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What Motor-Car Buyers Want
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In answer to a questionnaire sent out by the General Motors Corporation relating to the general characteristics considered most important in cars, 211000 replies were received. According to the Automobile Daily News, car users specified the following characteristics, listed in order of their importance:
| 6. | ease of control; |
| 7. | smoothness; |
| 8. | low first cost; |
| 9. | pick-up; |
| 10. | speed. |
1.reliability;
2.operating economy;
3.safety;
4.appearance;
5.comfort;
It is very significant that pick-up and speed, frequently stressed in automobile advertising, are, according to the answers of this questionnaire, considered of least importance by the car buyers.
Section 7
1.Прочтите текст.
2.Найдите в тексте предложение, где говорится о способе переключения коробки передач, и переведите его.
3.Каков основной недостаток этого узла? Найдите в тексте это предложение и переведите его.
4.Кратко изложите содержание текста на русском языке.
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Automobile Synchromesh Transmissions
This automated transmission provides effective two-pedal motoring, with the standard four-speed all synchromesh gearbox, a hydraulically operated diaphragm spring clutch and a low ratio torque converter. A microswitch in the gear lever knob initiates clutch disengagement when the knob is touched, thus making normal gear changes despite the absence of the clutch pedal. Although the torque converter can start in any gear, it is desirable that the converter should start in the first or second gear from the point of view of acceleration requirements. Any gear ratio may be kept in engagement to suit the driver's wishes and road and traffic conditions.
This transmission makes driving in the city traffic easier and has good characteristics even when the car is moving on snow and ice. The only drawback of this synchromesh transmission is its cost.
Section 8
1.Прочтите текст.
2.Переведите текст на русский язык в письменной форме.
3.Для какого класса автомобилей предназначена (найдите в тексте) такая тормозная система?
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Super Stoppers
Disk and drum brakes are conventional ones. Improved hydraulic systems and anti-lock devices are designed to make brakes more effective. But they don't improve the brakes themselves.
Recently a clutch-type brake of extreming simplicity was created. Most brakes are cooled by air, like an air-cooled engine. But like a car engine they could be liquid-cooled, a water tank cools the brakes with its water when the brakes reach a certain temperature. That method should be used only for sport cars, but not for conventional passenger-cars.
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The inventor became interested in liquid cooling of brakes and developed several systems.
In passenger cars the engine's water and radiator were used to cool (he brakes. The idea is that both the engine and the brakes will not be generating peak heat at the same time.
Radar-controlled brakes are being studied now. In such cars radar is used for measuring the distance to the next car, printing that information into a simple computer, which points the accelerator, and brakes what to do.
Section 9
Прочтите текст и ответьте на следующие вопросы:
a.What elements does the electric gear change control system consist of?
b.Where is the system used?
c.What does the control system provide the driver?
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Electric Gear Change Control System
This electric gear change control system is for large vehicles. It consists of three basic elements: a controller located near the driver, an
electric cable to the transmission, and a solenoid actuated valve on the transmission that receives the signal from the driver to change gear selection.
The system is used in large trucks where the transmission is mounted far from the engine. The control system provides the driver a high degree of operation flexibility. The system also incorporates an inhibitor which prevents accidental down changing at high vehicle speed.
Section 10
1.Прочтите текст с целью общего понимания содержания.
2.Дайте описание основных узлов автомобиля.
3.Кратко изложите содержание текста на русском языке.
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Lotus Elan Саг
Lotus Elan is a car, capable of carrying four person and their luggage at great speed and in comfort. It is the finest sport car.
In construction, it is very similar to the two-seater Elan car, with a steel chassis, at the front of which the 16-litre engine is installed and at the rear the differential is located. The body is a glass-fiber unit, carrying no chassis stresses. The whole car is just 2 ft longer and 10 inch wider than the previous version.
With such a light and aerodynamic car the driver can reach maximum 6500 rpm easily. Despite its high power output and two carburettors the engine always started easily. An engine is a smooth unit with a high torque.
Section 11
1.Прочтите текст 1 с целью общего понимания содержания.
2.Переведите текст, пользуясь словарем.
TEXT 1
Autotest of Volvo
Since previous tests of the car the engine capacity has been increased from 1.778 to 1.986 c.c.
Earlier Volvos had some real difference in appearance but the current series have international look, but with considerably more space for passengers and baggage than the earlier models. Technically, they are conventional, with the 2-litre 4-cylinder engine mounted in front, and rear-wheels drive through a 4-speed gearbox and coil-spring live axle.
Brakes are servo-assisted discs, the rear brakes incorporating small drums for the parking brake. Twin hydraulic circuits unite both front brakes to one rear brake, so that when one circuit fails only one brake is lost.
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The synchromesh gearbox is satisfactory. In average conditions the car rides well.
Прочтите текст 2 и переведите его без словаря.
TEXT 2
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