Line and staff positions (линейньіе и управленческие должности)

1. 
   US demand for natural gas is increasing.
   
2. 
   The production of gas in many long-time prime producing areas (e.g. The Gulf Coast) is diminishing to the point of near-total deple­tion.
   
3. 
   Without significant increases in drilling (well beyond antici­pated levels), demand is predicted to significantly exceed supply very soon.
   
4. 
   About 14% of US natural gas is being imported from Canada.
   
5. 
   It is currently impossible to transport natural gas across oceans.
   
6. 
   Huge gas reserves in the Nile Delta, for example, are relevant to US needs.
   
7. 
   Former USSR (once the world's largest producer) production has not declined more than 30% since 2002.
   
8. 
   The best well in the onshore 48 states is in Grand Canyon Field, Nevada.
   

10. 
    Oil and gas are used for much less than fuel.
    

10. 
    Every time you brush your teeth (nylon bristles), drink milk or soda from a plastic container, or play a plastic CD, Thank a Ge­ologist!
    
11. 
    Remember that 57% of the US's electricity is still generated by burning coal — although almost all of the rest comes from burning oil or gas.
    
12. 
    In terms of total US energy usage, the breakdown by source is given in the following table:
    

14. 
    In contrast to US usage, France obtains about 75% of its elec­tric supply from nuclear energy sources.
    
15. 
    The US oil industry lost more than 1.000.000 jobs from 1990-s, more than the more publicized auto and steel industries combined.
    

1. 
   Your opinion of the US air and space industry.
   
2. 
   Why do you think safety is the foundation of air-industry?
   
3. 
   What condition remains a top priority not only of general avia­tion but of every other industry in the United States?
   
4. 
   Is the US air industry rapidly adapting to meet the changing needs and expectations of their customers?
   
5. 
   Are businesses the most important customers of the air industry?
   
6. 
   Is globalization of the economy an important factor for future development of the air industry?
   

7. 
   Has the Aerospace Industries Association developed a five-year plan for aerospace R&D?
   
8. 
   Is there a free market for aerospace products in any country?
   
9. 
   Do you agree that exploration for and production of oil and natural gas are the first steps in delivering services to our homes?
   

10. 
    What lands does the federal government own?
    
11. 
    Explain, how you understand the words «multiple-use» land.
    
12. 
    Is Alaska a promising area for future large discoveries of oil?
    
13. 
    Environment protection and production are not mutually exclu­sive, are they?
    
14. 
    Why do you think the US demand for natural gas is increasing?
    
15. 
    Outline the energy sources and their shares in the US economy.
    

1. 
   The United States is the third largest oil producer in the world, behind only Saudi Arabia and Russia.
   
2. 
   The largest gas fields in the world are in the West Siberian Ba­sin (including Uruguay, Hamburg, Zapolyarnoe) and containing more gas than in all the known gas fields in the US, including Alaska.
   
3. 
   In the US about 35% of oil and gas production comes from res­ervoirs in the Gulf Cost and California, about 25% is form reservoirs of West Texas, Rockies, Mid-continent, and about 12% is from reser­voirs of Cretaceous age.
   
4. 
   The offshore US Gulf of Mexico has become one of the «hot­test» exploration areas in the world just a few after many had de­clared it the «Dead Sea» for exploration potential.
   
5. 
   Dramatic improvements in 3-D seismic technology and deep-water drilling methodology are largely the basis for this resurgence.
   
6. 
   In 1994 US oil imports exceeded 50% of consumption for the first time. But in 2000 US imports were about 11 million barrels per day compared to their domestic production of 6 million barrels per day. Just do the math.
   
7. 
   World consumption of primary energy increased by 2,6% in 2002, well ahead of the 10-year growth trend of 1,4% per annum.
   
8. 
   World coal consumption increased by 6,9% in 2002. However, this was almost entirely a Chinese phenomenon, reported consump­tion in China rose by an extraordinary 27,9%.
   
9. 
   The USA is the world's leader in automobile industry.
   

11. 
    The US automobile industry's sales have increased up to 12 million units per year.
    
12. 
    A wave of mergers with foreign automakers grasped the country in 1990-s.
    
13. 
    The most important market for the US automobiles is neigh­boring Canada.
    
14. 
    Not all automobile exporters can stand the US standards of ecological safety.
    

А.: Які тенденції розвитку ми бачимо сьогодні у промисловості США?

В.: У національному доході вартість продукції промисловості у 10 разів більше вартості продукції сільського господарства. Промисловість США має велику, технічно оснащену мате­ріальну базу.

А.: Що можна сказати про рівень безробіття у країні?

В.: Безробіття постійно зростає, бо навіть новітні галузі пра­цюють не в повну силу.

А.: Виробництво вугілля все ще є важливим для економіки?

В.: Ведуча роль у енергокомплексі належить нафті та природ­ному газу. В результаті науково-технічного прогресу вугіл­ля вже не використовується такими споживачами як флот, залізниця, та комунальне господарство. Сьогодні його ви­користовують лише електростанції.

А.: Як можна охарактеризувати виробництво електроенергії?

В.: Як галузь, яка дуже швидко зростає. США є світовим ліде­ром у цій галузі.

А.: Чи чорна та кольорова металургія переживають якісь певні зміни?

В.: Так, хоча чорна металургія все ще концентрується на пів­ночі країни, з'явилися нові комбінати, які розташовані на атлантичному узбережжі, які оснащені новітнім обладнан­ням та працюють вони на імпортній сировині.

А.: А кольорова металургія?

В.: Заводи кольорової металургії тяжіють до регіонів здобичі сировини або до портів, через які сировина ввозиться, тому вони, в основному, зосереджені на заході і півдні.

А.: Для країни дуже важлива машинобудівельна галузь, чи не так? Чим ця галузь відрізняється від інших?

А.: Які галузі машинобудування розвиваються швидше за інших?

В.: Треба визначити електротехнічну, радіоелектронну, раке­тобудівну та авіапромисловість, які в основному, працюють на військові замовлення.

А.: Які штати вважаються центрами автомобільної промисловості?

В.: Автомобілі виробляються у 125 містах у 26 штатах, але «автомобільним штатом» є Мічиган, а «автомобільним міс­том» лишається Детройт.

А.: Які галузі легкої промисловості є більш важливими та роз­винутими?

В.: Серед галузей легкої промисловості найбільш розвинутими є текстильна та взуттєва галузі.

А.: Що впливає на розміщення промисловості СІЛА, які фактори?

В.: Це, в основному, фактори концентрації трудових ресурсів, транспортний, а останнім часом економічний та «наукоміс-ткісний».

XVI. 1) Read, translate and learn the following dialogue, drama­tize it in class:

I. Labor in the USA

A.: I am very interested in current labor problems in the USA, could

you answer a few questions on the problem? B.: It is a pleasure to help you. A.: It is very kind of you. First of all, what is a major challenge to

the American labor? B.: In the late 20^th century, we think the declining size of the

American industrial base was the most important problem. A.: What could be the reason for it? B.: Lower labor costs have helped foreign companies in such fields

as automobiles and electronics to gain larger shares of the

American market. A.: And what about US factories? B.: Many large US factories have closed, and large numbers of

workers have lost their jobs. A.: What other problems are of some threat to labor?

B.: In my opinion, automation is a continuing challenge. Many older factories have been introducing automatic machinery to perform tasks previously done by workers.

A.: Is it done mainly to increase productivity in response to the challenge of foreign competition?

B.: You are right. And in many cases it has meant the elimination of jobs.

A.: And what about labor movement in the country?

B.: Although the American labor movement began early in the na­tion's history, the percentage of workers who belong to unions has also declined.

A.: Are there any explanations for this?

B.: Economists, labor leaders themselves have offered several ex­planations. Some say it reflects the trend in American society away from manufacturing industries, which have traditionally been union strongholds, toward service industries with weak union organization.

A.: And what do you think?

В.: І may add, that women, young people and part-time workers comprise an unusually large proportion of the employment in­creases of recent years.

A.: Who is responsible for protecting the rights of US workers? B.: It is shared by the federal government and the 50 individual states. A.: What is the role of the federal government? B.: It may act to regulate commerce among the states, while states may

set conditions applicable to commerce within their own boarders. A.: Have the states adopted any laws setting labor standards? B.: You are right. But among federal laws, some of the most im­portant include: the Act on national minimum wages, overtime pay, equal pay and standards to protect child labor from abuses. A.: And what about safety and health?

B.: The law requires employers to provide safe and healthy conditions. A.: I know that the federal government provides adjustment assis­tance to employees, companies and communities hurt by foreign competition, doesn't it? B.: In 1974 the Congress adopted The Trade Act. It provides reemployment services such as training, job research and relo­cation allowances and weekly cash payments to US workers who are separated from employment because of foreign imports.

B.: There are a lot of pension plans in the country. They cover the workers who retire or become disabled, or their dependents in case they die.

A.: What formula is the base for most private pension plans?

B.: It is based on the employee's age, years of service and annual salary. By federal law, all pension plans offer «vested pension rights» to workers who have completed a certain number of years of service.

A.: The employees are guaranteed to receive pension payments af­ter retirement or in some other cases?

B.: They are guaranteed it even if they leave the firm because they retire.

A.: What is the largest retirement income program in the country?

B.: It is the US governmental program, called Social Security, known as the Social Security Act.

A.: What does it provide?

B.: It provides full-rate all-age pensions to working people who re­tire at age 65, or reduced-rate pensions to those retiring between the ages of 62 and 65.

A.: Who contributes to this pension plan?

B.: The plan uses no federal funds, as employees contribute to it through a payroll tax, which is taken as a percentage of their salaries; employers contribute an equal amount. Self-employed workers also pay a portion of their earnings to the program.

A.: Who receives the federal pensions?

B.: The federal government has traditionally provided military pen­sions as well as pensions for most federal workers.

A.: Are all employees satisfied with it?

B.: Many people — generally those who are self-employed and those who believe their pension plan to be inadequate — put part of their income into a special individual pension program.

A.: Thank you very much. It clears most of the questions I was in­terested in.

IV. Unemployment Insurance

A.: Who organizes unemployment insurance? B.: It is organized as a federal-state system.

A.: Is it the basic program of income support for unemployed US workers?

B.: The Federal-State Unemployed Compensation Program pro­vides insured wage-earners with a partial replacement of their wages during periods of involuntary unemployment.

A.: What are the main conditions for the employment insurance?

B.: In general, the worker must be able to work, must not have quit without good cause or have been discharged for misconduct, must not be involved in a labor dispute and must be willing to work.

A.: Who determines the amount and duration of the weekly unem­ployment benefits?

B.: Each state does it on the basis of prior wages and length of em­ployment of the unemployed.

A.: What is the role of the federal government in periods when un­employment rises?

B.: The federal government shares the costs of extended benefits with the states. But it is the states that extend the duration of benefits when unemployment rises and remains above specified state levels. Each state operated its own program under its own laws with only limited federal intervention.

XVII. Topics for discussion:

1. 
   The outline of the US industry.
   
2. 
   The scientific and technological progress and its impact on the development of the US Industry.
   

The students prepare the conference on such problems. The agenda covers the following questions:

1. 
   The 21^st century has brought new challenges to the US industry.
   
2. 
   The problems of the US labor.
   
3. 
   Pensions in the USA.
   
4. 
   Unemployment insurance.
   

Agronomy today is very different from what it was before about 1950. Intensification of agriculture since the 1960-s in developed countries, often referred to as the Green Revolution, was closely tied

However, environmental damage due to intensified agriculture, in­dustrial development and population growth have raised many ques­tions among agronomists and have led to the development and emer­gence of new fields, e.g. integrated pest management, waste treatment technologies, landscape, agriculture, genomics.

New technologies, such as biotechnology and computer science (for data processing and storage) and technological advances have made it possible to develop new research fields, including genetic en­gineering and precision farming.

Agriculture science seeks to feed the world's population while preventing biosafety problems that way affect human health and the environment. This requires promoting good management of natural resources and respect for the environment.

Economic environment, and social aspects of agriculture sciences are subjects of ongoing debate. Recent crises, such as mad cow dis­ease and issues such as the use of genetically modified organisms, il­lustrate the complexity and importance of this debate.

In the western world, use of improved genetics, better management of soil nutrients and improved weed control have greatly increased yields per acre. At the same time, use of mechanization has decreased labor requirements, releasing most of the population from intense ag­ricultural labor.

In recent years some aspects of industrial intensive agriculture have been the subject of increasing discussion. The widening sphere of influ­ence held by large seed and chemical companies and meat packers has been a source of concern both within the farming community and for the general public. The patent protection given to companies that develop new types of seed using genetic engineering has allowed seed to be li­censed to farmers in much the same way that computer software is li­censed to users. This has changed the balance of power in favour of the seed companies allowing them to dictate terms and conditions previously unheard of. Some argue, these companies are guilty of biopiracy.

Soil conservation and nutrient management have been important concerns since the 1950-s, with the best farmers taking a stewardship role with the land they operate.

Increasing consumer awareness of agricultural issues has led to the rise of community supported agriculture, local food movement, slow food and commercial organic farming, though these yet remain fledg­ling industries.

Agricultural policy focuses on the goals and methods of agricul­tural production. At the policy level, common goals of agriculture in­clude:

food safety: ensuring that the food supply is free contamination;

food security: ensuring that the food supply meets the population's needs; and

food quality: ensuring that the food supply is of a consistent and known quality.

Very recently, genetic engineering has begun to be employed to speed up the selection and breeding process. The most widely used modification is a herbicide resistance gene that allows plants to toler­ate exposure to glyphosate. A less frequently used but more contro­versial modification causes the plant to produce a toxin to reduce damage from insects.

There are specialty producers who raise less common types of livestock or plants: aquaculture, the farming of fish, shrimp, and al­gae; apiculture, the culture of bees, traditionally for honey, increas­ingly for crop pollination.

intensification of agriculture


інтенсифікація сільського госпо­дарства; штучні добрива;

пошкодження оточуючого середо­вища; агрономи;

контроль за паразитами; технології щодо ліквідації відходів; ландшафтний дизайн;

біотехнологія; прикладна генетика; дебати, які йдуть у теперішній час; врожай; спільнота;

програмне забезпечення; компанії, які займаються прода­жем насіння; біопіратство;
artificial fertilizers environmental damage

agronomists

pest management

waste treatment technologies

landscape architecture

genomics

biotechnology

genetic engineering

ongoing debate

yields

community

computer software

seed companies

biopiracy

agronomy; phytosanitary products; biotechnology; environment; per acre; awareness; food safety; food quality; shrimp; Green Revolu­tion; environmental damage; to feed; mad cow disease; biopiracy; slow food; food security; livestock; honey.

1. 
   Crisp apples, creamy diary products, fine wine, fresh seafood, ... succulent beef and ... mouth-watering vegetables. Washington food products are known world-wide for their quality, variety and ... year-round availability.
   
2. 
   Combined with state of ... art food-processing, world-class transportation and port facilities, and ... cutting-edge research and technology sector, Washington state is ... agricultural powerhouse.
   
3. 
   ... agriculture has played ... critical role in Washington's econ­omy since ... first pioneers settled over 200 years ago. Today, ... agri-food complex employs 173,000 people — more than any other sector in the state.
   
4. 
   Agriculture accounts for ... fifth of the state's annual gross product. In 2000, ... farmers earned $ 5.4 billion, ranking Washing­ton's farms among ... top twelve in the nation.
   
5. 
   ... industry has increased efficiency and productivity as ... re­sult of heightened competition and growing consolidation.
   
6. 
   Washington growers use ... latest technology to preserve ... soil and water.
   
7. 
   ... industry employs sophisticated monitoring equipment to en­sure food security from ... field to ... plate.
   
8. 
   Seattle is ... processing and distribution centre for ... vast fish­eries of... north Pacific Ocean.
   
9. 
   It is homeport for ... largest fishing companies in ... nation, and ... US headquarters for many foreign-flag fleets.