I. True, false or not given
1.Automobiles are engineered to run on roads only.
2.Auto cars are mainly for transporting people, not goods.
3.The term motorcar is also used for railway carriages.
4.260 billion US gallons of fuel was used by cars in 2007.
5.The first car appeared in China.
6.Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot gets lots of money from the banks.
7.The first car had a steam-powered tricycle.
8.Cugnot’s inventions were not perfect and had some serious engineering problems.
9.The Puffing Devil is considered to be the first car.
10.The Puffing Devil was widely used for a long time.
II. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the words given. You must use between two and eight words, including the word given. Write only the missing words on the separate answer sheet.
e.g. A car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers. wheels =>
A car usually has four wheels and is used for transporting passengers.
1.The first car could not hold sufficient steam pressure for long periods. maintain
It was difficult _______________ sufficient steam pressure for long periods.
2.The engines of modern cars burn over a billion cubic meters of petrol/gasoline and diesel fuel yearly. annual fuel consumption
The __________________ amounts to over a billion cubic meters of petrol/gasoline and diesel.
3.Many people believe that in 1796 Cugnot created the first mechanical vehicle moving by itself. self-propelled
Cugnot was the creator of ___________________________ in about 1769.
4.One of the first steam tractors designed for the French Army is safely kept now in the French National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts. preservation
One of the first steam tractors designed for the French Army is _______________ in the French National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts.
5.Cugnot’s inventions had many problems with water supply and maintaining steam pressure. handicaps
There were ______________________ Cugnot’s inventions.
6.Locomotive cars were often used in the countryside by both interurban and intercity electrified railroad systems. routes
People often saw locomotive cars on ________________ of the electrified rail systems.
7.Most definitions specify that automobiles could accommodate one to eight people. seating
Most definitions specify that automobiles ________________ for one to eight people.
III. Answer the questions.
1.Where does a car carry its engine?
2.If early steam-powered road vehicles were handicapped, did they get a disability allowance?
3.Locomotive cars are only used in suburban routes, aren’t they?
4.If cars burn petrol, why does nobody call the fire-fighters?
5.What was Ferdinand Verbiest doing in China?
6.Was the first prototypic car a full-size model?
7.Why was Trevithick’s car called ‘puffing devil’?
IV. Complete the sentences.
1.The concept of modern vehicle was first introduced by ...
2.A steam-powered road vehicle made ...
3.... was a challenge in the early 1800s.
4.The basic functions of an early motor vehicle were ...
5.A Flemish member of a Jesuit mission http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesuit_China_missions in China ...
6.Modern fuel consumption ...
7.Electrified rail systems provided ...
Text 2. AUDI: Bodyshells, Space frame and
E-tron
Bodyshells
Audi produces 100% galvanised cars to prevent corrosion and was the first mass-market vehicle to do so, following introduction of the process by Porsche, c.1975. Along with other precautionary measures, the full-body zinc coating has proved to be very effective in preventing rust. The body's resulting durability even surpassed Audi's own expectations, causing the manufacturer to extend its original 10-year warranty against corrosion perforation to currently 12 years (except for aluminium bodies which don't rust).
An all-aluminium car was brought forward by Audi, and in 1994 the Audi A8 was launched, which introduced aluminium space frame technology (called Audi Space Frame). Audi introduced a new series of vehicles in the mid-1990s and continues to new technology and high performance. Prior to that effort, Audi used examples of the Type 44 chassis fabricated out of aluminium as test-beds for the technique.
Space frame
Replacing the Audi V8 in 1994, the Audi A8 debuted with an aluminium space frame (the "Audi Space Frame" or ASF) which saves weight and improves torsion rigidity compared to a conventional steel frame. The weight reduction is somewhat offset by the Quattro four-wheel drive system which is standard in most markets. Nonetheless, the A8 is usually the lightest all-wheel drive car in the full-size luxury segment, also having best-in-class fuel economy. The disadvantage of the aluminium frame is that it is very expensive to repair and requires a specialized aluminium bodyshop.
Audi e-tron
The next phase of technology Audi is developing is the e-tron electric drive powertrain system. They have shown several concept cars as of March 2010, each with different levels of size and performance. The original e-tron concept shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show is based on the platform of the R8 and has been scheduled for limited production. Power is provided by electric motors at all four wheels. The second concept was shown at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show. Power is provided by two electric motors at the rear axle. This concept is also considered to be the direction for a future mid-engined gas-powered 2-seat performance coupe. The Audi A1 e-tron concept, based on the Audi A1 production model, is a hybrid vehicle with a range extending Wankel rotary engine (роторно-поршневой двигатель, двигатель Ванкеля) to provide power after the initial charge of the battery is depleted. It is the only concept of the three to have range extending capability. The car is powered through the front wheels, always using electric power.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi,
http://www.germanysbestinc.com/foreignautorepair/audi.htm,
http://voices.yahoo.com/audi-great-car-great-looks-great-231781.html
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