chains. Today the result of carbon chemical engineering is everywhere - in the form of plastic. Scientists in the 1980s wanted to create nano-structures from carbon atoms. In 1985, Robert Curl, Harold Kroto and Richard Smalley succeeded. They aimed a laser at carbon. This powerful light caused some of the carbon to become gas. The scientists cooled the gas to an extremely low temperature. Then they looked at the carbon material that remained. They found, among several kinds of carbon, a molecule of sixty atoms - carbon sixty. Carbon sixty is a group of tightly connected carbon atoms that forms a ball. It's a very strong structure. This is because all the atoms share any loose electrons that might take part in chemical reactions with other atoms. This kind of molecular carbon can also appear with different numbers of carbon atoms. There is carbon seventy, for example. For their work Robert Curl, Harold Kroto and Richard Smalley received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996. The next nano-structure development came in 1993. Japanese scientist Sumio Iijima of the company NEC developed carbon nanotubes. These nano-sized objects are really six-sided atomic structures connected to form a tube. They are extremely strong. Scientists believe that some day nanotubes could replace the carbon graphite now used to make airplane parts. Soon after this discovery, researchers started to think about using nanotubes to build extremely small devices.

Scientists at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a way to make flat material, or film, out of nanotubes. The researchers create the super thin film by chemically growing nanotubes on a piece of glass. They use another piece of sticky material to remove the film of nanotubes from the glass. When the film is finished, it's only fifty-nanometres thick. That's about one-thousandth the width of human hair. The material is extremely strong and it carries electricity as well. Researchers think nanotube material could be used to make car windows that can receive radio signals. They also believe that it could be used to make solar electricity cells, lights or thin, movable displays that show pictures like a television. Nano-materials are already used in some products. For example, materials using mixtures of nono-materials are being used to make sporting goods like tennis balls and tennis rackets better. Soon nano-materials could be used to improve devices that reduce pollution released by cars. Similar technology could be used to warn of the presence of poisonous molecules in the air.

Computer scientists hope development in nanotechnology will help break barriers of size and speed. In 1965, electronics expert Gordon Moore recognized that computer chips, the engines that drive computers, would grow in power. He even thought of the way to measure this progress. He said researchers would double the number of tiny transistors on a computer chip about every two years. A transistor is a device that controls electrical current. That statement is known as Moore's law. It has proved correct for more than forty years. Mister Moore would go on to help start the company Intel, one of the world's leading computer chip makers. And Moore's law is one of the most talked about scientific barriers. In 1971 Intel created a computer chip containing two thousand three hundred transistors. In 2004 Intel made a chip with five hundred ninety-two million transistors. But current technology has reached its limit. The next jump to one thousand million transistors will require new discoveries in nanotechnology. Researchers are trying to solve the problems of creating nano-sized transistors. In 2002 IBM announced that it had created the world's smallest transistor based on the element silicon. IBM said the transistor was four to eight nanometers thick. In 2005 researchers for the company Hewlett Packard wrote about the problems of creating nano-transistors in the magazine Scientific American. Their nano-wire transistor measured thirty-nanometres in size. They said the smallest transistor currently used in a computer is ninety nanometres. But making nano-transistors small enough to meet the demands of Moore's law may be years in the future.

Although nanotechnology is exciting, there are concerns about the safety of super small structures. Scientists and environmental activists worry that nano-materials could pass in to the air and water causing health problems. There is reason for concern. A study by NASA researchers found that nano-particles caused severe lung damage to laboratory mice. Other studies suggest that nano-particles could suppress the growth of plant roots or could even harm the human body's ability to fight infection. The Environmental Protection Agency says there is not much known about the effects of nano-structures in the environment. This is because the laws of physics do not work in the same way at the level of the extremely small. The EPA recognizes that this could mean that there are unknown health risks involved in nanotechnology. The American government is expected to spend about 39 million dollars on research meant to investigate the health risks of nano-materials. But that is less than four per cent of total government spending. Many environmental groups say at least ten per cent of that total is needed. They say private industry needs to spend more on safety research. And, they say, the government needs to develop rules for nano-materials, which are already being made in hundreds of places around the country.

VI. Choose the most suitable variant.

1. Nanotechnologists work with materials …

(a) about the size of one millimeter

(b) about the size of atoms and molecules

(c) as thin as paper

2. The invention of the scanning tunneling microscope enabled scientists to observe ...

(a) the structure of water

(b) distant objects in space

(c) molecules and even atoms in greater detail than ever before

3. The speech "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom" by a Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman is discusses the theory ...

(a) that scientists can make devices about the size of atoms

(b) that carbon dioxide can be turned into carbon sixty

(c) that scientists cannot go further than the size of atoms in making devices

4. When did scientists first begin to think about using nanotechnologies to make extremely small devices?

(a) after the period of industrial revolution

(b) after the development of carbon nano-tubes

(c) after IBM supported research

5. What was not mentioned in the report as a use of the nanotube?

(a) film

(b) flat material

(c) glass

6. Where, according to the report, can nanotechnologies be used?

(a) in production of sporting goods and machines that reduce air pollution

(b) in the machine building industry

(c) in the computer design industry

7. What is one prospect for nanotechnologies in computer science?

(a) nanotechnologies will make computers affordable for everyone

(b) nanotechnologies will help to make small, and fast computers

(c) nanotechnologies will help to make transistors useless

8. What is Intel famous for?

(a) the personal computer

(b) the micro chip with tiny transistors

(c) the micro computer

9. What are the most current issues nanotechnologists deal with?

(a) to create a nano-sized transistors

(b) to make nano-sized transistors work in Hewlett Packard computers

(c) to stop competition between Intel and Hewlett Packard

10. What danger of nanotechnologies was not mentioned in the report?

(a) nano-particles in mobile phones cause cancer into laboratory mice

(b) nano-particles caused lung damage into laboratory mice

(c) nano-particles can harm the human body's ability to fight infection

11. What is known about the effect of nanotechnologies on the environment?

(a) nanotechnologies have a positive effect

(b) nanotechnologies have a negative effect

(c) not much is known about the effect of nanotechnologies on the environment

12. The environmentalists think the government should...

(a) develop rules for nanotechnology consumers

(b) develop rules for nano-materials

(c) develop rules for nano-materials producers

VII. Small Group Discussion:

In groups of 3-4 students discuss the following questions:

- What have you learned from this report that you didn't know before?

- What is nanotechnology?

- Where and how can nanotechnologies be applied?

- How can nanotechnologies be applied in the computer industry?

- What other new technologies have been developed in the last few years?

- What technologies do you personally use on a daily basis?

- What technologies would you like to have access to in the future? Why?

- How will they change your life?

VIII. Find the key sentences in the text and use them in your retelling.

IX. Render the following text into English:

Научно-технический прогресс и его влияние на нашу жизнь

Любое изобретение или открытие, сделанное учеными, предназначено для того, чтобы улучшить нашу жизнь и расширить границы человеческих знаний. Оно может быть выведено путем умозаключений или быть случайным. Примером открытия первого типа является изобретение молниеотвода Бенжамином Франклином, а примером второго - открытие рентгеновских лучей Вильгельмом Рентгеном. Такие открытия, как пенициллин, радар, искусственные подсластители (заменители сахара), тефлон, жевательная резинка, называют «счастливой случайностью», потому что ученые проводили исследования в одной области и случайно открывали вещество или прибор, который оказывался очень полезным. Сейчас трудно приписать открытие одному человеку. Это результат работы группы ученых и даже целых научно-исследовательских институтов. Современные передовые области исследований - нанотехнологии, трансплантология, электронные коммуникации, аэродинамика (уменьшение колебаний высотных сооружений), самоуправляемые машины и приборы, фармакология.

X. Internet Research Project

New Communications Technologies

If you want to do a web search on new communications technologies, what keywords would you enter in a search engine? What keywords may be misleading in your search and why?

satellite * technology * progress * satellite TV * communications technologies * communication * new technologies * electronic media * mass media * world of technology * wireless technology

If you want, you can try using these words in your search and see what results you get.

Task I. Study summaries of web sites devoted to new communications technologies. You can get such summaries once you type "communications technologies" as a key phrase in your web search. What issues connected with communications technologies are brought up on each site? Can you group the issues? What are the most common issues addressed? What are the least frequent issues addressed?

The table below will help you complete the task.

Most commonly raised issues connected with communications technologies	Least frequently raised issues connected with communications technologies

1. new communication technologies their history and social influence

newcomm.library.wisc.edu/ - Similar pages

2. A Year Spilling Over With New Communications Technologies

The one other regulatory issue that has seen widespread publicity concerning new communications technologies in 2003 is the question of whether VoIP should ... www.praxagora.com/andyo/ar/communi-cations_cornucopia.html - 14k - Cached -Similar pages

3. Technology Futures, Inc.: Communications Reference Book: Computer ...

Now that we have entered the 21st century, we see new communication technologies being introduced at an astonishing rate. Making sense of these technologies ... www.tfi.com/pubs/crb.html - 14k -Cached - Similar pages

4. Information and Communication Technologies: Topic

Information and Communication Technology for Development ... Linux servers, digital storage, personal digital assistants and new portable consumer products....

www.oecd.org/topic/0,2686,en_2649_ 37441_l_l_l_l_37441.00.html - 75k -Cached - Similar pages

5. International Conference on New Technologies in Education ICTE2002

AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN EDUCATION Seville, Andalusia, (Spain) from 29 November to 2 December 2006. Deadline for Abstracts Submission.

www.formatex.org/icte2002.html - 3k -Cached - Similar pages

Task II. Split into groups of three. Each student in a small group will have one topic for individual web search and study. Student A - topic A, Student B - Topic B, Student C - Topic C.

Topic A: History and social influence of new communications technologies.

Topic B: Conferences and congresses on new communications technologies.

Topic C: Application of new communications technologies in education.

THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS : SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ASPECTS

Warm- up

What do you know about the country?

· What are the national symbols?

· What is represented on the national emblem?

· Do you know the words of the national anthem?

· Describe the national costume.

· What and when are the national holidays?

I.Read some information about the National Flag of the Republic of Belarus and describe it.

The National Flag of the Republic of Belarus, which is a symbol of state sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus, is a rectangular¹ cloth² consisting of two longitudinal³ stripes⁴: red upper stripe and green lower stripe that are two-thirds and one-third of the flag width⁵ respectively⁶. A vertical red-on-white Belarusian decorative pattern, which occupies one-ninth of the flag's length, is placed against the flagstaff⁷. The flag's ratio⁸ of width to length is 1:2. The flag is fixed on a flagstaff painted golden (ochre⁹).

During ceremonies and other solemn¹⁰ events, the National Flag of the Republic of Belarus is used with a diamond-shaped¹¹ top edge¹² containing a five-point star. The star is analogous to the one depicted on the national Emblem of the Republic of Belarus. The top edges are made of yellow metal.

¹ rectangular [rek'tж?gjхl?] - прямоугольный

² cloth [klи] - ткань

³ longitudinal [‚lndZэ'tju:dэnl] - продольный

⁴ stripe [straэp] - полоса

⁵ width [wэdи] - ширина

⁶ respectively [rэs'pektэvlэ] - соответственно

⁷ flagstaff ['flжgsta:f] - флагшток

⁸ ratio [?reэ?э?х] - пропорция, соотношение

⁹ ochre [??хk?] - охра, бледный коричневато-желтый цвет

¹⁰ solemn [?sl?m] - торжественный

¹¹ diamond-shaped [?daэ?m?nd ??eэpt] - ромбовидный

¹² edge [edZ] - край, остриё

II.Read the following information and say in English what each colour of the National Flag means.

При создании государства люди придумывают для своей страны символы с учетом уже имеющихся флагов других стран и выбирают те цвета, которые могут рассказать о стране, о ее достоинствах.

Красный цвет - это знак отваги. Кровь проливается в борьбе за счастливую жизнь. Кроме того, красный цвет обозначает радость, счастье, это символ солнца.

Что символизирует на нашем флаге зеленый цвет? Это символ нашей богатой природы, которую мы очень ценим и бережем. Это леса, луга; они занимают большую часть территории нашей страны.

Белый цвет - это символ свободы, уважения к своему Отечеству, символ нравственной чистоты, которую ценят наши люди и стараются воспитывать у своих детей.

На нашем флаге изображен необычный рисунок. Это фрагмент наиболее типичного древнего орнамента, распространенного в народном творчестве на территории нашей страны.

Орнамент выполнен из комбинации геометрических фигур. Ромб - это символ зерна, плодородия. Этот символ обозначает, что наша страна сельскохозяйственная. Наш народ трудолюбивый, обрабатывает землю, выращивает много культурных растений.

III.Read some information about the National Emblem of the Republic of Belarus and describe it.

The National Emblem of the Republic of Belarus, which is a symbol of state sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus, represents a green-colored contour¹ of the Republic of Belarus in golden rays² radiated³ by the sun over the globe⁴. On the top of the contour is a five-pointed red star. The emblem is set in⁵ a frame⁶ of wreath⁷ of golden wheat-ears⁸ interlaced⁹ with clover¹⁰ flowers on the right and flax¹¹ flowers on the left. Wheat-ears are interlaced with a red-green ribbon¹² carrying a golden inscription¹³ "The Republic of Belarus" at the bottom.

¹ сontour [?knt?х] - очертание, контур,форма

² ray [reэ] - луч

³ radiate [?reэdээt] - расходиться лучами, испускать, распространять

⁴ globe [?gl?хb] - шар, земной шар

⁵ set in - вставлять, вкладывать (что-либо во что-либо)

⁶ frame [?freэm] - каркас, рамка

⁷ wreath [ri:и] - венок

⁸ wheat-ear [?wi:t 'э?] - пшеничный колос

⁹ interlace [‚эnt?(:)?leэs] - переплетать(ся)

¹⁰ clover [?kl?хv?] - клевер

¹¹ flax [flжks] - лён

¹² ribbon [?rэb?n] - лента, тесьма

¹³ inscription [эn?skrэp?(?)n] - надпись

IV.Read the following information and say in English what each element of the National Emblem means.

Зеленый контур в лучах восходящего солнца изображает границы нашего государства. Лучи восходящего солнца символизируют счастливую жизнь и говорят о том, что белорусы принадлежат к этнической группе славян. Издревле славяне поклонялись солнцу, т. к. оно дает тепло, свет и жизнь всему живому. Земной шар на гербе говорит о том, что наш народ ценит равенство всех народов на Земле.

Герб с обеих сторон оплетают снопы колосьев, в которые вплетены голубые цветочки льна и розового клевера. Это обозначения главных природных богатств нашей страны.

Лен - это растение, из которого люди уже давно научились делать одежду, скатерти, рушники и постельное белье. Изделия изо льна прочнее хлопковых и теплее шелковых.

Клевер - это лучший корм для животных, которых белорусы с древнейших времен научились разводить и выращивать.

Венок из колосьев - это символ главного богатства наших людей -- хлеба. Кроме того, это способ обращения наших предков к божественным силам с просьбой об урожае. Белорусы каждую осень отмечают праздник «Дожинки», на котором награждают лучших хлеборобов и плетут венки из последних колосьев. Такие венки оставляют в доме до следующей осени, как символ богатства.

Колосья хлеба на гербе Беларуси обвиты красно-зеленой лентой с надписью «Республика Беларусь».

В верхней части герба горит красная звездочка. Это символ мужества нашего народа, которое люди проявляли во время многочисленных войн с различными чужеземными захватчиками. Великая Отечественная война была самой страшной и разрушительной для нашей страны.

Did You know that … Politics - activities associated with government: the theory and practice of government, especially the activities associated with governing, with obtaining legislative or executive power, or with forming and running organizations connected with government ( а) методы ведения политики; искусство управлять; б) политическая жизнь). Policy - course of action: a program of actions adopted by a person, group, or government, or the set of principles on which they are based (линия поведения, установка, курс, стратегия, политика). E.g. Nowadays a lot of people are engaged in politics. The country carries out its domestic and foreign policy independently.

V.Choose the correct word.

1. His (politics/ policy) on that issue is his own business.

2. The nationalization of industries is not the government (politics/ policy).

3. He's thinking of going into (politics/ policy).

4. Gordon Brown is a major figure in British (politics/ policy).

5. His (politics/ policy) are extreme.

6. He supports the present government's (politics/ policy) on education.

7. The company has adopted a firm (politics/ policy) on shoplifting.

8. We have tried to pursue a (politics/ policy) of neutrality.

9. US foreign and domestic (politics/ policy) were discussed at the Congress session.

10. They have a significant change in (politics/ policy) on paternity leave.

11. She is following her usual (politics/policy) of ignoring all offers of help.

12. Honesty is the best (politics/ policy) (saying).

VI.What political systems do you know? Match the definitions and explain the differences in the ways of running a country.

monarchy communism socialism democracy republic dictatorship

1. A system of government based on the principle of majority decision-making.

2. The political theory or system in which all property and wealth is owned in a classless society by all the members of that society.

3. Government by a dictator, usually by force.

4. A political system in which a state is ruled by a monarch.

5. Political system or form of government in which people elect representatives to exercise power for them.

6. A political theory or system in which the means of production and distribution are controlled by the people and operated according to equity and fairness rather than market principles.

VII. Read and memorize the following words:

supremacy	[sju?prem?sэ]	верховенство; верховная власть
unified	['ju:nэfaэd]	единый, объединённый
inalienable	[эn'eэlэ?n?b(?)l]	неотъемлимый, неотчуждаемый
exercise	[?eks?saэz]	осуществлять
legislative	[?ledZэsl?tэv]	законодательный
executive	[эg'zekjutэv]	исполнительный
judicial	[dZu(:)'dэ??l]	судебный
to elect	[э'lekt]	избирать; выбирать
ballot	[?bжl?t]	голосование, баллотировка
body	[?bdэ]	орган, власть
to subordinate	[s??bdэneэt]	подчинять
court	[?k:t]	суд, судебное заседание
to envisage	[эn'vэzэdZ]	предусматривать, намечать
legislation	[ledZэs'leэ?n]	законодательство; закон
correspondence	[‚krэ'spnd(?)ns]	соответствие, соотношение
request	[rэ'kwest]	просьба, требование
to establish	[э'stжblэ?]	устанавливать, основывать
official	[?'fэ?(?)l]	должностное лицо, чиновник
to limit	['lэmэt]	ограничивать
to adopt	[??dpt]	принимать
ultimate goal	[?ltэmэt ?g?хl]	конечная цель
fulfillment	[fхl?fэlm?nt]	исполнение, выполнение, осуществление
to guarantee	[‚gжr?n?ti:]	гарантировать, давать гарантию
accessible	[?k?ses?bl]	доступный
old age	[??хld 'eэdZ]	старость
disability	[‚dэs?'bэlэtэ]	инвалидность, нетрудоспособность
to stipulate	[?stэpjuleэt]	предусматривать, оговаривать в качестве особого условия
legal assistance	['lэ:g(?)l ?'sэst?ns]	юридическая помощь
protection	[pr??tek?(?)n]	защита, охрана
multitude	[?mltэtju:d]	множество, большое число
to strive (strove, striven)	[?straэv]	стараться, прилагать усилия
violently	[?vaэ?l?ntlэ]	сильно, очень; неистово; жестоко, бесчеловечно
propaganda	[‚prp?'gжnd?]	пропаганда
hostility	[h'stэlэtэ]	враждебность, враждебное отношение
to prohibit	[pr??hэbэt]	запрещать
priority	[praэ'rэtэ]	приоритет
to ensure	[эn'?х?]	обеспечивать, гарантировать
to conform	[k?n?f:m]	соответствовать, подчиняться
to proceed	[pr??si:d]	происходить, исходить
inviolability	[эn‚vaэ?l?'bэlэtэ]	нерушимость (границ)
neutrality	[nju:'trжlэtэ]	нейтралитет, нейтральность
full-fledged	[‚fхl?fledZd]	полноправный (действительный)
alien	['eэlэ?n]	иностранец, иноземец
to discharge	[dэs't?a:dZ]	выполнять, исполнять
to grant	[gra:nt]	давать, даровать
refuge	[?refju:dZ]	убежище, пристанище
to persecute	[?p?:sэkju:t]	преследовать, подвергать гонениям
conviction	[k?n'vэk??n]	убеждение, убеждённость
account	[??kaхnt]	причина, основание
to proclaim	[pr?'kleэm]	объявлять, провозглашать
legitimate	[lэ'dZэtэmэt]	законный

VIII. Pay attention to the following word combinations.

the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus - Национальное Собрание Республики Беларусь;

the Chamber of Representatives - Палата Представителей;

the Council of the Republic - Совет Республики;

the Council of Ministers - Совет Министров;

the Constitutional Court - Конституционный Суд;

the Supreme Court - Верховный Суд;

the Supreme Economic Court - Высший Хозяйственный Суд;

the Fundamental Law - Основной закон, право;

the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Всеобщая декларация прав человека;

the UN Charter - Устав ООН;

the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural rights - Международные пакты о гражданских и политических правах и об экономических, социальных и культурных правах;

Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) - Организация по безопасности и сотрудничеству в Европе (ОБСЕ).

IX. Read the following words and try to guess their meaning.

Unitary ['ju:nэt?rэ], democratic [dem?'krжtэk], social ['s?х??l], territory [?terэt?rэ], symbol ['sэmb(?)l], sovereign ['svrэn], general ['dZen(?)r?l], central [?sentr?l], economic [‚ek??nmэk], constitution [‚knstэ'tju:?(?)n], principle ['prэnsэp(?)l], policy ['plэsэ], republic [rэ'pblэk], parliament ['pa:l?m?nt], guarantee [ёgжr?n'tэ:], security [sэ'kjх?rэtэ], adequate ['жdэkwэt], propaganda [ёprp?'gжnd?].

X. Read out these phrases several times till you remember their meaning.

carry out domestic and foreign policy	осуществлять внутреннюю и внешнюю политику
state management	государственное управление
general and economic courts	общие и хозяйственные суды
give evaluation	оценивать
principle of the supremacy of law	принцип верховенства закона
provision of personal rights and freedoms	обеспечение личных прав и свобод
free treatment	бесплатное лечение (обслуживание)
health care institutions	органы здравоохранения
general education	общее образование
professional technical training	профессионально-техническое обучение
secondary special education	средне-специальное образование
loss of breadwinner	потеря кормильца
universally acknowledged principles	общепризнанные принципы
threat of force	угроза применения силы
peaceful settlement	мирное урегулирование
non-interference into domestic affairs	невмешательство во внутренние дела
a nuclear weapon-free zone	зона свободная от ядерного оружия

XI. Match the word from A with its best association from B. Use the phrases in your own sentences.

A B

1) carry out	a) free, direct, secret ballot
2) provision of	b) domestic affairs
3) elect by	c) supremacy
4) non-interference into	d) legislative, executive and judicial branches
5) possess	e) domestic and foreign policy
6) division into	f) personal rights and freedoms
7) national and racist	g) borders
8) inviolability of	h) hostility

XII. Make sure you know all the words in the box. Read their definitions and match the words with their definitions.

elect legislation supremacy prohibit court protection constitution legitimate

1. To select by vote for an office or for membership.

2. Laws and principles according to which a state is governed.

3. To forbid by authority.

4. A place where civil, criminal and other cases are tried.

5. A position of superiority or authority over all others.

6. The process of writing and passing laws.

7. Something that prevents somebody or something from being harmed or damaged.

8. Legal or having official status defined by law.

XIII. Read and translate the text.

BELARUS STATE SYSTEM

The Republic of Belarus is a unitary democratic social state with the rule of law which possesses supremacy and full authority on its territory and independently carries out its domestic and foreign policy. The territory of Belarus is unified and inalienable.

The symbols of the Republic of Belarus as a sovereign state are its state flag, state emblem and state anthem. The capital of Belarus is the city of Minsk.

State languages of the Republic of Belarus are Belarusian and Russian.

State power in the Republic of Belarus is exercised on the basis of its division into legislative, executive and judicial branches.

The President of the Republic of Belarus is the head of the state. The President is elected by general, free, equal, direct and secret ballot. Presidential elections are regulated by the laws of the Republic of Belarus.

The Parliament, i.e. the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, is the representative and legislative body of power. The Parliament consists of two Chambers -- the Chamber of Representatives and the Council of the Republic.

The Government, i.e. the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus, is the central body of state management, the executive power in the Republic of Belarus. In its activities the Government is subordinated to the President and reports to the Parliament.

The judicial power in the Republic of Belarus belongs to courts and is exercised by general, economic and other courts envisaged by the legislation of the Republic of Belarus. The control over the correspondence of standard laws in the state to the Constitution is performed by the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court gives evaluation on the correspondence of standard laws to the Constitution upon the request of the President, the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, the Supreme Economic Court and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus.

The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus establishes the principle of the supremacy of law. The state and all of its bodies and officials act within the limits of the Constitution and the laws adopted in accordance with it. Provision of personal rights and freedoms of the citizens of the Republic of Belarus is the ultimate goal of the state.

The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus establishes the responsibility of the state before its citizens for the creation of conditions for the free and adequate development of the individual and the responsibility of citizens before the state for the strict fulfilment of the responsibilities laid upon them by the Constitution.

The Constitution guarantees the citizens of the Republic of Belarus the right to health protection, including free treatment in state health care institutions. The Fundamental Law also guarantees free general education and professional technical training. Secondary special and higher education is accessible to all depending on the abilities of each person. The citizens have the right to social security at old age, in case of illness, disability, loss of a breadwinner and in other cases stipulated by law. The Constitution establishes the right of everyone to legal assistance in the exercise and protection of one's rights and freedoms.

The multitude of political institutions, ideologies and opinions is one of the foundations of exercising democracy in the Republic of Belarus. On the territory of the Republic of Belarus the creation and activities of political parties as well as other public associations which strive to violently change the constitutional system or are conducting propaganda of war, national and racist hostility are prohibited.