Английский язык

ФЕДЕРАЛЬНОЕ АГЕНТСТВО ПО ОБРАЗОВАНИЮ 

№ 1953 

Кафедра русского, иностранных языков и литературы 

Л.Б. Кочеревская 
О.И. Куликова 

Английский язык 

 

Учебно-методическое пособие 
по научно-техническому переводу 

Рекомендовано редакционно-издательским 
советом университета 

Москва     Издательский Дом МИСиС     2010 

УДК 811.111 
 
К75 

Р е ц е н з е н т  
канд. филол. наук О.Г. Прокофьева (МГЮА) 

Кочеревская Л.Б., Куликова О.И. 
К75  
Английский язык: Учеб.-метод. пособие по научнотехническому переводу. – М.: Изд. Дом МИСиС, 2010. – 73 с. 
ISBN 978-5-87623-290-8 

Целью данного учебно-методического пособия является формирование 
навыка чтения научно-технических текстов. В пособии представлены упражнения на овладение лексическими и стилистическими особенностями научной речи, задания на описание таблиц, графиков, рисунков и других видов 
графической информации, научно-технический перевод письменных текстов, 
аннотирование и реферирование научных статей, их обсуждение, направленные на формирование лингвистической и дискурсивной компетенций. 
Для студентов, обучающихся по направлению «Техносферная безопасность». 
УДК 811.111 

ISBN 978-5-87623-290-8 
© Л.Б. Кочеревская, 
О.И. Куликова, 2010 

CONTENTS 

Introduction ............................................................................................4 
Unit 1..........................................................................................................5 
Text 1. Acid rains ...................................................................................5 
Text 2. Part I. Nitrogen oxides..............................................................10 
Text 2. Part II. Sulphur dioxide ............................................................11 
Unit 2........................................................................................................18 
Text 1. Air pollution .............................................................................18 
Text 2. Part I. Cadmium .......................................................................24 
Text 2. Part II. Lead..............................................................................25 
Unit 3........................................................................................................28 
Text 1. Global warming........................................................................28 
Text 2....................................................................................................32 
Unit 4........................................................................................................35 
Text 1. Ozone depletion........................................................................35 
Text 2. In a perfect world .....................................................................41 
Unit 5........................................................................................................44 
Text 1. Hazardous waste.......................................................................44 
Text 2. Gold and gems mining .............................................................52 
Unit 6........................................................................................................55 
Text 1. Smog.........................................................................................55 
Text 2. Majestic limes, oaks, chestnut and planes are the lungs 
of the city..............................................................................................61 
Unit 7........................................................................................................64 
Text 1. Water pollution.........................................................................64 
Text 2. Under the water there is pollution!...........................................70 
 

Introduction 

A variety of environmental problems now affect our entire world. As 
globalization continues and the Earth's natural processes transform local 
problems into international issues, few societies are being left untouched 
by major environmental problems.  
Some of the largest problems now affecting the world are Acid Rain, 
Air Pollution, Global Warming, Hazardous Waste, Ozone Depletion, 
Smog, Water Pollution. 

UNIT 1 

Text 1. Acid rains 

The term acid rain refers to what scientists call acid deposition. It is 
caused by airborne acidic pollutants and has highly destructive results. 
Scientists first discovered acid rain in 1852, when the English chemist 
Robert Agnus invented the term. From then until now, acid rain has been 
an issue of intense debate among scientists and policy makers.  
Acid rain, one of the most important environmental problems of all, 
cannot be seen. The invisible gases 
that cause acid rain usually come 
from automobiles or coal-burning 
power plants. Acid rain moves 
easily, affecting locations far beyond those that let out the pollution. As a result, this global pollution issue causes great debates between countries that fight over polluting each other's environments.  
For years, science studied the true causes of acid rain. Some scientists 
concluded that human production was primarily responsible, while others 
cited natural causes as well. Recently, more intensive research has been 
done so that countries 
have the information 
they need to prevent 
acid rain and its dangerous effects. The levels of acid rain vary 
from region to region. 
In Third World nations 
without pollution restrictions, 
acid 
rain 
tends to be very high. 
In 
Eastern 
Europe, 
China and Russia acid 
rain levels have also risen greatly. However, because acid rain can move 
about so easily, the problem is definitely a global one.  

For many years, there was considerable debate and disagreement over 
what caused acid rain. Recent scientific work, however, has helped to 
clarify this. The primary causes of acid rain are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These chemicals are released by certain industrial processes, 
and as a result, the more industrialized nations of Europe as well as the 
US suffer severely from acid rain. Most sulfur dioxide comes from power 
plants that use coal as their fuel. These plants emit 100 million tons of 
sulfur dioxide, 70 % of that in the world. Automobiles produce about half 
of the world’s nitrogen oxide. As the number of automobiles in use increases, so does the amount of acid rain. Power plants that burn fossil fuels also contribute significantly to nitrogen oxide emission. 
***Though human causes are primarily responsible for acid rain, natural causes exist as well. Fires, volcanic eruptions, bacterial decomposition, 
and lightening also greatly increase the amount of nitrogen oxide on the 
planet. However, even the gigantic explosion of St. Helen’s mount released only about what one coal power plant emits in a year. Once the tiny 
pollutant molecules have entered the atmosphere, they can travel for thousands of miles. Eventually, the particles will combine with other compounds to produce new, often harmful, chemicals. 
Acid rain comes down 
to the earth in the form of 
rain, snow, hail, fog, frost, 
or dew. Once it reaches 
the ground, the acidity in 
the substance can harm 
and even destroy both 
natural ecosystems and 
man-made products, such 
as car finishes. 
Acid rain is having 
harmful effects both on 
people and on the natural ecosystems of the world. The problem of acid 
rain is rapidly spreading. Determining just how much the planet is being 
hurt by acid rain is very difficult because the ecosystems that it affects are 
so diverse and complex. Many ecosystems are affected by acid rain. Bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers, see many of their inhabitants die off 
due to rising acidity levels. Acidic water also ruins plant nutrients, hurting 
plants' ability to survive and to give life to other organisms. Human-made 
products are also experiencing degradation from acid rain. Cars can lose 
their finishes, and outdoor statues are beginning to rust.*** 

Acid rain's effects are destructive and long lasting. Modern science has 
proven that acid rain is a dangerous and highly destructive problem. As a 
result, various ways to limit acid rain have been invented, and some are 
now being used. Debate over acid rain and ways of preventing it have 
raged between environmentalists and corporations. Businesses such as 
power companies and car makers oppose controlling acid rain because 
they fear the effects on their profits. But in some cases, industries have 
attempted to curb acid rain production. 
There are many ways that power plant companies can reduce acid rain 
creation. They can use coal with low sulfur content, they can remove the 
sulfur from smoke their plants release, and they can limit processes known 
to generate high levels of acid rain. Policy makers and environmental experts are now looking into the best methods to limit acid rain. Environmentalists advocate the installation of sulfur cleaning scrubbers in factories, washing sulfur out of coal, and finding new methods of burning coal. 
Power plant operators are looking for less expensive solutions to the problem. Individuals can help by conserving energy or driving their cars less. 
Governments can pass laws restricting pollution levels, or can use a variety of methods such as tradable emission permits to reduce acid rain. 
Whatever way it is done, acid rain will certainly have to be limited in the 
future. 

Exercises 

Ex. 1. Match the English words and word combinations with their 
equivalents from the box. 

1) pollution 
a) сернистый газ; 

2) acid deposition 
b) ископаемое топливо; 

3) sulfur dioxide 
с) коммерчески реализуемое 
разрешение на эмиссию; 

4) nitrogen oxides 
d) загрязнения; 

5) tradable emission permits 
e) долгосрочный эффект; 

6) fossil fuels 
f) кислотные осадки; 

7) power plant 
g) электростанция; 

8) curb 
h) оксиды азота; 

9) emit 
i) обитатели; 

10) inhabitants 
j) отек легких 

11) ways of preventing 
k) град; 

12) nutrients 
l) обуздывать; 

13) long lasting effects 
m) питательные вещества; 

14) hail 
o) меры 

15) pulmonary oedema 
p) испускать; 

Ex. 2. Replace Russian words by English words from the box. 
Exposure to sulfur dioxide can (быть причиной) headaches, general 
discomfort and anxiety. Those with impaired heart or lung function and 
asthmatics are at increased risk. Sulfur dioxide (поглощается) by soils 
and plants and (улавливается) within and below clouds and in certain 
circumstances can (увеличивать) the acidity of rain. (подверженность) 
oxides of nitrogen may not (производить) always immediate effects but 
can (приводить к) fatal excessive fluid in the lung tissues (pulmonary 
oedema) hours after exposure. In the lower atmosphere, oxides of nitrogen 
(играть главную роль) in the formation of photochemical smog. (чрезмерный) levels of oxides of nitrogen can kill plants and increase the acidity of rain. 

to be absorbed, result in, excessive, to play a major role, to increase,
to cause, to produce, exposure to, to be captured 

Ex. 3. Decide what part of speech the following words are and put 
them into the appropriate column of the table below (mind that they 
can represent more than one part of speech). 
Pollutant, acid, pollute, harmful, result, effect, debates, environment, 
install, harm, pollution, environmentalist, affect, installation, clean, acidity, anxiety, natural, chemicals, exposure, plant, attempt, smoke, oppose, 
lightning, process, destructive. 

Noun: 
Verb: 
Adjective: 

acid 
… 
install 
… 
harmful 
… 

Ex. 4. Find the terms in the text matching with their definitions. 
1) a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology. 
2) air pollution regulation allowing businesses to make compensating 
changes in emissions that reduce total abatement costs so long as the environment does not suffer. 
3) fuel consisting of the remains of organisms preserved in rocks in the 
earth's crust with high carbon and hydrogen content 
4) a pungent, colorless, gas formed primarily by the combustion of fossil fuels; becomes a pollutant when present in large amounts. 
5) air pollution produced when acid chemicals are incorporated into 
rain, snow, fog or mist. 

Ex. 5. Answer the following questions. 
1) Who invented the term "acid rain"? 
2) Why has acid rain been an issue of intense debate among scientists 
and policy makers from then until now? 
3) What countries have the highest levels of acid rains? 
4) What chemicals are responsible for acid rains? 
5) What industries contribute significantly to emission of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide? 
6) Can you name natural causes responsible for acid rains? 
7) In what forms does acid rain come down to the earth? 
8) How does acid rain affect ecosystems? 
9) Why have the ways of preventing acid rains raged long lasting debate between environmentalists and corporations? 
10) How can power plant companies reduce acid rain creation? 
11) What methods limiting acid rain creation do environmentalists advocate? 
12) How can governmental policy reduce acid rains? 

Ex. 6. Give a written translation of the part of the text 1 marked 
with ***. 

Ex. 7. Look through the text 1 again, find key words and phrases 
and make a written summary in 15–20 sentences.  

Ex. 8. Work in groups: One group of student reads text 2 part I; 
another – text 2 part II, then they together try to find out the following. 

Which compound: 
1) Is a colorless liquid with a strong harsh odor? 
2) Comes from the burning of coal and oil at electric power plants? 
3) Forms ground-level ozone or smog? 
4) Is used as a food preservative for fruit and vegetables? 
5) Is a gas with an odor similar to a just-stuck match? 
6) Is a side product of copper smelting? 
7) You can be exposed to through cigarettes or breathing second-hand 
cigarette smoke? 
8) Can cause serious respiratory illnesses? 
9) You can be exposed to at home? 
10) You can be exposed to through volcanic eruptions?  
11) Is a cause of acid rains? 

Text 2. Part I. Nitrogen oxides  

Nitrogen oxides are a group of gases that are composed of nitrogen and 
oxygen. Two of the most common nitrogen oxides are nitric oxide and 
nitrogen dioxide. The chemical formula for nitric oxide is NO; for nitrogen dioxide, it is NO2.  
Nitric oxide is a gas with a sharp, sweet smell; it is colorless to brown 
at room temperature. Nitrogen dioxide is a colorless to brown liquid at 
room temperature, with a strong, harsh odor.  
Nitrogen oxides are released into the air from motor vehicle exhaust, or 
the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas, especially from electric power 
plants. They are also released during industrial processes such as welding, 
electroplating, engraving, and dynamite blasting.  
Nitrogen oxides, when combined with volatile organic compounds, 
form ground-level ozone, or smog. They are also produced by cigarette 
smoking. Nitric oxide is used to bleach rayon and produce nitric acid. Nitrogen dioxide is used to produce rocket fuels, explosives, and other 
chemicals. Nitrogen dioxide is sometimes used to bleach flour. 
Nitrogen oxides are common pollutants. You can be exposed to nitrogen oxides outdoors by breathing air that contains it, especially if you live 
near a coal-burning electric power plant or areas with heavy motor vehicle 
traffic. You can be exposed to higher levels if air pollution and smog levels are high. You can be exposed at home if you burn wood, or use a kerosene heater or gas stove. You can be exposed at home or at work, indoors 
or outdoors, through cigarettes or breathing second-hand cigarette 
smoke. You can be exposed at work if you work in a facility that produces 
nitric acid, explosives such as dynamite and TNT, or welded metals.  
Exposure to high industrial levels of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide 
can cause death. It can cause collapse, rapid burning and swelling of tissues in the throat and upper respiratory tract, difficult breathing, throat 
spasms, and fluid build-up in the lungs. It can interfere with the blood's 
ability to carry oxygen through the body, causing headache, fatigue, dizziness, and a blue color to the skin and lips.  
Industrial exposure to nitrogen dioxide may cause genetic mutations 
and decrease fertility in women. Repeated exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide may lead to permanent lung damage. Industrial exposure to 
nitric oxide can cause unconsciousness, vomiting and damage to the teeth. 
Industrial skin or eye contact with high concentrations of nitrogen oxide 
gases or nitrogen dioxide liquid can cause serious burns. 

Long-term exposure to nitrogen oxides in smog can trigger serious respiratory problems, including damage to lung tissue and reduction in lung 
function. Exposure to low levels of nitrogen oxides in smog can irritate 
the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause coughing, shortness of 
breath, fatigue, and nausea.  

Words to the text 
to bleach rayon 
– отбеливать вискозу 
motor vehicle exhaust 
– выхлопные газы автомобиля 
dynamite blasting 
– взрывные работы с динамитом 
engraving 
– гравирование 
welding 
– сварка 
volatile organic compounds – летучие органические соединения 
swelling of tissues 
– распухание тканей 
throat 
– глотка 
lungs 
– легкие 
dizziness 
– головокружение 
fertility 
– способность к зачатию 
unconsciousness 
– потеря сознания 
vomiting 
– рвота 
coughing 
– кашель 
nausea 
– тошнота 
fatigue 
– усталость 
exhaled smoke 
– выдыхаемый дым 
cardiovascular system 
– сердечнососудистая система 
heart attack 
– инфаркт 
acute respiratory infections – ОРВИ 
TNT 
– тринитротолуол 

Text 2. Part II. Sulphur dioxide 

Sulphur dioxide is a colorless gas with a pungent and suffocating odor, 
similar to a just-struck match. It has an acidic taste, and is a liquid when 
under pressure. Sulphur dioxide is formed when fuel containing sulfur, 
such as coal and oil, is burned. The chemical symbol for sulphur dioxide 
is SO2.  
Most sulphur dioxide in the air comes from the burning of coal and oil 
at electric power plants. Other sources of sulphur dioxide in the air are 
industrial facilities that use coal or oil, petroleum refineries, cement manufacturing, metal processing, paper pulp manufacturing, and copper smelting. Trains, large ships, and some diesel equipment burn high sulphur