Read the text and choose the correct answer. 1 Norbert Wiener's father
1 Norbert Wiener's father
A was awarded a PhD.
B taught intelligent children.
C was a language instructor.
2 Norbert Wiener began to think seriously about cybernetics
A when he was at MIT.
B when he was a science instructor.
C after he resigned.
3 An example of cybernetics in action would be
A a television B a computer C a ship
4 Wiener wrote a book about
A himself B childhood C philosophy
5 According to the text, most scientists
A know a lot about many different subjects. B are familiar with applied science. C deal with certain fields only.
Before you read
Discuss these questions with your partner.
-» Is it important to study physics, chemistry and biology? Why / Why not?
-» How do scientists in your country get support to conduct their research?
AVocabulary
Find a synonym in the box for the words or phrases in green in the sentences below.
N establish n reform
N expedition n atlas
N naturalist n headquarters
N prestigious n supervise
1 The researchers need to startanew laboratory....................................
2 A scientist's job is often considered to have respect and give you influence. ....................................
3 There is a need for improvementsin our society....................................
4 Thejourney to explore and do scientific researchwas made in 1872. ....................................
5 Look up this city in the book of maps. ....................................
6 Could you managethe people on this project?...................................
7 He'sa person who studies animals and plants....................................
8 The central officecan be found in Moscow.....................................
Reading
The Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS)
In 1724, Peter the Great established the Academy of Sciences as part of his push for reform to strengthen Russia. He wished to make the country as economically and politically independent as possible and he was aware of how important scientific thought, along with education and culture, was to this. However, unlike other foreign organisations at that time, the Academy was a state institution, which Peter intended should offer scientists from any country the opportunity to do their research in complete freedom, as well as providing the opportunity for students to study under these famous people. The Academy officially opened in 1725.
Over the next three decades, work was done in many fields, among them, work on electricity and magnetism theory. Research enabled the development of mining, metallurgy, and other branches of Russian industry. Work was done in geodesy and cartography and 1745 saw the first atlas of Russia created.
From its earliest days, the Academy carried out mathematical research, which added greatly to the development of calculus, hydrodynamics, mechanics, optics, astronomy, and made discoveries in various fields, such as chemistry, physics and geology. In addition, expeditions in 1733-1742 and 1760-1770 helped contribute to the discovery of Russia's natural resources.
The 19th century was a time of many more contributions from the Academy. The Academy's naturalists were involved in voyages of discovery, including that of F.F. Bellingshausen and M.P. Lazarev in 1820, when Antarctica was discovered. In the fields of mathematics and physics, progress was furthered by N.I. Lobachevsky and his theory of non-Euclidean geometry as well as by P.L. Chebyshev who made progress in the field of probability, statistics and Number Theory. Other notable achievements were the invention of the radio, the creation of the periodic table of the chemical elements, the discovery of viruses and the cell mechanisms of immunity. In the 1890s and early 1900s, I.P. Pavlov carried out experiments which resulted in the discovery of classical conditioning or conditioned reflexes. Clearly, throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and into the 20th century, the Russian Academy led the way in Russian science.
In 1925, the name of the Academy changed to the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. One of the achievements of the Academy was to help set up scientific research centres in all Soviet republics. The Academy also gave scientists the opportunity to work and study in different parts of the USSR and abroad. In 1934, its headquarters were moved to Moscow. At that time, it had 25 member institutions. The Academy continued to grow, reaching a high point of 260 member institutions. In 1991, after the breakup of the USSR, the Academy's name was changed to the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS).
Today, the RAS supervises the research of a large group of institutions within Russia which focus on different research areas, including philosophy, botany, anthropology, palaeontology and archaeology as well as nuclear physics, astrophysics, mathematics, computer engineering and many others. A special Internet system, called the Russian Space Science Internet (RSSI), which links over 3000 members, has also been set up.
Becoming a member of the RAS is not easy. Only scientific researchers who have done outstanding work or who have great potential are chosen to become members.
Last but not least, the RAS gives awards to members who have made significant discoveries. Its highest award is the Lomonosov Medal, named after the outstanding Russian scientist, writer and polymath of the IS1*1 century. Many RAS award winners have later gone on to be awarded prestigious Nobel Prizes.
Pronunciation guide
Geodesy
Hydrodynamics
Metallurgy
B Comprehension