Text B «THE FUTURE OF THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION»

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

Scientific methods of engineering are applied in several fields not connected directly to manufacture and construction. Modern engineering is characterized by the broad application of what is known as systems engineering principles.

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. 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. This type of engineering work is called time-study engineering.

A related field of engineering, human-factors engineering, also known as ergonomics, received wide attention in the late 1970s and 1980s when the safety of nuclear reactors was questioned following serious accidents that were caused by operator errors, design failures, and malfunctioning equipment.

Human-factors engineering seeks to establish criteria for the efficient, human-centred design of, among other things, the large, complicated control panels that monitor and govern nuclear reactor operations.

General understanding:

1. What is the most widespread trend in the engineering profession?

2. What are computers used for in modern engineering?

3. What approaches are used in modern engineering?

4. What is «ergonomics»?

5. What does human-factors engineering deal with?

GRAMMAR

§1. Придаточные предложения условия и времени. действие которых отнесено к будущему.

В придаточных предложениях условия и времени с союзами

If (если),

when (когда),

after (после),

before (перед тем, как),

as soon as (как только), ]

unless (если не),

until (до тех пор, пока не),

будущее время заменяется формой настоящего времени, но на русский язык переводится будущим, например:

If you help me, I shall do this work. — Если ты поможешь мне, я сделаю эту работу.

As soon as I get free, I'll come to you. — Как только я освобожусь, я приду к тебе.

We shall not begin until you come. — Мы не начнем, пока ты не придешь.

Exercise 9.4. Open the brackets and put the verbs in the right form:

1. He (go) out when the weather (get) warmer. 2. I (wait) for you until you (come) back from school. 3. I'm afraid the train (start) before we (come) to the station. 4. We (go) to the country tomorrow if the weather (to be) fine. 5. We (not pass) the examination next year if we not (work) harder. 6. If you (not drive) more carefully you (have) an accident. 7. You (be) late if you (not take) a taxi. 8. I (finish) reading this book before I (go) to bed. 9. You must (send) us a telegram as soon as you (arrive). 10. We (have) a picnic tomorrow if it (be) a fine day. 11. We (go) out when it (stop) raining. 12. We (not to have) dinner until you (come). 13. I'm sure they (write) to us when they (know) our new address.

Прочитайте примеры и запомните наиболее употребительные суффиксы существительных

-ег/ог — teacher, writer, actor, doctor

-ist — scientist, artist, dentist

-ment — government, movement, development

-(t)ion — revolution, translation, operation

-ity/ty — popularity, honesty, ability

-sion/ssion — revision, session, discussion,

-ness — happiness, illness, darkness

Прочитайте примеры и запомните наиболее употребительные суффиксы и префиксы глаголов.

re- — rewrite, rebuild, reconstruct,

mis- — misprint, misunderstand, miscount.

Прочитайте примеры и запомните наиболее употребительные суффиксы и префиксы прилагательных.

un- — unhappy, unable, uncomfortable

dis- — dishonest, discouraging, disconnectng

Прочитайте примеры и запомните основные суффиксы числительных.

-teen — fifteen, sixteen, eighteen

-ty — twenty, thirty, sixty, ninety

-th — fourth, seventh, eighteenth

Exercise 9.5. Make up adjectives from the following words:

colour, beauty, peace, use, hope, truth, rain, help, power, pain, care.

§2. Сослагательное наклонение в условных предложениях,

Сослагательное наклонение выражает возможность, нереальность, предположительность действия.

Изъявительное наклонение.

If I learn his address I shall write to him. — Если я узнаю его адрес, я ему напишу.

Сослагательное наклонение:

If I knew his address I would write to him. — Если бы я знал его адрес (сейчас), я написал бы ему (сейчас или в ближайшем будущем). Глагол в придаточном предложении — в форме Past Indefinite, в главном — в форме Future in the Past.

В случае, если действие, описываемое сослагательным наклонением, относится к прошедшему времени, в главном предложении используется форма будущего совершенного с точки зрения прошедшего Future Perfect in the Past, а в придаточном — прошедшее совершенное Past Perfect.

If I had known his address I would have written to him. — Если бы я знал его адрес (в прошлом), я написал бы ему (в прошлом же).

I wish I lived not far from here. (настоящее время). —Жаль, что я не живу поблизости.

I wish I had lived not far from here (прошедшее время). — Жаль, что я не жил поблизости.

Exercise 9.6. Translate into Russian:

1. If I came later I would be late for the lesson. 2. If he had known the time-table he wouldn't have missed the train. 3. It would be better if you learned the oral topics. 3. I wish I had known this before the examination. 4. I would have come to you if you had not lived so far away. 5. If I had seen you yesterday I would have given you my text-book. 6. If I were in your place I wouldn't buy the tickets beforehand. 7. If I had known that you needed help I would have helped you.

UNIT 1

METALS

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