1. Translate the words.
1. energize
2. recharge
3. battery
4. display
5. gasoline
6. distinguish
7. promote
8. electrify
9. rear
10. ordinary
11. attain
12. properly
2. Read and translate the text.
The electric automobile energized by rechargeable batteries appeared to have a great future nearly a century
ago.
In 1888, Scientific American described an English electric carriage. An ordinary four-passenger "dog cart", the
vehicle was electrified by Immisch & Company of London for the Sultan of Turkey, ft had a 1 -hp motor
connected by chain to a rear wheel. The makers claimed that the twenty-four-cell battery (stored under the
seats) could "propel the vehicle at a speed of about ten miles an hour for five hours."
In a trial run at a skating rink in Camden Town, "no great speed could be attained, on account of the confined
space and the consequent necessity for frequent sharp turns." One assumes that ordinary Turks were
properly impressed by their Sultan's electric dog cart.
In 1847, Werner von Siemens publicly said he would build an electric-powered carriage. He did so with the
1897 Viktoria.
Twenty-eight percent of the 4,192 American automobiles produced in 1900 were electric. In the New York
automobile show of that year more electrics were on display than gasoline or steam vehicles.
Some of America's most distinguished inventors, including Thomas Edison, were promoting electrics or taking
part in their development. And the first American firm to manufacture cars by hundreds was churning out well-
designed electrics.
3. Fill the missing gaps.
The electric automobile energized by _______ appeared to have_________ nearly a century ago.
Some of America's most _________, including Thomas Edison, were __________electrics or __________ in
their development.
The makers __________ that the twenty-four-cell battery (stored under the seats) could "__________ the
vehicle at a speed of about ten miles an hour for five hours."
4. Answer the questions
1.Did the electric automobile appear to have a great future nearly a century ago?
2. Were most distinguished inventors, including Thomas Edison, promoting electrics or taking part in their
development?
3. What electric car was described by Scientific American in 1888?