1. What is the text about? 2. What is the trucking industry made up of? 3. What are the three principal categories of carriers? 4. How do irregular-route carriers usually operate? 5. What special goods are handled by regular-route carriers? 6. Is agricultural produce subject to ICC regulation? 7. What types of trucks do you know? 8. When has the small pickup become a popular style? 9. What is the difference between the full trailer and the semitrailer? 10. What are trucks specialized for?
Exercise 3 Translate and memorize the following expressions from the text.
Trucking industry, to be engaged in, to transport products, the principal categories of carriers, raw materials, interplant movements, contractual agreements, to serve the general public, shipments from different firms, regular-route carriers, specified highway routes, to consolidate and distribute freight, to subject to, engineering and technological advances, to perform specific functions, carrying capacity, to be designed for, as well as, special and unusual jobs, earth-moving machinery.
Exercise 4 Find synonyms among the following words.
To transport, completely, agreement, advance, unusual, to perform, type, principal, general, to be located, usage, product, to design, particular, road, to devise, commodity, route, to carry, to fulfil, progress, entirely, common, main, kind, covenant, application, special, to be situated, extraordinary.
Exercise 5 Write a summary of the text, presenting the content of each paragraph in 2-3 sentences. Use the expressions:
The main idea of the text is... The text deals with one of the most important (urgent) issues... Much attention (consideration) is given to (classification, description)... It focuses on the matters of … The text gives an overview of... The text is mainly concerned with... The aim of the survey is to show (demonstrate, find)... Particular emphasis is given to the analysis of... The text gives a detailed analysis of (reports on)... To sum up... In conclusion...
Индивидуальное задание для студентов заочного отделения к курсу
«Английский язык»
Вариант № 11/3c
Exercise 1 Read the text and translate it in written form.
Engineering Work
In any one area of engineering there is a wide range of functions that the engineer may participate in. The spectrum includes research and development, design, production and construction, installation, operation and maintenance, and sales and management. While mobility is free within the spectrum, it is most likely to occur in the order given than in the reverse direction. One reason is that detailed knowledge of scientific concepts becomes less and less important as one moves toward the managerial function, although the knowledge of finance and labor becomes more detailed. It is difficult for a student to predict his ultimate niche although, if he could, he might choose a somewhat different set of elective courses.
In general, the research and development engineer requires, besides a firm grounding in the fundamentals of his area, an easy familiarity with analytical and experimental techniques. A natural curiosity, creative bent, and considerable stamina are essential.
The design engineer has somewhat similar requirements, with particular accent on creativity. He also needs a broad understanding of such topics as engineering economics, optimization, and methods of manufacture, along with a particular sensitivity toward human needs. Design activity is extremely broad, so the individual is most likely to find himself one of a large team, particularly in a complex project. Senior members in such a group are likely to find themselves coordinating a variety of specialized activities. The team may, for example, include specialists in theoretical analysis, testing, computation, optimization, and esthetic design.
It is the production and construction engineers who, on any project, are responsible for the implementation of a completed design. They will have to work initially with design engineers and then with technicians actually to produce the hardware itself from the specified raw materials. A sound knowledge of materials, methods of manufacture, time estimation, and the logistics of movements of materials is important.
The area of installation, operation, and maintenance may need knowledge from civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, or other branches of engineering, depending on the nature of the plant. A large plant may employ specialists from these branches, though a small plant may tend to employ engineers comfortable in several areas. Here the responsibility is to ensure that the equipment is installed correctly, brought into operation, and effectively maintained. The engineer must develop effective maintenance and replacement schedules and requires some knowledge of economics. Aspects of safety and pollution control could be important.
The sales area is an important division of many engineering companies, accentuated by the rapid changes and new developments that are constantly modifying products. The sales engineer needs a thorough engineering background but must also be an expert in the operation and performance of his company’s products. He may have to educate a prospective customer in the principles, advantages, and limitations of the equipment. It may be important that his knowledge extend to cover his customer’s operating plant so that he can illustrate how his own product may best be used. Knowledge of economics law and psychology could be useful, and a friendly personality is a decided advantage.
Many engineers after several years in one or more of the above areas eventually move into managerial positions. Here they quickly discover the merit of some knowledge of economics, financial management, and labor policies. They may need considerable courage to plan effectively and make sound, far-reaching decisions. In this regard the engineer’s technical background serves him well, but he will have to acquire a familiarity with business administration also.
