Твір з англійської:Ancient Civilizations/Cтародавні цивілізації

It is known that there have been numerous ancient civilizations and empires throughout history. They have largely contributed to the development of science, technology, medicine and to the general prosperity of humans. I think that those ancient cultures are the foundation of who we are today. The Paleolithic Period was the earliest era of human development. People then didn’t worry about many things. They lived a simple life of sleeping, hunting and eating. But as time passed, humans have evolved. Soon, they could build some structures, make some clothing, survive in dangerous surrounding and even use herbal medications. People started seeking for immortality long ago, but were unable to attain it. It was written in the world’s first epic poem about Gilgamesh. One thing that united all ancient civilizations was the use of symbols or hieroglyphs in writing. Many ancient cultures made inscriptions on walls, rocks or trees to transfer information and to communicate in such way. Although the languages they used are mostly dead, some modern cultures still use hieroglyphs.

 For example, Hebrew and Arabic alphabets were derived from ancient civilizations. Mayan civilization is also an interesting example. They are considered to be the representatives of Mesoamerican region. The Maya people were known for their fully developed written language, distinct art, architecture, mathematical and astronomical systems. They even had an advanced calendar, which was used to track certain periods of time. Many ancient societies worshipped several idols, gods and goddesses. It is especially true about ancient Egyptians. 

They built huge temples for their beloved gods, sacrificed things, and erected pyramids. In conclusion, I’d like to add that being so different from us, ancient civilization cultures still used the same patterns of human behavior as modern societies do.

ПЕРЕКЛАД

Відомо, що протягом всієї історії існувало багато древніх цивілізацій та імперій. Вони внесли великий вклад в розвиток науки, техніки, медицини та до загального процвітання людей. Я думаю, що ці стародавні культури є основою того, ким ми є сьогодні. Період палеоліту був найбільш раннім етапом розвитку людства. Людей тоді не турбували багато речей. Вони жили простим життям: спали, полювали і їли. Але з плином часу, люди еволюціонували. Незабаром вони могли вже будувати споруди, створювати одяг, виживати в небезпечному оточенні і навіть використовувати ліки на основі трав. Люди з давніх часів шукали безсмертя, але не могли досягти його. Про це оповідала перша в світі епічна поема про Гільгамеша. Одна річ, яка об'єднувала всі стародавні цивілізації, це використання символів або ієрогліфів в письмовій мові. Багато стародавні культури залишали написи на стінах, каменях або деревах, щоб передавати інформацію та таким чином спілкуватися. Незважаючи на те, що мови, які вони використовували, в основному вже мертві, деякі сучасні культури до сих пір використовують ієрогліфи. 

Наприклад, іврит і арабський алфавіт мають давнє походження. Ще один цікавий приклад - це цивілізація Майя. Це були представники регіону Центральної Америки. Майя славилися своєю повністю розвиненою писемністю, відмінним мистецтвом, архітектурою, математичною і астрономічною системами. У них навіть був просунутий календар, який використовувався для відстеження певних періодів часу. Багато стародавніх суспільства поклонялися кільком ідолам, богам і богиням. Це особливо вірно щодо древніх єгиптян. 

Вони будували величезні храми для своїх улюблених богів, займалися жертвопринесенням і зводили піраміди. На закінчення я хотів би додати, що, навіть відрізняючись від нас, культури древніх цивілізацій все ж використовували ті ж моделі людської поведінки, що і сучасні суспільства. 

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Gadgets/Гаджети

Every house today is full of smart appliances, such washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, microwave, stereo system, etc. These objects have drastically changed people’s lives. They made it easier to cope with household chores. It seems that new technologies govern the lives of all people on planet. It’s simply impossible to imagine modern life without labor-saving gadgets. A couple of decades ago people had no idea what smartphones or iPhones are, while today nearly everyone has one. It is undoubtedly the best communication and entertainment device. People can connect with each other everywhere they go through social network, text messaging, low-cost calls, chats rooms, etc. It is hard to stay even a day without such handy gadgets. Although, there are, of course, some disadvantages of rapid technological progress.

 Firstly, doctors state that all electronic gadgets are dangerous for health. For example, we spend hours I front of computer or laptop monitors, which results into eyesight deterioration, backaches and headaches. Mobile phones are also harmful to health due to their electromagnetic radiation. Secondly, all modern gadgets make us lazy and clumsy. Thus, we easily gain excessive weight. Thirdly, people have become too dependent on these gadgets. They get stressed or unconfident when they forget a mobile phone or tablet at home. 

In my opinion, gadgets produce addiction, which is bad for people’s mind. Nevertheless, it is hard to underestimate the role of new technologies in our life.

ПЕРЕКЛАД

Кожен будинок сьогодні сповнений розумних пристроїв, таких як пральна машина, посудомийна машина, пилосос, мікрохвильова піч, стерео системи і т.д. Ці об'єкти кардинально змінили життя людей. З ними стало легше справлятися з домашніми справами. Здається, що нові технології керують життями всіх людей на планеті. Просто неможливо уявити сучасне життя без роботоспроможних гаджетів. Пару десятиліть тому люди й гадки не мали, що таке смартфони або айфони, в той час як сьогодні майже у всіх вони є. Це, без сумніву, кращі пристрої для спілкування та розваг. Люди можуть спілкуватися один з одним, де б вони не були через соціальні мережі, текстові повідомлення, дешеві дзвінки, чати і т.д. Важко прожити хоча б день без таких гаджетів під рукою. Хоча, існують, звичайно, і деякі недоліки швидкого технічного прогресу. 

По-перше, лікарі стверджують, що всі гаджети небезпечні для здоров'я. Наприклад, ми сидимо годинами перед моніторами комп'ютерів або ноутбуків, що призводить до погіршення зору, болю в спині і головного болю. Мобільні телефони також шкідливі для здоров'я через свого електромагнітного випромінювання. По-друге, всі сучасні гаджети роблять нас ледачими і неповороткими. Таким чином, ми швидко набираємо зайву вагу. По-третє, люди стали занадто залежні від цих гаджетів. Вони стають напруженими і невпевненими, коли забувають мобільний телефон або планшет будинку. 

На мій погляд, гаджети призводять до залежності, що погано відбивається на психіці людей. Проте, важко недооцінювати роль нових технологій в нашому житті. 

Повністю

Твір з англійської: Future Of Our Planet/Майбутнє нашої планети

The future of our planet is vague. At the same there are many down-to-earth predictions, which seem to work. At the moment we live in the new era - the 21st century. Many centuries before people have lived in harmony with nature and its riches. Today, we are facing lots of global problems, which should be approached seriously. Otherwise, our planet can turn into an uninhabited space. Most of these problems are the result of technological progress and rapid scientific development. On the one hand, it’s good to have modern advances, such as newer computers, house robots, and office equipment.

 On the other hand, to launch and maintain all these machines, we need lots of natural resources. Besides, the growing number of plants is extremely harmful for the surrounding nature. As I see the future of our planet, we’ll have an over-polluted environment. That’s why we’ll have to spend most of the time locked in our flats and houses. These are my personal speculations, which might be right or wrong. I see lots of mighty skyscrapers in the future. They will be equipped with all the necessary facilities, for example, with grocery stores, kindergartens and schools, fitness centers and hairdressing saloons. They will remind a city of full value in one building. Speaking about transport, I think that with such technological progress we will soon have flying cars and taxis, which will pick up the passengers from their own flats. 

Moreover, I think that vehicles will be computerized and self-operated, which will leave the drivers unemployed. There will be lots of new professions in the future, for example, a telesurgeon, a robot counselor, a space tourist guide, a cloning regulator etc. It sounds bizarre, but this can be our nearest future, and we should think about it today.

ПЕРЕКЛАД

Майбутнє нашої планети трохи розпливчасте. У той же час є багато реалістичних прогнозів, які збуваються. На даний момент ми живемо в новій ері - 21-му столітті. Багато століть тому люди жили в гармонії з природою і її багатствами. Сьогодні ми стикаємося з багатьма глобальними проблемами, до яких потрібно підходити серйозно. В іншому випадку, наша планета може перетворитися на безлюдне простір. Більшість з цих проблем є результатом технічного прогресу і швидкого розвитку науки. З одного боку, сучасні досягнення, такі як новітні комп'ютери, домашні роботи та офісна оргтехніка, це добре. 

З іншого боку, для створення і підтримки всіх цих машин потрібно багато природних ресурсів. Крім цього, зростаюче число заводів надзвичайно шкідливо для навколишньої природи. Я бачу, що в майбутньому наша планета стане забрудненою. Ось чому ми будемо проводити більшу частину часу в своїх квартирах і будинках. Це мої особисті здогадки, які можуть бути правильними чи ні. Я бачу в майбутньому безліч могутніх хмарочосів. Вони будуть оснащені всіма необхідними зручностями, наприклад, продуктовими магазинами, дитячими садами і школами, фітнес-центрами і перукарнями. Вони будуть нагадувати повноцінне місто в одній будівлі. Говорячи про транспорт, я думаю, що з таким технічним прогресом у нас скоро будуть літаючі автомобілі і таксі, які будуть забирати пасажирів з власних квартир. 

Більше того, я думаю, що транспортні засоби будуть комп'ютеризовані і самоврядності, що залишить водіїв без роботи. У майбутньому буде багато нових професій, таких як віддалений хірург, радник з роботам, космічний гід, регулятор клонування і т.д. Можливо, це звучить дивно, але це може бути наше найближче майбутнє, і ми повинні подумати про це сьогодні. 

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Will We Live In Space? / Ми будемо жити в космосі?

People have dreamed of travelling in space for thousands of years. But it was not until 1957 that it became a reality.

On October 4, 1957 the USSR launched the first man-made satellite into space. It was called Sputnik 1.

On April 12, 1961 the soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to orbit the Earth. The first spacewoman in the world was Valentina Tereshkova. She made 48 orbits in 1963 in her Vostok 6.

On July 20, 1969 the American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the Moon.

In 1986 the Russian space station Mir was launched.

Progress is inevitable and soon we'll be able to visit and even live on other planets. The 21st century may turn science fiction into science fact. Scientists are already at work on the International Space Station, a "city of space". It will be the size of a football field and will weigh over 200 tons. A team of 10-15 spacemen will probably be able to live and work at the International Space Station in 2005.

The next step will be the first moonbase. 20 or 30 scientists will live inside a dome with an artificial atmosphere. This will make it possible for them to live and work without spacesuits. It also means that they will be able to grow food. If the moonbase is a success, the first lunar city will be built. It will have schools and universities, cinemas and discos, scientific laboratories and hospitals. Even babies will be bom on the moon!

The next great step will be when people land on our nearest planet Mars. Scientists say that the planet once had water on its surface. If that water is now frozen underground, humans will be able to use it someday. By the end of the 21-st century, scientists hope, it will be possible to "terraform" Mars — transform the planet into an earthlike place with air and water. Space awaits the 21st century's pioneers.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Virtual Reality / Віртуальна реальність

Not long ago computers were considered an amazing invention. Today they form part of our everyday life. The latest thing today is Virtual Reality. A Virtual Reality system can transport the user to exotic locations such as a beach in Hawaii or the inside of the human body.

The Virtual Reality system is still in the early stages of its development. At the moment it is necessary to put a large helmet on your head to see the simulated world and you have to wear a special glove on your hand in order to manipulate the objects you see there. Lenses and two miniature display screens inside the helmet create the illusion that the screen surrounds you on every side.

You can “look behind” computer— generated objects, pick them up and examine them, walk around and see things from a different angle. Already today Virtual Reality is used in medicine. In hospitals, surgeons could plan operations by first “travelling” through the brain, heart or lungs without damaging the body. It is also used in police training schools. In schools pupils could explore the Great Pyramid or study molecules from the inside. Developers of Virtual Reality say its potential is powerful.

The word which comes closest to describing Virtual Reality is “simulator.” Virtual Reality technology resembles the flight simulators that are used to train pilots.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Venus / Венера

The second planet from the sun bakes under twice as much solar radiation as Earth and reaches temperatures of 895 degrees Fahrenheit (480 degrees Celsius). Pressure from the dense atmosphere of sulfuric acid gas is about 95 times greater than Earth's and would crush a human. The thick cloud cover around Venus rotates much faster than the planet itself - once every four days.

The surface of Venus is mostly a rocky desert (this computer-generated view shows lava flows around Sif Mons). Like Mercury, Earth and Mars, Venus is composed of mostly rock and metal.

The Greeks believed Venus was two separate objects - one in the morning sky and another in the evening. After the moon, Venus is the brightest object in the sky. Because it is often brighter than any other object in the sky - except for the sun and moon - Venus has generated many UFO reports. While all of the planets orbit in an ellipse, Venus' orbit is the closest to a perfect circle. It is the only planet in the solar system whose day (241 Earth days) is longer than its year (225 Earth days).

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Uranus / Уран

The seventh planet from the sun is much like its gaseous neighbors, with a cloudy surface, rapid winds, and a small rocky core. Uranus was thought to be a star until William Herschel discovered in 1781 that it orbited the Sun.

Perhaps because of a collision with a large object long ago, Uranus orbits at an extreme tilt of 98 degrees - sort of on its side. This causes one pole to point toward the sun for decades, giving the planet strange seasons.

Uranus has numerous satellites and a faint set of rings. If all the possible satellites being studied are confirmed, Uranus would have 16 regular and five irregular moons, making it the most populated planetary satellite system known.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:The mathematical sciences / Математичні науки

Rapid growth in the nature and applications of mathematics means that the Newtonian core - calculus, analysis, and differential equations - is now just one part of a more diverse mathematical landscape. Yet most scientists have explored only this original territory, because that is all that was included in their curriculum in high school, college, and graduate school. With the exception of statistics, an old science widely used across all disciplines that has become largely mathematical during the 20th century, the narrow Newtonian legacy of analysis is the principal connection between practicing scientists and broad mathematical foundations of their disciplines.

The dramatic changes in the mathematical sciences of the last quarter century are largely invisible to those outside the small community of research mathematicians. Today's mathematical sciences, like yesterday's Gaul, can be divided into three parts of roughly comparable size: statistical science, core mathematics, and applied mathematics. Each of these three major areas is led (in the United States) by a few thousand active researches and receives approximately $50 million in federal research support annually. Although the boundaries between these parts overlap considerably, each province has an identifiable character paradigm established by Newton: data, deduction, and observation.

Core mathematics investigates properties of number and space, ideas rooted in antiquity. Its tools are abstraction and deduction; its edifices include functions, equations, operators, and infinite-dimensional space. Within core mathematics are found the traditional subjects of number theory, algebra, geometry, analysis, and topology. After a half-century of explosive specialized growth, core mathematics is experiencing a renaissance of renewed integrity based on the unexpected but welcome discovery of deep links among its various components.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:The Earth and the Solar System / Земля і Сонячна система

We, humans, live on the Earth. And our planet Earth is surrounded by space. The sky is what we see of space. There are billions of stars and probobly billions of other planets moving through space. Our planet is moving through space too. We live on the surface of our planet Earth. Gravity keeps us here on the Earth. Gravity is an invisible force that pulls things and people toward the center of the Earth. All the other planets, stars and moons have gravity too. Without gravity we would float away into space. The Sun lights up the Earth. The Earth turns around each day. The half of the Earth turned away from the Sun is dark. On that half of the Earth it is night. The half of the Earth turned toward the Sun is light. On that half it is daytime. We, humans beings, have always wanted to know what is out in space. We have created telescopes and spaceships to find out. Astronomers use giant telescopes to study the moon, stars and planets. Astronauts travel in spaceships explore parts of space that are too far away for people to visit. The Sun is really a star. Stars are fiery balls of burning gas. We cannot go to the Sun because it is much too hot. The Sun is a million times bigger than the Earth. It's much closer to the Earth than the other stars. That is why the Sun looks so bright to us. The Sun gives light and heat. We, human beings, would not be alive if there were on sun. Plants and animals could not live either. The Moon is our nearest neighbor in space. The Moon is smaller than the Earth. It moves around the Earth in a path, called an orbit. Astronauts have visited the Moon. A spaceship takes a half days to go from the Earth to the Moon. Mercury is a planet closed to the Sun. It is so hot, that nothing can live here. The spaceship sent back pictures of the surface of Mercury. It has rocks and craters like the Moon's. Venus is the second planet from the Sun. It is the closest planet to the Earth and about the same size as the Earth. You can easily see Venus in the sky without a telescope. But even the strongest telescope cannot see the surface as it is cavered by thick clouds. These cloud are made of acid instead of water. Mars is about half as big as the Earth. You can also see Mars in the sky without a telescope. For many ears people have imagine that there are intelligent humanlike beings on Mars, but there is no breathable are on Mars, so Earthlike beings cannot live there. Saturn is the second largest planet. It has at list 20 Moons. Jupiter is the biggest planet in our solar system. The solar system is a very small part of the Milky Way galaxy, this galaxy may have 2 hundred billions stars.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:The Achievement of Science, Technical Revolution and Our Day-to-day Life / Досягнення науки, технічна революція і наш день-в-день життя

As the years go forward our life becomes faster, a lot of new things appear, our mind develops and it cannot stop. It's like a strong river which never ends to run and it is rapidly spreading all over the earth. Many centuries ago people even couldn't imagine that we will be able to exchange information using telephone, fax, Internet as long as they couldn't think that there are a lot of planets except our earth and that people can fly their. If we think how had everything developed, how many new things had appeared and how had the minds of people become so wide we even won't be able to understand it because nowadays we cannot imagine our life without such inventions like lamps, ovens, central heating and others. During the centuries people have been invented the things to make our life easier. A great invention such as transport plays one of the most important roles in our life. We live in flats, can appear in different point of earth within a day, can say hello to people who live in another point of the world. All those things are a product of technical progress and it doesn't stop to grow and develop. Nowadays we live surrounded by machines and other inventions. And with new inventions we become happier because nearly everything is making by machine not by ourselves. And from day to day appear more and more new things. And we don't think about how the first inventions were created. The only thing we know that we never will return to the life which people lived a lot of centuries ago because there is no way back. Everything is handy. We use at home vacuum cleaners to clean the flat, ovens to cook, lifts to walk down in our houses, lamps to make our flats light…. There are a lot of such things like this, and we even don't think about when and where and who invented it. And it's so simple to us. And it's so dear to us that we cannot even live without it. Our century is a century of developing informational connection. Faxes, TV, Internet, and Telephone became the most popular way of getting and sending information. One of the greatest inventions of the century, in my opinion is computer. It's the coup in the technology. When Charles Babbage (1792-1871), a professor of mathematics at Cambridge University invented the first calculating machine in 1812 he could hardly have imagined the situation we find ourselves today. Computer becomes like a brain of human but the only thing it cannot do is to feel. The other things are easy to it. As everything computers also develop. The possibilities of it are so wide. It can do more than 500000 sums in a fraction of a second. Programming became one of the most useful and popular profession. Nowadays computers can pay wages, reserve seats on planes, control sputniks, compose music. Also everybody knows the words Cd Rom, a means of storing information on a disk to be read by a computer, e-mail, which becomes one of the ways to exchange information, the Internet - a network that is a way to get information, to communicate with people, to find everything you need. More and more people become Internet users because we can do so many things their and also cannot say all of them. You can chat there, find job, pay bills, get music, buy something, find referats, and know the latest news exchange information with other people in each point of earth by e-mail and a lot of other functions. As for me it became a usual thing to be connected to Internet. It attracts me by a wide variety of different kinds of information which is necessary to people. Of coarse I use a lot of other things of technology at home. And I think that the main point of such inventions as vacuum cleaners, which we use at home, radio, TV set, mixers, refrigerators, one of the most important thing in every flat all these were invented only after the invention of electricity. So I find the question about technical progress very wide and it's impossible to say about all inventions. And in conclusion I want to say that the technical progress won't stop and the machines will substitute everything except one the human.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Space Exploration / Дослідження космосу

Mankind always dreamed of overcoming gravitation and reaching other planets. But it was only in the 1960ies that this dream was to become reality.

On the 12th of April 1961 the spaceship "Vostok" was launched into space with a man on board and after orbiting our planet successfully returned to the Earth. The first man to overcome gravitation and orbit the Earth was Yuri Gagarin. This day went down in history of mankind as an outstanding achievement, opening the space era. In the course of space exploration there have been lots of achievements of world science and technology. This period saw the launching of many earth satellites, numerous space laboratories. Among the achievements we may enumerate the landing of automatic stations on the Moon, the flights of space laboratories towards the Venus and Mars.

These are the years of manned space flight programmes: Valentina Tereshkova was the first female cosmonaut to make a space flight, A. A. Leonov achieved the first "space walk" in 1965, the first Soviet experimental station with four cosmonauts on board went into orbit, the first American expedition landed on the Moon. The Soviet "Lunokhod", automatic orbital stations "Soyuz" and other space laboratories opened up a new period of space exploration. From the first experiments scientists went over to systematic exploration of space.

Recently there have been calls to reduce expenditure on space research programmes. I think it would be a serious mistake to allow this to happen. There is a direct link between the development of space research programmes and different earth technologies. The higher the former are the more developed the latter are.

Повністю

Твір з англійської:Science and technology / Наука і технології

We live in the fascinating and challenging world of science. It is a world that more and more over the ages, and especially in the 20th century has come to affect so much of our lives. It is involved with the way we travel, the homes we live in and the clothes we wear, how we become ill and how medicine can make us better, and has given us fantastic means of communicating and exploring.

The list of the inventations is rather long. We are on-lookers of great scientific achievements such as television and a computer. We can’t imagine our life withought a notebook or a radio. I’d like to speak in details about computers.

What is a computer?

A computer is an electronic device that stores information and allows changes in it through the use of instructions. A modern computer is capable of doing various tasks, like word processing and accounting. Personal computers are widely used but working on them requires some techniques.

A computer gives a lot of advantages to a user. The list of the advantages is rather long: computers give us access to the Internet- an international computer network. You can spread a lot of your free time surfing the Internet and get all sorts of information from it. You can enter the chat room with other Internet users and debate urgent problems on line. If you are connectable by e-mail, you can correspond with your own web page and place there information about yourself.

Today computers help people to do many things. Bankers use them to keep track of money. Telephone operators use them to put calls through. Without computers, weather forecasters would make more mistakes. Computers also help scientists to solve their problems. More than that computers help police to keep order in shops. Computers also help doctors to treat patients. Computers allow users to spend their free time and relax. But computers have some disadvantages. Computers can make people lazy. People waste their time when they play different games on a computer. People forget to go to the libraries, they often find information on the Internet. Wicked games can make people, especially children aggressive and stupid.

But in my view they have more advantages, that disadvantages. It’s an open secret that the computer is a source of education, entertainment and communication. And in my life the computer plays a very important role. It helps me to find information and relax. Though scientists have archived so much, scientific minds are still working at some urgent problems. I would like to mention some problems. One of them is finding and using alternative sources of energy. Scientists are also learning how to save and conserve energy. They have many problems with creating highly effective systems of communication. I can’t but mention one of the main problems. It is development of life on the planet.

I’d like to focus on the problem how to make our life longer and happier. It’s a well-known fact that nowadays people have a lot of artificial parts or implants inside them. There are some people who have problems with their health, especially with their hearts. And surgeons operate them on and put on implant inside them. Surgeons think that within 50 years one person in ten will have at least one artificial part inside.

Because science will be around us even more in the future, I think we-tomorrows adults must start learning today to be ready to take our places in this computerized, transistorized, antibiotic, nuclear and supersonic age!

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Твір з англійської:Science / Наука

Science is important to most people living in the modern world for a number of reasons. In particular, science is important for world peace and understanding, for understanding of technology, and for our understanding of the world.

Science is important for world peace in many ways. On the one hand, scientists have helped to develop many of the modern tools of war. On the other hand, they have also helped to keep the peace through research, which has improved life for people. Scientists have helped us understand the problem of supplying the world with enough energy; using energy of the sun and of the atom. Scientists have also analysed the world's resources. Scientists study the Universe and how to use its possibilities for the benefit of men.

Scientists are also important for everyone who is affected by modern technology. Many of the things that make our lives easier and better are results of advances in technology. In some cases, such as technology of producing salt from ocean water, technology may be essential for our lives on Earth.

Scientists are learning to predict earthquakes, to study many other natural events such as storms. Scientists are also studying various aspects of human biology and the origin and development of the human race. The study of the natural world may help improve life for many people all over the world.

Basic knowledge of science is essential for everyone. It helps people to find their way in the changing world.

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Твір з англійської:Robots / Роботи

Robots are mechanical helpers of humans, that are capable to perform operations, according to the program installed in them. Nowadays, due to the scientific-technical progress, the elaboration of robots can significantly change human’s way of life.

I think that no one could describe the future without robots (and particularly - androids), if they were asked to. And this is clear, cause even now we can see production prototypes, that demonstrate the achievements of scientists and engineers in this field.

And although, there are still a lot of problems to be resolved, I think we can already say with confidence that in the next 20 years better and cheaper technologies will appear in this field, that will lead to the creation of a market of robots of different functional purpose and difficulty level. This means that the androids (and other robots) will live and work among us, entertaining us and helping us in our everyday physical and intellectual labor.

Like in the American cartoon “Futurama” that shows the Earth in 3000 year. People and robots live there jointly. Of course, it’s just a fable, and robots there are kind of animated (they really have soul or mind, like people), but it’s really interesting point, cause sometimes, in the cartoon, they sort of overact and put themselves on the same level with people or even higher. It can really lead to thinking that robots will rule the world!

Sooner or later, robots will become an integral part of our everyday life, like computers or mobile phones. On the other hand, the level of development of robots depends on perfection in areas such as, for example, human speech recognition or artificial intelligence, and they have not had significant progress for several years. Until the experts of this field will not find a new paradigm, robots won’t learn to perform complex integrated actions. But to bring slippers or to vacuum the room – they can do entirely. Actually robot cleaners are very popular right now. So, the future is for robotics, but it will take a few decades.

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Твір з англійської:Neptune / Нептун

The eighth planet from the Sun - well, some of the time it's eighth, but more on that later - has a rocky core surrounded by ice, hydrogen, helium and methane. Like the other gas planets, Neptune has rapidly swirling winds, but it is thought to contain a deep ocean of water. Its quick rotation fuels fierce winds and myriad storm systems.

The planet has a faint set of rings and 8 known moons. Because of Pluto's strange orbit, Neptune is sometimes the most distant planet from the Sun. Since 1979, Neptune was the ninth planet from the Sun. On February 11, 1999, it crossed Pluto's path and once again become the eighth planet from the Sun, where will remain for 228 years.

Neptune was discovered in 1846 after mathematical calculations of Uranus' movements predicted the existence of another large body.

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Твір з англійської:Moon / Місяць

Though a satellite of Earth, the Moon is bigger than Pluto. Some scientists think of it as a planet (four other moons in our solar system are even bigger). There are various theories about how the Moon was created, but recent evidence indicates it formed when a huge collision tore a chunk of the Earth away. Because it takes 27.3 days both to rotate on its axis and to orbit Earth, the Moon always shows us the same face.

We see the Moon because of reflected sunlight. How much of it we see depends on its position in relation to Earth and the Sun.

The 27.3-day number is what scientists call a sidereal month, and it is how long it takes the Moon to orbit the Earth in relation to a fixed star. Another measurement, called a synodic month, is measured between in relation to the Sun and equals 29.5 days. Full moons and new moon are measured by the synodic month.

Earth's gravity keeps the Moon in orbit, while the Moon's gravity creates tides on our oceans.

Like the four inner planets, the Moon is rocky. It's pockmarked with craters formed by asteroid impacts millions of years ago. Because there is no weather, the craters have not eroded.

The Moon has almost no atmosphere, so a layer of dust - or a footprint - can sit undisturbed for centuries. And without an atmosphere, heat is not held near the planet, so temperatures vary wildly. Daytime temperatures on the sunny side of the Moon reach 273 degrees F; on the dark side it gets as cold as -243. In June of 1999, researchers discovered by accident that a huge cloud of sodium gas trails behind the Moon. The Lunar Prospector in 1998 provided evidence of ice near the Moon's poles, perhaps as much as 6 billion tons of it.

The Moon travels around the Earth at a little more than half a mile per second; its speed is slowing and the satellite is gradually moving away from Earth.

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Твір з англійської:Mercury / Меркурій

The innermost planet is rarely seen because of the Sun's glare. With less than half Earth's gravity, Mercury retains only a wisp of an atmosphere (presumed to be helium). The lack of a significant atmosphere allows temperatures to fluctuate from 750 degrees Fahrenheit during the day to minus 320 Fahrenheit at night. Like the other terrestrial planets - Venus, Earth and Mars - Mercury is made mostly of rock and metal. This small world is scarred by craters and looks somewhat like our Moon.

Mercury has been known since ancient times: the name Hermes, given by the Greeks, later translated to Mercurius by the Romans.

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Твір з англійської:Mars / Марс

The fourth planet from the sun has always captivated our imagination, and while scientists haven't proven there's any life, not even the microscopic variety, the dusty red planet still commands our attention (and a lot of space missions).

The surface of Mars is more interesting than most planets. Like Mercury, Venus and Earth, Mars is mostly rock and metal. Mountains and craters scar the rugged terrain. The dust, an iron oxide, gives the planet its reddish cast. A thin atmosphere and an elliptical orbit combine to create temperature fluctuations ranging from minus 207 degrees Fahrenheit to a comfortable 80 degrees Fahrenheit on summer days (if you are at the equator). Researchers have recently monitored huge storms swirling on Mars. The storms are very similar to hurricanes on Earth.

Mars was most likely warm and wet about 3.7 billion years ago. But as the planet cooled, the water froze. Remnants exist as ice caps at the poles. A recent image of Mars taken by the Hubble Space Telescope shows evidence of water-bearing minerals in large amounts, and scientists say the deposits may provide clues to the planet's water-rich background.

It has not yet been proven that there is life on Mars. A NASA announcement in 1996 about microscopic life found in a meteorite has failed to convince skeptics, and the search continues. The apparent odd motion of Mars as seen from Earth stumped scientists for centuries, finally leading in the early 1600's to the notion that planets orbited the sun in an elliptical pattern. Percival Lowell, an amateur astronomer who studied Mars into the early 1900s, thought he saw canals that must have been dug by inhabitants. Upon closer examination with modern telescopes and planetary probes, they turned out to be optical illusions.

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Твір з англійської:Life In The 21-st Century / Життя в 21-му столітті

We've entered a new era: the twenty-first century. Of course, it's exciting and we are trying to predict what our life will be like in the future. It will certainly become better — I'm sure of it.

Robots will do all the dangerous and dirty work for us and our daily life will become easier. They'll sweep the floor, dust the furniture, wash the dishes and even cook! It doesn't mean we'll become lazier, no. When everything is automated, we'll be able to do more creative jobs.

We'll be able to call our friends on a videophone and type up homework by talking to a small gadget that understands the human voice.

Scientists (or probably computers?) will find solutions to our most urgent problems. People will stop dying from cancer and AIDS and will live to be 150 years old.

There will be no more famine on our planet and no more hungry children. Cities will become cleaner, greener and safer. We'll drive electric cars and live in houses with lots of plants and special air-cleaning gadgets.

Atmospheric pollution will be stopped and our planet will be saved.

There will be no more wars, no more criminals and no more terrorists.

People will learn to live in peace and understand each other.

We'll have more free time and longer holidays. We'll be able to travel in space and — who knows? — one day we'll be able to spend our holidays on Mars.

I'm really optimistic about the future. After all, we are becoming wiser. The superpowers are disarming, governments are waking up to Green issues ...

Anyway, it's up to us to look after our planet and try to make it a better place to live.

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Твір з англійської:Jupiter / Юпітер

Jupiter was believed by Mesopotamians to be a wandering star placed in the heavens by a god to watch over the night sky.

The fifth planet from the sun is a huge ball of gas so massive it could hold all the other planets put together. What we can see of the planet are bands of the highest clouds in a thick atmosphere of hydrogen and helium. Traces of other gases produce the bright bands of color.

Jupiter's most familiar feature is swirling mass of clouds that are higher and cooler than surrounding ones. Called the Great Red Spot, it has been likened to a great hurricane and is caused by tremendous winds that develop above the rapidly spinning planet. Winds blow counterclockwise around this disturbance at about 250 miles per hour. Hurricanes on Earth rarely generate winds over 180 miles an hour. The Red Spot is twice the size of Earth and has been raging for at least 300 years. It is one of several storms on Jupiter.

At Jupiter's center is a core of rock many times the mass of Earth. But the bulk of the planet is a thick gaseous murk that appears smeared through a telescope because the planet moves so rapidly beneath. Jupiter's rapid rotation causes it to bulge, making the diameter 7 percent greater at the equator than at the poles. Jupiter has thin, barely perceptible rings and at least 16 satellites. The four largest - Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto - are called the Galilean moons. They orbit in the same plane and are all visible in a telescope.

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