ADDITIONAL TEXTS

FOR TEST TRANSLATION

TEXT 1

THE HORSELESS CARRIAGE

Karl Benz, (1844-1929) was a German inventor of the automobile, who devoted his life to making a horseless carriage.

When Benz's three-wheeled engine-driven machine (the first «car») appeared on the streets in 1885, people stood aghast¹. A German newspaper wrote: «There is no doubt that this engine-velocipede should prove itself quite practical and useful to doctors, travelers and lovers of sport». It was the beginning of the end for horse traction, and to Benz, it was a particular triumph, because he had made his machine almost by himself. There had been horseless carriages before, which were driven by steam engines but Benz built an engine that was both lighter and more powerful than any other. He put it on to a chassis and got power from the engine to the wheels. Benz's first car was a great achievement for one man; everything - engine, fuel, transmission, controls - had been developed and designed by him. The wheels were driven by means of a chain, and there were two speeds.

His early days were difficult because of the speed limits the police imposed on him: twelve kilometers an hour in the country and six in the city. Benz saw that he would never been able to develop his cars if this rule was not altered², and he thought of a scheme to abolish³ it. He wrote to the Minister of Baden⁴ asking him if he would like a ride in his car. The Minister accepted the invitation. Then Benz arranged with a local milkman that he should wait with his horse and van in a certain road. When Benz, with the Minster in his car, passed them, at six kilometers an hour, the milkman, as had been agreed, started off, passed the car at a good speed, and laughed at them. The plan worked perfectly: the Minister was so angry at being passed by a milkman that he ordered Benz to go faster. But Benz referred to⁵ the speed limit. «Never mind», said the Minister. Thus Benz won the day.

NOTES

¹stood aghast - были в ужасе, ошеломлены

²were not altered - не будут изменены

³abolish - отменять

⁴Baden - г. Баден

⁵ to reffer to – ссылаться на что-либо

TEXT 2

DAF DIESEL

DAF DIESEL is an engine factory in the Netherlands. It was opened in 1957 and now its annual¹ production capacity is 30,000 engines.

DAF DIESEL engines are extremely economical and reliable power units used to generate energy or to drive heavyweight vehicles. They are very popular in the world. Their power range is between 45 and 264 kW. The economy and efficiency of these engines are due to² the perfect control of direct-injection techniques and heat balance, the favorable power/weight ratio and the wide low-speed maximum torque range.

All DAF diesels are 6-cylinder in-line engines. This traditional design guarantees a high degree of efficiency and a long life. The 6-cylinder in-line engine is compact and relatively light, and simple in setting. Its sound³ construction makes this engine stable, resulting in quite smooth operation. Research⁴ and practical experience have led to a well thought-out⁵ choice of materials.

The crankshaft, a single steel forging⁶, is supported in seven bearings. DAF diesel produces engines with dry cylinder liners⁷ and piston cooling, which makes a very strong cylinder block possible and provides very favorable terminal efficiency.

NOTES

¹annual - ежегодный

²due to - благодаря

³sound - надежный

⁴research - исследование

⁵thought-out - продуманный

⁶forging - штамповка, ковка

⁷cylinder liners - прокладки в цилиндре

TEXT 3

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