Файл: Английский язык: учебно-методическое пособие.pdf

Ex. 15. Think of as many scientific discoveries as you can. Discuss with your partner whether they have a positive or negative effect on our environment.

Ex. 16. In 15–20 sentences express the main ideas o f the text. Ex. 17. Write a short essay on one of the following topics:

–science as a human achievement;

–history of science;

–science is indispensable to our life.

Part 4. Technology

Ex. 1. Make sure you know the meaning of the following words and expressions:

hardware n., utensil n., encompass v., state-of-the-art technology, conversion n., printing press n., lessen v., craft n., extent n, imply v., define v., definition n., entity n., far-reaching term, crowbar n., particle accelerator n., respective a., distinction n., enduring a., employ v., formal technique, exclusively adv., satisfy requirements, utility n., usability n., safety n., goal-oriented, draw upon v., consequence n., precede v., electrical conductor, semiconductor n., consider v.

Ex. 2. Practice the pronunciation of the following words: technology, origin, theme, technique, prehistorical, environment,

barrier, to progress, throughout, effort, complex, machine, virtual, software, technical, principle, element, exclusively, result, mathematical, linguistic, consequence, technologist.

Ex. 3. Answer the following questions:

1. What does the term “technology” imply? 2. What a re the results of technology? 3. What does the development of technology depend on?

Ex. 4. Tell your group about the most recent technological developments you know.

Ex. 5. Read and translate the following text:

Technology can refer to material objects of use to humanity, such as machines, hardware or utensils, but can also encompass broader themes, including systems, methods of organization, and techniques. The term can either be applied generally or to specific areas: examples include construction technology, medical technology, or state-of-the-art technology.

The human race’s use of technology began with the conversion of

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natural resources into simple tools. The prehistorical discovery of the ability to control fire increased the available sources of food and the invention of the wheel helped humans in travelling in and controlling their environment. Recent technological developments, including the printing press, the telephone, and the Internet, have lessened physical barriers to communication and allowed humans to interact on a global scale. However, not all technology has been used for peaceful purposes; the development of weapons of ever-increasing destructive power has progressed throughout history.

In general, “technology” is the relationship that society has with its tools and crafts, and to what extent society can control its environment. The term is often used to imply a specific field of technology, or to refer to high technology, rather than technology as a whole. However, the term is mostly used in three different contexts: when referring to a tool (or machine), a technique, the cultural force or a combination of the three.

Technology can be most broadly defined as the entities, both material and immaterial, created by the application of mental and physical effort in order to achieve some value. In this usage, technology refers to tools and machines that may be used to solve real-world problems. It is a far-reaching term that may include simple tools, such as a crowbar or wooden spoon, or more complex machines, such as a space station or particle accelerator. Tools and machines need not be material; virtual technology, such as computer software and business methods, fall under this definition of technology.

The word “technology” can also be used to refer to a collection of techniques. In this context, it is the current state of humanity's knowledge of how to combine resources to produce desired products, to solve problems, fulfil needs, or satisfy wants; it includes technical methods, skills, processes, techniques, tools and raw materials. When combined with another term, such as “medical techno logy” or “space technology”, it refers to the state of the respecti ve field’s knowledge and tools. “State-of-the-art technology” refers to the high technology available to humanity in any field.

Science, engineering and technology. The distinction between science, engineering and technology is not always clear. Science is the investigation or study of phenomena, aimed at discovering enduring principles among elements of the phenomenal world by employing formal techniques such as the scientific method. Technologies are not usually exclusively products of science, because they have to satisfy requirements such as utility, usability and safety.

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Engineering is the goal-oriented process of designing and building tools and systems to exploit natural phenomena for practical human means, using results and techniques from science. The development of technology may draw upon many fields of knowledge, including scientific, engineering, mathematical, linguistic, and historical knowledge, to achieve some practical result.

Technology is often a consequence of science and engineering – although technology as a human activity precedes the two fields. For example, science might study the flow of electrons in electrical conductors, by using already-existing tools and knowledge. This newfound knowledge may then be used by engineers to create new tools and machines, such as semiconductors, computers, and other forms of advanced technology. In this sense, scientists and engineers may both be considered technologists.

Ex. 6. Complete each sentence using a word derivationally related

(conversion). 6. You may not find a job that brings you personal … at the beginning of your career (satisfy). 7. In his report he underlined the … of the technique under development (exclusively). 8. Today people prefer not to think about the cost of … because it is practically unlimited (electrical).

Ex. 7. Match the words to their definitions:

Ex. 8. Insert prepositions where necessary:

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Technology and society or technology and culture refer … the neverending cyclical co-dependence and co-influence … te chnology and society

… less time and with less energy. Many herald this as a way … making life easier. However, work has continued to be proportional … the amount … energy expended, rather than the quantitative amount of information or material processed. Technology has had profound effects … lifestyle throughout human history, and as the rate … progres s increases, society must deal … both the good and bad implications.

Ex. 9. Substitute the words in italics by their synonyms:

1. Most modern technological processes produce unwanted byproducts in addition to the desired products. 2. The effect of technology on the environment is both evident and subtle. 3. No mechanism exists for the removal of technological wastes. 4. The implementation of technology influences the values of a society by changing expectations and realities. 5. One of the greatest problems with technology is that its detrimental effects are often small, but cumulative. 6. Tools include both simple machines (such as the lever, the screw, and the pulley), and more complex machines (such as the clock, the engine, the electric generator, the computer, and the Space Station). 7. Entire industries have arisen to support and develop succeeding generations of increasingly more complex tools.

Ex. 10. Read the information below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word in each space:

There are a … number of examples of co-production t hat can … seen in society today. One great … is the mobile phone. Ever … the invention of the telephone society was … need of a more portable dev ice that they could … to talk to people. This high demand … a new product le d … the invention of

they are. This keeps people accountable and relied … no matter where they are because they … no excuses for not … in touch.

Ex. 11. Prove whether the following statements are true or false using the information from the text:

1. The use of technology by people began with the invention of the wheel. 2. The term technology is used to describe high technology.

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3.Technology implies not only material objects but also immaterial tools.

4.The current state of knowledge influences the development of technology and society. 5. Science and engineering are not connected with technology. 6. Technology investigates natural phenomena and discovers enduring principles among them.

Ex. 12. Complete the statements below. Give extended answers:

Ex. 13. Choose the best variant to complete the sentences:

1. The term technology encompasses (tools and utensils; material objects and immaterial concepts; only to specific areas). 2. Recent technological advances (facilitate the global communication; prevent further development of society; create physical barriers to communication). 3. Technology determines (the current state of the humanity’s knowledge; the way people control their environment; both). 4. In a broader sense, technology comprises (goods and services; tools, techniques and cultural forces; people and their needs). 5. Science (studies the phenomenal world; always produces new technologies; uses the same tools and techniques as technology). 6. Engineers (never use scientific results to create something; are pure theoreticians; can be considered technologists because they aim at some practical result).

Ex. 14. Give your viewpoint on the following questions and statements:

1. Technology dates back to prehistorical times. 2. The term technology does not have a single meaning. 3. The use of technology has a great many effects; these may be separated into intended effects and unintended effects. 4. Technology both simplifies and complicates our life. 5. In what way are science, engineering and technology interconnected?

Ex. 15. Discuss with your partner (or in small groups) how technology impacts the life of people. Give examples of some technological advances. Say whether they have a positive or negative influence on the human environment.

Ex. 16. In 10–15 sentences express the main ideas o f the text. Ex. 17. Write a short essay on one of the following topics:

–economic and technological development;

–ethical problems of technological development;

–technology and globalization.

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ADDITIONAL READING

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Forestry Faculty. The Forestry faculty is the oldest one of the University. Today there are 4 departments at the faculty: silviculture; forest inventory; forest cultures and soil science; forest protection and landscape architecture. The total number of students at the faculty is over 800.

During the latest years the main task of the faculty staff is to develop and improve a multi-level system for training forestry specialists of the world standard.

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Professional training and some classes are held at Negoreloe forestry experimental station.

Scientific researches at the faculty are aimed at developing and implementing new technologies of reproduction cultivation of trees and forest inventory by application of new information systems using space satellite data to provide stable functioning of forestry, to increase forest productivity, rational forest exploitation.

The faculty develops international cooperation with such institutions as Swedish Agricultural University, Research Institute of Forest in Finland, Freiburg Technical University, Forest Ecology Institute of Agricultural University in Slovakia, Higher Forestry Engineering Institute, in Sofia, Moscow State University of Forest, St. Petersburg Forestry Engineering Academy, Ukrainian National Agrarian University (Kiev), Ukrainian StateForestry Engineering University (Lvov) and others.

Some of the graduates of the faculty are outstanding scientists and managers of ministries, institutions, departments.

Forestry Engineering and Wood Technology Faculty. Modern technology of logging, wood working and processing is so diverse and complicated, that it can be performed successfully only by highly-qualified engineers. The teaching process at the faculty is exercised by lecturers and professors.

The faculty includes departments of general education, specialized departments and pre-graduation departments: of forestry machinery and forest exploitation technology; forest transportation; wood working technology; glued board technology; wood working machines; hydraulics and heat engineering; energy-effective technologies: machine elements, hoisting and conveying equipment; material and construction mechanics; material science and metal technology; engineering drawing.

The scientists of the faculty are managers and executives of Republican, academic, international research programs: “Forests of Belarus”, “Forestry Engineering Industry”, “Materia ls”, “Energy”, “Biological Resources” with students contributing t o it.

The departments of the faculty cooperate with Warsaw Agricultural Academy, Research Institute of Bridges and Roads (Warsaw), Institute of Fiber-Composite Materials (Kaizerslautern, Germany), Department of Engineering Sciences and Technologies of UNESCO.

The faculty trains more than 1,000 students.

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Organic Substances Technology Faculty. The Faculty of Technology of Organic Substances was founded in 1968 after division of former Chemical Technological Faculty.

Chemical, petrochemical and microbiological branches of industry are characterized by a high complexity of technological processes, facilities applied, methods of control and management of production. The knowledge of occupational safety and environmental protection is also required here. Only engineers of high qualification can provide practical solutions of real problems at enterprises of this profile. A necessary attribute in fulfilling this role is a sound theoretical background and profound professional skills of specialists.

The faculty has 9 departments: technology of petrochemical synthesis and polymer materials processing; chemical processing of wood; bio-ecology and bio-technology; physical-chemical methods of products certification; organic chemistry; analytical chemistry; physics; occupational safety; foreign languages and also scientific research laboratory of plastics, rubbers and fibers stabilization and scientific research laboratory of chemical processing of vegetation raw materials.

The scholars of the faculty carry out important research programs: “Chemical Reagents”, “Low-Tonnage Chemistry”, “Reso urces Saving”, “New Materials and Surface Engineering” and others. They participate in joint researches with some foreign research centers. Students, masters of engineering and post-graduate students actively contribute to all researches.

The faculty trains over 1,400 students in 5 specialities and 13 specializations. Masters of Engineering are also trained here. About 7,000 engineers graduated from the faculty during the years of its work.

Many enterprises of chemical, petrochemical, cellulose paper, hydrolysis, forestry-chemical and microbiological industries are headed by faculty graduates. A number of graduates work as lecturers and researchers at our University and other higher educational institutions in our country and abroad. The majority of them defended their theses and became Doctors of Science and Ph. Ds.

Chemical Technology and Engineering Faculty. The faculty was organized in 1968. It trains highly-qualified industrial engineers for enterprises of the Republic of Belarus. At present there are 1,500 students at the faculty. Here they acquire knowledge in fundamental and special subjects, learn up-to-date technologies which enables them to work successfully on the development of chemistry one of the leading industries in our Republic.

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