УЧЕНЫЕ, ИЗОБРЕТАТЕЛИ И ИХ ИЗОБРЕТЕНИЯ (SCIENTISTS, INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS)

There have been great changes in the life and surroundings of people during the last century. Less than a hundred years ago many of the things that we do now were thought to be impossible. Progress in science and technology gave us an excellent opportunity to use such achievements of present civilization as radio, television, computers, cell phones, etc.

The poisoning of the world’s land, air and water is the fastest spreading disease of civilization. It probably produces fewer headlines than wars, earthquakes and floods, but it is potentially one of the history’s greatest dangers to human life on the earth. If present trends continue for the next several decades, our planet will become uninhabitable.

Overpopulation, pollution and energy consumption have created such planet-wide problems as massive deforestation, ozone depletion, acid rains and global warming that is believed to be caused by the greenhouse effect.

The seas are in danger. They are filled with poison: industrial and nuclear waste, chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The Mediterranean is already nearly dead, the North Sea is following. The Aral Sea is on the brink of extinction. If nothing is done about it, one day nothing will be able to live in the seas.

Every ten minutes one kind of animal, plant or insect dies out for ever. If nothing is done about it, millions species which are alive today will have become extinct twenty years from now.

Air pollution is a very serious problem. Industrial enterprises emit tons of harmful substances into the atmosphere every day. These emissions have disastrous consequences for our planet. They are the main reason for the greenhouse effect and acid rains.

People from different countries are beginning to realize that environmental problems are not somebody else’s. They join and support various international organizations and green parties. If governments wake up what is happening perhaps, we’ll be able to avoid the disaster that threatens the world and all of us with it.

Задание 2.Ответьте на вопросы:

1. What is the fastest-spreading disease of civilization?

2. What problems have overpopulation, pollution and energy consumption created?

3. What will happen to our planet if present trends continue?

4. What is happening to the seas and rivers?

5. Why is air pollution a serious problem?

6. What were the tragic consequences of the Chernobyl disaster?

7. What are the main reasons of the greenhouse effect and acid rains?

8. What do people do to save our planet?

a flight полет, рейс

to save time экономить время

to pitch a tent поставить палатку

to build an open fire развести костер

ruins руины

ancient древний

change of scene перемена обстановки

city-dweller горожанин

advantage преимущество

disadvantage недостаток

destination место назначения

Customs House таможня

duty-free не подлежащий обложению

таможенными пошлинами

currency exchange office пункт обмена валюты

border граница

go through the customs пройти таможенный досмотр

stay at the hotel остановиться, жить в гостинице

receptionist администратор

Almost all people like to spend their holidays travelling. They travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, they travel to enjoy picturesque places, or just for a change of scene.

City dwellers usually like a quiet holiday by the sea, or in the mountains, with nothing to do but walk and bathe and laze in the sun.

Most people enjoy going abroad for their holidays, and having the opportunity to stay in an interesting city. If you speak foreign languages, you can make new friends, and get home some interesting souvenirs as presents!

But before you can do that, you have to reach your destination, and that is often a problem! If you fly, then you may find that your flight has been delayed. Journeys by train can also be difficult, since trains are often crowded in summer but you may have to reserve a seat in advance. Whichever way you travel, you can have problems with your luggage, and it is often difficult to find good accommodation. Apart from this, you might not be able to afford the fare!

If we are fond of travelling we see and learn a lot of things that we can never see or learn at home, though we read about them in books and newspapers and see pictures of them on TV.

All means of travel have their advantages and disadvantages. And people choose one according to their plans and destinations. Different people prefer different means of travelling. Some people like to climb the mountains; others like to go by train with all modern accommodations and without peculiar adventures. However which ever tourism a man would like, any change of place and new impressions are useful. They prevent a man from getting old.

Nowadays travelling has become a highly organized business. But there are some difficulties. If you want to see the beauty of the countryside you have to go hiking. It is travelling for pleasure. You don't think about ticket, don't hurry up. You'll be pitching a tent and building an open fire and breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying picturesque surroundings. I think you'll enjoy every moment of this journey if you are not a comfort-lover.

There is no travel so fine as by ship. It is the most exciting experience to feel the deck of the ship under your feet, to watch the waves rising and falling, to feel the fresh sea wind blowing in your face.

It is a great saving of time travelling by air. You'll have speed, comfort and pleasure combined. When you get into the train you feel that holidays have really begun. You can see a lot by travelling in a train. But when the season is in full swing trains are usually crowded. So as they say: ”Tastes differ”.

Задание 2. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. Are you fond of travelling?

2. Why do people take a camera with them?

3. What do we see and learn while travelling?

4. How do different people spend their holidays?

5. What means of travel do you know?

6. What places have you visited?

7. What countries would you like to visit?

Задание 3. Переведите на английский язык:

1. Многие люди любят путешествовать.

2. Проводя свой отпуск в путешествиях, люди видят разные страны и континенты.

3. Люди путешествуют, чтобы увидеть новые живописные места, познакомиться с новыми людьми, попробовать национальную еду или просто ради смены обстановки.

4. Сельские жители предпочитают проводить время в больших городах – посещать музеи и обедать в экзотических ресторанах.

5. Мне нужно два билета на поезд до Ливерпуля.

6. Спальный вагон, пожалуйста. Вам билеты туда и обратно? Это будет стоить 5 рублей.

7. В плохую погоду я предпочитаю быть на палубе, а не в каюте.

8. Нам пришлось провести много времени в аэропорту.

9. Мы добрались домой очень поздно.

10. Путешественники выбирают тот или иной способ путешествия в зависимости от их преимуществ и недостатков, места назначения и своих планов.