Text 5. Constructing a skyscraper

   New methods in the design and construction of skyscrapers have been closely related to the development of computers. Engineers use computers to solve the complex mathematical problems involved in such construction projects. Computers do this work quickly by breaking the design down into a limited number of precalculated elements. Before construction begins, engineers determine the strength of the soils that will lie underneath the new building. With this information, they can design the proper foundation. After the building site is cleared, levelled and drained of water, excavation (digging) begins. Mobile diggers usually excavate the foundation. Ground made of rock may be excavated by blasting. After the excavation is finished, the footings (base) and the superstructure are built. Most steel used in the superstructure, such as beams, girders, and columns, comes prefabricated. Each piece of steel should have a number indicating the exact place where it should be used. When the steel is raised into place, workers fasten the pieces together temporarily with bolts. Later, welders and riveters join these pieces together permanently. Many kinds of cranes and derricks are used in the construction of skyscrapers. The two main kinds are mobile cranes and tower cranes. Mobile cranes are mounted on trucks or special vehicles and can manoeuvre around the outside of the building to hoist materials and equipment from various locations. Tower cranes are supported on a steel tower erected next to or inside a building's framework. After workers complete the superstructure and outside walls, the building is ready to be finished, decorated and furnished.

CLICHES FOR RESUME

I. The text is about … The text tells us about… The text deals with The text is concerned with II. At the beginning of the text the author describes smth (сущ.) that (which)… dwells on (the problem, the question of) informs us about… states that … underlines that … points out that … stresses that …    mentions … comments upon smth  (сущ.)… criticizes … suggests … introduces … III. Then the author passes on to the   description of …   analysis of …   characteristics of …    statement that … IV. After that (next) the author goes on to say about … pays attention to smth … develops the idea of … proves that … characterizes smth (сущ.)… gives the characteristics of … V. At the end of the text the author comes to  the conclusion that … In conclusion the author recommends … decides … repeats … expresses …     Introductory words and phrases It is necessary (interesting) to note that … It is extremely important to underline that... It is not surprising that … It is clear that… It is a well-known fact that… No wonder that … At first … then … In contrast to … Moreover … Thus … Besides … However… As a result … As for …

Этот текст имеет дело с … Этот текст касается … Вначале текста автор описывает касается (проблемы, вопроса) сообщает нам о … утверждает что … подчеркивает что… указывает что … выделяет что … упоминает … комментирует … критикует… предлагает … вводит, представляет … затем автор переходит к описанию … анализу … характеристике … утверждению … После этого (затем) автор продолжает рассказывать уделяет внимание развивает идею … доказывает, что … характеризует … дает характеристику … В конце текста автор приходит к выводу, что … В заключение автор рекомендует … решает повторяет выражает …   Вводные слова и выражения Необходимо (интересно) отметить, что … Чрезвычайно важно подчеркнуть, что … Неудивительно, что … Ясно, что … Это очевидный (известный) факт, что … Неудивительно, что … Сначала … затем … В отличие от … Более того … Таким образом … Кроме того … Однако … В результате … Что касается

Тест

CONTROL YOURSELF

1. High cost and low fire-resistance are classified as

a) advantages of construction materials.

b) disadvantages of construction materials

2. Cement, brick, and concrete may serve as examples of

a) natural materials

b) artificial materials

3. Durability, strength, and high fire-resistance are properties

a) of stone

b) of wood

4. Iron, steel, and their alloys belong to

a) ferrous metals

b) non-ferrous metals

5. One of the advantages of cast iron is

a) its cheapness

b) its high cost

6. Aluminum is

a) a good conductor of electricity

b) a poor conductor of electricity

7. Wood is considered to be

a) the only naturally renewable material

b) one of the naturally renewable materials

8. In cut wood water content is

a) constantly increasing

b) constantly decreasing

9. Steel, brick, and concrete

a) differ in their properties

b) have the same structural properties

10. The drier is the cut wood

a) the lower is its strength

b) the greater is its strength

11. Large structural members are produced by glueing together

a) large strips of wood

b) small strips of wood

12. Wood panels are

a) much easier to install than boards

b) much more difficult to install than boards

13. Plywood panels are made up of

a) thin wooden veneers glued together

b) thick wooden veneers glued together

14. Timber is material that is

a) artificially renewed

b) naturally renewed

15. Removal of moisture from timber

a) increases its strength, hardness, and workability

b) decreases its strength, hardness, and workability

16. Birch and oak belong to

a) hardwoods

b) softwoods

17. Hardwoods are widely used

a) for sanitary purposes

b) for decorative purposes

 

18. In ancient Egypt bricks were produced

a) by burning

b) by drying in the sun

19. Russia is

a) poor in raw materials

b) extremely rich in raw materials

20. Overburned brick

a) should not be used in construction

b) can be used for construction purposes

21. Underburned brick is

a) highly porous

b) glass hard

22. Bricks are produced of

a) sand and water

b) mortar and burned clay

23. Many/Few growing forests serve for producing

a) much timber

b) little timber

24. The properties of building materials

a) are of no importance for building purposes

b) should be taken into account

25. Ceramic tiles are

a) modern products

b) ancient products

26. World's modern atmosphere is

a) clean and fresh

b) highly polluted by chemical waste

27. The colour of ceramic tiles

a) does not depend on the colour of clay

b) depends on the colour of the clay they are made up of

28. Ceramic tiles are applied by means of

a) glue

b) some adhesive substance

29. They are applied with an extremely

a) thin mortar joint

b) thick mortar joint

30. The properties of terracotta are

a) different from the properties of brick

b) similar to the properties of brick