Topic 10

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Communication

Topic 9

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Modern Engineering Trends

Among various recent trends in the engineering profession computerization is the most widespread. Computers are widely used for solving complex problems as well as for handling, storing and generating the enormous volume of data modern engineers must work with.

Engineers in industry work not only with machines but also with people, to determine, for example, how machines can be operated most efficiently by workers. This is called ergonomics. The aim of ergonomics is to make the working place more comfortable and the work itself easier. A small change in the location of the controls of a machine or of its position with relation to other machines or equipment, or a change in the muscular movements of the operator, often results in greatly increased production. Ergonomics looks for criteria for the efficient design of large, complicated control panels that monitor nuclear reactor operation.

Exercises:

1 Give the Russian equivalents to the following English word-combinations:

1.1 the most widespread recent trend in the engineering profession

1.2 to solve complex problems

1.3 to work with the enormous volume of data

1.4 handling, storing and generating

1.5 a modern engineer

1.6 to be operated efficiently

1.7 the aim of ergonomics

1.8 a comfortable working place

1.9 machines and equipment

1.10 the muscular movements of the operator

1.11 to result in greatly increased production

1.12 to look for criteria for the efficient design of large complicated control panels

1.13 to monitor nuclear reactor operation.

2 Translate the sentences into English:

2.1 Компьютеры широко используются во многих отраслях науки и техники для решения

сложных задач.

2.2 Инженеры в промышленности работают не только с машинами, но также и с людьми, чтобы

определить, как можно управлять машинами наиболее эффективно при помощи рабочих.

2.3 Цель эргономики – сделать рабочие места более комфортными и саму работу более лёгкой.

3 Answer the questions:

3.1 What are the recent trends in the engineering profession?

3.2 What are computers used for in engineering profession?

3.3 What is ergonomics?

3.4 What is the aim of ergonomics?

3.5 What criteria does ergonomics look for?

Communication is the process of exchanging information. People exchange information using communication means. Communication has always some purpose. Mass communication, for example, sends messages for masses of people.

The history of communication means is a long and interesting one.

Communication through electric media. At the beginning of the19th century the electric revolution made great progress. By 1832 the telegraph had been invented. Wires crossed the continents and cables were put under the Atlantic Ocean. Some 40 years later (in 1876) the telephone was patented. Messages began to be transmitted over electrical currents carried by wires.

“Early radio”. At the beginning of the 20^th century it became possible to transmit messages without wires. Messages were sent by wireless telegraph that is now called “early radio”. But modern radio became possible only when a vacuum tube had been invented (1906). Soon after the invention of tubes, radio receivers began to be widely used in the world.

Television. Television was used experimentally as far as 1930. But its popular use began only some ten years later. And in about twenty years colour television became dominant over black-and-white.

Audio and video recordings are most popular means of communication today. Also popular are filming and photography.

High-technology revolution in electronics influenced the sphere of communication and greatly changed it. The new technology used for space exploration influenced modern communication both in offices and home. It became possible for business people to communicate with their colleagues in faraway places.

Computers and word processors serve this purpose and are being widely used in many offices all over the world.

The new technology has also influenced communication in everyday life. For example, it became possible for people to receive television programs through cables. Modern cable is a complex wire system that makes it possible to transmit a number of television signals at the same time.

People today also widely use videotape recorders to record television programs. One of the most interesting inventions of today is also the usage of satellites for video and audio communication. People can receive programs through using satellites.

Exercises:

1 Find the English equivalents to the following word-combinations in the text:

1.1 процесс обмена информацией

1.2 посылать сообщения по беспроводному телеграфу

1.3 изобретать вакуумную трубку

1.4 широко использовать радиоприёмники

1.5 самые популярные средства связи

1.6 оказывать влияние на сферу коммуникации

1.7 принимать телевизионные программы через кабель

1.8 передавать телевизионные сигналы

1.9 записывать телевизионные программы

1.10 использование спутников для видео и аудиосвязи

1.11 интересные изобретения

2 Read and translate into Russian:

2.1 communication through electric media

2.2 to transmit messages over electrical currents carried by wires

2.3 to transmit messages without wires

2.4 high-technology revolution in electronics

2.5 the new technology used for space exploration

2.6 to transmit information received in space back to Earth by radio

2.7 to become dominant over smth.

3 Transcribe the following words:

exchange, purpose, message, wire, receiver, business, colleagues, technology, through,

satellites, audio, processor, photography, cable, patent.

4 Form nouns from the verbs according to the model. Translate into Russian:

Model: to communicate – communication

to invent, to use, to transmit, to receive, to exchange, to serve, to change, to explore,

to influence, to process, to record.

5 Agree or disagree to the following statements. Find the correct answers in the text:

5.1 Communication is the process of processing information.

5.2 By 1832 the telegraph had been invented and some years later (1876) the telephone was patented.

5.3 At the beginning of the 20^th century it was impossible to transmit messages without wires.

5.4 In 1906 modern radio became possible.

5.5 In 1960s colour television became dominant over black-and-white.

5.6 The new technology hasn’t influenced communication in everyday life.

5.7 Neither computers nor recorders are used in business sphere.

5.8 People can receive programs through using satellites.

6 Pair work. Ask your group-mate to answer the following questions:

6.1 How do people exchange information?

6.2 What is the purpose of mass communication?

6.3 When were the telegraph and telephone invented?

6.4 What means made it possible to change “early radio” into modern one?

6.5 For how long has television been used by people?

6.6 What is the influence of the new technologies on communication?

6.7 What are computers and word-processors used for?

6.8 What are satellites used for?

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27