Week 9
Text: Dynamos
Grammar: The Participle
Essay: Highways or public transportation?
I. Read the text
DYNAMOS
The term «dynamo» is applied to machines which convert either mechanical energy into electrical energy or electrical energy into mechanical energy by utilizing the principle of electromagnetic induction. A dynamo is called a generator when mechanical energy supplied in the form of rotation is converted into electrical energy. When the energy conversion takes place in the reverse order the dynamo is called a motor. Thus a dynamo is a reversible machine capable of operation as a generator or motor as desired.
A generator does not create electricity, but generates or produces an induced electromotive force, which causes a current to flow through a properly insulated system of electrical conductors external to it. The amount of electricity obtainable from such a generator is dependent upon the mechanical energy supplied. In the circuit external to a generator the e. m. f. causes the electricity to flow from a higher or positive potential to a lower or negative potential. In the internal circuit of a generator the e. m. f. causes the current to flow from a lower potential to a higher potential. The action of a generator is based upon the principles of electromagnetic induction.
The dynamo consists essentially of two parts: a magnetic field, produced by electromagnets, and a number of loops or coils of wire wound upon an iron core, forming the armature. These parts are arranged so that the number of the magnetic lines of force of the field threading through the armature, coils will be constantly varied, thereby producing a steady e. m. f. in the generator or a constant torque in the motor.
II. Fill in the gaps with the words given below:
to convert, generator, reversible, obtainable, induction, loops
1. The term “dynamo” is applied to machines which.....either mechanical energy into electrical or on the contrary electrical energy into mechanical energy.
2. A dynamo is a..... machine capable of operation as a generator or motor as desired.
3. The amount of electricity..... from such a generator is dependent upon the mechanical energy supplied.
4. The action of a generator is based upon the principles of electromagnetic.......
5. The dynamo consists of two parts: a magnetic field, produced by electromagnets, and a number of.....or coils of wire.
III. Find the Russian and Kazakh equivalents for the following English words and word combinations:
1) to be applied to smth.;
2) to convert smth. into smth.;
3) rotation;
4) to utilize;
5) a properly insulated system;
6) internal (external) circuit;
7) capable of operation;
8) positive (negative) potential;
9) reverse order;
10) energy conversion.
IV. Answer the questions
1. What term can be applied to machines converting mechanical energy into electrical and vice versa?
2. What kind of machine is a dynamo?
3. What is the function of a generator?
4. What is the action of a generator based upon?
5. What parts does the dynamo consist of?
V. Grammar:
The Participle
The participle is a non-finite form of the verb which has a verbal and an adjectival or an adverbial character.
There are two participles in English — Participle I and Participle II, traditionally called the Present Participle and the Past Participle.
Participle I is formed by adding the suffix ‑ing to the stem of the verb; the following spelling rules should be observed:
(a) If a verb ends in a mute e, the mute e is dropped before adding the suffix ‑ing: to give — giving, to close — closing.
(b) If a verb ends in a consonant preceded by a vowel rendering a short stressed sound, the final consonant is doubled before adding the suffix ‑ing: to run — running, to forget — forgetting, to admit — admitting.
A final l is doubled if it is preceded by a vowel letter rendering a short vowel sound, stressed or unstressed: to expel — expelling, to travel — travelling.
(c) The verbs to die, to lie and to tie form Participle I in the following way: dying, lying, tying.
As has already been stated, the participle has a verbal and an adjectival or adverbial character. Its adjectival or adverbial character is manifested in its syntactic functions, those of attribute or adverbial modifier.
2. Participle I and Participle II can be modified by an adverb.
3. Participle I has tense distinctions; Participle I of transitive verbs has also voice distinctions. In Modern English Participle I has the following forms:
| Active | Passive | |
| Indefinite | writing | being written |
| Perfect | having written | having been written |
The tense distinctions of the participle.
Like the tense distinctions of all the verbals, those of the participle are not absolute but relative.
Participle I Indefinite Active and Passive usually denotes an action simultaneous with the action expressed by the finite verb; depending oh the tense-form of the finite verb it may refer to the present, past, or future.
Participle I Perfect Active and Passive denotes an action prior to the action expressed by the finite verb.
Participle II has no tense distinctions; it has only one form which can express both an action simultaneous with, and prior to the action expressed by the finite verb; the latter case is more frequent.
Exercise 1. State the form and the function of Participle I. Translate.
1. Having traversed seven hundred miles he was now travelling toward the border of the United States. (Horgan) 2. There was a tiny smile playing about the corners of his mouth. (Stone) 3. He had a beautiful old house in Queen Anne Street, and being a man of taste he had furnished it admirably. (Maugham) 4. Dona Carlotta covered her face with her hand, as if swooning. (Lawrence) 5. Turning in anger, she gave John a shove, spilling his tea. (Lindsay) 6. To Maggie, the new protective gentleness of her son was sweet, and also very frightening. (Lessing) 7. Judging him by his figure and his movements, he was still young. (Collins) 8. Placing his drink upon the mantelpiece the ex-convict stood for a moment observing the young man out of the corner of his eye. (Cronin) 9. Being very tired with his walk however, he soon fell asleep and forgot his troubles. (Dickens) 10. He [Lincoln] raised his eyes, looked at her as though peering over the top of spectacles. (Stone) 11. There were four girls sitting on the wooden benches of the agency's front room. (I. Shaw) 12. Having shaken hands with them, he brought his own hands together with a sharp slap. (Priestley) 13. Manuel went in, carrying his suitcase. (Hemingway) 14. While pondering this problem, I sat in the dormitory window-seat. (Ch. Brontë) 15. I am going to Rome, having friends there. (Dickens) 16. There was sunlight coming in through the shutters. (Hemingway) 17. Abraham appeared at noon the next day, bringing with him two hundred dollars in cash. (Stone) 18. Much of the afternoon I looked out of the window, as though thinking, but not really thinking. (Snow) 19. He was thoughtful for a moment while leaning perilously close to the fire. (Stone) 20. Cecilia had heard very little being absorbed in her own reflections. (Crawford) 21. Having breakfasted, out I went. (Ch. Brontë) 22. He looked at his father listening with a kind of painful desperation. (Cronin) 23. She recrossed her legs comfortably, as though preparing for a long session on the sofa. (I. Shaw) 24. Never having encouraged friends to drop in spontaneously, she was almost totally alone. (Stone) 25. A cold wind swept the pavement, bearing a scrap of silver paper from a chocolate box across the lamplight. (Greene)
Exercise 2. Translate into English, using Participle II where possible.
1. На листе бумаги было несколько строк, написанных карандашом. 2. Если меня спросят, я скажу правду (to tell the truth). 3. В вазе было несколько увядших роз. 4. Я не люблю смотреть на посаженных в клетку животных (to cage). 5. Книга будет здесь, пока ее не спросят (to ask for). 6. Муж ее был отставным полковником. 7. Хотя он был очень удивлен, он не сказал ни слова. 8. Вот новые учебники, присланные для нашей школы. 9. Оставленный один в темноте, ребенок заплакал. 10. Студенты писали сочинение о системе образования в Англии, как она описана Диккенсом. 11. Солнце село, и деревья казались темными, как будто высеченными (to cut) из черного мрамора.
Exercise 3. State the function of Participle II. Translate.
1. Stirred by the beauty of the twilight, he strolled away from the hotel. (Cronin) 2. All the country near him was broken and wooded. (Aldington) 3. For a moment the trio stood as if turned to stone, (Murdoch) 4. Through the dark hall, guarded by a large black stove... I followed her into the saloon. (Mansfield) 5. If left to myself, I should infallibly have let this chance slip. (Ch. Brontë) 6. He spoke when spoken to, politely and without much relevance. (Hansford Johnson) 7. He cast upon her one more look, and was gone. (Hichens) 8. Miss Brodrick, though not personally well known in the county, had been spoken well of by all men. (Trollope) 9. Prepared, then for any consequences, I formed a project. (Ch. Brontë) 10. Thus absorbed, he would sit for hours defying interruption. (Stone)
VI. Topic: Highways or public transportation?
Transportation is among the most important factors affecting the living conditions of people in the society. A prosper transportation system has different components, among which the roles of public transportation facilities, highways and roads are prominent. But if a government finds itself in the stage of defining its priorities in transportation, should it place higher importance on public transportation facilities, or should it prefer to invest more on highways and roads? There are many advantages in investing on roads and highways, however these advantages cannot surpass the advantages of investing on public transportation systems.
The most important advantages of investment on roads and highways include higher potential for the transportation of goods, reduction in costs pertaining to problems caused by low-quality roads, and notable effect on the thriving of the whole region and country. If a government invests on roads and highways, the quality and quantity of roads and highways will increase, so that the potential of the region for transportation of goods will be improved which will result in booming of the economy and higher income for the government. Furthermore, problems such as accidents, and gradual damages to vehicles that are caused by low-quality roads and highways will be reduced. So, the roads and highways will be safer and fewer damages will be caused on drivers. Finally, a country with vast number of high-quality roads and highways is more apt to prosperity. Because there will be more opportunities for the people of the country to have access to various resources. If the system is organized and managed well, it can lead to greater development.
However there are also many advantages in investment on public transportation facilities. A well-designed and managed public transportation system can eliminate traffic congestions in cities. Less traffic problem means the less air and noise pollutions, and can provide society with more physically and mentally healthy people. In addition, prosperous public transportation can save lots of our valuable time that otherwise is usually wasted in heavy traffic. Prosperous public transportation can also lower the huge amount of costs consumed on private vehicles including fuel, service and insurance costs. This saved money due to a good public transportation system can compensate the money spent on public transportation facilities. Finally, public transportation will increase people's contact with each other, while private cars may to some extent isolate them from the society.
In conclusion, although there are many advantages in investing on roads and highways, there are more advantages in investing on public transportation. So, government should consider public transportation as its first priority in any transportation investments.