TOPIC 8. Sergei Pavlovich Korolyov - the Founder of
Practical Cosmonautics.
Academician S. P. Korolyov is a famous scientist and founder of practical cosmonautics. He was the chief constructor of the first Earth sputniks and spaceships. S. P. Korolyov was born in 1906 in the small Ukrainian town of Zhitomir into a family of teachers. From the childhood he was interested in mathematics, literature and he read a great deal. In 1925 Korolyov entered the Kiev Polytechnical Institute where he studied aviation and mathematics. After two years in Kiev Korolyov came to Moscow. In the day-time he worked at an aeroplane factory and in the evening he studied at the Moscow Higher Technical School. At the Moscow Higher Technical School Korolyov learned about К. E. Tsiolkovsky's ideas on space travelling and about his rocket. In 1930 S. P. Korolyov graduated from the Moscow Higher Technical School and became an aviation engineer. At the same time he finished the Moscow Pilot School. During the Great Patriotic War S. P. Korolyov constructed a jet engine for aeroplanes and rockets. On October 4, 1957 the first man-made sputnik of the Earth was launched into space. It was the result of thirty years hard work and Chief Constructor was S. P. Korolyov. Then dogs were sent into space and only after a lot of experiments the first cosmonaut in the world — Y. A. Gagarin was launched into space in the spaceship "Vostok" on April 12, 1961. S. P. Korolyov opened a new era in the conquest of outer space.
TOPIC 9. Michael Faraday
Michael Faraday is one of the great scientists in the history of man's work in electricity. He was born in a small village near London on September 11, 1791, in a poor family. At the age of thirteen Michael went to work in a bookbinder's shop, because he didn't have much schooling. Some of the scientific works and articles which passed through his hands aroused his interest in science and he started to read.
Some time later Michael became a pupil of great scientist of that time, Sir Humphry Davy. The boy accompanied Davy in his trips to Europe. Today almost all the electricity we use is generated by great machines with magnets in them, but in those days no one knew how to do it. English scientist could move the magnet near wire. This was a great moment in the history of man's electrical experiments. But Faraday didn't stop at this.
Faraday's scientific interests were varied. He made new kind of glass and a new kind of steel. Faraday made about two thousand difficult experiments and made countless discoveries in chemistry and physics. He made a wonderful machine which was the father of all the great machines that make electricity today. They light and heat our houses and they make our radio-sets work. Michael Faraday was the creator of the electric motor, who ushered us in the electrical age which had changed the face of the earth.
Topic 10. travelling
Travelling is a very useful thing. It widens our outlook, gives us the possibility to meet with people from other countries, acquaints us with different cultures, traditions and customs, country history and languages. Having returned home after travelling we bring souvenirs, photos and lots of impressions of our trip. Getting to travel don’t forget about several important things such as: a tour visa, a life insurance, a guidebook, plastic card (for the payments) and mobile phone. Last Christmas I went to Paris with my family. It was incredible travelling and I would like to share some of my impressions with you. Paris is the capital of France and one of the biggest cities of Europe. It is situated on the Seine River banks in the north part of France. The population of Paris with its suburbs is 12 600 000 people and 45 million tourists visit the city annually. Paris is the recognized capital of the world fashion and the location of Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin fashion houses. Paris is divided into 20 administrative districts. The most famous ones are: du Louvre is the geographic and historic heart of Paris. It’s the first district of the city where the world-famous Art Museum Louvre is situated. Palais Bourbon or Eiffel Tower district is the politic center of Paris, where many departments and offices and the National Assembly of France are concentrated. The main places of interest are the Paris symbol Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars. The Elysees is the residence of the France president. It was unforgettable travelling for me, next summer I and my family are going to Spain. I hope you’ve got something exciting to tell us about your travelling.
TOPIC 11. MY WORKING DAY (как дополнительная тема)
The success in education, in career and in family life depends on the correct time managing according to psychologists, sociologists and other scientists. My working day begins at 6 a.m. when my alarm clock rings and I get up. I don’t do morning exercises. Instead I take my dog out for a walk and it is a good exercise for me. I’m a first year student of the architectural faculty at the South Urals State University. I’m glad to have entered this University and this faculty. My future speciality is an interior designer. I like being engaged in flats and offices space planning and their decoration. I hope I’m good at these things. I usually leave my house at 20 minutes past 7 a.m., the way to the University takes me 30 minutes by the route taxi. I have 10 minutes to communicate with my group-mates. The university lectures start at 8 a.m. Each lecture lasts one hour and a half. There are short breaks between the lectures. There is a 30-minutes break after the second lecture for the students and the lecturers to go to the canteen. My lectures are usually over at 2 or 3 p.m. But I don’t hurry home at once. I do boxing in the university sport club three times a week (on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). On Tuesdays and Thursdays I play the bass-guitar in the university rock-group. Our group participates in all official and amateur events of the University. If I need to prepare any report or be ready for any test, I have to miss the sport training or music rehearsal and go to the university library. I return home at 7 p.m., have dinner and take my dog for an evening walk. After walk I take a shower, watch TV a little before sleeping. How do you organize your working day? Are you pleased with your personal time-table? Share your ideas with us.