II. Find the English equivalents of the following phrases in the text:

• проводить различные эксперименты

• в поисках жизни

• наполовину меньше земного

• на поверхности планеты

• засушливые зоны

• на борту космического корабля

• не похожий на земной

• примитивная форма

• содержать (в себе) малое количество

• продолжительность дня

• совпадать с чем-либо

• один оборот

• сезонные изменения

• полярные (северные) зоны

• обнаруживать (открывать) что-либо

III. Make up your own sentences using the phrases listed above.

IV. Look at the words listed below. Which word is the odd one?

1. a) to investigate b) to search c) to discover d) to change

2. a) to find b) to observe c) to count d) to search

3. a) reminding b) forecast c) transition d) transfer

4. a) observer b) scientist c) investigator d) discovery

5. a) Mars b) Jupiter c) Solar d) Venus

6. a) universe b) ground c) space d) galaxy

7. a) device b) microorganism c) vehicle d) equipment

8. a) landing b) taking off c) reminding d) flight

Unit VI. Space conquest Text 1. Space Conquest

The results of space study broaden the possibilities of TV and communication, give warning of storms, are used for navigation, in geological prospecting, agriculture and other branches of the national economy.

Space flight conditions are constantly used to study the adaptability of the human beings and other living organisms. This is essential for preparing the crews for prolonged space flights, for extending our knowledge in the field of medicine, and for developing means and methods of overcoming the unfavorable effects of space flight on living organisms.

Concurrent with improvement of the space apparatuses which have been already used to investigate the Moon, Mars and Venus, and of Intercosmos satellites, automatic Prognoz high-apogee observatories cargo and transport spacecraft of the Soyuz-T and Progress classes and others, new space vehicles will be developed to explore the planets of the Solar system. This will promote better understanding of the evolution of nature on the other planets, help to obtain new information on the structure of the Earth and its atmosphere and additional data on natural resources, means of protecting the environment, on the state and changes in physical and biological characteristics of the surface layers of the world ocean.

Men have already adapted to space, they can live and work there for prolonged periods of time. Only reliable spaceships with completely automatic working processes and comprehensively trained cosmonauts can ensure success of space flights.

Account must be also taken of the cosmonaut’s health because nobody can guarantee that he will not fall ill in space. While the spacecraft orbits the Earth it is not dangerous because the crew can be quickly returned. But what if they are on the way to another planet? Everything must be foreseen in that case, and first of all it is necessary to find medicines which will enable the crew of, for instance, future interplanetary spacecraft and the personnel of lunar settlements and large near-space orbital stations to live and work for long periods without illness.

In prolonged flights the cosmonauts must get accustomed not only to the inconveniences caused by weightlessness and to the narrow confinements of the station but also to the prescribed rhythm of life and intensive work.. The necessity for prolonged flights is evident, because they are more justified economically. It has been established that after several months’ stay in outer space man has completely adapted himself to weightlessness and begins to work at full capacity.

It is not yet known for sure what the consequences of prolonged weightlessness, isolation from society and confinement in reduced living space can be. Information provided by medical examination of cosmonauts who had stayed in outer space for a long time will be paramount importance for further development of world cosmonautics.