Step 3. Electrical engineers

Task 1. Pronounce correctly the following words and word combinations. Learn them by heart.

Electrical engineer – инженер-электрик

to conduct research – исследовать

to oversee – наблюдать

lighting and wiring – освещение и электропроводка

radar system – радиолокационная система

navigation system – система навигации

communication systems – системы средств связи

to focus on – сосредоточивать внимание на

qualitative – качественный

quantitative – количественный

precision – точный, четкий

drawings – чертежи

to emphasize – придавать особое значение, акцентировать

strong numerical skills – высокий уровень вычислительных навыков

computer literacy – компьютерная грамотность

concept – идея, понятие

maintenance – эксплуатация, текущий ремонт

to account for – отчитываться, отвечать за что-л.

fraction – доля, часть, крупица

project schedule – проектное планирование

senior engineer – старший инженер

technician – специалист

significant – важный, значительный

valuable – ценный

up-to-date – современный, новейший

fabrication plant – производственный завод

site – участок

mine – рудник, шахта

to supervise – контролировать, наблюдать

electrician – электротехник, электромонтер

Task 2. Read and translate the text.

Electrical engineers

Electrical engineers conduct research; design, develop, test and oversee the development of electronic systems and the manufacture of electrical equipment and devices (electric motors; lighting and wiring in buildings; radar and navigation systems; communication systems; power generation, control and transmission devices). Electrical engineers also design the electrical systems of automobiles and aircraft. They traditionally have focused on the generation and supply of power, so they specialize in areas such as power systems engineering or electrical equipment manufacturing.

Fundamental to the discipline (electrical engineering) are the sciences of physics and mathematics as these help to obtain both a qualitative and quantitative description of how systems will work. Today most engineering work involves the use of computers and it is commonplace to use computer-aided design programs when designing electrical systems. Besides, electrical engineers should know design techniques, tools and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, drawings and models.

Perhaps the most important technical skills for electrical engineers are reflected in university programs, which emphasize strong numerical skills, computer literacy and the ability to understand the technical language and concepts that relate to electrical engineering. Knowledge of machines, including their designs, uses, repair and maintenance is also very important.

For many engineers, technical work accounts for only a fraction of the work they do. A lot of time may also be spent on tasks such as discussing proposals with clients, preparing budgets and determining project schedules. Many senior engineers manage a team of technicians or other engineers and for this reason project management skills are significant too. Most engineering projects involve some form of documentation and strong written communication skills are therefore very valuable. Besides, electrical engineers have to keep up-to-date technically and apply new knowledge to their job.

The workplaces of electrical engineers are just as varied as the types of work they do. Electrical engineers may be found in a fabrication plant, the offices of a consulting firm or on site at a mine. During their working life electrical engineers may find themselves supervising a wide range of individuals including scientists, electricians, computer programmers and other engineers.

Task 3. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following:

1. проводить исследование;

2. устройства передачи электроэнергии;

3. источник энергии;

4. методы проектирования;

5. проектное планирование;

6. чертежи;

7. письменные навыки общения;

8. программы автоматизированного проектирования;

9. энергетика и производство электрооборудования;

10. системы средств связи.

Task 4. Think of the best translation to the following word combinations and statements.

1. to oversee the development of electronic systems;

2. to focus on the generation and supply of power;

3. fundamental to the discipline (electrical engineering);

4. principles involved in production of precision technical plans;

5. important technical skills reflected in university programs;

6. computer literacy;

7. technical concepts that relate to electrical engineering;

8. technical work accounts for only a fraction of the work they do;

9. to manage a team of technicians;

10. Electrical engineers have to keep up-to-date technically and apply new

knowledge to their job.

Task 5. Arrange synonyms given in columns I and II in pairs.

1. to conduct 2. to test 3. commonplace 4. ability 5. concept 6. repair 7. proposal 8. significant 9. valuable

a. ordinary b. skill c. worthy d. mending e. to carry out f. idea g. important h. to exam i. offer

Task 6. Put in the missing prepositions.

1. They traditionally have focused … the generation and supply of power.

2. They specialize … areas such as power systems engineering or electrical equipment manufacturing.

3. Electrical engineers should understand the technical language and concepts that relate … electrical engineering.

4. A lot of time may also be spent … tasks such as discussing proposals with clients, preparing budgets and determining project schedules.

5. For many engineers, technical work accounts … only a fraction of the work they do.

6. Besides, electrical engineers have to keep up-to-date technically and apply new knowledge … their job.

Task 7. Fill in the gaps using words and word combinations from the text.

1. They traditionally have focused on the generation and supply of power, so they specialize in areas such as … .

2. Fundamental to the discipline (electrical engineering) are the sciences of … .

3. Today most engineering work involves the use of computers and it is commonplace to use … when designing electrical systems.

4. Knowledge of machines, including their … is also very important.

5. A lot of time may also be spent on tasks such as … .

6. Besides, electrical engineers have to keep up-to-date technically and … .

7. Electrical engineers may be found in … .

Task 8. Answer the questions.

1) What kinds of electrical equipment and devices do electrical engineers design and develop?

2) What areas do electrical engineers specialize in?

3) What sciences are fundamental to the discipline (electrical engineering)? Why?

4) What technical skills are important for electrical engineers?

5) Is it true that for many engineers technical work accounts for only a fraction of the work they do? Prove your answer.

6) Where may electrical engineers be found? What are their workplaces?

Task 9. Give the summary of the text.