Additional study: building’s history

I. Read and translate the text

The history of building extends as far back as that of civ­ilization itself. Primitive building required practically no tools and depended upon the mere piling up of stones or sun-dried bricks for walls and the using of branches for roofs.

The invention of tools permitted the cutting of stones and timbers. The later use of firmer tools, with the transition to bronze, is marked by the Egyptian pyramids and temples, while the coming of the Iron Age brought tools which made possible the development of carpentry and fine accurate stone cutting. Most of the building of old times was based upon the column and beam method of construction.

Great changes in building methods together with numer­ous mechanical invent ions and the appearance of new mate­rials (such as concrete) resulted in great buildings being erect­ed during the following centuries.

The middle of the 19th century, with the use of steam and electricity saw deep changes in the entire range of building.

The modern building is designed by an architect who calls to his assistance consulting and technical services for the various mechanical and engineering factors which enter into it.

Taken as a whole, modern building constitutes a vital element of national industry. The great problem still ahead of building is to help satisfy such urgent social needs as min­imum-cost housing and the elimination of excessive city congestion.

Vocabulary

to depend – зависеть

to permit – разрешать

to be based upon – основываться на

use – польза

Invention – изобретение

timber – строительный лес

Industry – промышленность

numerous – многочисленный

Various – различный

II. Make up your own sentences with the vocabulary

III. Answer the questions

1. How far does the history of building extend?

2. What required practically no tools?

3. What permitted the cutting of stones and timbers?

4. What is marked by the Egyptian pyramids and temples?

5. What was based upon the column and beam method of construction?

6. When did the use of steam and electricity see deep changes in the entire range of building?

7. What does modern building constitute?

8. What is the great problem ahead of building?

IV. Complete the sentences

1. The history of building extends …

2. … permitted the cutting of stones and timbers.

3. … is marked by the Egyptian pyramids and temples.

4. Most of the building of old times was based upon …

5. … saw deep changes in the entire range of building.

6. The modern building is designed by an architect who …

7. Taken as a whole, modern building constitutes …

V. Put all types of questions to the sentences

• Primitive building required practically no tools.

• The invention of tools permitted the cutting of stones and timbers.

• Most of the building of old times was based upon the column and beam method of construction.

• The modern building is designed by an architect.

• The great problem still ahead of building is to help satisfy such urgent social needs.