Children's Railway

For students of the children's railway school in Kratovo, in addition to math, history and literature the timetable this year also includes instruction on how to operate the fully working kids-sized train line, which runs from the school to the nearby village of Otdykh. The line is fully functioning complete with ticket offices, signals and three working stations: Pionerskaya, Shkolnaya and Yunost.

The children are responsible for all aspects of the train's operations: "Controllers, conductors, drivers, switchmen, inspectors, cashiers these roles are all undertaken by the children," comments Svetlana Kovalenko, Press Officer for the Moscow Railroad. "Children study here for five years between the ages of 11 and 16. They have the opportunity to follow a variety of specialized subjects alongside the traditional curriculum. They are also introduced to responsibilities of work and they begin to understand how a railroad is run.

"Attendance at the school is free of charge and we believe that it provides a valuable service to the children, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds. Lots of our students go on to follow higher or further education; this year around 50 of our students went on to study in higher educational institutions."

Lesson SEVEN

Ex. 1. Practice the reading of the following words and phrases:

characterized, maintenance, requirement, scaleable, interface, barrier, simultaneously, diagnostic, diagnosis, failures, guarantee, evaluation, trial, fault, extensive, irregularity;

federal railways authorities, double-track line, multiple-track layout, flashing light, audible alarm, manual switching device, dual-channel automation system, fibre-optic cable, identical function.

Ex. 2. These are the key words to Lesson 7. You are to copy them and memorize their meanings.

Word-box:

level crossing protection system – ограждение переезда светофорами; trial operation – опытная эксплуатация; layout – схема, план; a flashing light - мигающий сигнал; a controller – оператор; а LED (light-emitting diode) display – светодиодный дисплей; GSM – глобальная система мобильной связи (стандарт сотовой связи в Европе); a barrier – шлагбаум, a barrier drive – привод шлагбаума.

Ex 3. Copy the following words and memorize their meanings:

the authorities – власти, руководство;

to evaluate – определять, оценивать,

(an) evaluation – определение, оценка.

to integrate – составлять целое, объединять;

simultaneous(ly) – одновременный(но), синхронный(но).

Read and translate the following sentences into Russian:

1. Our neighbours have never really integrated into local community. 2. If you see anything suspicious, inform the airport authorities. 3. The school inspectors evaluate the quality of teaching. 4. They both spoke simultaneously, that’s why I wasn’t able to understand a word. 5. The administration’s first task is to integrate the welfare system with the tax system. 6. The authorities are trying to prevent illegal immigrants from remaining in the country. 7. The military authorities would not allow us to film any damaged buildings. 8. The audio-visual method uses sound and pictures simultaneously. 9. We provide simultaneous translations for French-speaking delegates. 10. We ask all ex-trainees to provide us with an evaluation of the courses they took. 11. You should integrate newcomers into the group. 12. We conducted a thorough evaluation of the system. 13. He uses five criteria for evaluating manufacturing firms. 14. These programs can be integrated with your existing software. 15. They developed an integrated website that customers can use to buy products from any company. 16. A small microchip that contains a large number of electrical connections and performs the same function as a larger circuit made from separate parts is called an integrated circuit. 17. A dangerous situation can be caused by only simultaneous errors of the train control system and the train driver.

Ex. 4. The word monitor can be either noun or verb. Fill in the blanks using the correct forms of the word and translate the sentences:

1. A screen that shows information from a computer is called a … . 2. This is a simpler system that requires fewer engineers to … it. 3. The situation is being closely … . 4. Flight boarding times are displayed on the overhead … . 5. Look! We’ve bought a flat-screen … . 6. The software enables companies to … employees' Internet use. 7. Visual display unit (VDU) means a … . 8. A network monitoring system … the network for problems caused by overloaded or crashed servers, network connections or other devices. 9. Video broadcast … produce accurate images. 10. Computer terminals … traffic conditions using information supplied by signaling centers. 11. Electronic interlockings … interconnection between signals, points and vehicles. 12. Usually, automated subways also include surveillance systems, such as closed-circuit TV, to allow people to … trains' movement ahead and safety from a control room.

Ex. 5. Match the words in line A with their synonyms in line B:

A: a design; to execute; to approve; to consist; to provide; a layout; to connect; to integrate; to evaluate; a failure; to store; irregularity; to transmit, to pass; a status; to ensure;

B: to guarantee; a project; abnormality; a scheme; to perform; to confirm; to link; a state; to transfer; to keep; to include; an error; to combine; to supply; to assess.

Ex. 6. Match line A with line B and translate the terms’ definitions:

A	B
1) a controller	a) an electrical circuit linking one device, especially a computer, with another
2) an interface	b) the part of a computer that performs logical and arithmetical operations on the data as specified in the instructions
3) a central processing unit (CPU)	c) an arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements through an arrangement of tracks such as crossings
4) a display	d) the equipment concerned with controlling the operation of an electrical device
5) an interlocking	e) a device capable of representing information visually

Ex. 7. Use the Passive Voice instead of the Active Voice and translate the sentences into Russian:

1. We use this room only on special occasions. 2. Someone switched on a light and opened the door. 3. Why didn’t they mend the roof before it fell in? 4. No one can do anything unless someone gives us more information. 5. They rang the church bells as a warning. 6. They make these artificial flowers of silk. 7. He can offer me the job. 8. Lightning struck the old tree. 9. Did the idea interest you? 10. You can change the trains when you go there. 11. The introducing of ATC systems has increased traffic capacity of railroads. 12. An automatic train stop system may include a device by means of which the automatic application of the brakes can be forestalled. 13. The on-board equipment must provide high reliability and safety level. 14. Train control systems use four different ways to transmit the signaling information. 15. The highly integrated train control systems of the future use mobile communication technologies such as GSM. 16. Some train control systems give only warnings and have no automatic brake interference at all. 17. The driverless system joins all the airport's terminals, parking garages and the new Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station. 18. Wireless link connects traffic control system and a vehicle. 19. The system monitors vehicle movements continuously and in accordance with fail-safe signaling principles.

Ex. 8. Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first one. Use the prepositions: for, to, with, in, between.

Model: What caused the explosion? → What was the cause of the explosion?

1. We’re trying to solve the problem. We’re trying to find a solution … .

2. She gets on well with her brother. She has a good relationship … .

3. Prices have gone up a lot. There has been a big increase … .

4. I don’t know how to answer your question. I can’t think of an answer … .

5. I don’t think that a new road is necessary. I don’t think there is any need ….

6. The number of people without jobs fell last month. Last month there was a fall ….

7. Nobody wants to buy shoes like these any more. There is no demand … .

8. In what way is your job different from mine? What is the difference …?

9. Train Control Systems support the driver to operate the train. Train Control Systems provide support to the driver… .

Ex. 9. Match the Russian phrases in column A with their English equivalents in column B.

A	B
1) территория станции	a) an audible alarm
2) модульная конструкция	b) on-site diagnosis
3)инструкции по техническому обслуживанию	c) a service PC
4) изменять структуру системы	d) a monitoring signal
5) контрольный сигнал	e) a multiple-track
6) звуковой аварийный сигнал	f) a three-stage diagnostic system
7) многопутная железная дорога	g) a station area
8) переключающее устройство	h) status indication
9) трёхступенчатая система диагностики	i) maintenance requirements
10) установление причин на месте	j) remote diagnosis
11) индикация состояния	k) a switching device
12) обслуживающий компьютер	l) to configure a system
13) дистанционная диагностика	m) a modular design

Text A. Read and translate the text using a dictionary if necessary.