Active Vocabulary 4

agronomic crop [æɡrəʊˈnɒmɪk] – сельскохозяйственная культура

livestock [ˈlʌɪvstɒk] – домашний скот

barley [ˈbɑːli] – ячмень

alternative [ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv] – альтернитива

fermentation [fəːmɛnˈteɪʃ(ə)n] – ферментация

feed crop – кормовая культура

cellulosic biofuels – целлюлозное биотопливо

fibrous [ˈfʌɪbrəs] – волокнистый

potential source of energy [pə(ʊ)ˈtɛnʃ(ə)l sɔːs] – потенциальный источник энергии

energy crop [ɛnədʒi] – сельскохозяйственная культура, используемая в качестве источника энергии

envision [ɛnˈvɪʒ(ə)n] – представлять себе

specialized farm [ˈspɛʃ(ə)lʌɪzd fɑːm] – специализированная ферма

custom-designed pieces of machinery [ˈkʌstəm |dɪˈzaɪnd] – спроектированные по заказу образцы машинного оборудования

lettuce [ˈlɛtɪs] – салат-латук

squash [skwɒʃ] – кабачок

1. Translate the following word combinations into Russian:

Feed crops, major agronomic crops, to meet the nutritional needs of livestock, sugar-based biofuels, is commonly produced, farms may be spread over several states, a steady supply of fresh produce, major vegetable crops include.

2. Read the following text and say:

a) what the term “cellulosic biofuels” means;

b) what subjects are touched upon in the text.

Text 4. What are Crops?

There are many kinds of crops, including agronomic crops, feed crops, fuel crops, vegetable crops, and others.

Agronomic crops are typically grown for grain to feed people and livestock, or are processed into products, such as oil, starch, protein, and flour. Major agronomic crops in the United States include corn (grown for animal feed, ethanol, and processing), soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts, and cotton.

Feed crops are grown specifically to meet the nutritional needs of livestock. They include “small grains” such as wheat, oats, barley, and rice, as well as taller grain crops like corn and sorghum.

Energy crops are harvested for processing into biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, which are being developed as alternatives to fossil fuels. Sugar-based biofuels, such as ethanol, are made from the fermentation of plant sugars. Major sources of these sugars include wheat, barley, rice, as well as sugar beets. Cellulosic biofuels: Much research is being conducted today on ways to make biofuels from fibrous, or cellulosic, plant materials such as corn stalks, hay, and wood pulp. Biodiesel, in contrast, is commonly produced from vegetable oil, making any plant that produces oil a potential source of energy.

Many people envision that vegetable crops are grown on small farms, for farmers markets. In reality, most vegetables are grown on large, specialized farms with many custom-designed pieces of machinery to help ease the labor. Many fields may cover hundreds of acres, and farms may be spread over several states to help insure a steady supply of fresh produce to the market.

In the United States, major vegetable crops include lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, squash, sweet corn, green beans and watermelon.

3. Using the text above, finish the following sentences:

1) There are many kinds of…

2) Major agronomic crops in the United States include…

3) They include “small grains” such as…

4) Much research is being conducted today on ways…

5) Biodiesel is commonly produced from…

6) Most vegetables are grown on…

7) Many fields may cover…

8) Major vegetable crops include…

4. Answer the following questions:

1) What are the main kinds of crops?

2) Give examples of products made from agronomic crops/

3) What’s the purpose of feed crops growing?

4) What are the sources of plant sugars?

5) What do many people envision about vegetable crops?

5. Write the summary of the text above.

6. Retell the text “What Are Crops?”

7. Translate from Russian into English:

1) Сельскохозяйственная культура, используемая в качестве источника энергии, выращивается в целях производства биотоплива.

2) Кормовая культура выращивается, чтобы кормить скот.

3) В настоящее время проводится много исследований в области производства биотоплива из волокна или целлюлозы.

4) Многие люди представляют себе, что овощи выращивают на небольших фермах, а затем поставляют на рынки.

5) На самом деле овощи, в основном, производят на больших фермах, оснащенных современной техникой, облегчающей физический труд людей.