III. Reading comprehension

1. Answer the questions

1. What do skyscrapers start with?

2. What does the large hole contain?

3. What does the type of foundations depend on?

4. How are foundations usually made?

5. What is another method?

6. Why does each column rest on a steel platform?

7. How are vertical steel columns fixed to the foundations?

8. In what way a strong framework is formed?

9. How are the floors formed?

10. Where are ducts installed?

11. For what reason is all metalwork fireproofed?

12. What is the outside of the building covered in?

13. What does cladding consist of?

2. Read the statements and say whether they are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones

1. Skyscrapers start with a very large hole in the ground.

2. The type of foundations depends on the framework of the building.

3. Foundations are usually made by drilling narrow, deep holes and filling them with reinforced concrete to form girders.

4. A thick raft of concrete is fixed on top of the piles.

5. Vertical steel columns are bolted to the foundations.

6. Steel girders are fixed to metalwork to form a strong framework.

7. Metal decking is filled with reinforced concrete.

8. Ducts are installed below the floors to spread the load.

9. All metal work is covered in cladding.

10. The outside of the building consists of prefabricated panels of materials such as stainless steel, aluminium, and glass.

3. Choose the correct word or word combination

1. Skyscrapers start with … .

a. foundations b. floors c. cladding

2. The type of the foundation ... the nature of the ground.

6. rests on b. lays on c. depends on

3. Deep holes are drilled and filled with ... concrete to form piles.

a. reinforced b. stainless c. prefabricated

4. Another method to make foundations is ... piles into the ground.

a. to form b. to drive c. to set

4. A thick raft of concrete is laid on top of the ... .

a. columns b. piles c. panels

4. Vertical steel columns ... to the foundation.

a. are fireproofed b. are fixed c. are bolted

4. Each column rests on a platform of steel ... the load.

a. to cover b. to spread c. to form

8. Steel ... are fixed horizontally from column to column to form a strong frame work.

a. panels b. holes c. girders

9. When lightweight liquid ... sets, it forms the floors.

a. structure b. metalwork c. concrete

10. Ducts ... below the floors.

a. are laid b. are installed c. are drilled

11. It is important that the structure can ... high temperatures without buckling.

a. spread b. contain c. withstand

12. The ... of the building is covered in cladding.

a. framework b. outside c. foundation

4. Complete the sentences

1. Skyscrapers start with ...

2. The type of foundations …

3. Foundations are usually made …

4. Another method is to ...

5. A thick raft of concrete ...

6. Vertical steel columns …

7. Each column rest on…

8. Steel girders are fixed ...

9. Metal decking is laid …

10. When lightweight liquid concrete sets …

11. Ducts are installed to ....

12. All metalwork is ...

13. If the fire happens, it is ...

14. The outside of the building ...